Which gun in .45ACP?

[stooxie]

Hello,

I seem to have been bitten by the .45 ACP bug as of late was wondering what people's opinions are on a few pistols. I have been considering the Para P14-45, Glock 21 and Sig 220. I think I'm leaning towards the Para since I like the 1911 style. I realize that I need to shoot them all to make a real choicebut what about these pros and cons:

Para Ordnance P12-45

Pro:
Love the capacity and pre-ban mags are available right from Para's website. Gun reviews are all very good, especially the ones crowing about the LDA. Is the LDA the only way to go with a Para or do people still prefer the single action?

Con:
Lots of parts? Not sure if that's an issue. I suppose the 1911 design has been thoroughly vetted out by now.

Misc:
What about the Limited stuff? Worth the extra cash? I think I actually like the look of the "regular" ones better.

Sig P220

Pro:
Can't find a less-than-stellar review, everyone says their great.

Con:
Limited capacity. Yeah, yeah, 8 rounds of .45 is stil a lot.

Glock 21

Pro:
Simple design, fewer parts, good capacity.

Con:
All the articles about out-of-battery firing and Glock 21 KBs have me nervous. Apparently the shiny Glock reputation holds up much better with their 9mm pistols than their 45's. I am sure that the percentages are low, and the culprit was bad handloads but still...

Any thoughts would be great. As I said, I'm leaning towards the Para cuz I like a nice full-frame, heavy gun and I've had my eye on the 1911 style for a while. Para seems to combine a classic style with modern enhancements, accuracy, capcity and firepower.

Thanks!
-Stooxie

[GREYBEAR]

I went through the same thing a few months ago, but I was also thinking the S&W4506, simply because it was similar to my 5906. I went with the Glock 21, simple to use and very accurate. As soon as my carry permit comes though, I can get a G30 and switch off mags.

:beer: :rapid:

[punchie]

Tough call, all that you have listed are fine guns in their own right. Go with the one that fits and feels the best to you. Which one points naturally and easily?

[GREYBEAR]

An aside to what punchie said, try to find if possible a range that rents their pistols for you to shoot,and that will give you an idea as to what you will like most. Luckily, where I live there are 2 such ranges.

:beer: :rapid:

[stooxie]

In case anyone is will watching this thread I ended up with a Kimber Custom II Stainless. Got it for $699 from Galyans, a deal too good to pass up.

-Stooxie

[mbott]

Any more, Galyan's seems to be a good source for handguns. They've had some good deals on CZ's to which I'm partial to.

--
Mike

[stooxie]

Originally posted by mbott@Sep 2 2004, 02:24 PM
Any more, Galyan's seems to be a good source for handguns. They've had some good deals on CZ's to which I'm partial to.

--
Mike
That was the last one but they get them in all the time. When I was doing the paperwork a whole batch of Sig P220's showed up. I suddenly had a dilema again! I already have a Sig 226 and I wanted a 1911 style pistol so I got the Kimber.

BTW, Galyan's prices are easily the best around, always seem to be just 20 or 30 bucks above anyone's internet pricing, which would be the same after FFL fee. I looked at a local gun shop and their prices were on the average $50 to $100 higher on everything! They even quoted me straight MSRP on a new Para. I was like "MSRP, are you kidding?" I felt like I was at a Honda dealer.

Also, if you order something at Galyans you can be sure you're getting their best price. They don't mark things up for being special orders and they have multiple distributers so even they can shop around for you. Lastly, a lesson I have learned time and time again, never underestimate a retail chain's willingness to work on price. With smaller stores, where they only have one business paying the bills, prices seem to be quite fixed. I have found that big stores are very often willing to knock something off the price for even the slightest of blemish or wear.

In my case, the barrel had a tiny bit of rust on it so they knocked off $40. I cleaned it up with some Bar Keeper's Friend, oiled it and now it's shiny and spotless. (BTW, they said the gun had come in about 4 weeks before I got it.)

-stooxie

[Sniper]

Kimber and Colt.....two of my favs. Heard Galyans is now Dick's.


:sniper: