Help me find a cheap beater .45acp SD pistol

[Old4eyes]

The grip angle of the XD45 will be similar to that of a 1911. The trigger won't be but nothing is like the trigger of a 1911. The biggest problem I have when going from the 1911 to the XD is that my thumb placement for assuring the thumb safety is disengaged on the 1911 will put it on top of the slide lock of the XD causing the slide not to lock back on the last round.

If you are used to a commander size 1911, go with the XD service model. If you prefer the govt. size, look at the tactical XD.

[ILVSMOG]

I've read about the thumb placement issue with 1911 guys and the XD. I shot my brother in law's XD9c and it didn't bother me too bad. I'd probably go for the Service model, but it's still going to come down to whatever I can find a deal on.

[Richard Erichsen]

I've read about the thumb placement issue with 1911 guys and the XD. I shot my brother in law's XD9c and it didn't bother me too bad. I'd probably go for the Service model, but it's still going to come down to whatever I can find a deal on.

What you play around with on the range and what you fall back to under stress tends to be two different scenarios. If your brain is conditioned to do something unconsciously (and therefore much faster than having to do it consciously) bad things happen when the firearm in your hand doesn't work the way you trained. Imagine being in the most awful of scenarios with no escape route and no other choice but to draw and under the stress the lever you just mashed on the weapon you just made ready was the decocker or the slide stop instead of the safety.

If you choose a non 1911 firearm at this point and hope to use it for defense, it's going to take many hundreds if not thousands of rounds to recondition the brain to the operation of the new handgun. A "cheap" gun plus the ammo required to overcome instincts might not be so cheap all told. What's the going rate for 1500 rounds of .45 hardball to familiarize? Looks to be about $400 for a really good deal, about $500+ with shipping at a more typical, less stellar rate.

A 1911 clone will keep you out of trouble, you already know how to use it, a couple boxes of ammo to make sure it all works properly and into the pack or vehicle it can go.

R

[dicksailor]

I would have to recommend a Taurus Millenium. My PT145 is my EDC. Have had some hiccups with the magazines, but Taurus fixed it in the newer mags.

[AragornElessar86]

The Rugers will be cheap, reliable, and adequately accurate. Triggers are long and they look like bricks. Nice ergonomics for me though.

[bsg]

What you play around with on the range and what you fall back to under stress tends are two different scenarios. If your brain is conditioned to do something unconsciously (and therefore much faster than having to do it consciously) bad things happen when the firearm in your hand doesn't work the way you trained, worse, if the lever you just mashed was a decocker or a slide stop instead of the safety.

If you choose a non 1911 firearm at this point and hope to use it for defense, it's going to take many hundreds if not thousands of rounds to recondition the brain to the operation of the new handgun. A "cheap" gun plus the ammo required to overcome instincts might not be so cheap all told. What's the going rate for 1500 rounds of .45 hardball to familiarize? Looks to be about $400 for a really good deal, about $500+ with shipping at a more typical, less stellar rate.

A 1911 clone will keep you out of trouble, you already know how to use it, a couple boxes of ammo to make sure it all works properly and into the pack or vehicle it can go.

R

+1. agreed.

[someR1]

RIA 1911 @ buds ! under $400!

[Lead Waster]

CZ-97 (used) or RIA Tactical 1911.

I think step one is to get over your attachment to 1911's as your pets. They're just lumps of metal. And replacement cost is like $500 for an identical model, not like a dog or friend. YOu can replace them with exact replicas.

[stormy_clothing]

http://www.theprepared.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=90

[Glock_fanboy]

I understand there are handguns out there just as awesome as glocks... to some people at least... but with a glock, you don't have to worry about manipulating the gun. You can just point and shoot. That was directed more towards the whole working with a different setup discussion up top ^^^.

Buy a Glock 21. Shoot the Glock 21. Enjoy the Glock 21. Glock 21 FTW. EZ choice.

[orangeusa]

Noob Glock_Fanboy has spoken. End of thread. hahaha

[watsonville]

i agree ria or glock 21

[casting kid]

Another vote for RIA...

[sounish]

My Taurus Millenium PT145 was inexpensive and has been a great shooter. With the laser it has a great HD presence as well.

[Sturnovik]

Some of you may have seen my post a few weeks back about a couple of my guns getting stolen out of my truck. Now, I'm in the process of trying to find a replacement for one of my beloved, expensive 1911s that was taken. I need a pistol that will live in my truck/backpack that goes everywhere with me. It will be on my LTC, so no storage/transport issues there. I'm planning on replacing my lost 1911 with another, but I've decided that since this pistol will not be on my person all the time and will have a relatively rough life, I don't want to beat up or risk another "nice" gun. Therefore, I've found myself looking for a pistol that meets these criteria:

1) .45acp (all but one of my other pistols are .45 and I don't want to introduce another caliber into my carry lineup)
2) sub-$500 either new or used
3) non-1911 (I get too attached to them and they magically extract time, money and aftermarket parts from me!)

So far, I've looked at and considered the S&W M&P45, Sig p220 LE trade-in, Springfield XD45 and the Glock 21. Have I overlooked any other obvious choices? Anyone have experience they can share with these models?

Thanks!!!

A 3rd gen smith. A sig if the price is right since you said 500 was the total.