Looking for good .45 under $400

[88E30M50]

A Bersa 45UC can be had for around $400 used. Those are great guns that are compact and easy to use and take down for cleaning. They are very popular and folks that buy them tend to like them a lot. It's probably the easiest gun to disassemble for cleaning that I've owned. Much easier than a Glock, CZ or 1911. It has a decocker, so condition 1 carry is not possible but for most folks, that's a good thing.

 

[Tomfoolery]

The cheap 1911's are ammo picky and will not live if you run any plus-P through them. Try and find a nice, used Mil-spec GI from Para or Springfield.

I have yet to find any ammo that my RIA will not eat up. Steel case, brass case, fmj, hp from any manufacturer Sellior and Bellot, Blazer, remington, Winchester, Federal, Tula you name it, it eats it all. Also (and not flaming) why is there hypehypehype for +P ammo these days? 230gr FMJ or 185gr HP that is .45 in diameter should be enough to obliterate any target without the need for tacking on an additional few fps. For that matter does ANY manufacturer rec running +P ammo in their weapons? I know my SD9 specifically said not to and so did my Glock if I remember right.

I have a standing challenge at my range to put ANY Kimber, Wilson Combat, or Colt NM up against my RIA in either an accuracy or stress test an have yet to find any takers to that challenge. I wouldn't argue that those other guns are prettier, they certainly are. It isn't even a comparison. But @ $500 otd this is damn hard to beat for a 1911.

 

[pute62]

Kahr CW45

 

[Opie]

You can find used Glock 21's or Glock 30's in that price range if you look around.

 

[MolonLabe7]

Taurus makes a good 1911. My son has one. Good piece.

Wouldn't recommend anything taurus... just my

 

[Tnichols00]

Ruger SR45, you can pick one for under $500.

It is based off the SR9 that has great reviews over the years

 

[pmorriso]

+1 for the Ruger P90

 

[Birds Away]

If he wants to stay closer to the $400 range than the $500 he may have to be patient. I follow used and new gun prices online pretty closely and, while I admit I definitely miss a few, I don't very often see a dependable .45 at the $400 price point. I am also ex-Navy and can relate to his wanting to carry a .45 due to familiarity. I got over it. Hopefully, he will too. There are a lot of high quality firearms around $400. Most of them are not .45acp. I would advise him to do some research on modern defensive ammunition and maybe that will convince him that he doesn't need a .45. Not that there's anything wrong with that caliber, it's just that his options will greatly increase if he broadens his search parameters. Wish him good luck for me.

 

[MolonLabe7]

Several options out there, he can get new RI or ATI 1911's for under $500. A Glock, S&W M&P, or a Springfield Armory XD will run you at or just over $500. Depends on the style of 45ACP he wants.

I second this.

 

[Thegeek]

The Ruger P97 was a 45 and it's still out there and available. Same design as my P95. Fits all your requirements.

 

[bstewrat3]

Kahr CW45

I will second the Kahr CW45. I have had mine for a couple weeks and several hundred rounds and have been very satisfied. I was worried about it after reading all of the horror stories about magazines falling out, but I think they have headed that off at the factory now.

 

[xM3RC1L3SS1x]

Probably get a used pt1911 for around $500