Advice on 45

[scarinjo]

I will purchasing a 45 cal next month, any advice would be appreciated. I am looking at the Sig Sauer P220 or the Auto Ordance 1911 GI.

 

[Len-2A Training]

Welcome to NES.

Don't discount the S&W models!

Used Colts come up occasionally too.

 

[Fixxah]

Welcome. I like S&W 1911s but then again, I'm biased.

 

[BearArms]

Your asking a loaded question. Out of those two I personally would go with the Sig. Your best bet is to try as many as you can before you buy. Is it going to be a carry gun,range gun,etc is also a big factor.

 

[jasons]

I will purchasing a 45 cal next month, any advice would be appreciated. I am looking at the Sig Sauer P220 or the Auto Ordance 1911 GI.

As much as I love my Sigs, including my recent new-to-me p220, your first .45 really should be a 1911. (Preferably a 70 series Colt or older.)

But seriously, I would think twice about the AO. Unless I'm mistaken they don't exactly have a great reputation for quality. (At least that was my impression. I don't own one myself.)

 

[TheRoland]

My opinion, in order from most desirable to least:

1. High-End 1911s (Custom, Semi-Custom, usually $1500++)
2. Mid-Range 1911 (S&W, Springfield, Colt $800+)
3. SW M&P .45 (needs trigger job, total 500$ or so)
4. Sig P220 ($800?)
5. All Glocks in .45 (price varies)

Low-End 1911s are not on my list. If you're willing to pay for a P220, you can do better than an Auto Ordinance 1911 in that price range.

 

[n1oty]

I will echo LenS and his point about S&W .45's. I've owned a Model 645 since the mid-80's, when they first came out, and I will NEVER get rid of that one. I've also handled the newer 1911 styles from S&W and can attest to their quality. It's worth a look.

 

[cekim]

As much as I love my Sigs, including my recent new-to-me p220, your first .45 really should be a 1911. (Preferably a 70 series Colt or older.)

But seriously, I would think twice about the AO. Unless I'm mistaken they don't exactly have a great reputation for quality. (At least that was my impression. I don't own one myself.)

AO got bought by Kahr - they re-tooled and its a whole new gun - and a pretty great one for the money (solid regardless of the money)...

 

[jasons]

AO got bought by Kahr - they re-tooled and its a whole new gun - and a pretty great one for the money (solid regardless of the money)...

I must have been thinking of something else. I thought those were the ones that were made in China or India or something like that. Never mind, carry on.

 

[cekim]

I must have been thinking of something else. I thought those were the ones that were made in China or India or something like that. Never mind, carry on.

No, AO used to be crap - no debate... This is a relatively recent development...

Finish is flat parkerized, so if you want a pretty blue gun, look elsewhere, but for a solid shooter, it's a good gun...

 

[FPrice]

You might want to look at an ATI GI 1911 if you can find one. VERY reasonable (mid-$500's) and so far an excellent firearm for the two of us who have bought them. I've dressed this one up a bit. They come with checkered wood grips and a flat mainspring housing.

 

[Serapis]

I really enjoy my Colt 1991A1. I got a great deal on it from a NES member. There are deals to be had out there.

 

[Zappa]

I will echo LenS and his point about S&W .45's. I've owned a Model 645 since the mid-80's, when they first came out, and I will NEVER get rid of that one.

Really ????

My own experience was just the opposite.
Out of all the handguns I've owned over the last 26 years, the #645 was one of the few that I got rid of. The trigger was horrible, accuracy was so-so, and overall it was too big for me to get comfortable with.
However, unlike a 1911, it will feed anything, even empty shells. Yes, really!
Load a mag up with empties, stick it in the gun and rack the slide back and forth. It'll chamber and eject every one of them without a jam.

 

[Serapis]

You might want to look at an ATI GI 1911 if you can find one. VERY reasonable (mid-$500's) and so far an excellent firearm for the two of us who have bought them. I've dressed this one up a bit. They come with checkered wood grips and a flat mainspring housing.

Thats nice looking. Where did you get yours?

 

[scarinjo]

Thanks for the advice, it would be a carry weapon. I will look at the S&W 1911's, the P220 from what I am hearing is a very good out of the box weapom.

 

[Zappa]

AO got bought by Kahr - they re-tooled and its a whole new gun - and a pretty great one for the money (solid regardless of the money)...

Yes, the old AO's were total crap.
I had a ZG-51 Pit Bull. One of the biggest POS guns I ever owned.
IIRC, Kahr also bought the Dan Wesson brand and sells a 1911 called a Pointman.
However, it's unlikely to be Mass compliant.

 

[Skald]

If your going to use it for carry, look at a S&W M&P in 45. I love 1911's but unless I have a pocket 1911smith nearby to keep it up in running condition, I'd take a more modern firearm.

