.45
 

It occurred to me today that I might like to have a modern .45 auto pistol for shooting, with the same grip angle as a Luger.

Anyone have any ideas?

--Dwight

p.s. I don't mean a Martz, Krausewerk, or Wyatt/Imthurm...

they don't have the same grip angle as a luger, least not colts and clones...

maybe a ugly glock or the like?

Dwight,

seems like a good idea to me

try google search with pardini 45

ex
http://www.cabelas.com/gun-inventory...gt45-dun.shtml
or
http://www.pardini.it/weapon/ips_and_defence.htm

grip angle looks good

Bill

The grip angle is slightly less, but I've been very happy with my Kimber.

FN

Dwight,

First, the bad news: The Luger grip angle is unique in that outside of the old Whitney, now defunct, made in Connecticut, its grip angle is several degrees more than any modern pistol.

But there are several fine .45ACP pistols out there. Again, you have a basic choice:

1. The Browning patented 1911 design pretty much dominates and there are many manufacturers like Kimber, Les Baer, and many more out there who build fine guns and they are available new and used at any gun show.

2. The other design out there is also "later Browning" in concept, although really further developed and exploited by people like Sig, Glock, FN, Walther, HK, etc. Main difference lies in barrel (no bushing) and recoil mechanism. Some say Browning and others learned from the 1911 design and made it better, easier to maintain, etc. I happen to like the Sig P220 which is on the big side, like the 1911 but it works well , reliable as hell and is accurate. H and K is also good. Used both as well as the 1911A1 in a former life. Again, widely available at varying prices, new and used, all over the place

But, as you know, guns are very personal. If it feels good for you and does the job, it is the right gun, period.

John

How about a decent revolver in a .45 calibre?

Vlim,

As for .45 ACP, the only revolvers I am aware of are the M1917 Colt and S&W, and the .455 Webleys with the cylinder cut for .45 ACP. I have a Webley Mk. VI cut for .45 ACP that I like very much: smooth, light trigger pull for a double action and very good accuracy. I load .45 Auto Rim cases with .455 bullets using .455 Webley dies.

Of course there is an endless variety of .45 revolvers for other cartridges. On my wish list is the newly-manufactured Merwin Hulbert available in .45 Long Colt.
KFS

Ditto Karl,

I have a friend with a Mark IV. I would compare it favorably with the luger. Comfortable and points naturally. His is uncut, still a .455 Dunno where he gets the ammo?

He may be willing to sell it. Should I ask?

FN

Ah, before I forget it. It's a plastic thing which has nothing in common with Mauser but the name, but the Mauser M2 pistol is interesting enough to take a look at because of the name alone :)

Available in .40 and .45 IIRC.

http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l4...0/mauser_1.jpg

Fred,

Thanks. I would love a Mk. VI in original .455 but have too many guns as it is. Ammo is not a problem if you reload. Also sometimes available through places like OWS.
KFS

I have an old RCMP Colt New service, cut to .45 Colt. Big gun, fills your hand and then some. Fun to shoot once I got the mainspring turned down a bit - my wife callls it the "Dick Tracey" gun. Those old M1917 .45 ACP models used to be cheap, not any more...

H

I vote for the Webley Mk. VI. Mine is in .45ACP; shoots reasonably accurate and half moon clips are really cheap...
dju

Since you guys have wandered off into revolver land, here is my candidate for pure shooting pleasure...it fits your hand like a glove and if you really want it, it can be found with a .45 ACP cylinder. Probably the only other hand gun with the instinctive pointing properties that makes a Luger such an outstanding shooter.

I'm beginning a search for a shooter S&W 1917 in order to keep it as a home defense gun. Can't figure out a better choice: double action, large bore, no risk of jam, good stopping power.

Douglas

With apologies to Dwight for hijacking his post, I have to agree with Ron; you can't beat the ole hog leg 45! Here are four of mine in 45 LC all with extra cylinders that will chamber 45 Auto & 45 AR:

Three screw Blackhawks. Almost as beautiful as a Luger.

Charlie

Douglas,
In addition to the advantages you list for a revolver in .45 ACP/Auto Rim, and .455 for home defense: double action, large bore, no risk of jam, good stopping power - there is the additional advantage of low velocity. I live in a neighborhood of old wooden bungalows, and I think it is possible that a high velocity round such as 9mm, 38 Special, etc. could make it clear through the walls of my house and, perhaps through a window, into a neighbor's house. These big, slow, heavy bullets do great harm at short range with less chance of collateral damage.
KFS

If you spend some time looking, or place a "wanted" ad on the forum, there are some spiffy .45 caliber conversions of standard 9mm P.08 Lugers by such gunsmith masters as Martz and Wyatt... they will satisfy your desire for a .45 with "Luger" grip angle!

Karl,

Another very good reason to chose the ol'1917.
Now it's time to look for a decent and reliable shooter. It may sounds itonic, but they are becoming difficult to find down here.

Douglas

Dwight,
I'll throw in the bit of heresy for all to chew on. I picked up a Para-Ordnance LDA-CCO as a trial carry gun/shooter last year and it's made me avery happy camper. Light trigger pull, double action .45 with a 3.5 inch barrel. Easy to handle, always ready without the 'cocked and locked' catch on your clothes concerns and a real tack driver at 50 feet. It's not very traditional for the 1911 collector, but it's a totally reliable every day carry gun and I do tote it around. Nothing is like a Luger from a natural aim standpoint, but the Para is a very comfortable piece.
Lyn