I am looking for a full size 45 but not a 1911. I have a few 1911 s already but looking for something in da/sa for truck , carry etc... I like the glocks but have been thinking about sig p220 fnh or maybe hk if I can find one not to expensive. So if you had to choice one full size 45 acp what would it be and why? Also what sights?
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Sidearms & Scatterguns Full size 45 side arm?
- Thread starter Rlbol
- Start date
I am a big 1911 fan myself but very recently picked up a smith and wesson m&p .45 and it is rapidly working on becoming my favorite full size pistol. It comes with 3 different palm sweeps that allows it to fit my hand and I am shooting faster and slightly more controlled with it. Never thought I would look away from a 1911 but it has shown itself so far to be pretty rocking. And if you like the thumb safety of a 1911, it's comes as an option for the smith and wesson
You already own "a few 1911 s" right? And you want something for your truck and to carry?
In a full size .45? I'm not following you on this one.
In a full size .45? I'm not following you on this one.
I guess I should have phrased that better. I am looking for suggestions for a full size 45 caliber double action side arm I can beat up , carry and generally not worry about cosmetically damaging it verses say a nice Wilson or Ed brown 3000 dollar 1911. Is that better? Thank you again for the suggestions!
Well I'm guessing it could be the slightly limited capacity compared to a few "other" full size .45's. Or you just want something different. But that's a great picture rolling thunder.
Honestly I only have experience that I would share on 1911 style pistols. I've shot a glock compact in .45, an XD full size .45 and an H&K USP once. I like the de-cocker on the H&K, the XD I shot better than the rest, and the glock well it was a glock. It went bag, and hit what I aimed at.
I've looked an awful lot at the FNX 45 Tactical. I believe that will be my next handgun purchase. It has a capacity of 15+1, 2 interchangeable back straps, slides cut for a red dot, barrel threaded for a suppressor, fixed night sites and front and rear serrations on the slide. Plus fully ambidextrous controls, with decocking safety.
To me that sounds like a great gun. Not sure if you need/want all those options. But that's what I'm getting in the future. I don't need all the options but I like the fact I get them. If not that I would say the standard FNX 45. Though it does not have slide cut for sights, Night sites, ring hammer, or threaded barrel.
That's just my 12 cents. I hope you find what your searching for and post pictures!
Honestly I only have experience that I would share on 1911 style pistols. I've shot a glock compact in .45, an XD full size .45 and an H&K USP once. I like the de-cocker on the H&K, the XD I shot better than the rest, and the glock well it was a glock. It went bag, and hit what I aimed at.
I've looked an awful lot at the FNX 45 Tactical. I believe that will be my next handgun purchase. It has a capacity of 15+1, 2 interchangeable back straps, slides cut for a red dot, barrel threaded for a suppressor, fixed night sites and front and rear serrations on the slide. Plus fully ambidextrous controls, with decocking safety.
To me that sounds like a great gun. Not sure if you need/want all those options. But that's what I'm getting in the future. I don't need all the options but I like the fact I get them. If not that I would say the standard FNX 45. Though it does not have slide cut for sights, Night sites, ring hammer, or threaded barrel.
That's just my 12 cents. I hope you find what your searching for and post pictures!
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I never thought that I'd say this, but buy a Glock in whatever number designation it is that corresponds to .45 ACP and be done with it. You sound like you're shopping like you're picking up a rental car. So be it.
I've been a 1911 fan for some time, but then I tried the HK45c, and really like it. Had a Sig 220 SRT, wish I still had it, was a great gun, honestly liked it better than a lot of 1911s. BUT, I recently tried out an M&P 40, and now this has me going... Maybe I need to re-evaluate things.
Go to a gun range and rent a gob of plastic guns, but if you like 1911s, you are going to like the angle of the S&W M&P, if you like the trigger of the 1911 you will LOVE the... OH JUST KIDDING! But seriously, the M&P really has me wanting more in different calibers. I shoot my guns, I don't care if finish is coming off from holster wear, I don't care if the sights get dinged. These are the things people complain about on M&P's, but then pick up their Glock that has sights that are made at Lego™.
As Veer said, get a Glock, but I'd toss in the suggestion of the M&P.
