Comments on a .45?

[Arik]

IMO Springfield "Range Officer" is a "Best Buy". All forged, not cast and NO MIMS. Everything you need and nothing you don't and all I have shot are very accurate.

Springfield uses MIM parts on just about all but the highest price production 1911. They make very good MIM but they still do use them

-Slide stop
-Thumb safety
-Disconnect
-Grip safety
-MSH
-Mag release
-Hammer
-Sear

 

[Arik]

OP what do you want from it? A range toy? Carry? Home defense? Collectible? And also ....WHAT'S YOUR PRICE RANGE????.... This is probably the most important part. There are hundreds of different 45s for every reason and style and price.

 

[mule69]

I own two Colt 1911's and enjoy them both for shooting at the range, home defense and the Commander is great for concealed carry. "They are the Real Deal"

 

[N4KVE]

Since this is a S&W forum, I just got this last week for $400. Shot it it the next day, & couldn't be happier. GARY
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d25/pjchen1/dd9d683c-b23f-429f-aa82-7e917eda233d.jpg

 

[MSG Glenn]

My next pistol will undoubtedly be an M&P45C. If I were to see a 1911 at a good price I might bite at that instead. So far just a pipedream - I can't afford either but so far the LEO/Military price at a Police Supply Store of M&Ps beats the price of anything else. Final price of my M&P40C was $349 plus tax & background check at Streicher's.

 

[N4KVE]

Springfield uses MIM parts on just about all but the highest price production 1911. They make very good MIM but they still do use them

-Slide stop
-Thumb safety
-Disconnect
-Grip safety
-MSH
-Mag release
-Hammer
-Sear

At the LGS where I worked, we had a "Springfield Day", & the rep was in the store to answer questions. I asked him if their 1911's used forged, or mim parts. He said he "wouldn't" answer the question, but don't you think if the parts were forged he would have answered the question? GARY

 

[Arik]

At the LGS where I worked, we had a "Springfield Day", & the rep was in the store to answer questions. I asked him if their 1911's used forged, or mim parts. He said he "wouldn't" answer the question, but don't you think if the parts were forged he would have answered the question? GARY

Yes plus it's been proven over and over by nationally know gunsmiths and people in the 1911 industry.

 

[Rastoff]

This being the S&W Forum and since the 625 has been mentioned, I'm going to throw the 4506 out there.

While this is a good gun, I would like to add some comments about it.

First, it's not made any more. While you may find used examples, they are not common.

Secondly, and more important in my book, is the location of the safety/decocker. Slide mounted control levers like this may be inadvertently switched to safe when manipulating the slide. This is not an issue if it is just a range gun, but it might mean death in a self-defense situation. I know of at least two people that had this happen to them. Fortunately it happened in training. Both of them have switched carry guns.

I owned a 4506 once and really liked it. Alas, it is not my favorite design for self-defense.

 

[shawn mccarver]

Best made 1911, currently, and best for resale value, in my opinion, is the real deal - Colt.

If for some reason you don't want a Colt, which has had the 1911 in continuous production since, well, 1911, then these are good: S&W, Ruger, Springfield. I do not recommend Kimber or SIG Sauer.

At the next lowest price point, Remington is ok as well.

After that, try a Rock Island Armory. If you have a problem, they have a "no questions asked" service policy, and their customer service is second to none. In the same general ball park, price wise, is Kahr/Thompson Auto Ordnance. As between the two, I have more experience with RIA, and although there have been occasional problems, RIA has always been outstanding on service, in one case, just simply replacing a customer's gun with a brand new one.

Other than the 1911, there are good "modern" designs as well. In that class, you have the Glock, S&W M&P, SIG Sauer 220 and 227, Ruger SR45, etc.

 

[pawncop]

I have carried a S&W 4506, a Glock 21C and a M&P all in 45 ACP as duty sidearms. The 4506 was on patrol, great pistol but too heavy for plain clothes. The Glock was very serviceable but I just wanted a S&W as my sidearm. Enter the M&P, which I have carried for 6 years now.

In addition my S&W 1911 is one of the most accurate I have shot out of the box.

In summary I would bet my life on any of the four but my M&P is my choice now.

I hope you find this helpful.

 

[_Dylan_]

I loved my Springfield XDs .45 if you're looking for a ccw gun.

And anyone who doesn't like a 1911 is a dirty commie.

I like my M&P45, but the grip doesn't fit my hand quite right.

I also like my SAR arms K2 .45, CZ clone that uses Para 14rd mags. Great gun and feels great like most CZ-type guns do, but the all steel frame is heavy. I got mine for $350 on clearance, but I think they normally run $450.

 

[keithherrington]

Over the years...

I've had the opportunity to shoot almost every .45 out there. In my opinion, the M&P 45 is the best for the price and better than most regardless of price. For decades I believed you had to carry a custom 1911 from a big name pistolsmith. Novak built many of mine and I was never disappointed in the quality and the performance. But when I got my hands on the M&P 45 and saw what $500 would buy me I was sold. With David Bowie's improvements it now costs a bit more than the original $500, but worth every penny. I have two others just like the one below but with night sights instead of the red dot.