I need some recommendations for .45 ACP Pistols(2) and where to get them...

14 Aug 2013 | US Navy Vet

[LibLieSlayer]

I also own and carry a Springfield XDS 45... very small in size but it is a true hand cannon. It isn't much bigger than many .380’s. I have a small Viridian green laser mounted on the rail. Outstanding combo! I did install a Powder River Precision spring kit in it... makes the trigger in it very smooth and it has a 4lb pull.

[mountainlion]

There are many wholesale dealers that you can give a copy of your FFL and get cost breaks. Shotgun news used to be a good place to look. You might buy directly form Colt, Springfield,...

[Utilizer]

Thanks for that post. I need to research and look into that carry/combo it seems.

[Tijeras_Slim]

I also have a 220 in .38 Super, that is one sweet shooter.

[Lee N. Field]

I need some recommendations for .45 ACP Pistols(2) and where to get them...

Two?

For practicality. Springfield XD45.

For class, a decent quality, retro or retro-ish 1911, with decent iron sights. Perhaps a Springfield Milspec. Or maybe even the genuine article, a WWII era or older 1911.

[Lee N. Field]

Or, maybe...

[Joe Boucher]

If you can,
Get a Kimber.

[dangerdoc]

Not quite a 45 ACP, here is the real deal

[Utilizer]

You wouldn’t happen to know how difficult it would be to get replacement barrels shipped to a non-ffl holder, would you? I need to get some replacement barrels for a Colt Officer’s, and Star PD, plus I was looking at some conversion kits to change to 9mm or 22LR for practice shooting and could not find much information about it.

[G Larry]

That’s why I recommended the SAO configuration.

[Tijeras_Slim]

I like the 220’s DA/SA setup... And the decocker is very easy to use compared to some of the hinky slide mounted stuff out there. Not for everyone, I’ll admit, but the best of the “land of two trigger pulls” IMO.

If you like your commander, look at the Sig C3, a compact frame with a commander length barrel. The standard mag is a 7 round for 7+1, or Chip McCormack makes an 8 round that only is a hair longer. Great gun unless you have big hands.

[yarddog]

I imagine Colt Officers Model barrels would be a bit difficult to find I guess the internet is the place to start. Star PD barrels would probably be available from one of the large used parts dealers. Barrels just might need to be fitted.

There are plenty of .22LR conversion kits for the full size M1911. Not sure for other models.

I don’t think a .45 auto can be converted to 9mm. At one time it was possible to convert 9mm M1911s to .38 Super then back to 9mm if you wanted.

[MileHi]

You wouldn’t happen to know how difficult it would be to get replacement barrels shipped to a non-ffl holder,...

Brownelles, Midway and others will send them right to you. You will need an FFL to buy a new frame however.

[dangerdoc]

You can order barrels and send them right to your house, they are not the regulated portion of a firearm.

[Utilizer]

I am not sure why the Officer's model barrel would be more difficult to find replacements for than other barrels. Are you sure? Maybe if you wanted a specialized chrome-plated barrel or the mounting config was different, but I thought barrels were interchageable between models, no?

The conversion kit I was looking at some time ago had a modified lip with the new barrel for proper feed of the 9mil ammo, so that with the slide, spring, and of course mag change were all that was required.

[Utilizer]

Thanks for the tip. Frames I am not worried about, just replacements for barrels that have gotten a bit sloppy over the years. Wood cases to store the piece in I can make with some eXactos, select woods, and Gorilla(tm) glue, but new barrels require a whole different level of precision.

[Utilizer]

Thank you, I appreciate the info. Cali is just getting so ridiculous with insane regulations I was not sure if something I innocently attempted to order was going to initiate a visit by some LEO JBT types, so I was a bit concerned. (JBT: Jack-Booted Thugs)

Now I just need to find some reputable vendors with good reps that are not too pricey. Have to stay within budget, don't you know.

[Buffalo Head]

First of all, learn the language!

The cartridge formerly designated "45 ACP" was obsoleted prior to World War II and reintroduced with the designation "45 Auto". Where have you and others on this thread been?

Look at the ammunition. To paraphrase James Carville, "Its the headstamp stupid.

The use of an obsoleted cartridge designation is no more appropriate than addressing a married woman by her maiden name.

And please don't waste time listing examples of other folks that don't know better. A 1,000 wrongs don't make a right. All responsible gun and ammunition manufactures use the correct nomenclature on their firearms and ammunition headstamps.

Yes, Springfield Armory, Kimber and many off-shore outfits can be counted amount the irresponsible.

[yarddog]

The problem with the .45 model is the ejector is in a different place and even if you could find a barrel and slide to git the 1911, the ejector would hot allow the slide to be mounted.

The barrels on different models are not the same. They are of different lengths and even different configurations on some of the short models. Full length 5” barrels are extremely common. I have no idea about the officers model but am sure it would be less common than the regular barrel.

[Georgia Girl 2]

Sweet! Mr. GG2 is drooling. Can he get a spring kit from Precision for his XDM .40 cal?