If it is just to have a .45, then by all means Colt Series 70 (if your gonna have a 1911 might as well have a pony on it).

 

[Warrior102]

If you intend to carry it a look at the S&W 1911PD 4.25" with an alloy frame is worth a look. I have the Gunsite edition and it is much lighter than a steel frame but is still a load with nine rounds of 230's in it. It is a very accurate and reliable gun, I put VC grips on it though.

 

[FrugalFannie]

S&W 1911 - so many varieties, so little time.

 

[Serapis]

Thanks for the advice, it would be a carry weapon. I will look at the S&W 1911's, the P220 from what I am hearing is a very good out of the box weapom.

I carry my 1991A1 Commander with no problem. Most accurate firearm I have even over my Sig 229

 

[jasons]

Thanks for the advice, it would be a carry weapon. I will look at the S&W 1911's, the P220 from what I am hearing is a very good out of the box weapom.

The p220 is a bit big to carry concealed IMHO. I carry a p226 in a Comp-Tac minotaur occasionally (same size, different caliber) and it's not exactly comfortable. Just something to think about.

 

[TheRoland]

Thanks for the advice, it would be a carry weapon. I will look at the S&W 1911's, the P220 from what I am hearing is a very good out of the box weapom.

Either the SW1911 Compact ES or Pro 3" would be my carry gun if I didn't seem to have some allergy to factory 1911s.

 

[PaulD]

I will purchasing a 45 cal next month, any advice would be appreciated. I am looking at the Sig Sauer P220 or the Auto Ordance 1911 GI.

What state do you live in?

 

[FPrice]

Thats nice looking. Where did you get yours?

Personal Defense Specialists in South Hadley. He has another one on the wall. I think you might find them at some places closer to you though. Maybe check Four Seasons or some of the other shops that advertise here.

 

[wolf223]

If your going to use it for carry, look at a S&W M&P in 45. I love 1911's but unless I have a pocket 1911smith nearby to keep it up in running condition, I'd take a more modern firearm.

If it is just to have a .45, then by all means Colt Series 70 (if your gonna have a 1911 might as well have a pony on it).

the only 1911's i would stay away from would be the double stack Para O's and any Taurus and Sigs. otherwise, what stats do you have to substantiate your claim of needing a gunsmith?

i.e. Kimber, Smith and Wesson, Dan Wesson, Ed Brown, STI, Charles Daly, Colt, Les Baer, Wilson Combat ect...

 

[Preachers Sheets]

Smith n Wesson makes some nice carry guns. I have a Camfour edition but even the factory models have a smooth and light trigger pull. The 4.5 barrel size is perfect.

 

[TheRoland]

otherwise, what stats do you have to substantiate your claim of needing a gunsmith?

i.e. Kimber, Smith and Wesson, Dan Wesson, Ed Brown, STI, Charles Daly, Colt, Les Baer, Wilson Combat ect...

I think he's exaggerating for effect. It's generally agreed among those who carry and shoot 1911s that they require extra care and attention from their owners.

 

[wolf223]

I think he's exaggerating for effect. It's generally agreed among those who carry and shoot 1911s that they require extra care and attention from their owners.

i humbly call BS. i have a S&W 1911, Govt Size that i haven't cleaned in over a year. it has NEVER FTF' or FTE' in over 1500 rounds. YES, your read that right.

i pay particular attention to any gun i carry, which is ALL of my pistols at one point or another. anything that gives me problems outside of ammo, mags or operator malfuction (i.e. me playing gunsmith or something) gets pitched.

i normally clean them all every 500ish rounds.... so i guess i'm missing something???

 

[Skald]

the only 1911's i would stay away from would be the double stack Para O's and any Taurus and Sigs. otherwise, what stats do you have to substantiate your claim of needing a gunsmith?

i.e. Kimber, Smith and Wesson, Dan Wesson, Ed Brown, STI, Charles Daly, Colt, Les Baer, Wilson Combat ect...

Personal experience. Needed the 1911 to chamber a round, didn't chamber it cleaning, wasted valuable time as guy is trying to jimmy the door open at my apartment.
At range would fire 2-3 rounds and then problems clambering a round. These were standard FMJs. I retired it from CCW and carry a S&W M&P 9mm for edc.

Soon to be ex-wife got a SA 1911, it would fire great for a day at the range, then a bit after had cycling problems (FTF or FTE).

Researching the condition, came across a Larry Vickers blurb about the 1911, he loves the platform, but for EDC, when your life truly depends on it, 80 or so points of possible malfunction is a lot of items to look over.

Hey, glad you had good luck with your S&W 1911, there are always an exception to the rule and you got one.

 

[JimB]

if you want to carry a 45 look into a S&W 4513, they are no longer made
and can be had for a reasonable price. check gunbroker for availablilty
and what they look like.

they carry and shoot very well. i have one