[wondering]

I currently carry a G26 and have a Beretta 96 bedside for HD. I'm looking at selling the Beretta and joining the ranks of the .45 ACP world. I am in the very early stages so I'm sure I'll be bugging the forum a lot with questions.

I have three scenarios. 1) a G30 that would allow me to carry .45 and I would keep it bedside for HD as well. Is it feasible to depend on a subcompact for HD? I may consider a XDs, but I'm already in the Glock family and I feel that I can carry a G30 comfortably (I've had success carrying the G26), so why sacrifice capacity? and I've heard that the G30 shoots like a dream.

2) a full size .45 for HD bedside use. I'm thinking maybe a S&W M&P, but am looking for recommendations for a good full-size .45. I think rather than going with a full-size Glock I'd get the G30 and have it as a carry option as well. But if there truly is a fullsize .45 that is not a 1911 that I should consider, I'd love to hear about it.

3) taking the plunge into a 1911. My concerns for this are price (I would like to keep it around $600 or so) and dependability. I've read the threads and feel like a 1911 has a bit of a learning curve. I've fired a 1911 but don't have much experience with them. How easy is it to overcome that and become proficient enough to depend on it for HD. Also, another drawback is the capacity of the typical 1911 (though that's a question I need to resolve with myself if I'm comfortable with it). Are there any good 1911's that are affordable yet reliable enough for HD?

Failing advice on that...just give me money so I can just get the G30 and a 1911....

Thanks in advance!

 

[OldVet]

I would recommend the G30. When at home, I insert a Glock 21 mag so that I have all the capacity of a full-size .45 without the bulk. And yeah, it shoots pretty sweet also. You already have a G26, so there's nothing new to learn.

 

[AK_Brian]

1) Any gun is good for home defense compared to nothing - a subcompact G30 is better than nothing, but if you have other options I'd -personally- put them ahead of a subcompact for HD. Again, personal opinion.

2) If you start looking for full size you have a lot more options. The M&P, Glocks, and XD's are all great .45 striker-poly's. Of the three, I'd lean towards the XD or Glock, but that is only because of previous familiarity with them. If you can try them all first, that kind of answers everything.

3) You can't go wrong with a good 1911, but if you are new to them they are going to seem wildly different than the simplicity that is most striker poly's. Also, even though I love my Para 1911, it's mostly because it's a P14 and I gained high-capacity. While I'm working on getting your standard 7+1 soon from a supplier that another member recommended (thanks for that btw! - I'm just waiting on them getting the type I want since it's normally not listed) I don't think I'd go with any 8 rounds of .45 when I can get more out of other makes for HD. Beyond that there is a lot to be said about having a somewhat consistent experience between guns (striker vs hammer).

I wish I could toss you money, but I need it for my guns


edit: Just saw OldVet's advice, and that's a good point. A G30 would give you smaller profile carry, but let you still go high-cap when you are at home.

 

[BigJon10125]

A lot is preference. I carry a 1911, carried an LC9 always have a j frame. I want an MnP 45c as well as another carry option. I would say for your price a Glock, that you are interested in 30, is probably a safe bet. You can carry full sixe, lots of people do. I have considered a full size 1911 (currently have commander for carry). It can be done. The price is the issue for me. I would rather get a good reliable gun that is top of its game (glock Mnp) than a 1911 that has much more potential for a higher price.

Good luck! Where exactly do you think you will be finding these guns you speak of anytime soon? j/k

 

[mwhartman]

I have a G 36 and two 1911's. The 36 is easy to carry and shoots well. I carry the Colt commander is the colder weather and it shoots very well.

I think the G 30 would be an excellent choice.

In my area, the Glocks, M&P's etc are difficult to fine. The 1911's are more plentiful at this time. How is the supply in your area?

 

[WHEC724]

I would recommend the G30. When at home, I insert a Glock 21 mag so that I have all the capacity of a full-size .45 without the bulk. And yeah, it shoots pretty sweet also. You already have a G26, so there's nothing new to learn.

I'll second this recommendation, as I do the same. It's as accurate as my best 1911.

 

[1MoreGoodGuy]

The G30 is a good gun, so is the XD-s.

It's not in the price range you mentioned but the Colt Defender is a really nice gun and conceals very easily.

 

[zonker1986]

I would recommend the G30. When at home, I insert a Glock 21 mag so that I have all the capacity of a full-size .45 without the bulk. And yeah, it shoots pretty sweet also. You already have a G26, so there's nothing new to learn.

agree 100% with this advice. All I might add is that you get a couple of A&G grip extenders for the G21 mags. Got mine off TopGun Supply. Turns your G30 into a G21 with just a change of a mag.

 

[R040607]

You will NEVER be disappointed with a 1911. Even the Glockfans will concede that; they will only argue that the simplicity and reliability, as well as the inferior trigger-pull, push the defense-use argument to their favor. But be careful to buy a quality 1911 if you go that route. If you skimp there, they may be right. And you cannot compromise with your life.

...and on the argument of "No Compromise", you should SERIOUSLY consider a used HK45 or USP45. The quality is unmatched. The reliability is as well. They provide second-strike capability, something striker-fired pistols do not. All of that on top of phenomenal ergonomics.

