Best Automatic Handgun

[Jesse]

Originally Posted by jerry

Take a good look at the new Ruger P345. There are several here who own or have owned Ruger SEMI autos. I had a P-90 once, got the 1911 bug though.

Jesse is a big fan.

The P345 has some new interesting features that may be handy especially for a beginning shooter. ie. loaded chamber indicator etc..

There are a lot of good ones out there though. I'm sure you will get a dozen or so recomendations. Let us know how you do.

I have owned and shot several P-90 and P-97 Rugers. They are accurate and reliable, allowing a DA .45acp to be purchased used for around $350.00 give or take. Ruger's customer service is excellent, they recently replaced one of my P-90 Rugers with a damaged frame free of charge. (No fault of the P-90, it had an aftermarket buffer/guiderod that cracked the frame.) Their parts policy is restrictive, so don't expect any "major" parts like extractors, barrels, ect. unless you ship the firearm to them.

Another great buy in a .45acp is a S&W all stainless steel 645 or 4506. Their magazines are everywhere on the internet and LE trade-ins can be found around the $350-450.00 range. A true 5" DA .45acp with plenty of weight and strength that can handle +p ammo with ease. I have actually found my 4506 to be a more reliable feeder than my Ruger P-90 or the Sig 220ST. They are pretty accurate and Bar-Sto makes barrels for them.

[Jesse]

I examined the Ruger 345 last month and was not taken by it. I have not shot one so I reserve final judgement, but I consider the P-97 Ruger a better polymer design.

If you like the "safety" features mentioned concerning the Ruger 345, then the proven design of the previously mentioned S&W 645/4506 has all of them. Check the links in the prior post to see their price range as well as the used magazines.

http://www.tommygun.com/ao_pricing_pi_f.html

[Indy]

I bought a used S&W 745 last month. At the range, I missed the first two shots at the small re-setable steel targets, but hit the next six. It has a stainless frame with a blued slide. The pistol is single action with a decocker. I have always been a Colt, Kimber, or Glock .45 person, but this Smith has a great feel in my hand.
Indy

not a bad looking .45 here

[Mark]

Jesse,

Tell me more about the aftermarket guide rod that cracked the frame. Was it a Sprinco or Firedragon? I have been thinking about ordering one of the two piece models with the internal springs.....but not if its going to bust my frame!

Mark

[stangman]

Hi Bubba, I prefer my 1911's. I have several from different makers and like anything they each have their quirks. The nice thing though about the 1911 market though is that no matter the maker they all seem to work. The cheapest and most used of mine is the Firestorm 1911. $200 + tax. Of course now that my Dept. mandates DA/SA I have a Baby Eagle, fits my hand, accurate and carries 10+1, and at 3 lbs. empty if I need to it makes one heck of a club.

[Oxford]

Bubba...Do you really want an automatic pistol...or a semi automatic? I think I already know the answer. :gangster: :nod:

[SilverRun]

As you can tell from my avatar, I kind of like Para Ordnance .45's. They are very nice pistols so long as you have large hands. I like the 14-45 personally.

If you are not married to the .45 caliber, Springfield makes an excellent pistol for the money. I have an XD-40 and love it! The XD's are reasonable priced. Not much more than the Ruger. I think I paid about $430 for mine a year ago.

.40 or .45 - not much difference. I know I will get hammered for saying that, but look at the ballistics.

If you haven’t spent a lot of time with auto pistols, you may want to avoid the cocked and locked carry of single action .45’s. Para does make a double action .45, but they are kinda pricey. Something like the XD, which is very safe, might work better. The neat thing about the XD is it has a grip safety like a 1911 and a trigger safety like a Glock. Between the two, it is a very safe gun that is easy and transparent to fire.

Unless you’re a gunsmith, I would avoid the cheap 1911’s

Nothing wrong with a good .357 revolver either.

Link to the Springfield XD

http://www.springfield-armory.com/prod-xdpstl.shtml

some of us (especially me) prefer domestic guns though

[SilverRun]

Yea, I see your point, and I typically support that. Until my life is one the line, then I don’t care who makes it. I want the Best!

Springfield in an American company, but the pistol is made in Croatia. As for the Para - some US made .45's are as good or maybe better, but I like the double stack mags. Personal preference.

I own several pistols "Made in the USA". The thread author asked for the best value in a defense pistol – I think that is the XD-40. Although, Rugers are good guns – never said otherwise!

[centuryhouse]

I think any of the SIG line are great guns. For home and concealed carry I have two p225 SIG 9mm pistols that are pretty compact, and their 239 model is a slight bit smaller even. They are very reliable, take any kind of ammo, and are VERY acurate.

I also have a S&W 908 9mm which is a slight bit smaller and flatter than the p225 and does pretty well also.

The SIGs were between $385 and $400 used and the S&W 908 was about $300.

dw

like those available from http://www.kyimports.com/
or http://www.jgsales.com/

[dave375hh]

If you want a good deal on a .45, I'd watch for a close-out on the Ruger P-97's. They are good shooters with a low price point. The new 345 will probably supplant the 97's. The 97 is a P-90 with a poly frame and at one time dealer price was $297.00 brand new! I'll be watching for this one myself (no such thing as not needing another gun...right!).

[mark8252]

You do not specify home defense or a legal carry handgun.
You also do not specify your experience with any handgun.

If you are new to guns i would go with a double action revolver. Does not get much easier than point and pull (the trigger). Get a small lightweight 38 and you still have stopping power plus carry ability. Many people still prefer a revolver to an auto...absolute dependability. Smith and Wesson, Ruger and Taurus make good firearms. Its common to find a nice used revolver in the $300- 400 range.....at least here in Colorado anyway.
Strictly defense i would go with snubnose. All around gun including target shooting...a 4-6 inch . Ammunition is much cheaper in a 38 caliber than a 44. Buy a gun you can afford to practise with. Best all around caliber to me is a 357. Stopping power and the ability to use cheaper 38's for practise.

Strictly home defense....12 guage shotgun. Stopping power and safer for the neighbors by not going thru walls and striking them by accident.
Rather go with a handgun....see above.

In auto's i would suggest a glock, beretta, or ruger. On a budget...get a nice used one. They are out there if you take your time and look. 1911's are awesome firearms. I own two. Ammunition is expensive when compared to a 9mm. Buy a firearm you can afford to practise with.

The single most important thing you can do is get good.....make that very good...with your choice of firearm. In a pinch it will be your ability more than your choice of firearm that will save your life.
Second remember that a comfortabe to carry 32 will save your life in a crisis much more so than the 44 mag cannon you left in the car because its to uncomfortable ..or difficult to conceal ...on your person.
Find a firearm you feel comfortable with. Fits your hand well. One your not afraid of the recoil. Can afford to practise with.

My personal choice....and I have many handguns....is a beretta 85f 380.

[indyram]

If you are looking for a good value try hi-point. I have owned one for quite a while with over 5,000 rounds through it and have been very happy. They can be had for under $150. If you want to know more check out my post http://www.gunandgame.com/forums/showthread.php?t=21656 (Some New Grips on Old Friends...)
and hi-points website mkssupply.com

[silentknight]

I've got to put my vote in for a Magnum Research Baby Eagle, I bought mine for $399 brand new. It is the most solid pistol I've ever held. I've put over 5k rds through mine and not one mis-feed or mis-fire. Not to put down Ruger, but theres no other pistol i'd carry in a defense situation

[Jesse]

Originally Posted by Mark

Jesse,

Tell me more about the aftermarket guide rod that cracked the frame. Was it a Sprinco or Firedragon? I have been thinking about ordering one of the two piece models with the internal springs.....but not if its going to bust my frame!

Mark

Firedragon! Sorry it took me so long to respond...

[Jesse]

Originally Posted by Indy

I bought a used S&W 745 last month. At the range, I missed the first two shots at the small re-setable steel targets, but hit the next six. It has a stainless frame with a blued slide. The pistol is single action with a decocker. I have always been a Colt, Kimber, or Glock .45 person, but this Smith has a great feel in my hand.
Indy

745 S&W... great gun Indy. I saw a pic in Gabe Suarez's book that showed the 745 he carried on SWAT raids for the LAPD.