What is Your favorite .45.Cal handgun?

[chewy]

What is Your favorite .45.Cal handgun? Be it a slab side, plastique fantastique, or revolver or even a single shot.

Myself having at least one of each of the above, except a single shot, I'd have to say it would be my XD Tac jobber. Just love the thought of having 14 230 grain boogers at my fingertip. Hmmm. That don't sound too right somehow.
Most flexible .45 cal. I have is my Ruger Blackhawk as it can shoot light and heavy bullets in any configuration and can be loaded from mild to wild. The fun factor in that is quite significant for me as a reloader.
I have a couple of others, Springfield 1911 A1 WWII reissue that I love, and a Ruger New Vaquero, but for now that's the way it be.
Could change tomorrow.

http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k298/chewybaca67/Fire%20Arms/PA040005.jpg
http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k298/chewybaca67/Fire%20Arms/P6070018.jpg
Wish I still had these 2....
http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k298/chewybaca67/Fire%20Arms/GrosseMesser038.jpg
http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k298/chewybaca67/Fire%20Arms/PB270024.jpg

[creophus]

My PT 1911.

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y284/Jiggy5/SSL10330.jpg

[MONTEGOD7SS]

My one and only, P220.

[MakeMineaP99]

My one and only, P220.

+1

[zipper046]

Kimber Classic Gold Match for me! Love that gun! don't have any actual pic's but it looks identical to these (blued with Rosewood grips, adjustable target sights & trigger):
http://www.gunsamerica.com/UserImages/522/990591569/wm_sm_1261804.jpg (http://www.gunsamerica.com/990591569/Guns/Pistols/Kimber-of-America-Pistols/KIMBER_CLASSIC_GOLD_MATCH.htm#)
http://www.realguns.com/images/kmbrlgshtfrcmfnl.jpg

[lcarreau]

I shoot my 1911s better, but I prefer to carry my G30.

-Lonnie

[Bullseye10x]

What is Your favorite .45.Cal handgun?

That's a tough one. I'd say .45ACP is definitely my favorite caliber, but to pick a favorite handgun I suppose it depends on the application. The XD-45/TLR-2 is pretty much a full-time HD gun, while the G30 wins out for CCW. I just picked up a Kimber Ultra Carry with CT grips that may also work it's way into the carry rotation if it's reliable enough. In the safe queen department, I have an Italian-made Beretta 8045 (Cougar) that I just can't bring myself to get rid of. For target work, 1911's all the way. Sig 220's are also fine specimens :yesnod:

[JLarsson]

Freedom Arms 454 Casull is versatile, as you mention for your Blackhawk, Chewy. I like the Glock G21 for the same reasons you do. I'm not all that fond of my 1911, though it does shoot well.

Why do we have to have 1 favorite? :D

[Glooooock]

While my tuned trophy match SA is great for sights and trigger . My old 220 SIG is almost as good a shooter at half the price , grab & shoot DA .

[GLOCKENNBOOMER]

A 1911 if it's working right......My G21 SF(with attached light) has permanent house gun duty (It's what I sleep with at night)........but nothing stirs my soul as much as a single action revolver. All I can think about right now is a .45 New Vaquero

[creekwalker]

My one and only, P220.

Ditto!! Have several 1911's, Colt and SA, love 'em but the P220 is hand's down the one I like best.:yesnod:

[Brass Nazi]

Freedom Arms .45 Colt or .454. Been wanting one ever since I handled one. I passed on a premium grade .454 fvor $1000 a few years ago when money was tight. Been regretting that ever since.

[Mogollon]

While I carry a 4" Xd in 45 daily, my favorite .45 is my 1988 S&W 625. I can use 250 grain bullets for USPSA major, and 160 or 180 grain bullets for ICORE 120 pf. Accurate to 100 yards or more, and since I am a CRB, I get to keep my brass since I am recovering my "feed devices". I used it for IDPA until the despots that be decreed barrels no longer than 4" for revolvers. But as they say, "If they can't take a joke, don't tell 'em one!".:dita:

[bfox]

1911 or a P220 .
I would hate to have to choose between them !

