My thirst for the 45 ACP is unquenchable

Beauvais98

Beauvais98

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I recently bought a Walther PPQ 45. This thing is accurate like a laser and has the best trigger I have ever had the pleasure of squeezing; it breaks like glass. Needless to say that I'm more accurate with it than with any of my other 9mm pistols.

In the process of getting to know my PPQ, I developed quite an interest in the 45 ACP caliber and I'm now looking at my next one. I want my next 45 to be some sort of metal or alloy (no polymer) as I already have a plethora of polymer pistols and I want to branch off into something different.

I have been looking at the CZ 97, which I was able to hold in hand at the store, and the Sig Sauer P220 and P227. I never had the pleasure of holding any of the Sig in hand. I likely will not be able to either before making my purchase since they are not commonly found around here, nor does my range have any for rental.

Does anyone have first hand experience in using these, or any other 45 that I may have overlooked? I haven't seriously looked at any 1911. I am not a tinkerer and I probably wouldn't find value in a 1911's customiz-ability. In other words, for a 1911 to be considered, it would have to be good out of the box, without exceeding $1200.

I don't plan on running any kind of competition - it's only going to be used for plinking fun at the range.

Thanks in advance for your precious insights!
 
Any 1911 in the 1000 to 1200 dollar range is good right out of the box. The tinkering is a personal preference and not absolutely neccessary in the 1911 platform. They are a larger gun so I recommend trying one or at least putting your hands on one first. The Remington 1911 enhanced has all the good stuff on it and it around the 1000 dollar mark.

My opinion
Corey
 
1911s can be good right out of the box and not necessarily expensive.
I have 10 - 1911s from Norinco to STI. Yes my $3000 one is much better than the $300 one but i have a Ruger SR1911 that ran me about $1000 that is a nice shooter.
 
Remington R1 1911 good quality pistol often on the EE for about $650- 700 . That would leave you enough for a case of ammo and some mags to boot. I have 2 for wild bunch and have never had a single issue with them. Another one to consider although it's polymer is an hk 45. That's one of my favourite guns
 
I had a similar run in the 45 world a while ago where I bought a P220, CZ97, Remington R1 Enhanced TB, and Glock 21. I never got to try a Walther or HK. Still on the list. Of the 4 I had at the time, I choose the 1911. The Remington R1's are not particularly popular but offer an incredible value when purchased used. Typically near new for $650 on the EE.

The 97 was excellent however I didn't like the sloppy trigger when compared to the 1911. I have big hands and liked the fit of the 97B though... I like the idea of the indestructable GLOCK and dont even mind the look of them. However, it was by far the hardest to shoot well likely due to the poor fit in my hand. The striker fired designs in general have heavier trigger pulls. Those finger grooves on the Glock were too close together for me.

In the end they were all nice pieces. As with all things pistol, hand fit is paramount.
 
The P220 in all its variants is a tried and true 50ish year design. Unless you live in the US, the 227 is kinda moot here. You can get 10 rd mags for the 220.

I’ve owned a 220 on and off for 30 years now. It’s still the only .45 I own and I’ve owned or shot just about all out there except 2011 and the HK Mk.23. Totally reliable and accurate. I would get one with the SRT trigger though.

If I was in the market for a new .45, I would look at the G21, the M&P .45, the FNX, and absolutely the HK 45.

I have seen too many issues with 1911s from stock to race guns to recommend one. YMMV but just not for me.
 
I have the 227. It feels "big" in the hand but not uncomfortably so and I actually quite like all the real estate you have to get a hold of. That might be why it shoots well for me.
 
^ I would agree with RC Fan.

If you like 45, you should look a 1911. True they might be a little finicky but they are such nice handling gun imo. Many will be very reliable. You can get a very good used 1911 in the 700-1200 range. These could be from Ruger to Colt to Springfield. Lots of options. Just ask the right questions and get pics. New Rugers, Remingtons and mil spec Colts and and Springfields are around or under the 1200 mark anyway.

I have a 220 and really like it as well. I lean towards the full stainless models because I like the extra weight but they are also a little more money. If I did not go for the stainless models, I would have gone for an older German version (many of them do not have a rail). These will be around the 650-800 range in excellent condition. These are typically well finished and have great triggers.

I'd avoid the 227 as well. I'm really not a fan of the e2 grip. 220 has great ergonomics and as pointed out 8 vs 10 rounds in Canada is not a big deal. you can get 10 rd mag for the 220 if you really want 10 rds
 
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gdawg,

You must own better 1911s than I’ve shot. LOL!

But your assessment of the older P220 is spot on. I currently have a newer German one but wish I still had my heel mag release version from the 80s. I think they sprung it lighter then also as it was way easier to rack the slide then vs. my current one.
 
I have a CZ 97B I picked up lightly used for fairly cheap. I love it but initially it was a bit of a let down. It has the worst trigger of all my 8 CZ pistols I'd say, and it is pretty much a requirement that you have big hands. Mine are fairly large but even after swapping out the wood grips for thin aluminum ones it's still not great. I'm gradually making improvements to it like swapping out the slide stop for an SP-01 style, seeing if an extended magazine release will fit, and changing out the sights for a fibre optic front and possibly converting it to SAO.

With a 1911 you won't have these issues, but I'm probably the only person who has never found any 1911 I've picked up to be comfortable to shoot.
 
I went with a Sig 1911 Nightmare as my first foray into 45 ACP because I figured the 1911 has been "The 45" for the last 100 years, there must be something to it. It turns out I don't care much for the caliber, but I am still keeping the gun as it is fantastic. I love everything about the Sig. It is reliable, extremely accurate, and an absolute pleasure to shoot. It was about $1500 when new but I paid $1100 used with 600 rounds of ammo.

I think poorly made and worn out 1911s give the whole range a poor reputation when in fact a well made 1911 is one heck of a gun.
 
R1 Commander 1911
H&K Mark 23
Sig P227R enhanced
Glock G21 gen4

Cool pistols that are 45 ACP all ready in my safe. I will add more before the election…

Full size 1911
Dan Wesson/ Les Baer / R1
 
Still alive said:
gdawg,

You must own better 1911s than I’ve shot. LOL!

But your assessment of the older P220 is spot on. I currently have a newer German one but wish I still had my heel mag release version from the 80s. I think they sprung it lighter then also as it was way easier to rack the slide then vs. my current one.
Click to expand...

Well I know you do and see a lot more shooting than I do, so I definitely heed your advice and I take your point that many of the more modern designs will be more reliable.

I have had a handful of 1911s and they have all been pretty solid but I'm a slow fire target shooter / plinker and not testing them with thousands on rounds in fast paced action competitions. I just really like shooting the 1911 platform, great ergos and the samples i've had make me look like a better shooter than i am! But hey, if someone is a fan of 45 acp, they need a 1911 even if it is a pos ;-)
 
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Yeah, I agree that if you want to get into .45, you should at least have shot a 1911. They do feel natural and the straight back trigger is the best there is. And the classic lines are just beautiful.

1911s were my dream gun from when I was a kid. I could mentally strip one with my eyes closed even before I ever saw one in real life. I have shot Norincos, LBs to $5000 Wilson and Behlert custom comp guns. Then I bought one.....and another...and my bubble burst.
 
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