Thread: Thought's on buying a .45

S&W M&P or XD
but i forget if they have the rails
i wish glock 36 and 30 had rails

It's not compact, but you can get one with a 4in barrel. mine is the tactical model for just over 500. XD45

Sig P250 falls in that price range. Great beginner gun IMO.






They don't look this good from the factory though.

Thank you guys for ur response to my question now I know the 2 i'm looking for. The Sig or the XD now 1 more queston please what ammo would be good for personal defense in a .45?
Thanks again

Originally Posted by hpi09

Thank you guys for ur response to my question now I know the 2 i'm looking for. The Sig or the XD now 1 more queston please what ammo would be good for personal defense in a .45?
Thanks again

Any 230 grain JHP is adequate in .45 caliber.

Most people like the premium brands, but truthfully, plain old Winchester white box, of the JHP variety, gives up very little to the high-priced brands, in terms of expansion and penetration...which is all that really matters in SD situations.

Originally Posted by hideit

...i wish glock 36 and 30 had rails

The 30 does have the tactical rail

any 230 grain bullet

The M&P does not offer a 45 in a compact model, If they did I would have one.

welp I bought a 45 as my first and now I am having a tough time finding ammo whether for personal defense or for range time. Everywhere from wal mart, cabellas, my gun shop or local surplus shops are typically out.... to the point Im thinking of getting a 40S&W since that caliber seems to be in ample quantities

but thats just me... I do love my XD 45 Compact, great concealment with the shortened grip and the standard 10 rd mag

Congrats! Have fun and be safe.

Keep your brass too incase some day you decide to start reloading. .45 brass is expensive.

My first auto was a Ruger P-345. It had a rail and it was a pretty nice pistol. It was just a tad bit bigger than a 1911 Commander. I don't like rails. They just spoil the lines of an otherwise good looking pistol. The type of laser that fits on a rail isn't real handy when you need to work fast. First you gotta turn it on. In a pinch you ain't gonna have time to fool with it. I chose to go with the Night sights. They are on 24/7. Now, when I finally get around to building the 1911 Commander I want it will have both night sights and a grip actuated laser that is built in to the grip. Squeeze the grip and the laser comes on. It fits in a standard holster and doesn't add any bulk to the pistol.
Just my two cents on the subject......

Originally Posted by gmaske

My first auto was a Ruger P-345. It had a rail and it was a pretty nice pistol. It was just a tad bit bigger than a 1911 Commander. I don't like rails. They just spoil the lines of an otherwise good looking pistol. The type of laser that fits on a rail isn't real handy when you need to work fast. First you gotta turn it on. In a pinch you ain't gonna have time to fool with it. I chose to go with the Night sights. They are on 24/7. Now, when I finally get around to building the 1911 Commander I want it will have both night sights and a grip actuated laser that is built in to the grip. Squeeze the grip and the laser comes on. It fits in a standard holster and doesn't add any bulk to the pistol.
Just my two cents on the subject......

x2

I think that the rails are only gonna do any good if you want a flashlight on the end of your gun, I'd rather just get a big ass maglite, then you have a back-up weapon also

I do not like things hanging on the end of my guns.

I think rails go mostly unused on most guns .

Especially on carry guns (always holster / concealment problems).

I believe they look better w/o rails - I have both.

Just my .02

Oh, but I do like .45's

Originally Posted by Bisley

Any 230 grain JHP is adequate in .45 caliber.

Most people like the premium brands, but truthfully, plain old Winchester white box, of the JHP variety, gives up very little to the high-priced brands, in terms of expansion and penetration...which is all that really matters in SD situations.

I agree, I use Winchester White Box (JHP).

Nice looking P250 dosborn. Glad you clarified it had been improved on because when I first saw your pick I was like wow those 250's are much better looking than I thought they were.

I would also 2nd or 3rd the suggestion to consider the M&P 45 in any of the 3 offered sizes. I don't own one and have never shot one but they are highly regarded here and in other places regardless of caliber. Full size has a 4.5" barrel, full grip 10+1 capacity, meduim size model I believe is a 4.25 or 4" barrel with same grip and capacity and the compact model maintains the 4.25" or 4" barrel but with a reduced grip length and 8 +1 capacity with the ability to take the 10 round mags. Can be had with or without the thumb safety. Not recommending it over the other suggestions. Merely a check it out suggestion as it seems to meet your criteria providing it is compact enough. Good luck.