looking for advice with polymer .45s...

[Horkos]

I was just looking if I could get some real world first hand feed back regarding popular polymer .45 semi autos. Mainly looking at Springfield and S&W M&P. Capacity is different I know but what my main question is about is felt recoil. Please respond honestly. I've owned(I.e. kimber pro carry, Sig P20) and fired only steel framed .45s. All sorts of loads and I've always appreciated the caliber's results. If you have reliable second hand info that's cool too. Just wondering what to expect.
Your input is valued and appreciated, thanks in advance.

 

[jg1967]

I have the XD 45 compact and it shoots well, even one handed. I also have the XD9 sub compact and they have both been utterly reliable at about 1.7K rounds, no issues at all. They are resonably easy to conceal and cleaing is a breeze. All the components that come out are well made and rock solid. I think the XDs are marvellous guns for the money.

 

[murph50]

I too have an XD45 compact--and 2 XD9SC's. Great guns --no failures.
Recoil on the 45 is suprisingly manageable--less recoil than my 1911

 

[1911 Ken]

I personally do not like poly guns. Especially in 45 acp. The recoil tends to make the pistol recoil in a circular motion. Too much time for locating the target in a follow up shot. I carry a Kimber Ultra Stainless TLE II. This 1911 weighs in at only 19 oz. unloaded. It is a 3" with a lot of stopping power. Very accurate within 75 feet. I carry it in Condition 1 (some don't like it, mainly because they are not familiar with it). 8+1 capacity is enough of 45 acp for me. I carry it in a Galco Avenger OTW holster. Very concealable!!! The gun itself is pricy BUT I don't even realize I am carry it. I could not be happier with this KIMBER!!

 

[snatale42]

My EDC is a G26, But thinking about going to .45, I went to my range a rented a G30, I was expecting a subcompact .45 to be a lot more snappy than it was, to me it still had more "push" than it did "flip". I also tried an XD45 that day, VERY nice! I'm assuming the sub would be no different. I haven't shot the M&P.45 but I do own the .40, It's also very nice to shoot and extremely comfortable in the hand.

 

[luvmyRugers]

I have the XD45 Service model as well as the XD40 Sub-Compact. Both are great shooters, very accurate, and reliable.
Wouldn't hesitate to buy another one if the opportunity presented itself!
Good luck,

 

[JSDinTexas]

When I first was introduced to Glocks, I was surprised to find the recoil of the G21 to be less than I expected. The reason is the plastic absorbs part of the shock, among other things that contribute to manageable recoil in the Glocks like a lower bore axis. I have no problem with shooting the G21 or G30 and I am about average in stature. The G20 10mm is a little worse. :laugh:

 

[PD-Hunter]

Glock 30

I carry a Glock 30, and it is very enjoyable to shoot, and is very accurate. I like the lighter weight, makes for a more comfortable carry. I also have a 17 and 19, they are also very good shooters.

 

[Punch]

When I first was introduced to Glocks, I was surprised to find the recoil of the G21 to be less than I expected. The reason is the plastic absorbs part of the shock, among other things that contribute to manageable recoil in the Glocks like a lower bore axis. I have no problem with shooting the G21 or G30 and I am about average in stature. The G20 10mm is a little worse. :laugh:

I have the opposite problem. My Glock 20 is rather comfortable to shoot. The Glock 21 is a beast. That may be due to the 230 gr HP/XTP +P ammo that I carry.

 

[B2Tall]

I love my HK45 full-size. Makes an average shooter like me look good.

 

[kudzu]

I personally do not like poly guns. Especially in 45 acp. The recoil tends to make the pistol recoil in a circular motion. Too much time for locating the target in a follow up shot. I carry a Kimber Ultra Stainless TLE II. This 1911 weighs in at only 19 oz. unloaded. It is a 3"...

First, Welcome to the forum. You will find lot's of good people and information here.

What I am about to say has to be qualified with the admission that I have never shot a Kimber, nor have I shot any .45ACP with a 3" barrel. However, it does not stand to reason that a 19 oz. .45ACP with a 3" barrel would have recoil characteristics superior to pistols with longer barrels and significantly more weight such as the XD's and M&P's - polymer, alloy or steel. I'm not calling BS, exactly, but I think there might be a little Kimber-love involved in this equation. Just my knee-jerk reaction.

 

[B2Tall]

First, Welcome to the forum. You will find lot's of good people and information here.

