Buying a new .45acp and need help. PPQ 45 vs FNX 45

[DaveCota]

Hey guys I have been looking at a new 45acp and pretty much narrowed down my search to these two guns. I am having such a hard time making my final choice. I have handled both and seem to really like them both.

Basically I am trying to purchase a double stack polymer 45, full size, with its purpose as a home defense and an open carry firearm.

Does anyone have any experience with either of these firearms?

I daily carry a PPS M2 9mm so the PPQ would be the big brother to it making the transition very easy. I also use a 1911 quite a bit making a move to the FNX 45 very easy. So both would not be a new style of firearm for me.

The PPQ is for sure a lighter firearm to open carry but the FNX sports a 15 round mag vs the PPQ 12 roung mag which is a good amount different.

Both feel good in the hand. Both have good triggers for me.

The PPQ is a bit smaller and slimmer so if I did want to conceal carry it that would be the easier one.

I can get holsters for both and magazines for both are just as expensive.

Price tag on the firearms leave the FNX about 50 - 60 dollars more but it also includes an extra magazine vs the Walther so its an even trade.

Any help would be great. Thanks guns.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

My Dad bought a PPQ a few years ago in 9mm. The return spring is so strong he can't rack the slide and I can barely do it. That's 9mm, How strong is the 45 return spring. Dad has High Powers and 1911's in 9 and can rack them, and can rack my 1911 Government Model and Commanders in 45. Check out the actual gun you are buying! The demonstrator Dad tried was easy to rack!

Ivan

 

[Arik]

I'd go with what I carry more. And I don't see how you can be good with 7 or 6 rounds of 45 in a 1911 but uncomfortable with 12 in the PPQ

Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk

 

[Grayfox]

A double stack .45 gets real heavy simply due to the weight of the ammo. I have a Para SF-45-A and wouldn't even consider carrying it because its so heavy when loaded. There's also a noticeable difference in handling while shooting as the mag empties.
You've already got a 1911. That's all the .45 you'll ever need.

 

[PatriotX]

Have you been able to shoot either one?

I seem to have a 3" 686+ on me more often than a 2" M64, simply because I shoot it far better.

 

[KSDeputy]

Check the Walther forum. They have been having problems with the PPQ .45 magazine release letting magazines drop out too easily. It needs a stronger spring, which has solved the problem for some contributors. I'd check it out before buying one.

 

[bluesix]

I have an fnx45. I carry it concealed, sometimes in an alien gear holster sometimes just mexican. 6'3" 245.
As far as the gun itself it tends to have a stiff recoil spring and will need to be broken in. It won't be reliable with SWC bullets. All other bullets have been reliable. I have around 600 rds through it.
I personally prefer the flat magazine floor plate which lowers the mag capacity by 1. My only criticism of it is when cocked and locked the safety is not as resistant to accidentally being switched off as my previous 1911's that I had, I carry decocked safety off.
Its also a sweet suppressor host.

 

[DaveCota]

Thanks guys for the replies. I have been able to shoot the FNX 45 Tactical and a PPQ 9mm but not the exact models I am looking to buy. The FNX has a softer shot than I thought it would being a polymer 45 and had no problem with shooting for extended periods. The PPQ 9mm shot just like my other polymer 9mm just with a better trigger. Both are just as accurate as I am with most guns.

I will have to look into these PPQ problems mentioned as I had not heard that before.

I actually really liked shooting the HK45 the most when I rented a bunch of 45s as it was so smooth but man the price hurts me.

 

[naturally aspirated]

Myself, as well as 2 of my co-workers have the PPQ in 9mm. We've never had any issues with the mag release and we do competitive shooting with them. As far as it being hard to rack? Not sure on that one as I feel it's the easiest of all my pistols and my 5'2" wife would agree. She even claims it as her own...

 

[Cardboard_killer]

As far as it being hard to rack? Not sure on that one as I feel it's the easiest of all my pistols and my 5'2" wife would agree. She even claims it as her own...

