Which mid-priced .45 ACP to buy/which to avoid?

[Ol’ Ed]

I’ve got a friend that’s wanting to buy a .45 ACP, just for punching holes in paper and the occasional zombie. I’m no help as I’m a revolver S&W guy. What’s y’alls opinion on what to buy/what to avoid? And he wants a full-size, no compacts. Thanks.

 

[quest450]

I'm a HK fanboy, i carry .45C and also have the full size.......flawless

 

[LA50SHOOTER]

I’ve got a friend that’s wanting to buy a .45 ACP, just for punching holes in paper and the occasional zombie. I’m no help as I’m a revolver S&W guy. What’s y’alls opinion on what to buy/what to avoid? And he wants a full-size, no compacts. Thanks.

I like the Rock Island Armory models. - affordable (but not junk) 1911 clone and well built.

 

[JFrank]

Springfield makes a darn good mil spec pistol. $700 ish (don’t quote me though)

Colt National Match 70 series are my favorites, new one runs $1250

 

[rwj]

The buyer’s budget will have a significant impact on selection. Factory new prices can vary between $700 to nearly $2000, more for customs. I too like the ones cited above by @SPJ and @LA50SHOOTER, they’re good values.

 

[GNERGY]

I own a couple Rock Island Armorys both 1911's one a plain jane 45acp that I put some good parts in and is my EDC, and a twin stack 10mm that makes for a very powerful semi auto. Both shoot very well and come with a lifetime warranty.
Tarey

 

[watercam]

I purchased a Metro Arms (MAC) Bullseye pistol (6" barrel) for NRA Precision Pistol competition and it was a very well put together and very accurate gun. If I were looking for a plinker I would track down a MAC 5" in hard chrome and never look back. They have someone down there who knows how to make them shoot for very reasonable prices.

 

[joshb]

I'll probably get cursed for this: Glock 41. Longer barrel, larger capacity and it always goes bang! I got mine for $600 new.

 

[hpshooter]

One of my carry pcs. is an HK USP compact in .45 ACP, it is a great gun and is a traditional double action semi-auto which I can carry with the hammer down, safety on. I practice with it and it shoots well and has feed everything I have put in it. But, for recreational shooting, the 1911 is my go to choice and they are all Colts or a Clark built Remingtion Rand. If he wants a revolver I can vouch for the S&W 625 or older model 25.

A very close past friend who was my long time USPSA shooting companion was a die hard Glock shooter and he had a couple of their .45's which were flawless in performance and as he used to say "as dependable as the sun coming up".
Several friends have Rugers and Remingtions and they are decent shooter's and have not given them any problems. One friend has had two Taurus 1911's and traded into a Rock Island but didn't keep them long due to feeding problems.

Lots of choices. I would recommend avoiding the low end of the price range if going with a 1911 style semi-auto.

 

[rwj]

I'll probably get cursed for this: Glock 41. Longer barrel, larger capacity and it always goes bang! I got mine for $600 new.

Glocks are a great choice too. When I hear/read .45ACP, my mind goes to the classic 1911 design. Being an “old timer”, I think that everyone should have one!

 

[TAJ45]

If not two anda half- regular size, Commander and a smallie...
ALWAYS practice weak hand. I have to hold abt 4" low and 7-8 o'clock at 10 - 12 yds for ctr hits.

 

[dogdude]

I'll probably get cursed for this: Glock 41. Longer barrel, larger capacity and it always goes bang! I got mine for $600 new.

I hated the word ''GLOCK'' for thirty yrs....then bought my Mother a 42 (.380) for S/D, I ended up buying accessories for it (extended slide release, mag extension, TLR flashlight/laser). Rock Your Glock.com has more ''stuff"" than you can imagine..so I ended up buying a G43 (9mm)) with the mag extensions and LazerMax, Just had forum member @JJMoody make me a IWB holster WOW quality like no other..now that I have played with a few I'm sorta, kinda, maybeeee, starting too like'um . So maybe a G41 is in order.

I've got a S&W 625 like ""hpshooter''..full moon clips..easy in..easy out

I hear you TAJ45

 

[JASON50CAL]

Another vote here for Rock Island. I love 1911’s and have had several over the years and by far my favorite is a RI TAC ops ultra double stack 9mm.

 

[mousegunner]

My Ruger SR1911 has been good for me. I shoot nothing but ball FMJ or lead to keep things simple. Was gonna compete in a 3 gun with it but this darn virus cancelled that.

 

[10XSHOOTER]

A lot of choices at Springfield armory. I probably have 12-15,000 rds thru mine. It's a Timex!!!

 

[Forum Boss]

PRO: I have been extremely happy with my Smith & Wesson 1911, which originally came from the Performance Center (first production run). It is extremely accurate (better than a friend's custom Ed Brown 1911), came with a great trigger out of the box, and the all stainless frame and slide are easy to maintain.

NOTE: the S&W 1911 features an EXTERNAL Extractor. Some purists don't like this, but it is more reliable and makes take-down easier. Note -- this photo is a newer model, but mine is essentially the same except I have black synthetic grip pannels.

My SW1911 has put five shots overlapping off-hand at 10 yards with handloads.

CON: My first 1911 was a Kimber. It would not cycle reliably. There were flaws in the machining. It went back to the Kimber factory three times. It continued to disappoint.

Then Kimber replaced it with a new pistol. That replacement shot OK (infrequent jams) but the trigger was heavy and gritty and the sights were WAY off as delivered. I sold it. Kimber is now on my "never buy again EVER" list.

 

[skeeljc]

Springfield Armory Range Officer. Well made, well priced, great pistol.

 

[Bully]

My recommendation would be for a CZ97.
Steel frame. Run like sewing machines. Possible more ergonomic than a 1911 (gasp!!!).
Great guns all'round.

 

[ronsatspokane]

Depends on what is perceived as mid-priced. 45's in different configurations can run from $400 for a used Rock Island to $3500 for a new high end in a variety of models. That would put something like an FN or an HK or a Colt National Match at the mid point from a price standpoint. For a first time 45 owner I'd say check the pawn shops for used, buy it and see if you like it. I paid 400 for a used Armscore under the High Standard label that I added night sights and cool snake skin grips to. I grab it before I do the National Match. It's a good shooter and a great truck gun.

 

[10at6]

Another Glock 41 vote