.45 pistol question

[Victoria]

I've been thinking of picking up a full-size .45, but I'm not sure what I'm looking for exists. I was thinking steel-frame, since I tend to strongly prefer them over the polymer (the plastic grips tend to chew up my hand, and since this would be just for fun the extra weight of steel would be nice). I was hoping to get something with a high-ish capacity, which was where I ran into my problem. From what I can find, there's basically not a full-size metal-frame .45 with capacity over 8 or 9. The only thing I've found is the Para high-capacity 1911-types. Am I missing something, or is the higher capacity in .45 something that really is basically relegated to the plastic guns? Anyone have experience with those Paras?

I'd love some suggestions if there are any. I'm thinking I'd like to pick this up before any capacity bans go into place. It would be something that for the foreseeable future would just be for fun shooting, but would hopefully be tough enough and reliable enough to someday use at something more competitive. I'm fine with used if it's something easy enough to find that's just not made anymore. Just trying to make sure I've exhausted my resources looking for what I want before I spend my next gun budget.

[TC95GT]

CZ Makes a 10+1 round capacity .45.

[Stradawhovious]

Take a look at the EAA or Tanfoglio witness line (basically the same gun with a different name) Really inexpensive (relatively) and extremely reliable and in my experience, accurate. 10 round Mag capacity on the full sized frame, and no plastic frame.

[hammAR]

You could also look to STI 2011 Double Stack Pistols, depending on your budget
http://www.talonarms.com/talonarms/index.php?cPath=316&main_page=index

of course you would have to get a great set of wood panels for whatever you get.....
http://stradcustomgrips.com/options.html

good luck and have fun with this, I did.............

[Stradawhovious]

Oooooo Boy Gunny, them shore is some pretty grips!

[hammAR]

Oooooo Boy Gunny, them shore is some pretty grips!

Yea, but it should have been prettier,
wait till I get my hands on the idiot that forgot to put the .45 Headstamp inlays for the mounting screws.............








Seriously, I like them the way they are, great job strad, thanks...............

[Stradawhovious]

wait till I get my hands on the idiot that forgot to put the .45 Headstamp inlays for the mounting screws.............

Just say the word and I'll kick his ass.

[JFettig]

I almost bought a baby eagle in .45acp at the last gun show I was at. Its very nicely sized and comfortable. Worth looking into.

Jon

[Ironbear]

The CZ, EAA Witness, and Para-Ordnance cover the high capacity ones that I know of that aren't sort of high guns, although you can also get 10 round factory magazines for a Sig P220.

Take a look at the EAA or Tanfoglio witness line (basically the same gun with a different name) Really inexpensive (relatively) and extremely reliable and in my experience, accurate. 10 round Mag capacity on the full sized frame, and no plastic frame.

EAA ( http://www.eaacorp.com )is the U.S. importer of Tanfoglio produced guns. The Witness line is a general copy of the CZ's. Interestingly enough, from the EAA website...

IV) Can I convert my 9mm Witness to 45ACP?
...
B) Steel frame 38super, 45acp, 10mm can be converted to: 9mm, 40sw, 38super, 45acp, 10mm or 22lr
...

Hmmm...

[Pat]

The Springfield XD holds 14 + 1 of .45 ACP.

[Victoria]

Thanks for the replies everyone! Yes, Hammar, those are gorgeous guns, but a few hundred out of my price range sadly.

I have a Baby Eagle in 9mm and love it, but haven't shot the .45 recently (I think I snagged one and tried it out at the Bill's show last Spring and seem to remember not liking it but I was working my way up in caliber at that time and 9mm was really what I was focused on then), so I will definitely have to give that another try.

I didn't think to look at the EAAs, though I've liked their looks. I've heard a few different places that .45 is the one caliber that CZ can't get right, and to avoid it, so I hadn't included it on my list, especially since I'm not aware of anyplace I could rent or try one prior to buying. Anyone have different experience with them?

And Pat - we have a full-size XD in .45 and it is pretty nice but it is the husband's...I've considered that if all else failed I'd probably pick one of those up, since they are pretty decent shooters and the grip is much less porcupiny than other plastic guns, but I was hoping to get something in metal.

[Stradawhovious]

I had the baby eagle in .45, and the eaa witness in .45, they are the same gun. Same size, same shape, same components, and same magazines.(all things considered) If you didn't like the Baby Eagle .45, you won't like the EAA.

My .02

[mnglocker]

Victoria, are you going to the Effin Gopher bar next weekend?

[David]

Having shot both of them, I'd recommend the FNP .45 over the XD. Each to his or her own, of course, but I found the trigger to be much nicer, I liked the exposed hammer, and it's got the same steel magazines. You might want to try one of those out. If you like Glocks, the 21SF is my all-around favorite gun right now.

Of course, I'm a huge fan of SIGs when it comes to metal-framed guns, but their mag capacity is less than what you've specified.

[Belgiboy]

I have to agree with the SIG. I picked up this slightly used P220 Equinox from the Gunstop a couple of weeks ago. I apologize for the hasty, blurry pic. It points very naturally, absorbs recoil and is very accurate. Capacity is 8+1. I had gone into the gunstop with my mind set on buying a G19 or similar for a daily carry weapon since my permit to carry should arrive any day now. I couldn't do it and I was torn between this and a H&K USP for the longest time. I think I made the right choice, I look forward to range visits every day since I have owned the SIG.

If you are not against buying second hand, I would definately encourage you to go check out the Gunstop in Minnetonka. They have a really nice selection and your dollar will go pretty far there, it wasn't the first time I was able to pick something up that I thought I wouldn't be able to afford.

PS. Srigs, if you see this, I will need a IWB holster for this pretty soon