Best Cheap 45
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Best "Cheap" 45?
Hello all
Ron L here = SERESURPLUS
First off, I'm sure that you meant reasonable price 45? Cheap is not a word that works well with guns of any knind, in my opinion?
You did not state your location, in the usa, Canada or where, so I will assume the us?
That brings you to a few problem cases, as in the :
Norenco 1911 45 - No Longer imported into the us, for a 12 year or so period
Other Norenco, same same
Llama 45, as well as under Firestorm 45, - They exist in small numbers, no long imported as of a while back, best I was told?
AMT Hardballer - Out of Production for over 20 years now? Good luck even finding a used one?
Ballister Mollina - YUP, trhey can be found, but most 45 parts do not interchange Not a bad 45 for the $
Ruger 97, Yup, they are around, giving rugers policy of rather selling to Military and Police than you and Me, I'll never buy a new ruger, but it does work, is reliable and big and blocky
CZ-97 - No data on that one?
Eaa Whitness - Again, I hate to say it, But they disapeared off the gun scene, so I fear they are banned for import?
Star Firestar in 45 - Good pick, but no longer imported, a good gun, but mags are high $
All in all you picked some good and not so good ones, but many that are hard to find, out of production and not imported, whats wrong with:
Springfiend Armory Plain Jane 1911a1 Military, not a lot more $ and a good 45?
Rock island Arsenal 1911A1 and Commander sized one, the compact is banned for import - these are not easily found, but easier than 98% of your list and completely interchangebale with 1911 parts?
Star PD - a lot harder to find, but a used one shows up here and there, for a good $
Colt 1991 a full size or commander size can be had used for a good $ at times and is an option?
Hello all
Ron L here = SERESURPLUS
First off, I'm sure that you meant reasonable price 45? Cheap is not a word that works well with guns of any knind, in my opinion?
You did not state your location, in the usa, Canada or where, so I will assume the us?
That brings you to a few problem cases, as in the :
Norenco 1911 45 - No Longer imported into the us, for a 12 year or so period
Other Norenco, same same
Llama 45, as well as under Firestorm 45, - They exist in small numbers, no long imported as of a while back, best I was told?
AMT Hardballer - Out of Production for over 20 years now? Good luck even finding a used one?
Ballister Mollina - YUP, trhey can be found, but most 45 parts do not interchange Not a bad 45 for the $
Ruger 97, Yup, they are around, giving rugers policy of rather selling to Military and Police than you and Me, I'll never buy a new ruger, but it does work, is reliable and big and blocky
CZ-97 - No data on that one?
Eaa Whitness - Again, I hate to say it, But they disapeared off the gun scene, so I fear they are banned for import?
Star Firestar in 45 - Good pick, but no longer imported, a good gun, but mags are high $
All in all you picked some good and not so good ones, but many that are hard to find, out of production and not imported, whats wrong with:
Springfiend Armory Plain Jane 1911a1 Military, not a lot more $ and a good 45?
Rock island Arsenal 1911A1 and Commander sized one, the compact is banned for import - these are not easily found, but easier than 98% of your list and completely interchangebale with 1911 parts?
Star PD - a lot harder to find, but a used one shows up here and there, for a good $
Colt 1991 a full size or commander size can be had used for a good $ at times and is an option?
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Of the guns you listed, I've had experience with the Witness, Ruger, CZ, RIA, Colt and Llama. FWIW, most are good, reliable guns and except for the Llama (got a 50-50 chance of being either very good or junk and they are 75% NOT parts compatable with a mil spec 1911) would be good choices. Personally, I consider the Ruger a "best buy" along with the RIA, Witness and CZ in that order.
Have you considered the Bersa Ultra Compact 45? It's an outstanding gun with everything you'd want on a pistol for $350. It's also made in .40 S&W/9mm and if it's a consideration, the most "lefty" friendly pistol you'll find without having a gun custom made. I've had one for about three years (paid $285 NIB) and think it's the best .45 value you'll find, even for 2 or 3 times the price. While I prefer the 9mm (holds 13+1 vs. 7+1 for the 45), they are my gun of choice when it comes to the biggest "bang" for the buck around today.
Have you considered the Bersa Ultra Compact 45? It's an outstanding gun with everything you'd want on a pistol for $350. It's also made in .40 S&W/9mm and if it's a consideration, the most "lefty" friendly pistol you'll find without having a gun custom made. I've had one for about three years (paid $285 NIB) and think it's the best .45 value you'll find, even for 2 or 3 times the price. While I prefer the 9mm (holds 13+1 vs. 7+1 for the 45), they are my gun of choice when it comes to the biggest "bang" for the buck around today.
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I've got a Ruger P97 and it is honestly the only handgun I own that I can say has been 100% reliable. I've near 10 handguns of different configs.
Stay away from something you cannot get parts for which means the Star and Molina, which I own both and are reliable but if it breaks you are screwed unless you happen across some parts on a board somewhere.
The only Llama I have experience with was a total POS. Wouldn't run if it's life depended on it.
