[kev]

Guys and gals, I am looking at buying a 45acp after the first of the year, give me your suggestions.

I am currently looking at the Rock Island 1911 Tactical model.

Second option is the Springfield XD.

To be perfectly honest, I have wanted a 1911 style pistol for a long time.

Please, no colt suggestions. After colt suspended sales of its AR to the general public, I said screw them, colt can go belly up.

I would like some kind of Tactical model so a light can be mounted to it.

*any suggestions might be included in an article on my blog.

 

[*Paladin*]

My 2 cents: Glock 21SF or 21 Gen 4. 13 rounds capacity, accurate, soft shooting and most of all, RELIABLE.

As far as for 1911's, if you don't want a Colt thats fine because there are many other options: look for forged frame and slide, look to Springfield, Kimber, Dan Wesson, S&W, Sig, etc...

PS: I should add I am a big 1911 fan, and own Colt and a Les Baer but when I carry a .45 it's my G21SF...

 

[doodo40]

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/495/products_id/48857

Great gun for the money. Striker fired. Shoots any ammo I put in it. $323 dollars. can't beat for the price. :thumb:

 

[mountain1]

i really enjoy my taurus 1911. good value with all the 'bells and whistles' already there...
http://www.impactguns.com/taurus-1911-45acp-stainless-steel-1-191109-725327601036.aspx

 

[azb]

Fnp 45. Best gun for the money on the market right now. 15+1 capacity, fully ambidextrous, lighter than a 1911, and you can carry cocked and locked or first shot da.

Az

 

[NothingFun]

I'm a huge fan of springfield...my XD and my 1911s all preform beautifully. No issues, ever. I'm with *Paladin* a matching forged frame and slide make a big difference, when you pay more, your paying for attention to detail and precision finishing in most cases.
The XD is also set up at the grip angle of a 1911 for 1911 shooters, the capacity is 13 rounds, super easy take down and cleaning, and accuracy is excellent as well.

 

[True Grit]

I've had several types of rock island 1911s and they were all great. They shoot and function just as true as high priced 1911s.

 

[Goosed]

Rock Islands are fantastic pistols.

Take a look at STI also.

Only drawback with RIA is that they arent an American company!!!

 

[sarge912]

Kev, I shot an FNP-45 the other day was really impressed. http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/58106

I don't have really large hands so I thought it might be too big but it was not the case. It is a very natural pointer too. I'm a .40 guy these days but I carried a .45 Colt Combat Commander for years and loved it. I have not fired the Rock Island version but hear it is also very well made. However, it is a single stack and I would rather have the higher cap of the FN or the Glock. I have shot the Glock and it was fine but like the FN best.

 

[redranger1]

Ive found that when it comes to guns one should not limit the weapon of choice to the dollar amount. You need to shop around, find something that fits you and then get the best deal for that weapon that fits your needs/wants. If you base it on priceand go from there youll end up unhappy with your purchase.

That being said i recommend Springfield for a single action, glock or an XD for a striker fired, and a sig for a double action.

-Nate

 

[TinmanIA]

The XD 45 and Rock Island are both great options. The FNP 45 is also nice, but expensive. The new Ruger 1911 is lovely, I haven't bought one yet but I will be once there available through my dealer, I get a discount that way. Also from Ruger the P345, its more of a compact pistol.

 

[usmc0341]

I'm suprised someone hasnt mentioned the S&W M&P .45 yet. It has the interchangeable backstraps; sm, med, lg. Tritium night sights, your option of whether you want an external safety, no grip safety like a 1911 which many feel is a downside to the 1911. Very ergonomic, points and shoots like a 1911 as well.

I personally carry a Kimber Raptor II but it doesn't fit your criteria since it doesn't have a tac rail. One of my buddies at work does alot of custom 1911 work and he recently redid a RIA 1911 and it turned out almost as nice as my Kimber when he was done, for about $500 less including parts.

 

[backwoodsbullets]

I like a heavy 1911 to. I just got ride of a taurus and im kicking my butt for it. I get anouther one itll be a taurus. It all depends on what you want and your price range. The xd is good gun. Id take either over a glock but thats me.

