Hello gentlemen,

 

I am asking for information regarding the double action semi-automatic pistol.

 

My son is restricted to carrying this type of pistol for his off duty weapon.

 

I am what some of you younger guys would call "old school",

 

So, I only have revolvers and to me there is only one semi automatic... The Colt 1911 .45 cal. (Which is The only Automatic I have ever owned)

 

Since my son cannot carry a revolver, nor carry a normal Colt 1911 in .45 cal of course.

 

As per the new department regulations, he is in need of the new "double action" semi.

 

In your opinion, what is The best , dependable, one made in .45 ACP? (And American Made is a big plus)

 

We would like to have it in Steel and wood, not the plastic crap I see made today.

 

Oh, and not that flashy Pimp chrome looking crap either.

 

So, does anyone know of a solid blued steel with wood grips available you would bet YOUR life on?

 

Please let me know.

 

We will do our homework on your recommendations.

 

Thank you in advance for your assistance in this matter.

 

Regards,

Bill

Double Action only or SA/DA?

Malsua - he seems to be inferring DAO if the 1911 is not an option, no?

I am listing only American Made all-metal 45ACP pistols. These guns come in the other standard auto calibers too (i.e. 9mm and .40).

 

Ruger P90 - It's clunky looking, but no less than Massad Ayoob recommends it as the ultimate in reliability, and is easy on the wallet.

http://www.ruger-firearms.com/Firearms/ ... 2&return=Y

 

Sig Sauer P220 - Now headquartered in Exeter, New Hampshire. Sigs are known for their quality and reliability, and their price$$$.

http://www.sigsauer.com/Products/ShowCa ... oductid=94

Malsua - he seems to be inferring DAO if the 1911 is not an option, no?

 

Well, are there SA/DA 1911s? I don't think so but I don't know my 1911s so well. It's why I asked for clarification.

 

I was going to suggest a Sig p250 in full size. It's a steel frame but the sides are modular. If he's got an aversion to black composite though...I guess you'd maybe want something else. I've held but never shot a 250 and it felt good.

I forgot about Para Ordinance. They do make DA 1911's. The trigger on them is actually really nice. I have fired someone's at the range and was impressed with the trigger. I wasn't as impressed with the rest of the gun though. It felt a little cheap. Here is the link though.

 

http://www.para-usa.com/new/product_conceal.php

Smith and Wesson M&P 45!

 

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/ ... sFirearm=Y

Smith and Wesson M&P 45!

 

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/ ... sFirearm=Y

 

The S&W M&P is a nice gun, but i don't think it meets the criteria. It has a metal slide, but the rest is plastic.

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=130893161

 

Smith & Wesson CS45D - all steel, DAO .45 cal.

I think some of the other second generation Smiths also fit the requirements. Put on your own wood grips.

I am a fan of the beretta PX4 Storm.

SA Mil-Spec

 

mmmmmmm thats quite nice!

I am a fan of the beretta PX4 Storm.

"Reinforced fiberglass technopolymer" frame

Just my two cents, but if I had to carry all day I'd love to have one of those "plastic guns". Don't underestimate how much a chunk of metal pulls you down when you have to wear it all day.

I know ken..... I know..... But, it is a really nice gun.

I know ken..... I know..... But, it is a really nice gun.

They're all nice. Every one of 'em, even the fugly ones.

Hello gentlemen,

 

...

 

Since my son cannot carry a revolver, nor carry a normal Colt 1911 in .45 cal of course.

 

...

 

In your opinion, what is The best , dependable, one made in .45 ACP? (And American Made is a big plus)

 

...

 

Regards,

Bill

 

 

SA Mil-Spec

 

 

ETA : springer mil specs are built in brazil.

OK then....

 

What is American made..... .45cal..... all metal...... and NOT a 1911 ?????

 

 

Since you suggested NOTHING and called us out with the " reading is fundemental " comment

My Dad used to say that if you don't have anything useful to add to the conversation... just shut the Hell up! Well, that and always wear clean underwear, and never engage in a battle of wits with an unarmed adversary, and a couple of others... .

 

We can all read just fine. Sorry, not everyone can be superior. Then everyone would be the same.

 

Just sayin'.

There are a few (Ruger, Sig and Para). See my prior posts.

 

OK then....

 

What is American made..... .45cal..... all metal...... and NOT a 1911 ?????

 

 

Since you suggested NOTHING and called us out with the " reading is fundemental " comment

OK then....

 

What is American made..... .45cal..... all metal...... and NOT a 1911 ?????

 

 

Since you suggested NOTHING and called us out with the " reading is fundemental " comment

 

(you suggested one of the only guns that was specifically prohibited)

 

only reasonable all american suggestions :

smith & wesson 4543

smith & wesson 4546

 

those are about the only options, and even they are no longer produced. if you must stick with DAO, open up to other countries, which make fine DAO 45's, and go with a SIG or branch out even more and go with a reliable striker fired gun like a glock 21SF or a HK USP 45 if he can stand the polymer frame. all of these are in current production, and most wont cost an arm and a leg.

There are a few (Ruger, Sig and Para). See my prior posts.

 

OK then....

 

What is American made..... .45cal..... all metal...... and NOT a 1911 ?????

 

 

Since you suggested NOTHING and called us out with the " reading is fundemental " comment

 

Para's are built in canada

 

sigs are built in germany

 

the ruger p series is........ a ruger

OK then....

 

What is American made..... .45cal..... all metal...... and NOT a 1911 ?????

