Polymer frame 45ACP

[gpjoe]

I'm a fan of 45ACP. It's easy to shoot and load, and I've got a handful of 1911 pistols and a Ruger single-action revolver with a bird's head grip that is a great "plinker".

So, I'm considering a polymer frame pistol chambered in 45ACP and, of course, Glock comes to mind. I currently own three S&W M&P pistols chambered in 9mm that have performed flawlessly but I'm sort of itching to own my first Glock.

I'm not going to carry it, so it will very likely be a range toy, and be close at hand as a home defense pistol.

I'm thinking a G21.

Thoughts?

 

[Claudel Xerxes]

I completely understand if you're dead set on a Glock, but if you get the chance, consider trying out a Walther PPQ or HK45 (or HK45C).

The HK.45C is one of the nicest shooting .45 pistols I have had the pleasure to shoot.

 

[dojpros]

I am a Glock Guy thru and thru. MY EDC has been Glock 95% of the time since the early 2000's

I owned a Gen 3 G21SF and it was a fine pistol. I ultimately sold it as I decided to stick with 40 cal for EDC (at that time) as I was not going to commit to the platform (2 guns practice/carry, AIWB/OWB holsters, mag pouches 12 mags etc.)

By all accounts the .45 M&P recoils no more than the Glock, "fits" hands better than the big framed G21 and you already are familiar w the platform. Apex makes all manner of trigger goodness for an M&P. The only downside is mag capacity as the SW is 10+ 1 and the Glock is 13 +1 with their respective flush fit mags.

Indeed, I f I every lived in a 10 rd max state, I would buy a brace of M&P 45- Optic ready and drive on.

https://www.smith-wesson.com/product/m-p-45-m2.0-threaded-barrel-optics-ready-full-size

 

[Lightcs1776]

If I recall correctly, OkieStubble would be asking why you haven’t picked up the Glock yet. Miss seeing him on these threads.

 

[nortac]

I have a Glock Gen 3 model 21. Big pistol, was a duty gun back in the day. Very pleasant to shoot. I shoot it every once in a while for bowling pin matches. Too big for CCW IMHO. No immediate plans for a grip reduction, but now that I have the jig, who knows?

 

[gpjoe]

I completely understand if you're dead set on a Glock, but if you get the chance, consider trying out a Walther PPQ or HK45 (or HK45C).

Nope, not set, and that was one purpose of this thread: to hear opinions and suggestions of other brands.

Thanks.

Also, I should have mentioned that I would really prefer to stay in the $500-$650 (maybe $700) range.

 

[gpjoe]

By all accounts the .45 M&P recoils no more than the Glock, "fits" hands better than the big framed G21 and you already are familiar w the platform. Apex makes all manner of trigger goodness for an M&P. The only downside is mag capacity as the SW is 10+ 1 and the Glock is 13 +1 with their respective flush fit mags.

Funny, this is precisely why I chose the M&P over the Glock: the grip comfort. I know the Glock is legendary for it's reliability, I just didn't like the square-ish grip...and the M&P felt better in hand.

Regarding mag capacity, I saw some Glocks with a 10+1 capacity and figured those were targeted to states with a 10 round limit on mag capacity. Regardless, do the the 10-round pistols have slimmer grips?

 

[gpjoe]

If I recall correctly, OkieStubble would be asking why you haven’t picked up the Glock yet. Miss seeing him on these threads.

Yeah, he was a great guy, and very knowledgeable.

 

[Herrenberg]

For my preferences, it is very hard to imagine any polymer pistol being a better "range toy" than a 1911. You have 1911s. What's drawing you to polymer for range fun?

 

[EdHeart]

Perhaps consider a Springfield? I was not a particular fan of Springfield and inherited a XDs .45ACP single stack compact. I've really enjoyed having it when at the range. Not a high capacity arm by a long shot (I think pun intended there) and can be easily concealed.

 

[Whisky]

If I recall correctly, OkieStubble would be asking why you haven’t picked up the Glock yet. Miss seeing him on these threads.

Maybe, but he always said the M&P .45 he shot was the softest shooting .45 he’d ever fired.

Personally I’d go with S&W just because the grip angle of a Glock absolutely doesn’t work for me. I’ve owned a few Glocks and never had any issues with the functioning of the pistol,

 

[nortac]

If I recall correctly, OkieStubble would be asking why you haven’t picked up the Glock yet. Miss seeing him on these threads.

