Favorite Non 1911 .45 acp Semi-Auto

["DoubleAction"]

I made my choice many years ago to go with the Sig P-220, for many reasons. I still love my 1911s, but I also like certain things about the Sigs. I know there are many other pistols to choose from in .45 acp, the 220 is just one.

[TMan]

It is difficult to say what a favorite is unless you define some context. In other words, you could be thinking about accuracy, or thinking about conceal ability, or thinking about value for the dollar etc..

The P220 Sport is an awesome pistol. My dealer's little wife shot better with it than she did with the X-Five. Everyone that has shot it has been extremely impressed with it, but for what it costs you could buy 3 Ruger P90s.

One of my shooting buds traded his old 1911 for a Ruger P90. He didn't shoot well with the 1911, but I think it was because of the small front sight. Obviously, he didn't get the P90 based on its good looks. I told him how much more I liked mine after changing to the Hogue grips; he bought a pair and loves it.

My friend is a much better shot than I am, and he does much better with his P90 than I do with mine. However, if he is shooting his P90, and I'm shooting the P220 Sport, I can out shoot him.

Incidentally, I've never had a failure with either the P90 or the P220, but I've put approximately 4 times the amount of ammo through the P90.

So considering all the parameters, I have to say that my favorite 45, meaning the one I would most highly recommend, is the Ruger P90. Now, carefully re-read my last sentence. Did you see it? I did not say: "my favorite non-1911".

[TBT]

They make non-1911 45's?!? :shock:

["DoubleAction"]

tman said:

It is difficult to say what a favorite is unless you define some context. In other words, you could be thinking about accuracy, or thinking about conceal ability, or thinking about value for the dollar etc..

The P220 Sport is an awesome pistol. My dealer's little wife shot better with it than she did with the X-Five. Everyone that has shot it has been extremely impressed with it, but for what it costs you could buy 3 Ruger P90s.

One of my shooting buds traded his old 1911 for a Ruger P90. He didn't shoot well with the 1911, but I think it was because of the small front sight. Obviously, he didn't get the P90 based on its good looks. I told him how much more I liked mine after changing to the Hogue grips; he bought a pair and loves it.

My friend is a much better shot than I am, and he does much better with his P90 than I do with mine. However, if he is shooting his P90, and I'm shooting the P220 Sport, I can out shoot him.

Incidentally, I've never had a failure with either the P90 or the P220, but I've put approximately 4 times the amount of ammo through the P90.

So considering all the parameters, I have to say that my favorite 45, meaning the one I would most highly recommend, is the Ruger P90. Now, carefully re-read my last sentence. Did you see it? I did not say: "my favorite non-1911".

TMan; I know a guy who has been with the Ruger P90 since Ruger first came out with it. He will not budge on another gun, irregardless of the price.
The standard Sig P-220 has always been priced close to those of the Colt manufactured 1911s, although both are chambered primarily in the .45 acp, both are entirely different. Seems Ruger found it's market with those who was looking for a quality pistol at a more affordable price, and those who bought one usually became fond of it.

[MLB]

I think the only non-1911 .45cal handguns I've fired are the Sig 220 and the Glock 21.

I only put a few magazines through the Sig. I'd like to try it once again. I'm afraid I can't remember anything dramatically good or bad about it. How much can you tell after a magazine or two though.

The Glock I've had a bit more time with. I really don't like it that much, but I do admire it's function. It seems tamer than my .40 Walther, and never a misfire.

[TBT]

I've heard many talk about the G21 being very anti-small to average hands. From what I have heard the reach from the grip to the trigger is a bit too much for some. Is that true MLB?

I'm always in the market for a good 45 and I really would like to add a high capacity 45. I thought about the Ruger but the capacity isn't any better really than my 1911s. I'm kind of hung between the G21 and the Para HiCap. Would love to get the glock though ... for no good reason. I need to fondle one of those.

[MLB]

Since you mention it, I think it is a bit longer. Being a tall guy, I probably have larger than average hands. With my P99, I have to put the largest backstrap on it to get the correct trigger length (that unfortunately, makes it look kind of butchered IMO.)

I don't have the same problems with the Glock. Conversely, if you have small to average hands, you'd probably love the P99. The ergonomics are very good on this pistol.

[5ontarget]

TBT,
what about the springfield hicaps?
Or possibly something in .45GAP?

I'm a bit too reserved to invest in a gun chambered in .45GAP at this point. But then again, I think some of them can be changed with little more than a barell swap.


modified to address the correct person.

[TBT]

I never see the Springfield Hi-Cap 1911's. I know they make them but they aren't on the site and rarely can you find them for sale anywhere. They seem pretty rare.

[5ontarget]

I see the the Springfield hi caps at gun shows pretty regularly, but the do not have them listed on their webpage. I remember asking about this a while back. I found the old page but the link is dead. I also remember reading in a couple of magazines this year about a .45GAP 1911 offered by springfield, but that is not on their page either. I sent an email out to their sales dept...we'll see how long it takes for them to reply.

["DoubleAction"]

5ontarget; The link to Springfield's wide body PW9701L was hard to find about a year ago, so I saved it in my favorites. Like you, I tried the link and it was dead. I don't understand why Springfield don't advertise the wide body frame.
I wonder if the same .45 acp frame and slide can be used with a barrel chambered for the .45 gap. Most innovators of newer cartridges approaches this conversion concept, like we have seen with the .400 corbon, the 9 x 23 winchester, the 357 sig, and the .460 rowland.

Edited to add:

The .45 GAP cartridge is still new and remains with the risk of popularity growth, which usually takes more than a few years to take root. We have seen this trend with the .40 S&W cartridge, as well as the 357 sig. The only potential issue with the conversion barrels is with the OAL of the .45 gap, compared to the .45 acp. There are rumors that Barsto might be developing conversion barrels in the future. I enjoyed the pete page on the 357 sig, this is also a good one on the .45 GAP.


mywebpages.comcast.net/petej/main.points.for.45gap.html

[TA]

I just am not getting all that excited about the .45 GAP. I don't think it will do anything that the .45 ACP won't. It is a more compact cartridge, but that is all I see. I think I will probably just stick with the .45 ACP.

[TMan]

ta said:

I just am not getting all that excited about the .45 GAP.

Welcome to the club. The thing that is great about the .45 GAP is that Glock now has their name on a cartridge, which makes them a legitimate gun manufacturer like Colt, S&W, Ruger, Remington, Marlin, Savage, Kimber, Mauser, Weatherby, Steyr, Sharps..., which all have their name on a cartridge.

I've told this before, but there were two guys shooting at Bass Pro Shops and they were really good. I asked what they were shooting. Reply: Heckler and Koch. Question: What caliber Reply: Uhhh 40. Question: Oh, the 40 Smith & Wesson. Reply: No, Heckler and Koch. Made me feel a lot safer the next time I flew.

[TBT]

I think the GAP might serve a purpose for those who aren't happy with the 40SW but want the smaller frame gun. I doubt I will ever have a use for it, but I think there is a market for it.

[Callahan]

.40 H&K ? ;D

[MLB]

Now I'm pissed. Here I paid all that money for a Walther, and they don't even have their name on a cartridge. Geeez!