Double Stack .45 ACP Options

[costanza]

Guys/Girls:
I have a Para Ordinance P-14, bought here on MGO a few years ago. It is a jam-a-matic, and I am not happy with it. As far as I know, the only other high cap options are a Rock Island Armory, Springfield Armory, and Kimber. I'm looking for your opinions on these three pistols. The RIA is much cheaper, at $900 retail, and it uses the same mags as my P-14. The Springfield is expensive, and the Kimber is Very expensive (and ugly, IMO). Anyone have any experience with these pistols, or other hi cap 45's I am unaware of?
Thanks, and Regards,
Costanza

[Outlander]

An XD is not all that expensive. I like mine but, I do not carry it as it comfortably rests less than an arms length from where I type.

[Fuel Fire Desire]

There are some excellent hi cap .45’s out there if you want to step away from the DS1911’s.

The CZ-97 is actually slimmer than my standard 1911’s, but is a DS 10 round. Amazing to shoot. Still has the weight and proportions of a 1911. I’ve only ever had one malfunction with it, and that was from out of spec brass on hand loads. The SA isn’t 1911 crisp, but it can be with CGW parts. It’s good enough I never bothered to change the trigger, but I have handled another MGO members 97 with the work done, and it’s better than many 1911/ 2011 race guns. I have the BD model (decock only) since I like to carry it in DA.





The FNX45 has a monster capacity (15+1) and shoots so well it has been a problem for me. I’ll rip through .45 as if it were .22. It just shoots so smooth. And I’ve never once had a malfunction, in many thousands of rounds. Even with powder puff reloads. DA is the smoothest DA of any gun I’ve ever fired, Colt Python included. It’s not just smooth, but absolutely linear with no stacking. SA is a bit mushy, but it was designed to be a combat handgun, which it absolutely excels at.

The FNX replacement (FN 545) also has a monster capacity, but is finished much nicer (more refined, beveled edges). Trigger is excellent for a striker fired gun. I still prefer the FNX, which is all around my favorite non 1911.

[Shyster]

USP45 for the win!

[Johnholliday]

I'll see your USP, and raise you HK23.....it completes me!

[DLL9MM]

USP45 for the win!

This.

[Shyster]

I'll see your USP, and raise you HK23.....it completes me!

I loved mine but it was just too damned big and heavy. USP is perfect.

I REALLY wish they would have kept the USP45 mags for he HK45 design. I love the HK45 ergonomically but why they went from 12 to 10 rounds still baffles me. Solution? Buy both!

[costanza]

Some things for me to consider for sure! The FNX wasn't even on my radar at all. I'm a 1911 guy, and was hoping to use the same holsters I already have. I do not believe the FNX would fit in my LH 1911 holsters. But it is a good looking gun for sure! Thanks for the replies!
Costanza

[Johnholliday]

It's a total beast, and, being honest a bit on the other side of practical, but, it's such a good shooter I don't mind. I would carry mine regularly, it's really not that difficult in contrast to a full steel 1911, provided a decent holster and belt. Lost mine in a fire, and it's 100% a gun that I'll replace. The USP and HK45 are both rock solid as well, and something that the poster shouldn't overlook. Oddly, I am one of the few people that didn't care for the FNX (hammer fired) or FN545 (striker fired), but, I'm really not a plastic, or striker fired fan, so I'm pretty one sided. It all kind of boils down to Coke vs Pepsi, or Mustang vs Camaro. It can be a pain finding what makes you smile, and, logic rarely plays a role in it, at least for me.

[dwcopple]

XDm or FNX are the cream of the crop. Ppq45 is unreal too