Norinco's have a good track record from what I understand though my personal experience is none. I'd get the Ruger if you must have something now or save for a little longer and get something nicer.
Stay away from something you cannot get parts for which means the Star and Molina, which I own both and are reliable but if it breaks you are screwed unless you happen across some parts on a board somewhere.
The only Llama I have experience with was a total POS. Wouldn't run if it's life depended on it.
Norinco's have a good track record from what I understand though my personal experience is none. I'd get the Ruger if you must have something now or save for a little longer and get something nicer.
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Good gun. Of your choices, that would be what I go with.
A copy of the CZ-97. Another good gun. They're still being imported.
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937 Posts
Best cheap .45
Springfield Armory makes very high quality 1911's and other guns of course. They also import a model, which they call their "GI" series. They are different from their "Mil-Spec" models. The "GI" pistols meet Springfield's quality, but at a much more reasonable price. I own one (pictured below) and carry it from time-to-time. Although it is called GI, there are some differences between them and real government issued pistols. They come in both stainless, or parkerized, 3", 4" and 5". They can be found at gun shows, or well stocked gun shops. I figure they must be okay, or Springfield would never put their name on it. I've never had a malfunction, with about a thousand rounds through it. It feeds hard-ball and hollow-point ammo equally well.
http://www.springfield-armory.com/armory.php?version=16
Springfield Armory makes very high quality 1911's and other guns of course. They also import a model, which they call their "GI" series. They are different from their "Mil-Spec" models. The "GI" pistols meet Springfield's quality, but at a much more reasonable price. I own one (pictured below) and carry it from time-to-time. Although it is called GI, there are some differences between them and real government issued pistols. They come in both stainless, or parkerized, 3", 4" and 5". They can be found at gun shows, or well stocked gun shops. I figure they must be okay, or Springfield would never put their name on it. I've never had a malfunction, with about a thousand rounds through it. It feeds hard-ball and hollow-point ammo equally well.
http://www.springfield-armory.com/armory.php?version=16
MSRP $599., but they can be found for less.
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I've really gotta work on updating my photos with my new camera.
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4,142 Posts
best cheap .45
The norinco is all 1911 compatible parts wise so it doesn't matter if it's being imported or not. Same thing with latter llamas-you do however have to be very careful to make sure it's 1 of the 1911 compatible models however. Another idea is essex 1911 frame and slide,These 3,especially norinco or essex can serve as a good base for whatever level custom 1911 you want to build from these pistols. The ballister molina is slightly different as it has pivoting trigger,wider slide/frame rails,and no grip safety among other differences.
The norinco is all 1911 compatible parts wise so it doesn't matter if it's being imported or not. Same thing with latter llamas-you do however have to be very careful to make sure it's 1 of the 1911 compatible models however. Another idea is essex 1911 frame and slide,These 3,especially norinco or essex can serve as a good base for whatever level custom 1911 you want to build from these pistols. The ballister molina is slightly different as it has pivoting trigger,wider slide/frame rails,and no grip safety among other differences.
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4,142 Posts
cheap .45
The taurus runs about 500-550,norinco and the other I listed can be had for 200-250,glock ain't cheap as poster inquired.
The taurus runs about 500-550,norinco and the other I listed can be had for 200-250,glock ain't cheap as poster inquired.
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4,142 Posts
Cheap .45
Matt-you need to think about advising to buy amt as the pistol is prone to malfunctions,and breakage in general. Also,it's hard to find parts for and NOT compatible with 1911 parts at all.
Matt-you need to think about advising to buy amt as the pistol is prone to malfunctions,and breakage in general. Also,it's hard to find parts for and NOT compatible with 1911 parts at all.
I have absolutely no experience with them, but I've read quite a few good reviews on them.
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76 Posts
The best bang for your buck there is gonna be the CZ. Check out their site.
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992 Posts
Rock Island Armory for 300+. Can't beat it for the price. Needs mods to be a carry gun though.
Springers can be found for not a lot more. If you are going to bet your life, don't cut corners. Best of luck to you.
Springers can be found for not a lot more. If you are going to bet your life, don't cut corners. Best of luck to you.
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4 Posts
Best & Cheap don't really go together
Without knowing your spending limit, I would say get a used gun. My local gun shop has a bunch of consignment/used guns that maybe have had a magazine or two through them.
Without knowing your spending limit, I would say get a used gun. My local gun shop has a bunch of consignment/used guns that maybe have had a magazine or two through them.
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116 Posts
The EAA Witness is still available. IF you can't find it locally, I suggest you checkout out Reed's Ammunition and Research. He has a good selection of calibers in the Witness line, and the basic pistol sells for $345.00, and I think that includes shipping which is $20.00.
My current Witness started out as a .45. But then I got a conversion kit from Reed's, and switched it to 10mm Auto. It's a decent shooter in either caliber.
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The ambi safety was added AFTER I bought it.
My current Witness started out as a .45. But then I got a conversion kit from Reed's, and switched it to 10mm Auto. It's a decent shooter in either caliber.
The ambi safety was added AFTER I bought it.
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