45 acp

richstag

richstag

Joined
Feb 22, 2007
Messages
9,008
Okay guys. What 45???

I am in the market for a new one. I was narrowed down on the HK MARK 23.

I also like the Colt series 70.

Right now, I am really debating raw 1911 goodness vs. HK polymer goodness.

I know you all know your firearms. Give me a hand on this one if you get a chance.

I am fairly knowledgeable on the topic but I really want to make the best decision.

I know I do not want a Kimber and Wilson Combat is out of the price range I am willing to go for.

Apologies if there are other threads like this, but I really find the interaction valuable :thumbup:

Oh, and basically, I have narrowed this to either a 1911 or the HK. If 1911, I have a few brands in mind with the Colt near or at the top. And make the retail of a MK23 my price cap please.

Thanks everyone :)
 
Just my 0.02 but the HK Mark 23 is a pretty large frame .45. For some people it may be comfortable to shoot and use regularly, but for me it seemed large. It is a great collectors item and difficult to find some times. It would really be fun to use if you are in one of the lucky states that allows
you to use a suppressor on it. There are a number of other 1911 type .45's out there and you'll find a lot of opinions on which ones are the "best". I personally like my Les Baer SRP but I don't necessarily think that it's any better than a Nighthawk, Wilson, high end Springfield or Kimber. I gusess it really depends on what you're planning on using it for (plinking/collecting, defense, or competition).

BTW, Les Baer does make a Busse Collaboration 1911, just to try to get the thread back on the topic of Busse knives.

Mike
 
There's a lot of nice 45's out there. Owning more than one is not out of the question. If you could afford it, Ed Brown wouldn't be a bad choice. I've shot the big HK 45 and it was pretty sweet. I've got an old Colt myself. The 1911s are nice if you're into the aftermarket parts and toys.
 
If yo are going to go for a $1000 or less 1911 pattern, then check out the SIG GSR's. I had one of the early ones that was a real dog, but SIG customer service was exemplary, and the replacement they provided to me has been totally reliable from round one, and it is very accurate, blows away the two Colts I have (one series 70 and one series 80). This is generally typical of these pistols.
 
Thanks for the comments so far. Really I am looking to make this the end all 45.

That does not mean it is super exspensive and all that. I already went through the custom 1911 thing and in the end I still look at the original 1911 and just drool.

Not sure why. Thats why I am thinking going more modern would be a bad Idea (straying even further from the look and feel that I love)

I guess I am looking for:

Take it to the range and most importantly high level of reliability. though I will not be in competition, I don't think anyone minds having the firearm capable of doing so.

A standard 1911 fills my hand just right if that helps.

And what is this about a collaberation???

What got me with the HK is the level of reliability in harsh conditions along with a high level of accuracy. This is a good thing.
 
In my experience, when it has come to accuracy and reliability Ive come back to my series 70 time and again.
Ive been shooting my series 70,gold cup national match, for the last 20 years and have never been disappointed with it in any way, shape or form.
It is as accurate as you are....period !
When the polymer guns were up and coming they did not and still do not, in my oppinion, come close to this unmodified series 70 in accuracy.
Ive been target shooting since I was a kid and have had the fortunate opportunity to put thousands of rounds through Kimber ,Glock, Sig and HK both factory and modified and they all have there ups and downs but I guess the series 70 has just had more ups for me.
I am a range, backcountry,gravelpit shooter that is more focused on total shots at center than volume of rounds fired.
If I had ever exposed this gun to alot of dirt,moisture, muck....well my story probably wouldnt be as happy ever after.
 
peppercorn said:
In my experience, when it has come to accuracy and reliability Ive come back to my series 70 time and again.
Ive been shooting my series 70,gold cup national match, for the last 20 years and have never been disappointed with it in any way, shape or form.
It is as accurate as you are....period !
When the polymer guns were up and coming they did not and still do not, in my oppinion, come close to this unmodified series 70 in accuracy.
Ive been target shooting since I was a kid and have had the fortunate opportunity to put thousands of rounds through Kimber ,Glock, Sig and HK both factory and modified and they all have there ups and downs but I guess the series 70 has just had more ups for me.
I am a range, backcountry,gravelpit shooter that is more focused on total shots at center than volume of rounds fired.
If I had ever exposed this gun to alot of dirt,moisture, muck....well my story probably wouldnt be as happy ever after.
Click to expand...

Thank you very much. I always seem to come back to the colt 70 series myself.
 
I have a Ruger 345 that is really sweet, but my Kimber Ultra Compact is probably the best carry gun I have ever shot. If you're looking for concealed carry, check one out before you buy something else. You'll be glad you did.
 
fivefold said:
I have a Ruger 345 that is really sweet, but my Kimber Ultra Compact is probably the best carry gun I have ever shot. If you're looking for concealed carry, check one out before you buy something else. You'll be glad you did.
Click to expand...

Thanks. Should have mentioned not worried about concealed. Target/recreational for this.

Thanks again!
 
I have had good luck with .45 built by John Yanek and Wilson Combat. Have another in the shop being built right now with Ed Brown and Wilson parts.
Here is my Wilson
knives066.jpg
 
JParanee said:
I have had good luck with .45 built by John Yanek and Wilson Combat. Have another in the shop being built right now with Ed Brown and Wilson parts.
Here is my Wilson
knives066.jpg
Click to expand...

:eek: :eek: :eek:

I'll take that original Kensei :D :p


Thats an awesome lookin' 45 too. :thumbup:

.
 
Some decision are so difficult that "buying both" is the clear winner. :thumbup::thumbup:

ebsfc-left-full.jpg


hk45-left-full.jpg
 
I'll take the pony every time if i can only have one. The polymers are great, but the colt dose have close to 100 yrs of battle field experience.
 
Two words - Springfield Professional


HPIM0696.jpg



But you might have to get on a list somewhere.
 
JParanee - That gun is beautiful, and the picture is great also. Thanks!

Lil' Foo - you beat me to it:)

lunde - yeah, I am with you on getting both and all. I am not planning on it though. Have you shot the HK much? How do you like it? I am very familiar with the 1911's and there characteristics, so some input about the HK would be greatly appreciated:thumbup: BTW, great pictures.

junoir - This is how I have always felt, still do, but I am getting a lot of people telling me the HK's are superior guns. Trying to get to the bottom of this one. I myself have always been a Colt man. Never hurts to try something new, atleast thats what I am trying to make sure of;)

peppercorn - marked it on my score card:D

Z51 - That is nice looking. I was thinking a traditional 5" 1911 also for the availability of the lasermax guide rod lasers. I like the idea of them. Never tried one, but I am thinking about it just because I think they are kind of incognito.


Thanks again everyone!!
 
If you can afford the $1500-1700 price range, I've heard great things about Les Baer, and the Concept II is in that range ($1490 is the lowest I've come across new).

In the $900- 1000 range the SA Loaded, S&W 1911PD and SIG Revolution are all just about tied IMHO. In fact they're so close in terms of cost vs benefits I'd probably have to flip a coin to make the descision. :D
 
BoulderTroll said:
If you can afford the $1500-1700 price range, I've heard great things about Les Baer, and the Concept II is in that range ($1490 is the lowest I've come across new).

In the $900- 1000 range the SA Loaded, S&W 1911PD and SIG Revolution are all just about tied IMHO. In fact they're so close in terms of cost vs benefits I'd probably have to flip a coin to make the descision. :D
Click to expand...

Thanks for the input!
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top