I'm looking for a good .45 cal. pistol. Who makes the best value for the money?

Question

I'm looking for a good .45 cal. pistol. mostly for recreation shooting but also for home/ self defense. Does anyone know who makes a good fire arm for not a lot of money. In dont need anything fancy, just something reliable thats built to last.

Answer 1

As far as 1911 guns are concerned, a used Colt or a new "base model" Kimber. I think Springfield Armory is not worth it anymore. They are not making bringing in the quality from Imbel (Brazil) that they used to. DO NOT get a philipino 1911 (Armscor/Rock Island/Charles Daly/HighStandard)! These are poorly made. Supposedly Kahr Arms has "reformed" the Auto-Ordinance 1911-A1 from its days of poor craftmanship, but I have not inspected a newer model. They seem promising. S&W, Sig, nicer Kimbers, Dan Wessons, and others make nice 1911s but they are $$$$.
It's a lot easier to get a 9mm of good quality "for the money" than it is a 1911. When it comes to the 1911, companies take advantage of the popularity to cut corners and not do a good job. of course the manufacturing proces to make 1911 guns has skyrocketed (forged steel frames and slides are getting very costly to make-especially in America).
I picked up a "ground level" Kimber Custom II for $639+tax and it is very tight, very accurate, and has "clean" metal work. I have seen used 1991-A1 Colts for as low as $499. Look real close at newer "GI model" or "Mil-spec" (somewhat enhanced) Springfields and you will see sloppy and uneven metal work. I should have kept my Springfield "90s edition" when I bought it back in '91. SAI has never been the same after they got in trouble in the 1990s. I think that the M-1A and the XD are what they are using to hold their pants up anymore.
For non-1911s I would pick a Glock 21 (if the trigger safety does not bother you and your hands are big enough) or a Ruger P-90. They are about $520 and $450 respectively in my area. DO NOT buy a cheap gun in the end. Value for the money is still expensive in my opinion, just not overly expensive. There is no such thing as a cheap, good .45 auto.

Answer 2

I've been a 1911 fan for a lot of years and currently have at least four 1911 format pistols. I will say that with the single action trigger of the 1911 you should be ready to spend plenty of time at the range. Single action trigger make them easy to shoot well, but they also make them easy to AD (Accidental Discharge) under the stress of an armed confrontation.

You asked for a good value 1911. You also stated the role of the pistol would include self defense. I will tell you that seldom does a high degree of craftsmanship needed for reliability that a self defense pistol demands come in the value market. You might be best served by saving a couple of hundred extra and getting a better pistol.

That being said, take a long look at the new Taurus 1911. Initial reviews have been very positive. The pistol has a number of desirable features. The two reviews I've read claim that so long as the pistol was not in a Ransom Rest it was 100% reliable with any ammo and accuracy was a bit better than I would expect. I also chatted with a guy at a gun shop who sold a few and he claimed that the customers loved them

The cost? Impact Guns sells the Blue version for less than $450 and the stainless version is $465. Compare that to the plain Jane pistols you will get for the same price range from other maker and the Taurus looks pretty attractive. But again for a pistol with a defensive role in mind I would advise you to look to Springfield Armory, Kimber, Rock River or my favorite Para-Ordinance.

Good luck

Answer 3

Best 45 Cal Pistol

Answer 4

I have an H&K USP, but they aren't too cheap. The Springfield XD is a hell of a good pistol. They released their .45 last year and it has a 13 round capacity while still having a significantly smaller grip than my H&K. That is the biggest problem people have with a .45 (double stack magazine types, not 1911's) is the size of the grip. The Springfield has a grip the same size as a Glock 9mm or 40 models. They are only about $450 for the basic model and just over $500 for a stainless slide version.

Answer 5

I'm gonna have to agree with Guncrazy. I recently bought a Springfield XD45 and I have to say it is by far the funnest .45 I have shot. I have tried a Glock 21, Ruger P345 and a 1911. The XD45 just feels more natural in your hand. Plus I like the two indicators on the slide, 1 in the back showing it's ******, and 1 on top showing that there's a bullet in the chamber. There may be cheaper guns out there, but as far as reliablity, quality and durability, the Springfield XD45 is the best bang for your buck.

Answer 6

.45 Caliber pistols I have owned:

Kimber Pro Carry
Colt MkIV Officer's
Colt Defender
Kimber Ultra Eclipse
H&K USP 45
Glock 30
Springfield Armory XD45 Service
Springfield Armory XD45 Tactical

By far, the best value for the money has been the Springfield XDs. Why?

--I have never had a jam with factory ammunition.

--The grip circumference, shape and angle are more comfortable that the Glock's.

--It holds 6 or 7 more rounds than any of the Colts or Kimbers, and 1 more than the USP45.

--It is cheaper than all of the other pistols on the list.

Answer 7

I am a fan of the 1911. When I pick it up it feels like a marriage of machine and human. However, they aren't for everyone and they tend to be expensive.

The coolest non 1911 out there is the Springfield XD 45. This has a pretty good single action trigger and some very good safety features.

The test of time is showing that these inexpensive and well designed guns are out-glocking the glock in terms of reliability and accuracy for striker-fired plastic guns.

It's not a work of art - it's very "tool-like" but good.

Answer 8

Personally, I appreciate the historic value of a firearm and was willing to spend a little more for a surplus Government Issue 1911.

I recently found such a firearm, in very good condition, manufactured by Colt's Hartford factory but never issued, and dating from before WWII for $600 at a gun show in Virginia. While this was a very good deal on a surplus firearm, I have no idea about the prices of recently manufactured 1911's.

Answer 9

I purchased a Springfield Mil-Spec 1911 for $400. Made by a quality manufacturer, fairly priced. Made well, easily maintained.
If you get a model 1911, it's a good idea to get the barrel wrench for dis assembly.

Higher priced and good quality would be an H&K USP .45. Excellent weapong, available high capacity magazines now. Also easily maintained, easy take down (easier than the 1911) however you'll be spending about $750. It is a well made gun, excellent balance and lightweight.

Answer 10

Go to the Hi-Point Firearms web site and check out their 45. I own two Hi-Points a 9mm. and a 40 sw. Never had a problem with them and a life time no questions asked warranty! Bought my 40sw for about $176.00 out the door! Some people talk down about these pistols but they probably have never even shot one. The web site has links to some shooting forums that can give you some good info.