 

[xXxplosive]

Here we go.......as an owner of a G30sf and a few 1911's.......for home defense......IMO.....it's the G21sf......that's it.

 

[IsaiahM33]

As the owner of 1911's and Glock's, go with a Glock 30 or 21 for the reasons already stated. I go 1911 but it doesn't sound like you'd be very open to that.

 

[archer51]

While your looking at full size, look at the CZ97.

 

[sensei2]

Glock has a new G30 variant - the G30S, which mates the original 30 frame with the narrower slide of the G36.

if you're going to CC the gun, look into this more concealable version.

one gunwriter/cop Mas Ayoob, says he shoots the 30 extremely well, and he considers it more accurate than the larger versions. don't hesitate to carry/use the 30 or 30S as a primary carry or home defense gun. i believe the 30 will accept the longer, higher capacity G21 magazines if you want more rounds in the gun.

as for full-size 45's around $600: consider the S&W M&P's. only Rock Island Armory, IMO, offers a 1911 around this price that's worth considering. even the Ruger and Remington versions are more costly. i'd skip the Taurus 1911 (just my prejudice). since your hands are large enough to operate a Beretta 96, you might look into a used H&K USP .45 or a used Sig P220.

 

[DSRTEAGLE357]

just get the g30 already.

 

[matthew03]

Let me just add that you shouldn't overlook the 1911 as a carry gun, although it is heavier than other options it is remarkably slim and that creates a very concealable weapon, even in it's full sized Government iteration. With a sturdy gun belt and good holster the 1911 is a dream to carry. On board ammo capacity never bothered me, when you weigh capacity against that completely shootable and sweet trigger you will understand. Carry extra mags and practice your speed reloads. Oh, and did I forget to mention how classy they are?

 

[GoPackman]

JMHO, and I've stated this in other posts being an old fart and all, a .45ACP means 1911 to me.

 

[mkh]

For a full size .45 it is hard to beat a Sig P220. Used they go in the $600 range.

That being said my next .45 if I decide to get back to that caliber will be another G21 pr G30 with the larger capacity 21 mags. My biggest issue with the .45 is that most of the guns don't carry enough ammo to put them not my comfort zone unless you carry several mags.

 

[Fitch]

The Glock 30 at 10+1 has a rail for a light and more ammo capacity than a 1911 at 8+1. A Glock 30 with a Glock 21 magazine in it for HD is 13+1 or 156% of the capacity of a 1911. Pay lots less, get more. what's to not like? There are no style points in home defense. Just target identification (rail light), shot placement (night sights and practice) and enough ammo in the gun (13+1) to deal with 3 or 4 invaders with out having to sleep with extra mags clipped to your PJs.

The Glock 30 is a sweet gun to shoot, and remarkably accurate. My Glock 30 ($580.00) actually groups better than my SIG C3 1911 ($1,200) and the capacity difference is profound. A Glock 30S with a couple of G21 mags for night time HD use is an incredibly capable weapon for about half the price of a 1911 that has less capacity.

Bottom line, you can get the G30S, 2 extra G21 mags for HD, a nice TLR1 rail light, a couple of holsters, and still have two or three hundred dollars less invested than for a 1911 that won't do as much.

I like my SIG C3, it isn't going anyplace, but it will never be in the night stand for home defense as long as the G30, G19, or G17 are around - they are all superior to it for Home Defense.

Fitch

 

[Aiko]

So many great choices, sticking with the Glock makes a lot of sense-especially for HD. i picked up my first .45 last year-HK usp i have two Glocks (26 and 19). As far as shooting the .45 it may be the round or the gun but i am far more accurate with my .45 than my other 4 pistols-including an HK usp 9mm. You can prolly a new one for a bit more than your budget or a gently used one @ $600 for sure.

 

[wsquared]

You will NEVER be disappointed with a 1911. Even the Glockfans will concede that; they will only argue that the simplicity and reliability, as well as the inferior trigger-pull, push the defense-use argument to their favor. But be careful to buy a quality 1911 if you go that route. If you skimp there, they may be right. And you cannot compromise with your life.

...and on the argument of "No Compromise", you should SERIOUSLY consider a used HK45 or USP45. The quality is unmatched. The reliability is as well. They provide second-strike capability, something striker-fired pistols do not. All of that on top of phenomenal ergonomics.

+1 oh the HK's. For the following reasons:

#1. It doesn't matter which company you are a Fanboy of....the honest truth is that in terms of reliability, H+K is equal to or better than anything on the market.

#2. Both the USP and the HK45 are available in full size and "about the same as a Glock 19" size. Lots of options.

#3. Both the USP and the HK45 can be run "cocked and locked" like a 1911. Or you can run them DA/SA like a Sig. Or you can get them with an LEM trigger and have no external safety and the same trigger pull every single time. YOU get to decide how you'd like to run your gun.

#4. Regardless of what trigger setup you choose, you will have second strike capability.

#5. For my hand, the ergonomics on the USP compact are simply great....and on the full-sized HK45, they are the best that I have ever tried. But that's my paw...your mileage may vary.

The downside is price. They are generally comparable in price to a good quality factory 1911 - somewhere around $1000 new. You can get used USP's for $600 to $700 - and if you're going to buy a used gun, H&K should be at the top of your "it's built like a tank, so the last owner just broke it in for me" list.