Budget .45s

[Gregg1LE]

I've been thinking about purchasing a .45 for home defense, the round speaks for itself. After some research,I have narrowed the field down to three handguns, the Bersa Thunder 45 UC Pro, the Kahr CW45,and the Ruger P345.Both the Ruger and the Bersa come with all the controls and features of more expensive handguns, and the Kahr is plain jane,lacking a safety and accessory rail, but has the big name.I know the UC Pro 45 is basically the same chassis as my 9 UC pro (which both me and my wife love) and the P345 handles very similiar to my SR9,which I like.All three get decent reviews from what I've read.

Please give any experiences and opinions on these handguns to further enhance my decision making !Thanks.....

 

[chubbyzook]

the ruger will be your best bet as for price and still have reliability of the higher names
i like kahrs but wouldnt ever pay what they want for what they offer

 

[texas_teacher]

I've heard damn good things about that compact bersa 45... What about something like a Judge wheelgun where you get that 45 caliber for home defense but you get the benefit of loading a few .410 shells into the mix as well...

 

[MAJIK_BONE_77]

For the price your not gonna beat the Bersa, never heard anyone have a bad thing to say about 'em, the Kahr is going to be the most expensive by far of the three, and I'm just not a fan of Ruger's semi-autos. I've got a Bersa, and although it's not my go to gun in every situation (it's just a .380) I have found it extremly dependable having over 700 rounds through it in the short time I've had it, and not had a single problem. If you want to spend more than $600 then get the Kahr, otherwise I'd get the Bersa.

Now if those aren't your only options there are a whole other list of .45s I could recommend, but based on your 3 choices the Bersa gets my vote for all around quality, and value.

 

[Byaah_19]

Out of the 3 i pick the ruger. IMO I would buy a glock 30sf. I had one and sold it and have regreted it ever since. It will be my next gun purchase. Good luck with the purchase

 

[ftw13]

yeah i regret selling my 30sf as well,but my best friend jake has it and is giving it a good home. i'll probably buy another one and send it in for a grip reduction to take the hump out.

 

[Adionik]

I got a used Glock 21 for cheap...they seem to be a lot more affordable than the subcompact Glocks.

 

[In-Yo-Grill]

For the price your not gonna beat the Bersa, never heard anyone have a bad thing to say about 'em, the Kahr is going to be the most expensive by far of the three, and I'm just not a fan of Ruger's semi-autos. I've got a Bersa, and although it's not my go to gun in every situation (it's just a .380) I have found it extremly dependable having over 700 rounds through it in the short time I've had it, and not had a single problem. If you want to spend more than $600 then get the Kahr, otherwise I'd get the Bersa.

Now if those aren't your only options there are a whole other list of .45s I could recommend, but based on your 3 choices the Bersa gets my vote for all around quality, and value.

If you spend $600 for a Kahr CW45 you've been had. The CW45 may look cheap but it can't be beat for concealment. I can't imagine that you are going to want to put a light on any gun and make it easy to tuck away. As far as a safety goes, they are striker fire pistols and don't work like a "cocked and locked" style gun.

I carry a P45, the CW45's older brother, and it has the same internals as the CW45 but is just a bit prettier. Shoots great and conceals easily.

 

[Clockwork]

About $500.00 for a Glock 30. Less if used.

Standard mag for a Glock 30 is 10 rounds of .45 but it can also accomodate a Glock 21 mag for 13 rounds. You can always purchase a KRISS Super V extended mag so that your Glock 30 will hold 30 rounds of .45 hollow points. I'd hate to meet someone that could survive 30 rounds of that.

To be honest you could get a 12-gauge pump action Mossberg for less than you'd spend on a .45 and it'll do the job.

 

[MAJIK_BONE_77]

How much are actually willing to spend? It helps narrow down the field. I mean the top votes for me will go to Glock, HK, Sig, M&P, and Springfield XD, but any of those are going to run you $500 or more new, unless u find a good used one. And any of those I would recommend more than the 3 u mentioned, but if that's not in your budget it makes a difference.

