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

[Burnt Powder]

My sons and I have in no particular order, AMT Government Model, EAA Witness, one standard and one a full tricked out comp version, a couple Rock Islands, Llama, Taurus, SIG, Kimber, a double stack something made by Armscor, same as RI, all 1911s, a S&W Shield, two M&Ps, a Springfield SDS, might have missed one or two. Any of them shoot fine as long as one of the two boys are shooting them, especially the one with the SIG! Me, not so much! I particularly like my, old Witness or maybe the AMT, oh wait, the Taurus, no, the........

 

[Rsadams]

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

Lol +1 for 30 years... Now it's all I own and own a few to say the least.... I have sold off everything else including my last 1911... If I were buying a .45 or .10mm it would also be a Glock....Some of the pistols listed here are definitely not mid priced , good guns but not mid priced...

 

[joshb]

I should mention that I have and shoot a few other 45s.
hK USP
Colt Gold Cup
Colt Double Eagle
Sig Sauer Nightmare

I should also mention that my favorite most accurate gun to shoot is a Beretta Storm, in 40 S&W. I don't know how I got so lucky with this gun but it fits my hand perfectly and shoots well for my purposes.

I agree with the Boss. No Kimbers! A friend bought one and had nothing but trouble!

 

[stork]

All boils down to what feels good in his hand.
Personally, I'd have him get a Springfield Range Officer and know I did him right. He could pay double to triple what a RO will cost him and get far less. 99.9 % of my pistol shooting is with 1911's both 45's and 22 conversions.

 

[Forum Boss]

If I was to own just one .45 ACP centerfire handgun for slow fire target work, it might actually be a wheel gun — the S&W model 625 will put almost any .45 ACP to shame in the accuracy department. Shoot single-action with a superb 1.5 lb pull (adjusted). Nice long sight radius. You can load light for low recoil. I used polymer coated semi wadcutters and N320. Loading with plastic moon clips is as easy as a magazine -- for 6 rounds at least.

 

[Ol’ Ed]

A lot of great responses, and I sent him a link
so he could read all of y’all’s responses. I know he likes the Springfield Range Officer and is partial to the Sig P220. There’s been a lot of input on the Springfield RO, but not much on the P220 (maybe I overlooked it). Any thoughts on the Sig P220?

 

[Ol’ Ed]

And, Boss, I’m with you on the wheel guns. Here’s my two favorites from the Performance Center. .44 Mag and .357 Mag. Lots of fun!

 

[Gman]

A lot of great responses, and I sent him a link
so he could read all of y’all’s responses. I know he likes the Springfield Range Officer and is partial to the Sig P220. There’s been a lot of input on the Springfield RO, but not much on the P220 (maybe I overlooked it). Any thoughts on the Sig P220?

Sig P220's are excellent pistols, but they aren't real light (but lighter than a full size 1911) if weight is a concern for conceal carry & they have quite a few moving parts. Glocks on the other hand, may not be pretty, but they have many advantages.

1. reliability
2. high capacity
3. lightweight
4. simple design
5. functionality
6. did I mention reliabilty, NONE better

But, the grip angle either fits or it doesn't. (most 1911 guys HATE the grip angle of a Glock)

 

[Papa Charlie]

I have the Taurus PT1911 in 45ACP. Love this gun. The quality and reliability is as good as any Kimber. The trigger is as smooth and crisp as a worked competition.
I did replace the barrel and bushing with a Wilson Combat. But that is all I have every done. Price right at about $500.

 

[GSPV]

I had a Sig Scorpion. Loved it. Shot it well. Went to a P320 midsize for carry. I don’t shoot it as well, but I shoot it well enough and it is a better CCW.

 

[Riesel]

I have the Taurus PT1911 in 45ACP. Love this gun. The quality and reliability is as good as any Kimber. The trigger is as smooth and crisp as a worked competition.
I did replace the barrel and bushing with a Wilson Combat. But that is all I have every done. Price right at about $500.

I was a-scared to go there but since you ventured there Papa Charlie, an excellent entry level 45. This a whole lot of gun for the money and they are outstanding shooter.
Have hit every zombie I aimed at.

 

[joshb]

A lot of great responses, and I sent him a link
so he could read all of y’all’s responses. I know he likes the Springfield Range Officer and is partial to the Sig P220. There’s been a lot of input on the Springfield RO, but not much on the P220 (maybe I overlooked it). Any thoughts on the Sig P220?

Yup! I forgot about my Sig 220. Geez, my wife gave it to me for Christmas! Don't tell her. It was almost a grand, if I remember. I like the Glock more.

 

[hoz53]

Yup! I forgot about my Sig 220. Geez, my wife gave it to me for Christmas! Don't tell her. It was almost a grsnd, if I remember. I like the Glock more.

i may have to finally try one of those Glocks if i make it through the virus

 

[Whisky Tahoe Foxtrot]

If I was to own just one .45 ACP centerfire handgun for slow fire target work, it might actually be a wheel gun — the S&W model 625 will put almost any .45 ACP to shame in the accuracy department. Shoot single-action with a superb 1.5 lb pull (adjusted). Nice long sight radius. You can load light for low recoil. I used polymer coated semi wadcutters and N320. Loading with plastic moon clips is as easy as a magazine -- for 6 rounds at least.

No chasing brass either...

 

[Cecil S.]

Add another Glock guy to the list I own several. I bought the G-29 for my "hand cannon" and it shoots great even with my reloads. But being a sub compact its quite snappy in my hand. I need to shoot it more.

 

[hoz53]

No chasing brass either...

you know ive been a 1911 guy for 45 years and so i have quite a bit of 45acp brass. But at this point ive had enough of chasing my brass. Ive also got a new 25-2 sitting in the safe so I may just become a wheelgun convert.

 

[argrendel]

I have owned two Sig P-220. I am a big Sig fan, but didn’t care for either. Ended up selling both. Nothing wrong with either, accurate, reliable, but I just didn’t enjoy shooting it. Don’t know why.
My Glock 21 is my bed side buddy.

I do have a Springfield 1911 that came from their custom shop. Great shooter. 30+years old.

 

[r bose]

Have a Springfield range Officer, very nice, accurate pistol for 700 dollars. Have an XD full size with 13 shot mag capacity that also shoots better than I will ever be able to for 450 dollars. Fits my big hands well and "for the occasional zombie" you can't beat having 2 extra mags totaling 40 rounds at the ready.

 

[IdahoSharpshooter]

I would suggest looking at an FNH model FNX45. External hammer, better ergonomics for medium hands than a 1911.

 

[Medic505]

I have the Taurus PT1911 in 45ACP. Love this gun. The quality and reliability is as good as any Kimber. The trigger is as smooth and crisp as a worked competition.
I did replace the barrel and bushing with a Wilson Combat. But that is all I have every done. Price right at about $500.

This ^^^^^^^ I took one of these in on a trade, sold it to a friend. Been kicking myself ever since. I have several 1911's, including a series 70 Gold cup and the Taurus shot as well or better than any 1911 I've ever owned. And, they are a steal price wise.