Go to a gun range and rent a gob of plastic guns, but if you like 1911s, you are going to like the angle of the S&W M&P, if you like the trigger of the 1911 you will LOVE the... OH JUST KIDDING! But seriously, the M&P really has me wanting more in different calibers. I shoot my guns, I don't care if finish is coming off from holster wear, I don't care if the sights get dinged. These are the things people complain about on M&P's, but then pick up their Glock that has sights that are made at Lego™.
As Veer said, get a Glock, but I'd toss in the suggestion of the M&P.
If you're looking for something to throw around, beat up, leave in low-security locations, and be boringly reliable all the time, I agree with the glock suggestions. I'm no fan of the glocks per-se, but find they do what they do with no frills, no adjustments, and no problems whatsoever. That said, I have shot the new FNX 45, and it is a pretty cool piece.
HK or Glock is hard to beat. I have both and the HK feels better in my hand. The glock is likely the less expensive and tons of mags available for both.
Do Not buy any FNP /FNX. 45 unless you like problems and very expensive and unavailable magazines.
Do Not buy any FNP /FNX. 45 unless you like problems and very expensive and unavailable magazines.
The poster above beat me to it....I'll throw my vote in for the HK USP also! My dear old dad bought me one as a 21st b-day present and its been with me through college, vocational school, my first apartment across the state, my first job out of state.... about four states (including CA), more relationships than I can think of....its been my constant companion for almost 15 years and never let me down...now I've got lots of guns but the old girl still holds a special place for me and i'll pass it on to my son when he turns 21.
I carry an STI VIP .40. It's a 4" 1911 that weighs 26ozs empty and holds 15+1. Before that, an XDM 3.8 .40 with a PRP drop in duty trigger. I want a gun that holds lots of rounds. I've also carried many of the suggestions above, and some were too bulky to conceal easily in hot weather. I generally carry the same platform I shoot matches with. I'd stick with a striker fired piece if I wasn't shooting a manual safety gun regularly.
Good point. I have LEO trade in G22s in two of our three vehicles. Had one stolen a couple of years ago. The serial # went in the report, so if the police ever come across it, I may see it again. Seems like back when I bought those, I paid mid/low $300s for 'em.
I've owned both a HK USP 45 and a Glock 21 Gen 4. The USP 45 was okay, but the DA trigger pull is long and not very smooth. In SA, no issues except for the grip size. Nonetheless, that pistol got traded away a couple years ago and I don't miss it one bit.
With the improvements made to the Glock 21 Gen 4, it's an outstanding pistol: variable grip sizes, many aftermarket parts, available mags, and 13+1 capacity. That's pretty tough to beat. In fact, if I could choose an open carry pistol the next time I go downrange, it would be a Glock 21 Gen 4.
With the improvements made to the Glock 21 Gen 4, it's an outstanding pistol: variable grip sizes, many aftermarket parts, available mags, and 13+1 capacity. That's pretty tough to beat. In fact, if I could choose an open carry pistol the next time I go downrange, it would be a Glock 21 Gen 4.
Thank you for all the advise and suggestions! I ended up finding a reconditioned gen 3 glock 21. Price was great. Gun like new with all the extra factory pieces box, mags, paperwork etc..
I spent a good amount of time shooting it. Maybe a 100 rounds. It shoot well. As people said you pull the trigger and it goes bang in an uneventful way! It was pretty accurate as well.
I believe it will work well for what it was purchased to do! I wouldn't mind finding someone to do a little work on the trigger and such. Overall I think for the money and its purpose it is great!
I am going to pursue the hk and sig 220 though. I like the way they feel and would like to spend time shooting them!
Any advantages to the hk over the sig again in full size and 45!
I spent a good amount of time shooting it. Maybe a 100 rounds. It shoot well. As people said you pull the trigger and it goes bang in an uneventful way! It was pretty accurate as well.
I believe it will work well for what it was purchased to do! I wouldn't mind finding someone to do a little work on the trigger and such. Overall I think for the money and its purpose it is great!
I am going to pursue the hk and sig 220 though. I like the way they feel and would like to spend time shooting them!
Any advantages to the hk over the sig again in full size and 45!
Perfect.
No need to find somebody to do the trigger work, its a Glock! Just buy the right parts and have at it.
I would let the other two go altogether and consider your first "other than full size" rig.
http://www.ghostinc.com/c=has1T19XNk3Wk8I9GFwDkaHBl/product/THEBESTTRIGGERS/THE-BEST-TRIGGERS.html
No need to find somebody to do the trigger work, its a Glock! Just buy the right parts and have at it.
