Another which 45 gun question

Having decided to spend an absurd amount of money on a 45, I find that I like several very different guns.

The list includes a 1911 (Kimber, SA, or SW), Glock 21, and SIG P220. The 1911 of course gets points for history and having a longer barrel than the other choices. My only experience with a 1911 was with a Para P-12, a gun I personally never shot very well with and so traded it.

The hefty Glock feels good & I don't have any other Glocks. I haven't been able to handle the P220 but have rented other SIGs like them very much.

It is a short list but I welcome comments.

TIA, Greg

the 1911 used to be my favorite I had two different Springfields and three different Kimbers. Then I tried a Glock, I sold all of my 1911s and bought a Glock 21 and a 30.

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Greg, All the weapons you mentioned are good! It is more your individual feel, for they are all reliable and accurate. I might add the HK USP to the list too. If you are simply collecting a nice handgun for occassional shooting, any would do quite nicely. If it was to be a hard use field gun..the Glock and USP because of lighter weight & better finishes might be the way to go. I would, myself, purchase a nice Kimber from that list. The 1911 has a great deal to offer and not just a historical standpoint. It is much thinner and easier to pack around if that is a concern. It is a little more challenging to learn to carry cocked and locked. And after 92 years, it is still the choice of professional gunmen that go into harmsway on a daily basis. FBI HRT, LAPD SWAT, Delta Force, USMC Socom and MEUSOC, and vast majority of the 'teachers'(Jeff Cooper, Clint Smith, Massad Ayoob) carry them. Alot of law enforcement officers than can carry them will, and that list is actually growing!! The Kimber is one of the better versions of the 1911, as it is all CNC for better tolerences, and it has the 'bells and whistles' that make the 1911 more user friendly. There are alot of models to choise from. If you wanted a historical classic...Colt is producing some nice 'commemoratives' that are representations of military issue guns. The orignial 1911 format would be nice for a collection!! The Glock, USP and SIG .45's are all nice....but they lack the grace, the history, the feel of the classic 1911! DVC Jercamp45

I prefer the Paraordnance P-13 and the Glock 30 (the Glock 36 is very nice for a carry piece, but you don't seem to be interested in compactness.). The SIG P220 has a bit more muzzle flip due to the axis of the bore being rather high above the hand.

All are good guns and it just depends on what you, as an individual, prefer.

I have large hands and I find the Glock 21 awkward to hold and shoot. The Paraordnance P-12 is short enough in my hand that the butt rubs blisters on my hand when I shoot it. And as I mentioned, the SIG is functionally very good, but has more muzzle flip than the other two.

If you could go to a gun show and be able to handle a lot of guns close enough in time to be able to make comparisons, it might help you with your decision.

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Thanks to all for the comments. I will put the HK USP on the list too. Greylock's suggestion to wait for a show is probably very good advice.

The Sig P220 is very good. If you have trouble with the trigger, you can send it to Sig have them put in a short trigger. This costs $120 + shipping. You can also have a trigger job done at the same time. As for muzzle flip, it definitely moves more. The recoil is not bad...it's just 'up.' If you do a push-pull with your hands and shoot alot with it, you'll find you have no trouble. I was able to hit 5 steel plates ( spaced about 7 m wide ), starting from low ready, in an average of 3.2 seconds. I was able to do this during my first year of pistol shooting. It's just a matter of knowing how the gun works.

Good luck