I would like to buy a 45 semi auto handgun. I was looking at a Glock but I also hear there are some nice Smith & Wessons that are similar. Is there anything else I should consider? Pro's & cons etc? I plan on having a concealed weapons licence if that helps.

 

I carry a Glock 30 .45ACP everyday and love it they are accurate and simple.

 

Springfield-Armory I have a XD .40 3" subcompact and love it I was going to get the baby glock until I felt this springfield. My next gun i'll be buying is the smith and wesson .380 bodygaurd
Springfield XD 40 3" subcompact

Smith and Wesson .380 Bodygaurd

 

Glocks are put together fairly loose...or in my words, sloppy. But that's what makes them one of the most reliable handguns you can buy. But it's this same slop that means accuracy suffers. If all you intend to ever use it for is a carry piece, the Glock does that very well as usual confrontational distances are in feet, not yards. But if you ever think you might want to target shoot with other folks, you won't bring a Glock and expect to do well against other 45 platforms. There are after market parts that can make a Glock shoot relatively decent like a barrel replacement, springs, etc. that will improve accuracy. Most Glocks FWIW, will not shoot lead bullet ammo due to the barrel configuration which means you'll be buying jacketed bullet ammo which can be expensive versus target lead ammo. I'm not a double action only fan of any pistol but do recognize that a Glock is about as simple as it gets. Pick it up, pull the trigger, gun goes off. I think more than anything in regards to importance is how does it fit your hand. If it doesn't feel like it's part of you, you don't have the right gun. Make sure you feel comfy holding whatever you buy as you'll do far better with it. As far as brand, there's a bunch of 45 platforms out there. Some are cheap for a reason, some are expensive for a reason. A good but reasonably priced 45 are the Rock Island and the CZ pistols. Might want to see about how one fits the hand. Both are far more accurate than a Glock and both are reliable. But the best pistol for you is one that fits your hand. All others are just guns.

 

The Glock's are nice and are really more accurate than a lot of people give them credit for. Look up some videos of hickok45 on YouTube and you can see him shooting very accurately with his Glocks. A 1911 design pistol such as Colt, Springfield, etc. will probably be a little more accurate than a Glock. They are also probably more expensive. The Rock Island mentioned above gets great reviews for the price.

For simplicity, it is hard to beat a Glock or an XD. I have heard great things about the M&P series of pistols as well. Those are the Smith and Wesson series that you have probably heard about.

I have a H&K 45C and it is a very nice pistol and conceals decently. The 1911 pistols are a little slimmer and because of that, will probably conceal a little better, particularly the commander size options. I have a Colt Commander that is really nice, but it gets a little heavy.

My quickest go to gun for carry though, is probably my Rohrbaugh. It is so easy to just grab it and throw it in the front pocket (in a pocket holster of course). It is 9mm and not .45 though.

I think you should really examine what you want the pistol for. Are you wanting to carry it, or take it out and target shoot with it a lot. You can have a pistol that does both, but it won't do both as well as one that is made for such. The smaller guns conceal much better than the larger guns, but the larger guns tend to shoot much better as far as accuracy is concerned. I don't remember the statistic, but something like most gun battles occur within 7 yards and are over in less than 7 seconds, and probably less than 7 rounds are fired. Accuracy is not your biggest issue there, but you certainly can't join the fight if you've left your gun at home because it is a burden to carry.

There is so much more to talk about it, but I will just refer you to a few places where I like to look and learn.

On youtube, look up nutnfancy, he does some pretty good gun reviews and also look up hickok45... if you don't think Glocks can shoot well, he will prove different.

If I was looking for something to carry in the sub-$500 price range, it would probably be something like the Ruger LCP. Get some good practice and some good hollow point ammunition.

 

I have shot glock 17's and 19's. Neither are 45's but hey are both great guns. I have an older smith and wesson 9mm. I actually am more comfortable with it, however, the glock is easier to strip and is much more pradictable. However consider the fact that the glocks were new and the smith, even though very** well taken care of, is much older, about 15 years older.

 

Dude, I can save some time. Buy the GLOCK and be done with it. Accuracy? Yeah maybe you won't shoot a dime offhand. But let's face it, your intentions are too carry. GLOCK utilizes a tenifer process on all of it's steel components other companies do not. ALL other polymer framed pistols are just COPIES of the GLOCK. The 1911 didn't get a polymer frame until the success of Glock.

Are GLOCKS "sloppoly" put togather? I don't think so. Being so sloppy, it's reliable? I don't think so. One thing about TIGHT tolerances is that, they are tight, Dirt, dust, mud will gum up the components and you have a nice bludgeon. One thing about LOOSE tolerances, the gun would fall apart. How many people complain that the GLOCK DID NOT FUNCTION? I personally handle several and own several and I have only seen one function questionably, and I still want to check the ammo on that. Where as, I have had several other guns (namily newer sigs, the lcp, and certain kahrs) just fail to perform to any expectation.

As long as the Glock fits your hands, and you feel comfortable, you are good to go. As far as .45a.c.p. you have the 21, 21sf, 30, 30sf, and 36.

 

Glock was not the first polymer framed pistol.

 

If it is for carry, then get the Glock. I have three now. Glock 22, 23, and a 27. The 23Gen4 is by far my favorite. I have a crossbreed holster for it too and love it.

Glock is number 1 for carried semi-auto arms!

 

ive got a glock 26, 19 and 21C. the 21c is a compensated .45. really makes a difference on the gun kicking up. all 3 are great guns. the 21 is rather large for conceal, thats why i got the 26, although its a 9mm. had i bought the 26 first i would have never gotten the 19. .45's are fun but cost a bunch more to shoot. getting 9mm ammo at a little over 9 bucks for a box of 50

 

http://www.hkpro.com/index.php?optio...stols&Itemid=5

I stand corrected.

Robert Glock made several polymer items for the Austrian military. When they wanted a new sidearm, he found a way to bring two worlds together. I thought I had read he was the first. My bad.

 

i just bought a springfield armory xdm .45 for under $600, just something to consider if u havent already

 

Buy whatever you feel comfortable with....I highly recommend you go to the gun range and rent some guns...most will charge a $10-20 flat fee and you just have to buy ammo...can shoot any of their rentals to get a feel of what you like.

Don't get a .45 just because you think its the best....I carry a Sig 229 .45 for my service pistol but carry a Springfield XD9 subcompact off duty as it conceals better than a .45 and the follow up shots are great...not to mention the mag capacity is outstanding. Springfield also makes a .40 in the subcompact as well....and the XDM like mentioned is a great gun, harder to conceal IMO especially for everyday carry.

Sig makes some quality guns but they are on the pricey side.

 

I also have a Springfield XD 45. I like it. I want a paraordnance 1911 hi cap. Yes.

 

For a .45, I would recommend Kimber. Extremely accurate.