 

[MonsterMash]

IMO the finest non 1911 production 45 ever is the P220 Sig. If you want higher capacity then a Glock 21 or even a G30.

The XD is a good gun but didn't agree with my hands. But that's personal preference. The gun itself is accurate as a laser and reliable.

If you're looking for a budget 1911 then I would give the Taurus a go. I owned one if their first ones and it was great. The only reason I sold it is because I'm just not a SA shooter. I'm not comfortable with cocked and locked carry for a fighting pistol. That's just me tho.

There are plenty of good choices out there. As long as its of a quality manufacturer....you really can't go wrong nowadays. Of my entire list if I only had one choice of a 45 large enough to fight with but small enough to comfortably carry daily.....I'd go with the G30.

 

[ksmedman]

Some pretty good options already mentioned.
I have an XD45 tactical (5" barrel), a Springfield GI, and a RIA tactical.
All are great pistols, can recommend each.

If you are hankering for a 1911, then get one. You won't be disappointed, and the desire for a 1911 is a healthy one! Means your values are well adjusted...

Though, the XD or even a S&W M&P have some selling points...
My XD weighs less than either of my 1911's - even loaded with 14 rounds and a weapon light! XD's also come in several configurations, allowing you to get 4 or 5 inch barrels, a compact grip size of FS. The new XDm 45 compact looks pretty nice too, though I haven't gotten my hands on one yet.
I have (and love) a G19, but to me the 21 feels like a brick, YMMV. They are solid platforms if they fit you.

Budget wise, the RIA line of 1911's are great values. Taurus is also making some pretty good pistols for the money, 1911 and poly styles.
If money isn't such a limit, then definitely look at the FN45. I've shot one and it was sweet, though it is a big beast. Even bigger than the XD...

 

[AK15-T]

I love my M&P. It has all the nice points of a glock, simplicity, reliability, effectiveness, but much better ergonomics and trigger, IMO. I got a set of tritium sights, and I really couldn't ask for more in a pistol. They haven't been around as long as the glock, but all I've really heard about complaints about the M&P are finish problems, and that was with their first run. Don't get me wrong, I think glocks are great, but if given the choice, I know I'd shoot a lot better with the M&P.

 

[controversial]

Guys and gals, I am looking at buying a 45acp after the first of the year, give me your suggestions.

I am currently looking at the Rock Island 1911 Tactical model.

Second option is the Springfield XD.

To be perfectly honest, I have wanted a 1911 style pistol for a long time.

Please, no colt suggestions. After colt suspended sales of its AR to the general public, I said screw them, colt can go belly up.

I would like some kind of Tactical model so a light can be mounted to it.

*any suggestions might be included in an article on my blog.

I have a 1911 rock island .45, which is a good and dependable gun. That being said I'm not too keen upon the sights, and it's not my favorite .45.....

I have many friends that have switched from 1911's to XD's and I may soon follow. The XD.45 has a nice balance, and just fits your hand nicely. The sights are quite nice, and the grip safety is a nice feature. Also for those of us that are ambidextrous and able to shot with either hand the mag release on either side is great. When the slide is racked back a pin protrudes out the back as an indicator that it is loaded (If you can't visually check if its loaded, you can feel for that pin). I recommend and consider this to be the most bang for your buck when it comes to .45s.

HiPoint also makes a dependable, and durable .45 that is very affordable...somewhere between $200 and $250 (though it is a bit bulky and heavy).

 

[FUPAGUNT]

Fnp 45. Best gun for the money on the market right now. 15+1 capacity, fully ambidextrous, lighter than a 1911, and you can carry cocked and locked or first shot da.

Az

What he said. If it shoots anything like the FNX-9 I picked up the other day you will be very happy with your purchase :thumb: Im quickly falling in love with the FN's

 

[FUPAGUNT]

But on a side note, I love my G21

 

[TheReplay]

I own/have owned a lot of handguns over the years, I would never part with my XD45. For one reason or another it is deadly accurate, reliable, and a pleasure to shoot.