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What is your favorite 45 ACP handgun?

9K views 40 replies 35 participants last post by  xXxplosive 
#1 ·
I'd like to hear from anyone who shoots a 45 ACP pistol. Which make and model do you like and why? Please describe the recoil on your model too. Thanks.
 
#5 ·
I'm kinda partial to my XD45c. Feels great, recoil is easily managed, 10+1 rounds for carry/13+1 for fun. I also have the Taurus 1911, fun to shoot, but, I'm more accurate with the XD (I think it has to do with those dern Heinie sights:anim_lol:).:smt023
 
#10 · (Edited)
I have so many favorite .45 ACP pistols that I couldn't possibly answer your question about "which?".
The .45 recoils strongly, but not sharply. I have always found its soft-feeling recoil to be more manageable than any other self-defense cartridge, 9mm and .38 Special included. All you need to do is hang onto the gun as tightly as you can, and exercise some follow-through.

On second thought, I choose a slightly-modified M1911A1 as my favorite, closely followed by the AMT .45 Backup.
 
#11 ·
I have a Springfield Loaded Champion (Commander-sized 1911 clone) and an XD45, and I have owned a Kahr P-45. They are all great guns. The Champion is my favorite because it's pretty, feels very good in my hand, and may be slightly more accurate than the XD, due to having a match barrel and a couple other minor refinements.

But the XD is my go-to gun...the one I would pick up if I knew trouble was coming and I couldn't run away. It is absolutely reliable with any ammo, more accurate than I can really shoot, in normal circumstances, and holds 13+1. It is not beautiful, but it is a workhorse, and after a couple thousand rounds, it has a very sweet trigger.

The Kahr was a great gun, too, but I swapped it because the Champion was almost as easy to conceal, and much easier to shoot accurately.

.45 ACP is a great self-defense caliber because it packs a very serious punch, without beating the shooter up or putting undue strain on the gun. I can fire hundreds of rounds of .45, without feeling any more fatigued than I would after shooting a few hundred 9mm. It has more of a gentle push for a recoil, rather than the sharper muzzle flip that is common to high pressure chamberings.
 
#13 ·
S&W 4506. Big, heavy, still fits my smallish hands, (so far) feeds any brand of ammo without jamming, can still be found in great condition at a very reasonable price. I paid $370 for mine a few months ago. I like it better than my Commander. Recoil is not a problem.
 
#16 ·
I, too, have a Champion ( loaded ) and a XD-45 4 ". A FNP-45 4 1/2" also. The work I've done and had done on my Champion has made it into the gun I knew it could be: RELIABLE, FAST, and ACCURATE.
Although it is a bit heavier than the XD, and felt recoil is a bit more noticeable, I carry the Champion.
The XD and FNP take turns sitting next to me, on the night-stand with light and laser on rail, at night.
 
#17 ·
Since I own only one...my favorite is my Springfiels XD45 tactical. 100% reliable, eats anything I feed it, and the recoil is very managable. But my favorite .45 that I have shot has been my friends Wilson 1911, boy is that a sweet shooting gun! Now all I need is 2 grand!
 
#20 ·
A S&W 4506 was my duty gun, with a S&W 6906 (9mm) as my off duty gun, so I know my S&W the best and really like it.

But Last year I bought a Kimber Pro DCP II with a Crimson Tide Laser sight and BOOM it was love at 1st shot.

I don't know if I like the Kimber the best or the laser sight the best - togeather they are wonderful.


:smt1099
 
#21 ·
I have two 1911's that I am very found of::smt033

A. S&W-PD for carry.
B. Kimber Team Match II for the range.

Both are excllent shooters and have failed me. :smt1099

 
#26 ·
I guess the only one I have must be my favorite and it's an M&P45Fs.
I swapped my M&P40 for it because the 40 recoil was bothering my Arthritic wrists. It's working great for me so far.

FWIW. I purchased a sample of LSWC's so the holes in paper would be easier to see. While preparing to load them I decided to give the M&P a tough test regarding feed performance. Some empty cases were loaded in a mag and hand cycled through the pistol with no hangups. None of my other Auto's will feed empty brass. And before you ask, no I don't plan on carrying a mag load of empties. :anim_lol:

tumbleweed
 
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