Me too!

 

[gpjoe]

Personally I’d go with S&W just because the grip angle of a Glock absolutely doesn’t work for me. I’ve owned a few Glocks and never had any issues with the functioning of the pistol,

Yeah, I'll likely take a hard look at the M&P...and that may ultimately be the one. I've been satisfied with the comfort, accuracy, and reliability of those that I currently own.

I suppose I am just getting caught up in the mystique of the Glock, and the fact that I don't have one in my safe.

Practically, the M&P does make more sense

 

[gpjoe]

For my preferences, it is very hard to imagine any polymer pistol being a better "range toy" than a 1911. You have 1911s. What's drawing you to polymer for range fun?

Yeah, I love the 1911 platform, and currently own two Colts, a Sig, and a Kimber chambered in 45 ACP, and a Springfield EMP and Dan Wesson chambered in 9mm.

I guess, as stated in my reply to @Whisky, I'm intrigued by the Glock reputation, and don't own one.

 

[EdHeart]

I have a Gen 5 G19. I like it well enough. I got it after having sold a very cool subcompact Boberg 9mm. Beautiful gun, shot amazingly well for something so small and I found it had amazingly low recoil. That said, it was also a potential danger to one's fingertips because of its size: I do not have long fingers, think chunky monkey hands. After racking the slide I had to be very mindful of moving my hands/fingers to the grip. It was way too easy if I were sloppy in my technique to pass my fingertips in front of the barrel.

I find I shoot the Springfield better than the Glock, not a grip angle thing for me, more about the size of the grip.

I had a Glock chambered in 45GAP and really enjoyed shooting it. I had zero issues with recoil. Ended up selling it several years ago because ammo was very expensive, hard to find and it was just a bit off in left field as a round. I don't regret giving it up.

 

[Lockback]

I'm a fan of 45ACP. It's easy to shoot and load, and I've got a handful of 1911 pistols and a Ruger single-action revolver with a bird's head grip that is a great "plinker".

So, I'm considering a polymer frame pistol chambered in 45ACP and, of course, Glock comes to mind. I currently own three S&W M&P pistols chambered in 9mm that have performed flawlessly but I'm sort of itching to own my first Glock.

I'm not going to carry it, so it will very likely be a range toy, and be close at hand as a home defense pistol.

I'm thinking a G21.

Thoughts?

I had a G21 years ago. It's a BIG gun. I have medium-sized hands and I felt it was too big for me. I ended up trading it for something ...
I own and often carry a Glock G36, which is their single-stack .45. I won't lie to you: it's got pretty stout recoil, although it's not a problem for me.
I think the Glock 30SF is a great model. If I were in the market for a polymer .45ACP, that's the one I'd choose. Just my $.02 ...
And then you also have the M&P, a line I think is fantastic. I do prefer the grip and grip angle and trigger to the Glock's ...

 

[Whisky]

I guess, as stated in my reply to @Whisky, I'm intrigued by the Glock reputation, and don't own one.

If you’re used to a 1911 grip angle try to find a range that rents pistols and shoot a Glock, any Glock before you buy one. My problem was I grew up shooting 1911’s and the grip is so different I didn’t want to retrain my muscle memory for 1-2 pistols out of the (insert number here) I currently own.

 

[Champion of Capua]

My medium sized hands fit my 1911s much better than my large frame 10mm Glock. I love shooting my Glocks at the range, but there’s just something I prefer about shooting the 1911’s

 

[Filudo]

SW shield 2 Performance Center 45acp (check Cabeas/ local sales).

 

[GeronimoWSB]

Funny, this is precisely why I chose the M&P over the Glock: the grip comfort. I know the Glock is legendary for it's reliability, I just didn't like the square-ish grip...and the M&P felt better in hand.

Regarding mag capacity, I saw some Glocks with a 10+1 capacity and figured those were targeted to states with a 10 round limit on mag capacity. Regardless, do the the 10-round pistols have slimmer grips?

No they don't, the 10 rounders are just for legal crap, but Glock has the sf 21 model that is slightly smaller. For 45 I currently have wheelguns, some 1911's and a CZ. I've had Glocks and an Hk usp elite and can't recommend them enough. I'll eventually have them again, but somehow they were rotated out. I'll pick up a trade in G21 for cheap eventually and a Hk usp Tactical some day.