Wanting a .45 ACP

[aaryk]

I'll be purchasing a new pistol soon and I want to get a .45 ACP. It's my first .45 and I'm torn between getting a Glock 21 or 1911. There arent many 1911's available in my price range (~$400-$500) Currently I'm considering a Rock Island 1911 or the G21. Anybody have a RI 1911? Can I get some input and suggestions for other guns within my range?

 

[AllenM]

Both pistols are great .45's I have had both only thing I didn't like about the 21 was the size of the grip. It was to large for me.

 

[NIFT]

The new Gen 4 G21 is not nearly as "fat" as Gen 3 and earlier models and should feel even a bit better than the G21 SF. However, if your fingers are not short, you should have no problem with a G21, but it will never be as thin as a single-stack .45.

"1911" pistols come in a dizzying array of makers, configurations, and levels of reliability, and, as one would expect, the cheaper ones tend not to be at the top of the heap in reliability. Although no machine can ever be perfectly reilable, Glock does set the standard.

Caution: if you have a tight budget ($400 to $500), you may have difficulty with purchasing ammunition. For example, at WalMart (the cheapest place I've seen for factory ammunition) Winchester White Box .45 acp ammunition is 150% the price of 9mm. With tax, 100 rounds of WW White Box will set you back close to $40.00. You might want to factor that into your decision.

 

[Bonez87]

If I had my choice of those 2 I would go with the 1911, the glock 21 is way too bulky if you ask me. Just my .02

 

[bksboiler]

I like the 1911s but haven't owned the Glock 21 to be able to compare. the Rock Island is a solid gun for the price. Mine shoots well and does everything I've asked of it.

In the last issue of American Handgunner they did a nice write up on the more economically priced 1911s available.

Beer Budget 1911s | American Handgunner

Bk

 

[Coach]

Why not save up and be patient (easy to say and hard to do) and when the money pool is larger pick from a large array of guns? Pick what you want then get the money together for what you want. I don't like the idea of buying a gun that I am settling for because it is what I can afford. If you have decided on a caliber start slowing massing the ammo. One box a month or something like that so you have some ammo on hand when the gun finally gets there.

 

[churchmouse]

Used Para-Ordinance mil-spec seen recently for $490.00 and I would have bought it but already have one. Great all around shooter/carry.
Wally World, last weekend, I bought Federal 230 gr .45 acp for $17.60 per 50 rds. Not the hottest rds. but they cycle through just fine. Still a bit more than feeding a 9mm but come on, A "9" I am just not a fan. Personal choice and a wise one if budget is a serious factor.

 

[dingodog]

Why not save up and be patient (easy to say and hard to do) and when the money pool is larger pick from a large array of guns?

I couldn't agree more. I have "settled" on several purchases in the past. Ended up not quite happy with it and in the long run end up with what I initially wanted.

That being said....go with the 1911. Expensive to shoot? Somewhat. I usually run a box of 50 once a month.

There are 22 conversion kits available, but they can be expensive too.

I have a Puma M1911-22. About the same size and weight as my Colt. Much cheaper to shoot and I don't have to keep taking my gun apart.

 

[NHT3]

I'm a Glock armorer and do some work on 1911s but I don't have a G21.. I"ve had them in the past and, for my hands they are just a little too large.. I've personally settled on the 45 GAP pistols. Same size and the 9/40 frame but ballistics of a 45 ACP. On the down side they are a little more expensive to shoot than the 45 ACP and Wally world certainly doesn't carry the ammo.
I have a couple of 1911s but I've never had a Rock Island 45.. Ol Bob recently hooked me up with one of Rock Islands new XT22 models that is the best representation of a 1911 22 on the market IMHO. All steel, built like a Russian tank and runs like a Swiss watch. I called their customer service with a question on the XT22 and my one experience with them was excellent. The actually put me on the phone with the designer of the pistol and he was very helpful. Given the parameters you laid out I would go with the Rock Island.

