.45 Auto pistol

[nmkid]

Just got off the phone with a nephew. He wants to buy a nice .45 pistol. He has 18 long guns and zero pistols. He went out with a buddy and he shot a .45 and now he wants one. I don't do pistols so not much help here. Anyway, I'm sure some of you guys own pistols. He wants to buy once, cry once. He stated he could spend around $1000 max. So...Help with suggestions. He won't be using it for any competition, just plinking and stuff.

 

[AndyA]

Springfield Range Officer

 

[Terry]

I have a Springfield XD. Great Gun.

 

[snert]

i bought a Orisakany arms 45 Government model 5 inch. Simple, well made, good price, has shot all i have asked of it. I only paid $600. Worth a look...not well known, but well made.

 

[ND shooter]

Kimber

 

[joshb]

Look for an old Colt Double Eagle. Good investment. I bought 2 for $750/each about 5 years ago. Good shooter. I also suggest the "new" Glock long slide 45. I was pressured to try one and I hate to admit that it's a good gun. My son loves his HK USP. Of course, my Gold Cup holds a special place. If he wants to cry, get him to shoot a Wilson Combat then tell him the price.

 

[hpshooter]

If he shot a 1911 style .45 that is most likely what he wants. Springfield Range Officer, Kimber, Rock River (not Rock Island) if you can find one, or Colt have offerings in or around his price point. There are many others out there including Ruger and S&W. but personally I lean towards the first three short of going to the high end customs.

If a 1911 is not required the Springfield XD and the H&K USP Compact are good guns.

My choices are influenced by shooting a lot of USPSA matches from 1983 until 1994 with a Clark built hardball gun built on a WWII Remington Rand and having used the USP compact for a carry gun since it was first available on the civilian market and having owned a number of other 1911's over the years.

 

[Sniper338]

Kimber, springfeild for 1911s, springfeild xd, or glock.

 

[ND shooter]

My conceal carry is a XDS 45.

 

[matthias]

625 Smith and Wesson. Can not go wrong !

 

[mr45man]

Colt Gold Cup can be had around your price point,New.Buds gun shop.

 

[dryhumor]

Springfield Range Officer in 9mm. Dan Wesson PM 9.
Colt Competition 9mm..

Why 9mm? 9mm is cheaper to shoot, and the lighter recoil allows longer shooting sessions.

 

[TRA]

Anything that says COLT on the slide. Find a pristine series 70 even 80, and he will own the best 45acp known to man. Boutique guns lose value fast and no they are not equal.

If he wants to buy one of the best,,,,,,buy a Les Baer.

Give the new Colt offerings a good look.

 

[MrMajestic]

Springfield RO gets my vote...

 

[Spike A]

if a 1911 style is required i agree with the range officer, if not than perhaps check out a full size xdm, ... how ever glocks are decent, if he feels one of them fit his hands better i wouldnt be scared of it.

 

[Jammer Six]

Springfield Milspec.

Fishing lures aren't built to catch fish, they're built to catch fishermen.

The gadgets, the sights, the ambi stuff, the checkering on 1911s beyond a Milspec are all fishing lures.

He doesn't need a full length guide rod or sights that eliminate options. He doesn't need a 1911 so tight that you need a wrench to disassemble it.

Milspec. $800. Done. Spend the rest joining a range or on .45 ACP dies for the press, or if you must, on ammo.

Good luck, and welcome him to pistols for us!

 

[WyleWD]

Definitely find out what make and model he shot and fell in love with and get him that one.

My personal buy once cry once go to brand is Kimber. If he doesn't like a Kimber he's a hard shooter to please. JME. WD

 

[Jammer Six]

Huh.

I guess I'm a hard shooter to please.

 

[spclark]

I bought a Clark Custom Norinco couple years back for a hefty chunk of change, soon discovered it shoots almost as good as the stock Kimber Classic Target Custom I bought 14 years ago.

I need to shoot both of 'em more....

 

[james]

Just got off the phone with a nephew. He wants to buy a nice .45 pistol. He has 18 long guns and zero pistols. He went out with a buddy and he shot a .45 and now he wants one. I don't do pistols so not much help here. Anyway, I'm sure some of you guys own pistols. He wants to buy once, cry once. He stated he could spend around $1000 max. So...Help with suggestions. He won't be using it for any competition, just plinking and stuff.

Kimber however if can up his budget some a Dan Wesson Valor - great pistol.