Please help me pick my next gun.

[Guest]

Since you limited the calibers to .40S&W or .45ACP then I'd suggest the Glock 35 or if you can find a nice Long Slide .45 from one of the Custom Makers then I'd go that way. If I were just buying an automatic for Range time and fun all around shooting I think I would go with the Glock 35.

 

[N_itis]

SigSauer P229.

I often wonder why I even "mess with" anything else...which encompasses only other "Sigs" and "Smiths."

"Classic" SigSauers are reliable, exceedingly simple to disassemble and clean, and extraordinarily accurate. And, the P229 is, "overall," the best single gun of the bunch. Best of all: good, used examples are finally starting to hit the market at reasonable prices.

Of course, if I were to "start over" I would also take a long, close look at the SigSauer P250 System...lots of "options" with a single serialized "frame" and a price that is competitive with the Glocks and Springfields of the world.

Even if you have to drop $200.00 or $300.00 more for a new P229 or $100.00 more for a new P250 than you would for a new Glock or Springfield, it is well worth the money.

 

[wbraswell]

Get the same one that I got years ago. It's called Colt's Government Model, in .45ACP. You can find good used ones, all it needs is a throated barrel, and maybe taller sights. Every thing else they put on them is just fluff.

 

[VAdoublegunner]

A .40S&W is a great choice. It is much easier to find ammo for right now and cheaper too (local WallyWorld still has Blazer Brass 40 coming in every week for $11.47 for 50; no dice on 45ACP).

The S&W M&P is an obvious and excellent choice in a new gun, the 3rd Gen Smiths (full size 4006, 4046, or compact like the 4053, etc.) are superior pistols in every respect and easy to find cheap these days (bunch of 4046's locally for under $300 right now). Plus, unlike all the usual 1911 advice, you can just buy the gun and shoot it, you don't need all the aftermarket smithing, accessories, blah, blah, blah. That's what turned me off of the 1911 for so long until S&W came out with a decent target model you could just take out of the box and shoot.

I would also recommend the HK USP full size, but it's not cheap. I have both the compact and the full and prefer the full size for the range.

The only 40S&W I would not recommend is a Glock only because of the "issues" with them in 40, but many do seem to like them, but then again, I'm solidly in the hate 'em camp when it comes to that brand (yeah, they 'go bang every time...big whoop, so do 3rd Gen Smiths. They just don't go BOOM!).

 

[Andy Taylor]

I have the SA 1911 GI 45 and it is a pretty cool gun. Absolutely no frills even has the old style sights. I wanted a pistol that looked like a WWII carry gun and this one fit the bill. If you want more modern sights, a better ejection port, go with the SA 1911 Mil-Spec

I did just that. I went with the Mil-Spec, and am very happy. Good basic 1911, with better sites than the GI, and a couple of other features that I didn't care about one way or the other. I did put a set of grips from a GI on it though.

 

[Jeb Stonewall]

Originally posted by HOUSTON RICK:
I'll put a vote in for the S&W 4506, it as .

I'd pick the 4506 also.
The MOST reliable 45 auto EVER made!!!(sorry about that to all you 1911 lovers!)

 

[bmhiii]

Originally posted by Lucky Derby:

I have the SA 1911 GI 45 and it is a pretty cool gun. Absolutely no frills even has the old style sights. I wanted a pistol that looked like a WWII carry gun and this one fit the bill. If you want more modern sights, a better ejection port, go with the SA 1911 Mil-Spec

I did just that. I went with the Mil-Spec, and am very happy. Good basic 1911, with better sites than the GI, and a couple of other features that I didn't care about one way or the other. I did put a set of grips from a GI on it though.

I didn't like the GI in the middle of my grips and they were kinda light for what I wanted, so I added a set of walnut double diamond grips from woodgrips.com. They're $40 now (I thought I paid $30). Very nice darker grips.

 

[g17]

One word: Glock. You can disregard the negative uninformed propaganda. There's never been a more durable and reliable pistol made. Sure, some have had issues when loaded with reloads but which brand hasn't? Anything can be blown up. As for buying a Highpoint to save money, you may as well save even more and buy a brick to carry.

 

[smith revolver cop]

I've heard good things about the Springfield XD or XDM, but you need to be careful reassembling them or you can jam them up tight. (Happened to a guy at work. You literally need to pop it with a hammer to knock it back into battery! Some sort of design quirk if you press down on the chamber when reassembling.)

My personal preference is Para Ordnance LDA (light double action). My duty weapon is a 7.45, which is essentially just a double-action-only 1911. It's not the high capacity, so it takes 1911 mags- plentiful and inexpensive! My current off-duty is the same thing in Carry 6.45- 6 round mag, 3" barrel. They're pricey, but I highly recommend them. All the advantages of a 1911, but no single-action/cocked-and-locked. (I know, I know... no need for a bazillion replies telling me how safe that is. Fact is, darn few departments allow it for patrol carry, and lots of CCW holders aren't comfortable with it.)

 

[N_itis]

Originally posted by g17:
One word: Glock.... Sure, some have had issues when loaded with reloads but which brand hasn't? Anything can be blown up.

I thought the "reload" issue had more to do with cast bullets not "agreeing" with the Glock rifling. i believe the same may be true of some, if not all, HK guns.

 

[crofoot629]

One word: Glock. You can disregard the negative uninformed propaganda.

Not so fast there Tiger, neither my personally owned 40 cal Glocks (22 & 23) will reliably run with a light attached.
And I aint the only one.

Emory

 

[tyusclan]

Originally posted by g17:
As for buying a Highpoint to save money, you may as well save even more and buy a brick to carry.

He said he wasn't looking to carry it and size wasn't an issue.

They are all metal and a bit on the heavy side. They have no shine and glitz. But for someone looking for a decently made, fun-to-shoot pistol at a (very) reasonable price, they're a good option.

 

[HAWKEYE10]

i have each of the messags and they are all
right. i have a S&w m&p 40 compact that i love.the trigger is great on this gun. had a m&p
9mm mid. size the trigger was bad and had to sell it. i think you should buy the gun you like
that feels good to you. i would also think about
sights and trigger pull. trigger pull can be
different on guns of the same make. good luck!

don

 

[minuteman]

1911 45 cal.

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

Originally posted by HOUSTON RICK:
I'll put a vote in for the S&W 4506, a fullsize 45. Very good condition police trade ins are available all over the country for about $400 and it is one solid performer and gun, as a matter of fact, it is one of the few handguns with enough heft that you can use it as a club if you run out of ammo.

Let's not forget the Sig 220ST

 

[Hofstet]

Pricey, but IMHO one of the best .45 autos available, the HK45 and HK45C. Also recommend any of the Sig 220's.

 

[truckemup97]

Originally posted by FirebirdV8:
If you are thinking of a 40, I would go with the S&W 40xx series. It is hard to find a better pistol then the 3rd gen series.

This guy usually has some. Most seem to be police trade ins, used but in good shape. I don't see any on the site right now, but I would give him a call.

 

[marine2541]

My choice would be a HK45C. The recoil is like a .9mm. You can choose from double action only or double/single action with saftey, no saftey, right or left hand options, etc. The compact can be concealed carried easily.

Beware! For some reason a lot of Glock enthusiasts hate HK's. As a HK enthusiast, I think Glocks are fine handguns. I don't understand the anamosity.

 

[GatorFarmer]

FNP .40, or .45. They're not too expensive, well made, and come with three mags. Gives one something different than a Glock.

The mag springs seem to go bad in H&Ks and they rape you on accessories, parts, etc.

Otherwise, if you want a Glock, get a G32 and then buy a G23 barrel. Now you have a .357 Sig and a .40. Or if you want a metal frame auto, do the same with the Sig P229R (the rail is just nice to have if you want gizmoes later).

 

[therevjay]

Originally posted by tyusclan:
Check out the High Point in .45.

They're all metal construction, 100% made in the USA, and a lifetime guarantee. You can get them brand new for around $200.

My son-in-law just bought one. He brought it out a few weeks ago to shoot, and it never missed a lick. I shot it several times and loved it.

They don't have the glitz of the higher-end guns, but for pure functionality at a bargain price, you can't beat it.

Before you laugh, or turn up your nose at that idea, try one.

They are probably the uglyist, most awkward looking gun I've ever seen. But extremly reliable, and dirt cheap. And like the man said, a lifetime warranty.

No, I don't own one. But I've shot one that was absolutely filthy. And like a AK (or the Energizer bunny) It just kept going.