 

[dcobra]

Get a G21 and don't look back. If you think its too big get a 21 sf or a gen 4. You can also try a G30, both are amazing guns and they will eat any 45acp load. My 1911's were always picky about what ammo they liked. I have never had any issues with my Glocks.

 

[churchmouse]

Heard good and bad about the RI from different folks for different reasons. Complaints are minor and some have been rectified by properly holding and firing the gun. You can not limp wrist a RI. If shooting low end ammo they are more susceptible to to the effects from limp wrist. I saw this recently at MCFG. Young man with 1st .45 1911 was having FTE issues with new RI. I fired it and no trouble. We video a lot of our sessions so we can analyze what we are doing and did this with him. He was not holding the gun down and firing low grade ammo. I gave him a mag full of Rem. 230 UMC and problem solved. He is working on his grip. Not saying all RI's are this way but something to consider.

 

[WebSnyper]

Get a G21 and don't look back. If you think its too big get a 21 sf or a gen 4. You can also try a G30, both are amazing guns and they will eat any 45acp load. My 1911's were always picky about what ammo they liked. I have never had any issues with my Glocks.

I'd also say take a look at the Glock 30's. Mine is about my favorite Glock to shoot.

Ammo can be a bit expensive.

What else do you have currently? What will you be doing with the gun? Range toy, carry, etc?

Advantage Arms makes a 22 LR conversion kit for either the Glocks or the 1911, but you can get a dedicated 1911 for about the same as the conversion kit.

Honestly, if I were wanting a 1911 to shoot, I might look at the GSG 1911 in 22 to have cheap shooting and a 1911 in one gun.

 

[85t5mcss]

Ultimately it is your decision. But, my thoughts are save a little more and find yourself a 1911 that is a little more middle grade. Maybe a Springfield Armory or Kimber. 1911s are some fine guns.

Why not Glock? You can pick up a Glock used all the time. Start saving for one of these at a later time.

 

[Harleyrider_50]

I'll be purchasing a new pistol soon and I want to get a .45 ACP. It's my first .45 and I'm torn between getting a Glock 21 or 1911. There arent many 1911's available in my price range (~$400-$500) Currently I'm considering a Rock Island 1911 or the G21. Anybody have a RI 1911? Can I get some input and suggestions for other guns within my range?

Prolly yer best bang /buck....lot'a good piece's 'round fer that range(4-500 bux...700 bux'll get ya nice Springer,etc.. )'specially used/2nd hand...OR....ya can spend upwards of 1000 bux fer somethin you'll leave at home,cause yer 'fraid it'll get scratch'd.....a no-brain'r,really.....the RI'll go BANG same as the rest of'm....

 

[shavedforbattle]

Get the 1911.

 

[Dockem]

Perfect solution... (Just kidding, couldn't resist)

 

[paddling_man]

The Glock 21 3rd Gen was w-a-a-a-y too large of a grip for me. The Glock 30 I could manage but it still felt like a 2"x4".

I eventually traded it for a Springfield Loaded 1911.

I've had some work done to it and the Springfield is boringly reliable and accurate. Not something, however, I'm likely to carry.

I do carry a Glock 36 in the summer and love it.

My favorite .45s are the 3rd Gen Smith and Wesson and have added a CS45 (Chief's Special,) a 4553 TSW and a 4506-1. All three are uber reliable and built like tanks.

4506-1

CS45

4553TSW

I would like to get a Sig P220 SAS Gen 2 Carry.

 

[GlockRock]

I just bought a new gen 4 Glock 21. There is a difference in the grip size without have a backstrap on. The new one fits my hand a lot better.

 

[357 Terms]

I agree with those that say save up.

Look into some of the Springfields, an STI Spartan, or a Ruger SR1911.

A little more money can go a long way!

 

[shooter1054]

I have a RIA 1911 full size. If you want to try it out in Indianapolis area, shoot me a message and I will meet up with you to shoot it. I'm not a fan of Glocks, so I can't help you out with that.