Bill

[MakeMineaP99]

I am surprised at the amount of 220s. Thought Monte and myself were the only ones here with 'em.

[MONTEGOD7SS]

There is hope for the World afterall, Dan. :thumbsup:

[chewy]

I've shot my brother 220 and man, I wouldn't pass up a chance to get one that's for sure.

[BigSlick]

All around, gotta be a 1911 Combat Commander wit a lil work just a make it nice. Nothin fancy, but it eats everythin I ever tried to run in it, reliable as hell and just feels good all da way around. I got hardware cost me a whole lot more, but none as stone reliable. It comes thru errytime, no matter what it's asked to do. Jus a lil trigger work, lowered ejection port, some better sights an a set a grips, oh yeah an it been field tested in every environment imagineable.

Yeah it rattle a lil bit, but not much. I been stakin my life on it for years without a second thought, and will continue to do so without reservation.

Otherwise, my old school P220

[Glooooock]

I am surprised at the amount of 220s. Thought Monte and myself were the only ones here with 'em.

About 10 -15 years ago there was a lot of press about SIG pistols .
It was a seal team weapon of choice once .
Paul Harvey ran ads about it
where some LE group did a drug raid with 220's . Three gang bangers were shot, all only needed one shot ,,,, PAGE TWO .

[cvann]

Liberator be da best.....:2gunsfiring_v1:

I pick my SA Trophy Match....

http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o310/craig357/DSC_0123.jpg

[gwalchmai]

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a289/sdmf69/SWMtnGun_2-14-07e.jpg

Not mine, but like mine... ;)

[creophus]

Oh my!!! Nice gun!

[MONTEGOD7SS]

Ever notice how S&W stock photos are always of the right side so you don't see the wormhole staring back at you? Gunbroker has folks always posting right side pictures, or angling the camera at such an angle to (try) to make the cylinder latch hide the hole.

[gwalchmai]

Ever notice how S&W stock photos are always of the right side so you don't see the wormhole staring back at you? Gunbroker has folks always posting right side pictures, or angling the camera at such an angle to (try) to make the cylinder latch hide the hole.Yep. Can't blame 'em, though.

[creophus]

I still don't see the problem with the locks.

GW, if I had that gun it wouldn't bother me one bit what angle the pic was taken.

[MONTEGOD7SS]

I agree. If I owned a firearm company but cowared down to anti-gun people I would try to hide it too out of shame.

[Gary Newport]

The G37! :dita:

[JLarsson]

Gary! Good to see you back. There's a lot of pent-up GAP-bashing we need to get out of our collective system. :animlol:

Gwalchmai - My .45 cartridge is longer than yours. :p

[cvann]

Well, as long as the 'Mine is longer than yours' game is going, this is probably my second favorite .45 in the safe.

lock or not - deer and pigs fall down when da 460 speak:

http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o310/craig357/DSCN0790.jpg

460's big brother:

http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o310/craig357/DSCN0817.jpg

[blueline541]

I have a Sig 220 I carried at work almost eleven years ago, and I've never shot very well with it but can't bring myself sell it.

My favorite that I own is a nice, all original 1943 Colt 1911 carried and used in combat during WWII by Capt. Edson Hammer. He brought it home and then took it to Japan where he was stationed during Korea. Dan has seen it and will probably shoot it this summer.

[bfox]

Blueline would you post a pic of the 1911 ?
Cool story who was the Captain to you ?

Bill

[MakeMineaP99]

The pistol is in remarkable shape, some holster wear, but very nice otherwise.

As Blueline told me, the Capt. remarked to him, "I took care of my weapons."

There's some other stories Blueline has about WWII guns that are amazing. The two cartons of smokes story comes to mind.

[blueline541]

Blueline would you post a pic of the 1911 ?
Cool story who was the Captain to you ?

Bill


I'll try to post a pic tomorrow. Last time I tried the 'pruter wouldn't allow it.


Capt. Hammer retired as Lt. Col. Hammer and kept his Colt 1911, a very nice MP40 that was carried from the Battle of the Bulge and traded to him for two cartons of cigarettes, and a sweet non-military marked Luger surrendered to him by a Nazi officer in the last days of the war.

He kept these guns up til the spring of '07 and then brokered them through a local gun dealer because his family wasn't interested in them. A good friend bought the subgun and the 1911 (the pistol went for about $800) and passed on the Luger. My friend knew nothing about the history of the guns beyond the original owner's name stamped on the back of the original 1911 holster that came with the gun and that the WWII vet who sold them lived somewhere locally. I REALLY wanted the 1911 from the first time I saw it and in November '07 he sold me the Colt and holster for $1200. I would have paid more but he was happy to make $400 profit from the deal so I kept my mouth shut.

I promptly grabbed a phone book and found a listing for Edson Hammer which was a close match with the "E. HAMMER" stamped on the holster. A very old sounding man answered the phone and I told him my name and asked if he was a WWII vet. He said yes so I then asked if he brought an MP40 back from the war. He laughed and said he did. I told him I had just purchased his 1911 and he immediately stated, "Oh, so you have my Colt."

From there we talked for about an hour and I found out he became a college professor after retiring from the military. He invited me over for coffee at which time he talked to me about the war for almost two hours. I've since gotten to know his daughter pretty well and they have given me his shoulder rig holster for the Colt and his Korean War foot locker with his name stenciled on the side plus some old military photos and maps which I've had copied.

And the old Colt, which has matching upper and lower, was used in combat by him. It is my most prized firearm and probably the last I would part with which is saying something.

[creophus]

Well, as long as the 'Mine is longer than yours' game is going, this is probably my second favorite .45 in the safe.

lock or not - deer and pigs fall down when da 460 speak:

http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o310/craig357/DSCN0790.jpg

460's big brother:

http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o310/craig357/DSCN0817.jpg
Dang homie! A 460 and a 500? Nice.

I hear the 460 is the best 454 Casull available.

[blueline541]

http://www.glockpost.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=118&pictureid=745


Here's the Colt 1911.

[cvann]

Dang homie! A 460 and a 500? Nice.

I hear the 460 is the best 454 Casull available.

In Michigan, we have the stupid rifle line which I live beneath. So when I hunt deer down south, the law allows slug guns or handguns only - the .460 S&W shoots pretty flat, so it's a good tool for the job.

Never shot .454 out of it since I have a Freedom Arms and a Taurus in .454 already.

Saw the 500 at Gander Mountain for $575 - couldn't pass it up. .

[MakeMineaP99]

Where in MI you at, Cvann?

[gwalchmai]

http://www.glockpost.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=118&pictureid=745


Here's the Colt 1911.Nice gun, Blue, and provenance. Is Col. Hammer still alive?

[cvann]

Where in MI you at, Cvann?

Halfway between Detroit and Toledo wif all da factory rats.... oops, I mean soon-to-be-ex-factory rats....

[Brass Nazi]

Near Ann Arbor?

[Bush Pilot]

I still don't see the problem with the locks.

GW, if I had that gun it wouldn't bother me one bit what angle the pic was taken.

I used to feel the same way about the locks until recently, it was never an issue. The more I look at the S & W "caving in" lock it just doesn't look (or seem) right. When I see what they're charging for the new models it makes it even worse.

[MakeMineaP99]

Halfway between Detroit and Toledo wif all da factory rats.... oops, I mean soon-to-be-ex-factory rats....

I'm coming down your way next Friday on the way to OH. Small world we live in.

[cvann]

I'm coming down your way next Friday on the way to OH. Small world we live in.

So you're not in IN? Are you up north?

[MakeMineaP99]

I float between IN, Flint, Grand Rapids and where the company sends me. God willing my assignment ends at the end of somewhere June-Sept and I'll be staying home for good.

Tomorrow I heading up north with Tailgunner to his place to help split wood this weekend, doing a wedding in OH next weekend.

Do you work for one of the big 3?

[cvann]

Used to work for a supplier up until March (Systems Engineer) - now I'm working at Comerica corporate offices, right across the street from the poor Chrysler bastards.....

[nitesite]

Blueline, your story and photo warms my heart. It's a jewel of a pistol, and well worth the price you paid. Actually meeting the Colonel must have been an awesome experience.

http://www.glockpost.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=118&pictureid=745


Here's the Colt 1911.

[TwoShot]

Colt series 80 stainless 5"b that i am a pretty fair hand at using.
Sorry ,i am at work or i would post a pic.

[blueline541]

Col. Hammer is alive and kicking and is in his upper 80s. He is the only man I know who hunted rabbits in Wisconsin back in the 1940's with a Nazi MP40.


And it ain't a good rabbit gun.

[MakeMineaP99]

"Ain't a good rabbit gun."

:rofl:

[bfox]

Thanks Blueline that is one Good Looking 1911 !
What a Great story also that is so Cool .
Thanks a lot for posting it .

Did the Captain shoot her again ?

Bill

[cvann]

Near Ann Arbor?

My wife works in Ann Arbor, but we live 30 miles east, near Lake Erire.

[blueline541]

Thanks Blueline that is one Good Looking 1911 !
What a Great story also that is so Cool .
Thanks a lot for posting it .

Did the Captain shoot her again ?

Bill



He has been invited to shoot the 1911 and seems receptive to the idea, but the window of opportunity is closing rather rapidly due to increasing medical problems.

[Peakbagr]

2 Les Baer wad guns and a Smith 625.

[TwoShot]

Colt series 80 stainless 5"b that i am a pretty fair hand at using.
Sorry ,i am at work or i would post a pic.

Ok I am home now.here it is,aint nuttin special but shes paid fer.:)

http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p132/TooShot/38andUpdatedColt45010jpg.jpg?t=1241202388

[creekwalker]

He has been invited to shoot the 1911 and seems receptive to the idea, but the window of opportunity is closing rather rapidly due to increasing medical problems.

When you confirm a date and time let me know and I'll bring a M1 Garand, M1 Carbine, WW II issued P38 and Masure rifle for him to handle or shoot. I'd be my pleasure to help you honor him.:patriot:

[creophus]

Ok I am home now.here it is,aint nuttin special but shes paid fer.:)

http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p132/TooShot/38andUpdatedColt45010jpg.jpg?t=1241202388
It looks good to me!

[psdpower]

my G30 (plus its the only one I got):biggrinjester:

[jawjaboy]

http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g194/jawjaboy/IMG_0008.jpg

[CZ93X62]

Late to the party again. Some right fine war toys on display in this thread.

It would be tough to vote against either the SIG P-220 or a Colt Combat Commander for best 45 caliber bottomfeeder. The Glock and H&K pistols do very well, but I don't get the same good feelings for those that are fostered by the SIG and Colt.

[ASH]

My Kimber eclipse.

[Steviewonder1]

My Springfield Armory 1911 with Ambi-Safety, stippeled front strap, mag well and Ghost Ring rear site with Green Fiber Optic front site, stuffed with 185 GR Corbon XTP bullets and two spare mags with the same all in Wilson Mags. This is the house gun of choice. You don't wanna push me into the office where things get really nasty or "Do you Wanna go for Double Jeporady"?....

[Steve Koski]

My favorite 45 is the 1911 my father in law got from his brother, who carried it in Italy under Patton during WWII.

10 years ago or so I cleaned it up and took it to a smith who said it was OK to fire. I put a box of Remington ball down it, cleaned it up again, oiled it good, and put it back into storage.

My brother in law now has it. Still my favorite .45.

[blueline541]

You need to steal it from him.

[JLarsson]

You need to steal it from him.

