Which .45 would you get?

In my early days of shopping for a pistol, I shot a bunch of .45s before deciding on .40 S&W and picked up my P226. Now I've built up a modest collection and would like to round it out with a .45 or two. Looking back on my previous experience I'm going by my previous choices, which was a Sig Sauer P220 (would have to be used and I'm not opposed to buying used) or a Springfield mil-spec 1911. Both shoot great and felt good in my hands so I know what I'm getting into, and their both right near the limit for what I would be willing to spend (~$650). Some of the points that I'm considering though makes this a hard decision. Here is what I'm on about:

1. I already own two Sigs and I like a little bit of variety (1911 +1)

2. Because I already own two Sigs, I won't need to buy new holsters etc (P220 +1)

3. I appear to have a bit of OCD where-as if I buy a fullsize (OC), I have to get a smaller cousin (CC), and the only .45 sub-compact I like is the 3" 1911, so I would be picking up a 1911 eventually anyway (kind of a wash here)

4. I have nothing in stainless and I like stainless, especially on a 1911 (1911 +1)

5. The ergonomics of the Sig > 1911, but only just (P220 +1)

This is where I stand at the moment. The reality of this is I may end up purchasing both much later on down the road, but that is a decision I'm not ready to commit to just yet. For now though, I can't decide between these two. What are your thoughts?

Kind of sounds like you're gonna get a 1911 anyway so why not make the jump now? It's a weird thing owning a 1911, even if you sell them like I did, you always want another one. lol

I have never had good luck with the 3" 1911's. They always seem to be very demanding of the shooter to keep a perfect grip. Maybe it's just me though.

take a look at the american classic II 1911. its a lot of gun for the price. I have one and I tell ya it is the best gun i've owned

irish52084 said:

Kind of sounds like you're gonna get a 1911 anyway so why not make the jump now?

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If I didn't like Sig Sauer the decision would be so much easier. The P220 feels like it was meant for me.

COMMANDER1911 said:

take a look at the american classic II 1911. its a lot of gun for the price. I have one and I tell ya it is the best gun i've owned

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I haven't been able to find a pricing guide on these, any idea what to expect?

No collection is complete without a 1911 or three.

If you're buying it primarily for carry, buy what you'll carry. If not, I'd suggest the 1911. It's fun to shoot, you can customize it if you wish, and it's a hell of a pistol overall (not saying the Sig isn't).

onlurker said:

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2. Because I already own two Sigs, I won't need to buy new holsters etc (P220 +1)

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I have several P220's and I wanted to pick up a .40sw gun just for emergency ammo availability/variety. In my case a P226 stainless came available used and I snapped it up. So I can use all my P220 holsters on the P226.

Granted a SERPA only runs about $35 but additional holsters take storage space too.

I got a couple 1911's and like them but still really prefer the P220. It is much easier to breakdown and clean than a 1911. I customized two of the three 1911's I own to make them easier to takedown but there are still more parts to clean than a P220.
So I vote for the Sig. :monkey You can read through one of my threads about 1911's here: http://forum.opencarry.org/forums/showthread.php?63098-1911-research a lot of the pictures have been deleted though.

Here is a pic of a couple of my P220's:

sultan62 said:

If you're buying it primarily for carry, buy what you'll carry. If not, I'd suggest the 1911. It's fun to shoot, you can customize it if you wish, and it's a hell of a pistol overall (not saying the Sig isn't).

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It's mostly going to be a range pistol with occasional carry as I already have my dedicated carry weapons.

Thanks 45acp for the help too, greatly appreciate it.

If you can handle the DA-SA trigger transition well, I feel the P220 is superior to most standard configuration 1911's. Less recoil, no safety to fumble over, reliable out of the box as a rule, often more accurate, and at least with mine, a better trigger than most 1911's Ive ever shot.

A 1911, while not quite as simple as many modern pistols, is still easy to break down and clean. This is especially true for those that don't require a wrench to detach the bushing.

If you couldn't tell, I'm a big fan of the 1911. It's not my carry weapon, but it's one of my favorite range weapons. It's more fun than my primary carry (XD45), but it's tough for me to give up the simplicity and the increased mag capacity.

I am considering a compact 1911 for a CC piece though.

The American Clasic II is around 500 bones. Also the Para USA GI Expert is good on the wallet as well at around 589 bones

COMMANDER1911 said:

Also the Para USA GI Expert is good on the wallet as well at around 589 bones

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Just picked one up myself! Love it!

I'm picking up an expert in stainless soon. That's a nice piece Curtis

Curtis said:

Just picked one up myself! Love it!

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Curtis, let me/us know how it shoots and if it needs the breakin 3-400 rounds. I like my Big Hawg but it definitely needed to be broken in and it FTF about every other round. Of course the first 100 rounds were Blaser which they recommend against. It still has big problems with Blaser ammo but is shooting well with Remmington.

I modified mine to get rid of the full length guide rod (added a GI guide rod and spring cap) and then added a 18lb spring which helped it cycle more consistently.

I would be curious to see if it was just "mine" or if other Para's have the same requirements. BTW the big hawg is about 1/8" wider but holds 15+1.

Were you using factory mags or something like Wilson Combat mags?

I haven't had a chance to shoot it. I only took it apart and wiped it down and put it right back in the box and stored it away. It was sort of an impulse buy. I need to find time to go shoot it.

I have a Dan Wesson Bobtail Commander. It is stainless steel and it is my carry gun. I carry concealed most of the time because of work, but OC when I can. I wanted stainless steel to help with recoil and muzzle flip. I bought mine new (had more money then). They quit making them this year and have come out with a new model, I haven't seen it yet. I have had no problem with breaking it down and cleaning it; took some getting used to in the beginning. I love this gun and wouldn't dream of parting with it. You also may want to consider waiting until next year as most of the manufacturers will be coming out with a commemorative model, it being the 100th year of their production.

Curtis said:

Were you using factory mags or something like Wilson Combat mags?

I haven't had a chance to shoot it. I only took it apart and wiped it down and put it right back in the box and stored it away. It was sort of an impulse buy. I need to find time to go shoot it.

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The big hawg mags are 14 and 15 rounders. I only used the factory mags and didn't look for 3rd party for it.

My Colt and Springfield 1911 never needed a breakin period and handled all ammo even using Wilson Combat mags. The Colt could use the colt, wilson combat and springfield magazines but the Springfield could not use the colt mags for some reason. The colt and wilson mags were 8rnds and the springfield 7rnds.

Because I had such good performance from both the Springfield and Colt I was a bit shocked when my Para FTF every other round. After the breakin and with my spring mods I haven't had a problem but don't shoot it as much as my other guns.

Other than the breakin problems I had the grip and accuracy and all other things 1911 are great on the gun. I just need to put another 500-1k rounds through it to make sure I can trust it as a reliable carry gun. With the cost of ammo I haven't been rushing to the range to gain confidence and have been using my tried and true Sig and H&K's as every day carry guns.

Doh, forgot that important tidbit that they were hi-cap 1911s!

I'm not sure when I'll get to shoot it. I have 200 rounds WWB 230gr sitting right here with it waiting, but I'm not sure when I'll have a chance to use it.

Until I verify it works and works great, I'll be carrying my Glock 30!

Well you asked, which .45 I'd get. So I'm telling you Springfield XD45. Don't take this wrong as most do that I do love a good ole M1911 variety. Just would rather have 13+1 then 7+1. Especially when the zombies are out there. And then of course I get the argument about plastic guns. sheesh

Around $450 for a GI spec Rock Island Armory 1911, (Colt series 70 design) which shoots as well as the ungodly e$pen$ive 1911's.

Yea let us know!! I'm back and forth daily between the para GI expert ESP and the M&P 45