I'm surprised by the comment, too. What I don't like about the PPQ, the high bore axis, makes it easier to rack than other 9mm autos, especially my own carry choice, the CZ 75 P01 (which has a much, much lower bore axis due to its inside the frame slide).

I've not handled either 45acp, but I think the PPQ is the best striker fired 9mm auto out there, although the gen 4 Glock has impressed me, too. But, I still prefer handguns with hammers.

 

[Toyman]

I have both the 9mm and 45 ACP PPQ and I like them both. The grips feels like my hand was measured to design the grip. The trigger on both is very good for a striker fired gun. I have a belt holster for the 9mm and have carried it. Large gun little hard to conceal due to size.
As far as the mag release issue I have experienced, also. BUT the problem is the way I hold the gun I get to close to the release button and suggestions have been made to use stiffer spring to offset hitting the mag release button while shooting.

 

[DaveCota]

Well guys, I went to the store and made my purchase and it wasnt either one of these.

This is what I went home with.

Found it on sale for 799 and I just could not put it down. Going to hit the range with it this weekend and see how it does.

 

[Arik]

For the amount of money wasted you could have had a Glock 20 in 10mm and a grip of magazines plus ammo.

OR a Glock 29...same conditions.

The ONLY thing HK has over Glock is PRICE...period.

U.S. Army Rangers are now using G-19's exclusively and the new Army COS is recommending an order of GLOCKS with no need for field tests....gotta be a reason, and we all know what it is.

H&K polymer grip frames are thin and fragile.

This is assuming someone wants a 10mm. Now that's a waste. Can't practice a lot or take to classes. Well you can but whos going to spend that much on ammo? Ammo is outrageously expensive and loaded down anyway.

The only thing HK has over Glock is much longer service. And harder tested. It's a USP 45 with an updated design (that of the HK P2000). The original USP45 took a beating on trials and kept going. Including dislodging a stuck round with another round and continued to operate afterwards. In recent tests the HK45 went 50k rounds with 2 minor issues. One bullet needed a second strike and one spring broke, turning the gun into a DA only. At no time did it fail to work.

Rangers use Glocks. They don't need to field test cause they have been using Glocks for a while. It's only news on the internet. Seals and other Special Operations use HK as well as Glock and Sig. So what? The HK 45 was used in the Bin Laden raid!


Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk

 

[Arik]

OP, check Midway, they have cheaper OEM mags at around $45

Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk

 

[Hoov]

I would ask: "Do you like apples or oranges?" The guns are vastly different. Buy one of each!

 

[1911 45]

Well guys, I went to the store and made my purchase and it wasnt either one of these.

This is what I went home with.

Found it on sale for 799 and I just could not put it down. Going to hit the range with it this weekend and see how it does.

Excellent choice let us know how you like it.

 

[Darkstar888]

The PPQ 45 is amazing. World class ergonomics and reliability with arguably the best trigger on any striker fired pistol in production. A really great gun for a decent price. I see you went HK45 which I would actually like more than the Walther and I a Walther fanboy. Love HK and the European mag release like my EDC P99c. Great choice.

 

[CustomChevyGuy]

Well guys, I went to the store and made my purchase and it wasnt either one of these.

This is what I went home with.

Found it on sale for 799 and I just could not put it down. Going to hit the range with it this weekend and see how it does.

That's a screaming deal! I hope you like it half as much as I like my P30.

 

[CQB27]

OP, check Midway, they have cheaper OEM mags at around $45

Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk

A $45 dollar OEM magazine is "cheaper" ?

That's reason enough for me walk away from that thing, but that's just me.

 

[Arik]

A $45 dollar OEM magazine is "cheaper" ?

That's reason enough for me walk away from that thing, but that's just me.

Yep. Considering that some are $60 + per.
I understand that. HK mags are expensive no doubt. However therecare no cheap alternatives, HK makes sure of that. It's both good and bad. Bad cause ..... well it's not cheap. Good cause there are no shortcuts or ProMags!!!! That being said there are sales....good ones. A few weeks ago Midway was selling OEM MAGS FOR $24.99.

Also all the LEO guns typically have cheaper mags. The USP series mags are around $35

Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk