Help me find a cheap beater .45acp SD pistol

[ILVSMOG]

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!!!

[freonr22]

Ruger p90,p97,p345?

[ILVSMOG]

I don't think I've ever seen one of those Rugers. Are they all legal/available in CA? How do they feel and shoot?

[osxgp]

I think that you listed every option you should consider. Sig P220 is an excellent choice but has the SA/DA I don't care for. The Glock 21 is very large in the hand, so I would reccomend the 21 SF. The M&P and XD pistols fit perfectly in a large amount of hands. I would consider getting the Springfield XD 45 compact. It is just a little bit larger than the Glock 23 and it has the option of the extended grip. That will be the next gun I purchase.

[ILVSMOG]

Also, please keep in mind that I shoot 1911s almost exclusively. The pistol I select needs to function and fit similarly. I was reading up on the Rugers, suggested above, and while they look like a great pistol for the money, I noticed the safety (at least on the p345) appears to operate exactly the opposite of that on a 1911. I've been taught to draw and ride the safety on my 1911s. That grip on the Ruger could be a bad, bad mistake in an emergency.

[zfields]

XDs can be found very cheap right now.

[tacticalcity]

Gunbroker.com is your friend. Find a trade-in.

Can't help you with the 45ACP...but this seller has some dirt cheap trade-in FN Browning 9mm's and Berettas that are on list. Check the list carefully before you buy unless you have a Single Shot Exemption guy lined up to receive it.

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/SellerAuctions.aspx?User=979927

I bought a Glock 17 trade in from this guy for $319 a couple months back.

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/SellerAuctions.aspx?User=781610

[ILVSMOG]

XDs can be found very cheap right now.

I've been keeping an eye on the Calguns classifieds and GB for the last week or so. Any other classifieds you can suggest?

Gunbroker.com is your friend. Find a trade-in.

Can't help you with the 45ACP...but this seller has some dirt cheap trade-in FN Browning 9mm's and Beretta 92FS 9mms that are on list.

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/Sel...px?User=979927

I bought a Glock 17 trade in from this guy for $319 a couple months back.

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/Sel...px?User=781610

Thanks for the links. I saved both of those sellers and I'll keep an eye on them.

[Richard Erichsen]

Also, please keep in mind that I shoot 1911s almost exclusively. The pistol I select needs to function and fit similarly. I was reading up on the Rugers, suggested above, and while they look like a great pistol for the money, I noticed the safety (at least on the p345) appears to operate exactly the opposite of that on a 1911. I've been taught to draw and ride the safety on my 1911s. That grip on the Ruger could be a bad, bad mistake in an emergency.

You are going to have a difficult time weening off of the superior manual of arms for the 1911 to any other handgun which you've already mentioned. Almost all safeties operate opposite of the 1911 in counter-intuitive fashion (however, if you learn on one of those double-action pistols you'll say the same of the 1911). Only the Browning Hi-Power (P35) operates similarly to the 1911, JMBs last project before he died. You'll be hard pressed to find one in .45 ACP since they are a weapon designed for a different military customer on the other side of the pond where 9x19 mm was the caliber of choice.

There is one other option worth considering, but once again there will be a learning curve, just not as much as jumping into a more typical double-action semi-auto. The Tangfoglio/EAA Witness (based on the CZ 75B) is available in .45 ACP and has versions that are single action (primarily for match use), but the controls are still different than that of the 1911. They aren't listed on the CADOJ roster anymore, but they come up for sale every so often on Gunbroker, GunsAmerica, etc. I prefer the older all steel guns anyway, the new weapons are modern plastic frame jobbies that lost something in the translation from the original weapon. Read more here: http://www.savvysurvivor.com/gearrev...ies_pistol.htm

Your desire for the .45 ACP round on a weapon that operates like the 1911 pretty much seals the deal. A used, "gently beaten" USGI 1911A1 from any major maker will do ya. Don't bother trying to resist, there is no alternative for you. Learn to resist the urge to modify and "upgrade" it and you'll be fine.

R

[Distro]

If you do decide to open up the 1911 option, just get a standard RIA 1911, can be had at Turners on sale for $419 before tax+DROS.

[aermotor]

I would go Glock 21SF or Glock 30SF without even thinking about it. No hammers, no safeties, nothing hanging off the side. Ultimate simplicity and reliability for cheap. Look around enough and you can find one for $500 or less.

If you don't want to go that route then I guess an XD would do.

[ILVSMOG]

Gah, I know, you guys are probably right about the 1911. My biggest problem is my emotional attachment to them. When one of mine got stolen, I was pretty seriously depressed. It felt like someone shot my dog. I love those things like they're members of the family. I'd have a pretty hard time if something happened to another one, especially another Colt. Maybe I should just quit whining and spend the +/- $1k for a Loaded Springer or even one of the new Sigs. The Sigs have that goofy external extractor, so maybe I could even fool myself into not loving it like a "real" 1911. Heh, "Sig, the ginger of 1911s" That's sure to offend somebody.

[aermotor]

Goof external extractor? They may have had a bad rep when they first came out but I don't see the problem with them these days as any issues have been worked out.

[paul0660]

but the controls are still different than that of the 1911.

Arent both 1911's and Cz's up for safe down for fire?

[evidens83]

XD45