thoughts on a hammer-fired 45

[crosstimbers]

This is pretty much just thinking out loud, open to suggestions.

Since the 1911 went to the son from my not being as able to use the sights (they were the small variety) I am still interested in a 45. But I have certain preferences- hammer fired, sights that I like and something other than bottom of the barrel offerings. I am also on a limited budget and for the sake of this post let's say in the $900 or less range.

So far I've pondered the FNX 45, other 1911-styled offerings and some S&W offerings that I in fact have some past experience with. Another consideration is that while I require size XL gloves, I apparently have short fingers and some pistols (CZ 75 models for instance) have more trigger reach than I like.

Sights- Unlike so many guys I really dont care for 3 dot sights. In fact I really like the post and dot sights found on some Sig and Kahr pistols. The white outline found on some Glocks is my second choice...but I'm hoping to find a hammer fired choice if possible.

I've got a local gun show coming up pretty soon, with all of the above in mind, anybody have any ideas of what to look for I might keep in mind? I didnt mention capacity for a reason, as I'm open on that count in a way thats hard to explain. So I'm just fishing for imput....thats all.

[SI VIS PACEM PARRABELLUM]

Best I think you can do is find a platform that you like and if it doesn't have the sights you want you can replace them. I have a Springfield Armory Garrison 1911 that came with those lousy 3 dot sights so I put a set of Dawson fiber optics on it. I bought the pistol on sale and the total cost with the sights was under $900. The majority of 1911's today have dovetail sights unless you buy a pure mil-spec model. I have no experience with the FNX .45 but I know magazines for that brand are not cheap in the least.
You could look at the Sig P220 but those models will come in above the $900 budget you mentioned and you may not like the sights. To be honest other than my revolvers I don't own a single handgun that hasn't had different sights installed.

[Tanners Owner]

I agree with the above post, there are other 1911 options that have good sights or can have aftermarket sights installed easily.

If you don’t want a 1911, other options that come to mind are the SIG 220 ( mine has been very reliable)   Another option is the beretta PX4
https://configurator.beretta.com/en_INT/pistols/family/px4/?utm_source=bcom&utm_medium=pdp&utm_campaign=configurator

While I don’t have one, I did shoot a friend’s 9mm variant and it was quite good.

I personally have 2 1911s, a SIG P220, SIG P320c and a S&W 625 revolver all in 45 ACP and shoot them in my pistol competition games.

Good luck in your search

[crosstimbers]

Thanks to both of you, I hadn't really thought about magazine price so far....so that's a good point. I did send a slide to Novak's once and have different sights installed, so I know that's an option. It could all boil down to simply what I find available. I owned a Sig 220 once and liked it, would be perfectly pleased if I found one at a good price.

Guess I was sort of hoping there was some obscure make/model out there I hadn't heard of yet, that had really great reviews and reputation and selling for great prices.....yeah, I know- dream on 

[mrcabinet]

Have you considered a Tanfoglio in .45? That is my second favorite .45 platform, after the 1911. Same ergonomics as a CZ, but not as bulky as the 97. Totally different feel than a 1911. Sights are easily upgraded, and Patriot has all the goodies if you want to do more to it. A good used standard model Witness can be had in $500 - 600 range.

[crosstimbers]

Have you considered a Tanfoglio in .45? That is my second favorite .45 platform, after the 1911. Same ergonomics as a CZ, but not as bulky as the 97. Totally different feel than a 1911. Sights are easily upgraded, and Patriot has all the goodies if you want to do more to it. A good used standard model Witness can be had in $500 - 600 range.

No, I hadn't. But I will.

Since I would like to buy private sale if possible, I'm limited to what I find at shows. Since the big show in Dallas ended, that means more local(smaller) shows...but that's fine I was tired of the drive anyway. The results are hit and miss, sometimes these are pretty good shows and sometimes not so much.

In the end I figure the most likely scenario is another 1911 with better sights, or as has been suggested that I can have better sights installed on. That is perfectly fine by me, I liked the one I had before. I used to scoff at people who talked about sights being hard to see, but no more. The little fixed sights on my old 1911 plain got beyond me.

I have heard good things about HK. A guy I worked with tells me I should buy one, I told him he should give me the money. It's not hammer fired but I've wondered about Walther, I have a Walther 22 and like it and the wife really likes her 380. I just dont know anyone who has owned a Walther 45.

I'm going to read up on the Tanfoglio.

[Born2vette]

I had a Witness in 45 and it was a nice pistol. Sold it to buy my 97 which I bought used at my LGS last year for $600. I too have short fingers and put a CGW reach reduction kit in it. Changing sights is easy with tons of options. Fun pistol, much more accurate than me, but a little large for short, old, fat guys like me to carry so its mostly a range toy although it does get occasional duty as a nightstand pistol.  They can be pricey as CZ discontinued them but I have seen several locally at reasonable prices.

[Born2vette]

A couple of pics.







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[david s]

                                                     
                                                                                                                                                                                         
It is hammer fired and is a 45 ACP also 45 AR but I'm not sure it really meets all your criteria. I would be inclined to shop around for a 1911 that actually has whatever bells and whistles you want. There are some really decent quality up rated 1911's being imported into the country right now that have differing options at prices not much more than some other makers entry level 1911's. After that it becomes how much do you wish to spend. Of course, sometimes it's nice to play with a new and different pistol format.

[crosstimbers]

I agree that a 1911 is the most likely find. You're right in a way that the idea of something different has some appeal, but them so does the idea of something familiar.

I have only owned Colt and Springfield Armory 1911s, well unless you count a Llama 380 that I inherited. So I have been reading up on some of the various other brands that are out now. Kind of like ARs, everybody is or has been in the business of making them. You hear good things about one and then hear the opposite- even when you discount some for brand snobbery opinions still seem all over the place about several makes.

[Claymore504]

I had an FNX45 years ago and it was a really good gun. It had the mushy frame issue and went back to FN and was fixed. In the end I let it go. I would own one again for sure. There are some good Springfield 1911 options at 900 and below if you would still consider a 1911. The M&P45 is another great option i think. Police trade in can be found sometimes for great deals.

[crosstimbers]

I had an FNX45 years ago and it was a really good gun. It had the mushy frame issue and went back to FN and was fixed. In the end I let it go. I would own one again for sure. There are some good Springfield 1911 options at 900 and below if you would still consider a 1911. The M&P45 is another great option i think. Police trade in can be found sometimes for great deals.

I am not familiar with the "mushy frame" issue and that model, I'll have to look it up. Yeah I'm open to another 1911, with better sights that I can still use. I've got a bid on a Tanfoglio right now, but doubt I'll be the winner, so with a show coming up another 1911 is a probable outcome.

My attitude about Smith autos is mixed. I don't know much about the M&P 45. The first and second generation 45 autos they produced had great potential but simply didn't measure up. The 645 in particular caught a lot of guys eye, stainless and especially it felt great in the hand. But so many guys had problems in use that almost everyone I knew who bought one bailed out fairly soon. Some had sights shooting off, mine grouped in the belly of a Q target with a chest hold. 2nd gen failed to stimulate the hopeful response the 1st did- not sure why. So many guys had went back to 1911s after that it may just have been reluctance to try something new again.

[mrcabinet]

I'll keep my fingers and toes crossed for you on the Tanfo.
The only thing I'll add to this discussion is that I am not a fan of polymer framed .45s - the recoil impulse feels odd to me. That's just my personal opinion.

[crosstimbers]

I'll keep my fingers and toes crossed for you on the Tanfo.
The only thing I'll add to this discussion is that I am not a fan of polymer framed .45s - the recoil impulse feels odd to me. That's just my personal opinion.

We are on the same page when it comes to polymer framed anything. Yes, they work...No they dont provide both form and function and Glocks "torture tests" cant replicate one obvious critical thing- Time. How many 1st gen Glocks are still in service? That's all open to argument that I don't care to re-engage in. As I said in posting the thread, I'm looking for a hammer-fired 45.

I'm a bit worried about Tanfoglio and the cracked frame thing. But a low-ball bid on a witness compact with 4 mags seemed tantalizing. When you do something like that, then your worried you might actually win. But win or lose, I'll make the best of it.

A long time ago, I handled a (then) brand new 1911 that said "Remington Rand" on the slide. Shortly after the Army ditched even the lesser used versions of the 1911 for something that I have never even considered a good looking replacement. But theHK P7 did emerge about that time, and I always felt it was a better choice. But no one ever ask my lowly opinion.

I have only held/handled one Colt "Double Eagle" and apart from being rare, it never had any following for being ...well whatever. Sooooo. if the silly bid fails...it;s another 1911 hunt.

[jwc007]

Have you considered a Tanfoglio in .45? That is my second favorite .45 platform, after the 1911. Same ergonomics as a CZ, but not as bulky as the 97. Totally different feel than a 1911. Sights are easily upgraded, and Patriot has all the goodies if you want to do more to it. A good used standard model Witness can be had in $500 - 600 range.

Another vote here for the Tanfoglio/EAA Witness/Defiant .45, as I have two of them and love them!!! My all time favorite Pistols in .45 ACP


Left to Right
Tanfoglio/Witness .45 1992
Tanfoglio/Witness .45 2005
SAR K2-45 2013

My 1992 EAA Witness .45 has over 18,000 rounds through it, as it was/still is my favorite Major Power Factor for USPSA/IPSC.
I also used to use it as my main CCW Pistol in Winter and carried it in a Don Hume IWB Holster. It has also served as a
Home Defense Pistol. Over those 18,000 rounds it has needed some new Recoil Springs and I run Wolff +10% Magazine Springs.
I have also, at one time, converted it to run .45 Super for hiking in Bear Country, as backup to a Mauser Rifle in .30/06.
If it's frame was ever going to crack, I would think it would have done so by now.

My 2005 EAA Witness has been used for Defensive Pistol Classes and as a CCW. I still tend to use the 1992 Witness more.
The only reason I bought it was because I just wanted a new one I had not run hard. Not a Safe Queen, but I do tend
to shoot it sparingly.

It should be noted that EAA no longer imports and supports Tanfoglio Pistols.
Tanfoglio Pistols are now imported by the Italian Firearms Group- IFG, as the Defiant Series.

The Sarsilmaz SAR K2-45 is an interesting Pistol in .45 ACP and very well made. Mine has been accurate and reliable.
The only cons on it is that it is quite heavy, fully loaded, and the Grip is larger than the Tanfoglio Pistols.