 

[Texas42]

Whats your buget? You can be patient and get some good deals on used guns. Personally, I'd pick ruger on that bunch for a home handgun. I trush rugers a lot more than Bersa. I'm not familar with the other one. A shotgun is never a bad idea.

Frankly, a budget 45 usually stands for a 9mm luger. : P, but it seem like you already have one.

 

[chopper]

still cant beat a budget .45 1911, I cant belive noone has suggested any.

 

[nobodylies2.45]

You have huge list
Ruger P90
RIA 1911
Auo ordnance 1911
Norinco 1911
Merto Arms 1911
American Classic II 1911
EAA witness
S&W 3rd gen
Star
Astra
The list goes on an on....

 

[MAJIK_BONE_77]

There is a huge list, but knowing what the budget is, and finding out why he chose the 3 he did would help to narrow it down. Maybe those are the guns he has had experience with (he says he has a Bersa), or are recommended by friends, and family. Or maybe he just has a personal preference for those particular guns.

So if you would give us a little more info on budget, and the reasons u like the 3 u do, it would help us help u.

 

[jake75]

yeah i regret selling my 30sf as well,but my best friend jake has it and is giving it a good home. i'll probably buy another one and send it in for a grip reduction to take the hump out.

Yes, It's mine all mine and I carry it with me everywhere.

 

[SIG_Fiend]

Not a fan of Bersa's. I have seen several new ones break and end up getting returned. Out of the 3 listed, the Ruger will be your best bet. It's full sized so it will be easier to use and manipulate, and will just make for a better home defense gun. The Kahr CW45 is nice, but to me that is more a concealment gun. For a home defense gun, I would always go with a full size as it will generally recoil less, you have more surface area to grab on to when you have to manipulate it, etc.

 

[308nato]

Center fire systems last time I looked had the RIA gov model for 379.00 and the tactical model for 419.00 and a highcap model for 449.99.

www.centerfiresystems.com

 

[PeterGunn]

I'll add one to your suggestion list, if you don't mind. The STI Spartan is a great buy. This Basic design 1911 comes from Armscor in the Phillipines, with O.E.M., (usually found on custom or upper tier guns) add-ons and are
imported/distributed/warranteed, stateside, with Adjustable rear sight and Fiber Optic front. Frames/Slides are Armscor to STI specs. Internal go bang parts are all STI and shipped to the Phillipines, as I understand it, for assembly. Nice, working 1911, to start with. Runs Great, right out of the box.

To the OP, street price is well within your range. STI International - STI. Select single-stack 1911s
>
and Spartan, in that window.

You have huge list
Ruger P90
RIA 1911
Auo ordnance 1911
Norinco 1911
Merto Arms 1911
American Classic II 1911
EAA witness
S&W 3rd gen
Star
Astra
The list goes on an on....

 

[PeterGunn]

I've been thinking about purchasing a .45 for home defense, the round speaks for itself. After some research,I have narrowed the field down to three handguns, the Bersa Thunder 45 UC Pro, the Kahr CW45,and the Ruger P345.Both the Ruger and the Bersa come with all the controls and features of more expensive handguns, and the Kahr is plain jane,lacking a safety and accessory rail, but has the big name.I know the UC Pro 45 is basically the same chassis as my 9 UC pro (which both me and my wife love) and the P345 handles very similiar to my SR9,which I like.All three get decent reviews from what I've read.

Please give any experiences and opinions on these handguns to further enhance my decision making !Thanks.....

Well, if it HAS to be one of those 3, RUGER....HANDS DOWN! Reliable+.
I'd still opt for a GM 1911. But that's just me.... just go fondle one at the gunstore.

 

[oldnbald]

You may want to look into an RIA. I have a Compact Tactical that I really love. Very accurate and dependable.