What I am about to say has to be qualified with the admission that I have never shot a Kimber, nor have I shot any .45ACP with a 3" barrel. However, it does not stand to reason that a 19 oz. .45ACP with a 3" barrel would have recoil characteristics superior to pistols with longer barrels and significantly more weight such as the XD's and M&P's - polymer, alloy or steel. I'm not calling BS, exactly, but I think there might be a little Kimber-love involved in this equation. Just my knee-jerk reaction.

I agree. I had a Glock 36. You can't get a .45 much smaller than a G36. Terrific little pistol but it had a nasty recoil. It's hardly a surprise that my full-size HK45 is far more controllable.

 

[SGB]

I've shot the G21, XD45, HK USP 45 & M&P 45. I don't like the grip angle of the Glock, the XD shot well but had more muzzle flip than I'm used to (my EDC is a 1911), I didn't care for the HK's DA/SA trigger, the M&P had great ergonomics and was the softest shooting of the bunch but the trigger sucked, very mushy.

A couple weeks later a friend stopped by with his newly acquired M&P 45 and an Apex Tactical Duty/Carry action enhancement kit for me to install for him. After the install we headed to the range and WOW what a difference in the trigger.

Since then I've picked up a M&P 9c with intentions of adding several more M&P's as funds allow. Best thing for you to do is get your hands on as many of the polymer .45's as you can and find out for yourself which one fits you the best.

 

[kudzu]

A couple weeks later a friend stopped by with his newly acquired M&P 45 and an Apex Tactical Duty/Carry action enhancement kit for me to install for him. After the install we headed to the range and WOW what a difference in the trigger.

Yup, if the OP can find an M&P with an Apex trigger to try, he may find the answer to his question.

 

[retirednak]

I own an XD 45 and also bought the XD 9. I bought the M&P and sold it after shooting about 50 rounds through it. For me it wasn't a comfortable fit. I also owned a Glock 30 for a short time as well,same thing as far as fit went. I would recommend finding a range that rents hand guns and try before you buy. You might even find someone at a range that would allow you to try his gun out for the price of the ammo,or post a flier at the range.

 

[hornett22]

H&K is the best in my opinion. I sold one a few years ago and have regretted it since. I have a service model XD in 45 and I love it too but I like an exposed hammer like the H&K.

Never cared for the feel of a Glock but no one can deny they are a great gun. I like the feel of the M&P but I have never shot one. The FN FNP feels great and the trigger on it is fantastic!! Right up there with the H&K.

I will buy another polymer gun in 45 .The question is just when. There is a gun show this weekend................................

 

[MI .45]

I have a Beretta PX4 Storm in .45. It's my regular carry. I also like the fact that it has the 3 different backstraps that can tailor the grip to individual hands. Has been 100% reliable with lots of rounds through it. It does have a little bit of the circular recoil that another member mentioned but that has not been a problem. FWIW

 

[JSDinTexas]

I have the opposite problem. My Glock 20 is rather comfortable to shoot. The Glock 21 is a beast. That may be due to the 230 gr HP/XTP +P ammo that I carry.

First time I've read anyone saying they find the G20 comfortable, but I can't disagree, you may be right. I use one for hunting with Win Silvertip - reason I don't carry it is target reacquisition takes longer for me (not so with all the .40s and .45 Glocks). I just got some Win 230 +P, we'll see how that feels. :biggrin:

 

[Punch]

First time I've read anyone saying they find the G20 comfortable, but I can't disagree, you may be right. I use one for hunting with Win Silvertip - reason I don't carry it is target reacquisition takes longer for me (not so with all the .40s and .45 Glocks). I just got some Win 230 +P, we'll see how that feels. :biggrin:

Yes, there are so many variables. My son fired both the Glock20 and the Glock21 last weekend and he had the same experience that I did. He liked the 10mm but found the .45 punishing. I am guessing that it has a lot to do with the way the guns recoil. I find that the high velocity 10mm tends to push back more rather than lift. The +P .45 (Heavy 230 grain) tends to move up and twist. The .45 load has a higher power factor (m*v) than the 10mm loads that I am using, and this often corresponds to recoil. However, the difference in power factor is not so much that I should feel it as much as I do. I am with you, I had never heard the term "comfortable" used in conjunction with the 10mm. I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised when I first shot my Glock20.

 

[JSDinTexas]

One interesting phrase you use is the gun seems to push back instead of recoil and I have experienced that as well - partially due to the low bore axis I believe. Guess I'll have to pull out my 20 and 21sf and give them another evaluation. A good excuse to do some more shooting. :biggrin: