Looking for good .45 under $400

[PLANEMECH]

My Brother in law is looking to buy a .45 soon. He only has about $400 to spend maybe $500. Need some advice on what might work.I know high points are less but might be to bulky for him. New or used will work.

 

[Tomfoolery]

Used G2 or G3 Glock, used S&W M&P series or maybe a new RIA 1911.

Don't be scared by RIA 1911s for their price. They're the only 1911 I'll buy and I have yet to have a complaint about one.

 

[nascarfantoo]

Agree with RIA 1911 in .45 as good option. Picked mine up for $450

 

[Bapak2ja]

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

 

[ryan3030]

Ruger P90: Ruger P series - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[Glockowner]

Used G2 or G3 Glock, used S&W M&P series or maybe a new RIA 1911.

Don't be scared by RIA 1911s for their price. They're the only 1911 I'll buy and I have yet to have a complaint about one.

What he said.

 

[JimfromTrafalgar]

I don't know if many are hitting the second hand market yet, but I'm pretty impressed with the Remington R1, basic model. I would think they would be in that range, used. I've handled them but not shot one yet. Factory trigger pull is fantastic and I have heard from sources I trust that they shoot straight and are reliable.

 

[Leo]

Both the Ruger and the RIA 1911 pattern are pretty dependable plain jane pistols. I have had both pass through my hands with no problems. Good Luck

 

[Cannonfodder333]

If you could swing 550 I would go for the glock 30. Great size, holds 10 rnds. And later on when you save up more you can customize the heck out of it.

 

[45acp223]

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.

 

[ultra...good]

Is he really stuck on the .45?
That was my first firearm. A sprinfield armory 1911 A1 stainless. Bought it brand new for $600 in the mid nineties.
Recently though, i have bought quite a few more pistols, and none were over $400.
A smith & wesson 908, single stack 9mm, 8 round, 3.5" barrel. $370 delivered, used.
A taurus 605, .357 5 shot with 2"barrel. $360 delivered, new.
A kel tec P3AT, .380. $230 delivered, used.
All within the last month off of gunbroker.com
Seems the best deals are the ones that close during the week. I guess people have more time to shop on weekends. Patience is your friend there.
Is he really set on .45?
If money is an issue, it will be expensive to shoot that .45 too.
If he plans to carry it, he should really put a few hundred rounds through it to become familiar with it.

 

[churchmouse]

The key word in your post is "Good"
You are rolling the dice on any 1911 for that money. Might get a good one....probably will not.
No fan of anything 9mm but if the budget is that tight you might consider one.

 

[crispy]

Ruger SR45.

New, .45, likely to be reliable, in his price range.

 

[PLANEMECH]

Thanks guys. I was pushing an RIA 1911 since he carried one in the Navy. Was unsure of there price. He kind of Double actions one so my try and find used Ruger or Smith.He is limited on what he can spend thanks to ex wife taking him to the cleaners monthly. But he does alot of traveling for work and would like something in .45 since he used it in Navy and likes .45 over 9mm or .40 suggestions I've given him but I've learned buy what you like or may never be happy. Thanks again.

 

[bluegrassrules]

Check Buds, there is a model 1911(GI model $399.00) from turkey getting good reviews, cannot place the name right now.
Cheers

 

[Tomfoolery]

Agree with RIA 1911 in .45 as good option. Picked mine up for $450

What he said.

Both the Ruger and the RIA 1911 pattern are pretty dependable plain jane pistols. I have had both pass through my hands with no problems. Good Luck

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.

There you have it. It's RIA by a nose!

 

[BehindBlueI's]

You can sometimes run across duty trade in Sig P220s in that price range.

The Turkish import Tisa 1911 available on Bud's is getting good reviews, but if he intends it to be a carry piece realize that GI type 1911 sights suck and that might not be the best way to go. For a range gun or a "just to have" gun, its fine.

 

[churchmouse]

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.

 

[No2rdame]

I'll second the Ruger P series. Used, you can find them at a reasonable price and they are absolute workhorses. My first pistol I purchased was a KP90 and I have yet to have a single FTF, jam, or any other problem with it after 15 years of use. It is reliable, accurate, and quite affordable. It's a little more unique than the regular run-of-the-mill Glock and a bit simpler for a gun noob to start with than a 1911. I know everyone will have their opinion on that statement and I'm not knocking either, but the Ruger is a good third option to consider.

 

[BehindBlueI's]

May want to poke around in the classifieds here, just noticed there's a .45 on there in your price range.