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rckjeep · Joined: 29 Mar 2005 Posts: 35 Location: San Jose,CA

So I'm in the market for a new 45 ACP for home defense and target shooting. I had a Ruger P95 9mm and liked it, so the 45 ACP version is my back up if I don't find something I like more. i have a 1911 but it's 94 years old and still fires but I'd like to retired it. So I looked at a Springfield GI 1911 but I"d like some newer style sites. So I went their site and found they make an XD line. Anyone have experience with them or have any suggestions?

Oh and I don't really like Glocks trigger pull. And S&W's have never fit my hand.

SEAlaskaHunter · Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 72 Location: SE Alaska

I once apon a time had a ParaOrdinance LDA "light double action". I loved the trigger pull on this pistol. It was a very smooth pull for being a double action hand gun. I don't think you could go wrong with it if you are looking for a .45

bnow0707 · Joined: 25 Aug 2003 Posts: 638 Location: Alabama

I got a Para 14-45 LDA for christmas and it is different than I'm used to. I like the idea of it not being "cocked and locked" with the hammer back. The trigger is a bit stiff but I'm going to see about having it adjusted. But overall I'm happy with it and would recommend it.

remington · Joined: 30 Nov 2005 Posts: 237 Location: Misouri

Have 2 para P-14-45s. Carry the LDA on duty and have a crap load of rounds thru both. I love em.

bitmasher · Joined: 27 Feb 2002 Posts: 2599 Location: Colorado

The XD is a good gun. The XD in 45ACP is very new, I'm not sure if they are shipping yet. Note that 45GAP is not 45ACP....

1911's are kind of the war horse of semi-auto 45's. Its hard not to think of 45ACP semi's w/o considering 1911's. The basic GI version of the Springfield 1911 has basic combat sights. You can easily go with a higher end version and get the sights you want.

Look at Kimber, Para, Kahr, Springfield, Sig, S&W for their 1911 offerings, all of which offer some form of target, novak, or night sights.

147 Grain · Joined: 03 Mar 2005 Posts: 385 Location: Utah

Bitmaster gave some good advice!

Also, the new Ruger P345 or KP345 is thinner than any 45 ACP on the market and only weighs 27 to 28-oz's. It's very reliable and has great feel in the hand with its slim design.

Disturbed · Joined: 09 Jan 2006 Posts: 66 Location: Pennsylvania

I've herd that the para is having problem with the action, and has a tendency to break springs and jam. I don't have all the details but i also was looking at the pera and a good freind of mine that is a gun freak. informed me of this. The gun is awesome, but after hearing this i thought i would wait a little longer befor buying......This is just what I've herd......Do what you want...See what you get.... :)

SEAlaskaHunter · Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 72 Location: SE Alaska

That's interesting, was it a gun he owned that had the problem or is it a problem with Para's in general? I owned mine and fired probably 500 rnds. with no problems at all. I've fired hollow points and fmj's and had not a single miss-feed or miss-fire.

Disturbed · Joined: 09 Jan 2006 Posts: 66 Location: Pennsylvania

He said it was the para warthog.... I havent herd anything else about this, but i trust him enough to wait a little while before shelling out the cash. Hopefully its just a bad rumor cause its an awesome peice that i would like to add to my collection.

remington · Joined: 30 Nov 2005 Posts: 237 Location: Misouri

I trust my life with mine 5 days a week on duty and SWAT, never had an issue with mine after more rounds than I can count thru both. Para must be doing something right because FBI HRT (aka the best SWAT in the Country) carries them. Never met a bad guy who liked having it pointed at him. :D

Disturbed · Joined: 09 Jan 2006 Posts: 66 Location: Pennsylvania

well if you trust yours that much then i could probly buy the warthog with a clear con. Thanks for setting me straight :thumbsup1:

147 Grain · Joined: 03 Mar 2005 Posts: 385 Location: Utah

Springfield XD's in 45 ACP have been available for 3 weeks now and is a good choice for consideration. So are Glocks, or the budget-minded Ruger KP345 with a very slim form-fitting grip.

The best performing 45 auto self defense round I'm aware of is Winchester Ranger T in 45 +P (RA45TP), with manageable recoil and outstanding expansion from sharp talon claws that expand to .95". Penetration averages 15.3".

remington · Joined: 30 Nov 2005 Posts: 237 Location: Misouri

I'll second that

WesternHunter · Joined: 05 May 2006 Posts: 685 Location: Western USA

If you can find a new Colt 1991A1 get it. The newer stuff from Colt is pretty limited on the commercial market, but the guns they've made in the last three years or a huge improvement over the stuff they produced in the 1980's and 1990's. These new M1991A1 guns are the 80 Series of M1911's with a firepin block. Accuaracy is outstanding. Fit and finish are impeccable. Every bit as good as the Kimbers and better than those South American made pistols from Springfield Armory :lol: Like I said the newer Colt's are not easy to always find in shops, but any dealer can order one for ya.

gcpd35 · Joined: 09 Jul 2005 Posts: 60 Location: Illinois

I have a tricked out Glock 21, that is by far my favorite defense gun, but I know you said that you don't care for the trigger. I have also shot that Ruger P90. It is a great shooting gun, but I would'nt want to carry one on duty. I also had a Para P14 (not a LDA), and it was a fine firearm. However I retired it for the Glock. Most of the guns I've seen mentioned are good guns so I would base the decision on budget, natural index, and if able shooting.