 

 

Since you suggested NOTHING and called us out with the " reading is fundemental " comment

 

(you suggested one of the only guns that was specifically prohibited)

 

only reasonable all american suggestions :

smith & wesson 4543

smith & wesson 4546

 

those are about the only options, and even they are no longer produced. if you must stick with DAO, open up to other countries, which make fine DAO 45's, and go with a SIG or branch out even more and go with a reliable striker fired gun like a glock 21SF or a HK USP 45 if he can stand the polymer frame. all of these are in current production, and most wont cost an arm and a leg.

See, that wasn't so hard, was it? Welcome to civility.

I can understand your traditionalism. My 1911 is bone stock, the way John Browning Wanted it.

 

But why so many restrictions aside from the department regs? ie, no plastic "crap"? and why MUST it be a .45? 9mm, 40, 357sig, etc, have all proven themselves as well. with the right ammo, they can be as effective or more effective than the .45.

 

Just about any name brand combat handgun that is polymer has proven itself time and time again.

 

Sig, XD, smith, ruger, glock, etc.. they are all good.

 

And this is going to be a carry gun, so your not gonna put it in a showcase and have school children file by it.

 

The polymer will probably actually take a beating better than metal and be lighter, and offer higher capacities.

 

Aside from being old school, if you need to trust your life on a gun, wouldnt it be worth it to explore all possibilities?

 

Law Enforcement agencies all across the country carry polymer guns everyday.

Para's are built in canada

 

sigs are built in germany

 

the ruger p series is........ a ruger

 

I'll bite on the Para. They sure don't publicize that fact, since their headquarters is in North Carolina.

All Sigs used to be built in Germany. The website isn't specific about which ones are built here now, but some are. Check out the slide engraving on a new Sig.

The Ruger may be a little rough for some, but it is the epitome of reliability. For somebody as knowledgeable as Mas Ayoob to recommend it, that's good enough for me. To dismiss a gun simply because it's a Ruger strikes me as snobbish. To each his own...

I was going to suggest a Sig p250 in full size. It's a steel frame but the sides are modular

 

The SIG 250 isn't a steel framed handgun. the operating mechanism and rails are a metal but the grip and "frame" is a polymer. The P220 is a bit on the large side. I have a 220 Carry and it is somewhat bulky. The 220 Compact is basically their old 245 model. the slide of the 220 Carry with a shorter grip and one less round.

 

The best deals around are used S&W third gen 4500 series. Plentiful and reliable. However I'd go with a lighter Glock in 45ACP if that's what he wants and more importantly, if allowed by the department. I personally carry a P250 in 45ACP and it's been accurate and reliable. the switching of calibers and barrel lenghts isn't a big issue with me. I'll never change it out.

Geez, I did not expect this much excitement generated from my stupid questions, but Thank You all.

 

Where do I even begin after reading all of the comments?

 

OK, I need strictly a Double action no single action semi-automatic pistol, no conversions either, strictly factory double action .

This is per the department regulations.

Well, unless you were prior Law enforcement prior to 1996. Which he is not.

 

My son likes the .45 ACP because this is the round he cut his teeth on and loves it.

My son has fired the 9mm in the US Marine Corps, so he just prefers using the 45 ACP.

 

I would happily give him, any of my 45 ACP revolvers or even my 35 year old Colt Combat Commander, which I've carried off duty many years ago.

But as per regulations he cannot carry any of them. (Seems like I get to hold onto them even longer)

 

I guess I have spoiled him all of these years by teaching him to just use the 45 ACP .

 

I also spoiled him with shooting old revolvers and a real American icon pistol.

 

I guess it is strictly my fault here, I also stressed his whole life ....

 

Buy only "Made in United Stated of America"

Blued Steel and wood grips

And yes, only in the the 45 ACP

 

I do not in any way want to try and poke fun at some of you younger guys here,

And I am very sorry to cause any rifts here in this post, I did not intentionally mean to do that.

 

Personally, I never liked those chromed colored pimp type (Nickel, Stainless, or Satin type) revolvers or pistols, and as for "Plastic" pistols I never shot one in my life.

Hell, I never even held one of those before.

I pushed my values onto my son his whole life, and he became just like me, for better or worst.

 

Again I Thank you all for giving us a direction to move towards.

 

We will research each and every pistol recommended to us by each of you.

 

Again, THANK YOU ALL for your help.

I was going to suggest a Sig p250 in full size. It's a steel frame but the sides are modular

 

The SIG 250 isn't a steel framed handgun.

 

http://www.sigsauer.com/upFiles/Specifi ... arison.pdf

 

 

and as for "Plastic" pistols I never shot one in my life.

Hell, I never even held one of those before.

I pushed my values onto my son his whole life, and he became just like me, for better or worst.

 

 

I understand your traditionalism, but.. common.. popping off a few rounds from a plastic gun isn't gunna turn you evil :mrgreen:

 

Hey, I don't have a plastic 45 yet (anymore), but your more than welcome to try out my plastic 9, and im sure everyone else here would let you try out just about any gun they have.

 

I'm just saying

 

I hope you find what you are looking for.

coldsolderjoint said:

"common.. popping off a few rounds from a plastic gun isn't gunna turn you evil"

 

Yeh, I know what you are saying....

 

The boy now has some kind of plastic H&K DA for his duty pistol,

 

he just wanted something along the lines I brought him up with.

 

I guess I am an old dinosaur, who is hard headed, stubborn, and set in my ways.(Thank God)

 

I think he is saddened he cannot carry any of my old revolvers, Colt auto, or my dads 5 shot .38 S&W chiefs special from the 1950's.

 

It is a new world out here and I do not like it. (LOL)

 

Well we have to get back to looking up all of those New and Modern pistols you all recommended to us.