I would let the other two go altogether and consider your first "other than full size" rig.
http://www.ghostinc.com/c=has1T19XNk3Wk8I9GFwDkaHBl/product/THEBESTTRIGGERS/THE-BEST-TRIGGERS.html
A little late now but, if you want reliable, built like a tank, feeds anything and everything, and feels as close to a 1911 as you can get, my suggestion is a S&W 4506 or 4566. Neither are sexy like a HK or have fanboyism like the Glocks, just super solid pistols. I have both with the 66 being my fav as it balances a bit better. But both are beefy weapons that will last longer than you will.
I like (but not love) the Glock 21 - it's big, ugly, and fits my hand about as well as a 2x4. But it's also cheap, reliable, and despite the seemingly terrible ergonomics, I tend to shoot them with sufficient accuracy. Mags also seem to be widely available; in fact, they are about the only mags left on the shelf of my LGS as of this morning.
I just bought a glock for the same purpose. an inexpensive beater. I have several 1911's but wanted something go just toss under the seat and at a good price range and reliable. as much as for the price its hard to beat the glock. Its my first one
ETA: I read that you already bought a Glock. Good choice.
Here's a full size, .45 ACP DA/SA that meets your needs...http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/...57894_757775_757751_ProductDisplayErrorView_Y
Now in all seriousness, I've had a Springfield 1911, a FNP-45 USG which was SA/DA with a decocker/safety, and currently have an M&P 45. I've shot a friend's Glock 21 quite a bit and his Glock 30 a couple times. I also owned an XD in 40 and have shot several Sig's in 9 and 40.
I find the M&P the easiest to shoot well and the most reliable of the bunch of .45's I've shot. It will shoot whatever I put in it, whether it be cheap, dirty ammo or really nice hollow points, to some hot hand loads. Magazine capacity is "only" 10, but to me that is enough. It is by far the slimmest double stack .45 I've ever held in the grip width department. I really love this pistol. It's a 4.5" barrel version without a thumb safety and it has Ameriglow night sights now. The whole thing including a serpa holster and night sights cost me about the same as a Glock would have.
The FNP was a fun gun, but was massive in the grip area with the really wide double stack mags, basically wouldn't shoot 230gr ball/fmj ammo because the mags were too short for it, and the safety/decocker was in the wrong place for my thumb. It was in the way all of the time and the actuation was too soft so it was really easy to accidentally push it on safe while shooting it. Also, I couldn't ever find a holster that would fit it and the only night sights available for it were the factory ones which were never in stock. I tried to order a holster/mag pouch/"practice" barrel from the FN eStore, but it was back-ordered. In fact, I think it is still on back order with them and it's been well over a year since I ordered it. All that to say, with the 185gr ammo it was very accurate, and was by far the softest shooting .45 I've ever shot. FN's customer service was good, but in the end ergonomically it wasn't what I wanted, so I sold it. I would not recommend buying one based on the safety's softness and the inability to shoot 230gr stuff. That's my opinion though. If you got one of the non USG models that just has a decocker, nose manual safety, i.e. 2 position lever instead of 3 position, and you don't mind shooting only 185 fmjs, go for it.
Glocks are Glocks. Around here, they run about $100 more each than an M&P or XD, but are about equal with a FNP/FNX or XDM. Triggers are stiff and long, but very consistent. I've never cared for the U shaped rear sights that are standard, but I would replace them wit night sights anyway, so that's moot. For concealed carry, I think the 30 is where it's at. Glock reliability with a 10 round capacity in a compact .45. What's not to like??
XD's are very easy to shoot well and generally have nice triggers. I really don't care for the feel of the grip texture on the XDMs though.
Never cared for the grip texture on a USP, but the HK45 feels awesome in every way. If they weren't so expensive, I'd have one.
As far as what I'd buy for a truck gun, a Sig 220 would be nice if I didn't go M&P.
Hope this is useful
Justin
Here's a full size, .45 ACP DA/SA that meets your needs...http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/...57894_757775_757751_ProductDisplayErrorView_Y
Now in all seriousness, I've had a Springfield 1911, a FNP-45 USG which was SA/DA with a decocker/safety, and currently have an M&P 45. I've shot a friend's Glock 21 quite a bit and his Glock 30 a couple times. I also owned an XD in 40 and have shot several Sig's in 9 and 40.
I find the M&P the easiest to shoot well and the most reliable of the bunch of .45's I've shot. It will shoot whatever I put in it, whether it be cheap, dirty ammo or really nice hollow points, to some hot hand loads. Magazine capacity is "only" 10, but to me that is enough. It is by far the slimmest double stack .45 I've ever held in the grip width department. I really love this pistol. It's a 4.5" barrel version without a thumb safety and it has Ameriglow night sights now. The whole thing including a serpa holster and night sights cost me about the same as a Glock would have.
The FNP was a fun gun, but was massive in the grip area with the really wide double stack mags, basically wouldn't shoot 230gr ball/fmj ammo because the mags were too short for it, and the safety/decocker was in the wrong place for my thumb. It was in the way all of the time and the actuation was too soft so it was really easy to accidentally push it on safe while shooting it. Also, I couldn't ever find a holster that would fit it and the only night sights available for it were the factory ones which were never in stock. I tried to order a holster/mag pouch/"practice" barrel from the FN eStore, but it was back-ordered. In fact, I think it is still on back order with them and it's been well over a year since I ordered it. All that to say, with the 185gr ammo it was very accurate, and was by far the softest shooting .45 I've ever shot. FN's customer service was good, but in the end ergonomically it wasn't what I wanted, so I sold it. I would not recommend buying one based on the safety's softness and the inability to shoot 230gr stuff. That's my opinion though. If you got one of the non USG models that just has a decocker, nose manual safety, i.e. 2 position lever instead of 3 position, and you don't mind shooting only 185 fmjs, go for it.
Glocks are Glocks. Around here, they run about $100 more each than an M&P or XD, but are about equal with a FNP/FNX or XDM. Triggers are stiff and long, but very consistent. I've never cared for the U shaped rear sights that are standard, but I would replace them wit night sights anyway, so that's moot. For concealed carry, I think the 30 is where it's at. Glock reliability with a 10 round capacity in a compact .45. What's not to like??
XD's are very easy to shoot well and generally have nice triggers. I really don't care for the feel of the grip texture on the XDMs though.
Never cared for the grip texture on a USP, but the HK45 feels awesome in every way. If they weren't so expensive, I'd have one.
As far as what I'd buy for a truck gun, a Sig 220 would be nice if I didn't go M&P.
Hope this is useful
Justin
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The H&K USP is the only way to go! Unfortunately for me, I have to keep this in a free state while I am living in gun hating NJ.
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HK 45 with Heine sights. Great ergonomics and unquestionable reliability. Mag release is non-traditional but I like it more as I'm ambidextrous. Now if they only ever get a HK 45 expert, that would be the ultimate.
I previously had thought the whole higher grip bore axis concept was bogus. With shooting 9mm and 40s&w, it does not really play a factor to me as those are smaller rounds with lighter recoil. But with a 45acp, yes, I think it is valid, at least for me. For example, I can shoot my HK 45c more accurately one-hand then I can my Sig p220 with two-hands.
I previously had thought the whole higher grip bore axis concept was bogus. With shooting 9mm and 40s&w, it does not really play a factor to me as those are smaller rounds with lighter recoil. But with a 45acp, yes, I think it is valid, at least for me. For example, I can shoot my HK 45c more accurately one-hand then I can my Sig p220 with two-hands.
Interview with Ken Hackathorn and Larry Vickers
http://pistol-training.com/articles/hk45-interview-with-ken-hackathorn-and-larry-vickers
http://pistol-training.com/articles/hk45-interview-with-ken-hackathorn-and-larry-vickers
HK all the way, I would never carry one in my truck in case of it getting broken into. I carry a cheap revolver in my truck.
This pretty much rings true to me. I have a couple of P220s and think, with training for the DA/SA transition, they are really easy to shoot well. Wouldn't mind trying the DAK trigger. But for what you're describing, I think Glock is the safe answer. Despite not being in love with them, I have three or four Glocks, but not in .45, because they are what they are, and greatly prefer the RTF and Gen 4 grips. YMMV
Not to beat you up and don't take this wrong but why leave a gun in your truck, your not going to have it when you need it, if its stolen the criminal that took it will use it in a crime and it could come back to bite you in the ass or you might surprise the asshole and he has your gun and uses it on you. The only good gun is the one you have with you when you need it. As for the 1911 I have been carrying one for 25 years and if I left one in my truck which I would not it would be a 1911. I don't think carrying different guns when you bet your life on it is a good idea, under stress it could cost you your life. I do have different guns and I do shoot them but I don't carry them for protection and bet my life on them. I do not worry about how much a gun costs when my life or my loved one's life is on the line and I don't have a lot of money but my 45's consist of 5 les baer's and a colt Nastoff, the suggestion made for a hk is a good one as that's what I would carry if I had to carry a double action. I worked for a gun store part time for a while that had a full time gunsmith they sold a lot of hk's as he carried one and he told me that in the 18 years that he worked on guns at the time he never had a hk come it that was broke that he worked on, that was his opinion.
I have an HK-45ct with Heinie ledge sights and the LEM trigger (lgihtened DAO trigger).
I am a 1911 guy and don't love the way plastic guns feel in my hand in general, but I think the HK45 has a couple of things going for it:
1) Accuracy-wise, it is just a step off of my Baer 1 1/2" guarantee 1911. One of the issues with the M&P45 is that individual guns can have questionable accuracy. I am a nut for out of the box accuracy even though it is not a crucial factor for a handgun. It is the marksman in me.
2) Return to aiming point is incredibly fast and natural for me. Better than my 1911, in fact. The tall sights feel kind of weird, but after I pull the trigger, they are back to where I started without having to put any effort into it. This, I think, is a very personal trait in the way that each shooter interfaces with a gun. For me, it works.
Both of those things said, I still rarely shoot my HK. I am getting a suppressor for it, which might cause me to shoot it more often. In the end, if you are a 1911 guy, you will tend to come back to Browning stuff (I also enjoy shooting Hi Powers).
You will need to practice a while to get used to DAO. It freaked me out watching the hammer come back the first couple of times I was shooting, but I adapted after several hundred rounds downrange.
I am a 1911 guy and don't love the way plastic guns feel in my hand in general, but I think the HK45 has a couple of things going for it:
1) Accuracy-wise, it is just a step off of my Baer 1 1/2" guarantee 1911. One of the issues with the M&P45 is that individual guns can have questionable accuracy. I am a nut for out of the box accuracy even though it is not a crucial factor for a handgun. It is the marksman in me.
2) Return to aiming point is incredibly fast and natural for me. Better than my 1911, in fact. The tall sights feel kind of weird, but after I pull the trigger, they are back to where I started without having to put any effort into it. This, I think, is a very personal trait in the way that each shooter interfaces with a gun. For me, it works.
Both of those things said, I still rarely shoot my HK. I am getting a suppressor for it, which might cause me to shoot it more often. In the end, if you are a 1911 guy, you will tend to come back to Browning stuff (I also enjoy shooting Hi Powers).
You will need to practice a while to get used to DAO. It freaked me out watching the hammer come back the first couple of times I was shooting, but I adapted after several hundred rounds downrange.
HK45
sig p227 new double stack 45
glock 21sf
M&P 45
XD 45
FNP 45
you really can't go wrong, just find the one that fits your hand the best. i like the top three as my choices but that doesn't say anything bad against the other options just that the top three i like the feel of better.
and i have to say i have multiple 3k dollar plus 1911's and they get treated no diferent then my glock 21sf, i beat em all. they are all tools, just like my AIAW gets treated same as a r700
sig p227 new double stack 45
glock 21sf
M&P 45
XD 45
FNP 45
you really can't go wrong, just find the one that fits your hand the best. i like the top three as my choices but that doesn't say anything bad against the other options just that the top three i like the feel of better.
and i have to say i have multiple 3k dollar plus 1911's and they get treated no diferent then my glock 21sf, i beat em all. they are all tools, just like my AIAW gets treated same as a r700
I've carried my G21sf since I was 18 and never see that changing. (4 years later) I'm not a huge fan of 1911's but my buddy has a 4.5" XD .45 that is a fine pistol also. Both feel fine in my hand. That being said, I'd choose glock simply because of their track record.
yep and 102 years and still kicking is a shitty ass track record... just saying 
i have three glocks but i love picking on guys who throw that out
i have three glocks but i love picking on guys who throw that out