Said the cop...... :animlol:

[chewy]

My Kimber eclipse.

Man alive i miss my old Kimber Eclipse with Fixed mepros. Took a bit more rounds to break in, but had to sell it for the cabbage.

[zdogk9]

My cousins Les Baer. Of the ones that are mine it'd be
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b111/bobkelim/P4040003.jpg or Perhapshttp://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b111/bobkelim/Image008-1.jpg

But mostly I carry a G21

[blueline541]

My cousins Les Baer. Of the ones that are mine it'd be or Perhapshttp://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b111/bobkelim/Image008-1.jpg

But mostly I carry a G21


I've never known a deer to commit suicide. I hope it wasn't a pet.

[zdogk9]

Poor little feller'd been having a bad day, we tried to talk reason with him but, alas. Did taste good though.

[JLarsson]

Poor little feller'd been having a bad day, we tried to talk reason with him but, alas. Did taste good though.

A silver lining to every cloud, eh zdog? :)

[gjk5]

How about a Jim Hoag longslide with multiple length slides? The pistol started life as a Colt 70 Gold Cup. The barrels are by Barsto. All the slides seen are Gold Cup in origin. All work was done by famed 'smith Jim Hoag of Southern California.



Damn!! I've never seen one ofthose. Is that 4 1/4", 5", 6", and 7"? I'd love something like that and the Dan Wesson .357 with the 4 barrels.


I'd say my favorite is currently my DW CBOB, but I'm picking up a 625 in a week or so, we'll have to see.....

[Bush Pilot]

My favorite 45 is the 1911 my father in law got from his brother, who carried it in Italy under Patton during WWII.

10 years ago or so I cleaned it up and took it to a smith who said it was OK to fire. I put a box of Remington ball down it, cleaned it up again, oiled it good, and put it back into storage.

My brother in law now has it. Still my favorite .45.

I assumed your favorite 45 would be a GAP.

[Gary Newport]

I assumed your favorite 45 would be a GAP.

It is...but Steve won't admit it in public! :biggrinjester:

[gwalchmai]

I'm thinking of designing an adaptor to let you shoot GAP out of real .45s.

[Gary Newport]

I'm thinking of designing an adaptor to let you shoot GAP out of real .45s.

By "real .45s," I assume you mean the antiques. :43:

[gwalchmai]

By "real .45s," I assume you mean the antiques. :43:I mean the ones not named after stores in the mall... ;)

[Gary Newport]

I mean the ones not named after stores in the mall... ;)

:dita:

[gwalchmai]

The gals in their ads were hot, though... :rofl:

[Gary Newport]

The gals in their ads were hot, though... :rofl:

Chicks dig guys who shoot .45 GAP! .45 ACP, not so much.

[Boge]

Gary, by REAL .45 he meant .45 (Long) Colt. :)

BTW, Gary have you tried that new GAP handload recipe that I gave you? Ragged hole at 15 yds. :thumbsup:

[ddcarter3]

Currently, My G38!

[PCFlorida]

Late to the party, but my G21 is an accurate and reliable .45.

[ddcarter3]

Boge- Care to pass that .45 GAP recipe on to me? That would be greatly appreciated!

[GLShooter]

It would have to be my Para 45 race gun that I had built in the early 90's. It has had a ton of bullets through it and just keeps on chugging.

Greg L.

PS: I forgot to mention I CARRY a Star PD but enjoy shooting the Para much more. -- G.

[DenverGreg]

Definitely my Colt 1911 LT Commander. I carry it everywhere.

http://www.isadenver.org/img/colt.jpg


dG

[jtrade]

Gonna have to say my XD Compact in 45 since it is the only 45 I own. :)

http://guns.jtrade.us/images/XD45/incase.jpg

[KAB55]

It's a toss up between my Smith 1911 and my Kimber Crimson Custom Carry II full size on performance, on looks the Kimber wins hands down.

[ede]

1955 followed by a 1911 followed by a 220

don't own a 1955 or a 220