The Down Range Forum
Member Section => Handguns => Topic started by: sonneborn3 on February 22, 2009, 08:23:30 PM
-
Hello, I am a newbie, and I am looking at getting an auto loader pistol in the near future, and I am wanting one that is American made and a .45 cal. Which firearms are still made in the USA? Thanks.
-
Many are:
Smith and Wesson
Ruger
Even Hi Point
What do you want it for, what type of action, and what is your price range?
-
Hello, I am a newbie, and I am looking at getting an auto loader pistol in the near future, and I am wanting one that is American made and a .45 cal. Which firearms are still made in the USA? Thanks.
Para is soon to be, if not already, moving from Canada, eh?
S&W, Springfield (kinda, the XD is made in Croatia), - drawing a blank, help here?
-
Many are:
Smith and Wesson
Ruger
Even Hi Point
What do you want it for, what type of action, and what is your price range?
Welcome sonneborn3, I am a S&W fan, but there are many available here in the good ol' US.
Nothing wrong with the "others" the Glockmeisters will attest,....
Post some more info on your specifics and the answer could be easier.
My .02 cents? Get a S&W M+P .45.
-
With this economy, I would rather keep my dollars in the USA, It will be for home defense, and target shooting. In Hellinois, we don't have concealed carry, so compactness is not that big of an issue. I would like to have a decent capacity though. I would like to stay around $500 or less.
Are Glock's really that good? Just wondering...might be an option.
-
But a bill is moving through the state house for concealed carry. If passed, Wisconsin would be the only non-carry state. S&W, Para are good. I believe Sig makes their 1911/P220 here in the states but you'd have to confirm that
-
I certainly hope we get concealed carry passed here.
-
Kimber, Yonkers New York
-
Kimber, Yonkers New York
Kimber's are sweet, but out of my price range.
-
I picked up a Kimber custom TLE II for $500. Keep an eye out for deals and let people know you are in
the market. You never know what might pop up and after hanging around in my buddies shop I have
seen people part with their guns for a fraction of their worth.
I'm partial to the S&W M&P over Glock. To each their own.
Para's still tops though.
-
Glock assembles their guns in Georgia (peachy)
FNH makes alot of their guns in the USA as well (not sure if all of their handguns currently are). They have one plant in South Carolina
-
I would like to stay around $500 or less.
Are Glock's really that good?
Yes, they are. And they are right within your $500 budget.
-
Where is that new Taurus Judge made? looks interesting...
-
Taurus is based in Brazil...
-
Keep it real local and buy a Springfield 1911. Their based out of Illinois...
A GI model will run you about 500 bucks brand new but have it deburred, they can be a little rough around the edges...
-
Certain Beretta models are built in MD. (92/96s, Cheetah, and Tomcat) The PX series was(is, not sure of currently) partially built in Italy then sent to MD for assembly, just like the Glocks.
-
The last Springfield Armory GI .45 I looked at was made in Brazil by Imbel.
-
Although I'm sure they don't let it effect their quality, Springfield's XD's are made in Croatia. While their 1911 are American. Weird.
-
Sig, Exeter NH, Ruger NH and AZ, S&W Ma, FNUSA Md, Berreta Va. Colt Conn, Para USA Fl, Those are the major ones I can think of off the top of my head. You will notice that Springfield Armory is not on the list, many if not all of their pistols are made out side the US.
-
Thanks everyone for all the information!
-
Welcome, I am from Hellinois also, Just south of Champaign.
Glock are good, I have several, as said before they are assembled in the U.S.
-
I am southwest of Springfield. You going to IGOLD, this year? I'll be there for sure!
Welcome, I am from Hellinois also, Just south of Champaign.
Glock are good, I have several, as said before they are assembled in the U.S.
-
I am southwest of Springfield. You going to IGOLD, this year? I'll be there for sure!
No, I think its on the 11th and I will be taking my wife to the doc that day(poor planing on my part). I have talked to both my reps, one by phone the other face to face. I made my feeling very clear. Both seamed supportive, one even co-sponsored one of the concealed carry bills ;D
-
Where is that new Taurus Judge made? looks interesting...
I'll admit to being a Glock guy, here's my take on the Judge.
I was giving "THE JUDGE" ( feels manly, don't it) some thought. Then reailty hit.
1) The fact that anything less 000 buck is going to give you one of three things
A. A pissed off BG picking birdshot out of his chest (don't even talk about headshots in an OH CRAP!! scenario)
B. A blind plaintiff testifying against you later in the lawsuit.
C. A LOT of shot, each of which you are responsible for, going God knows where.
2) In 2 1/2" you only get three pellets with the buck shot and beyond 10-15' these disperse very rapidly out of a rifled barrel. Yes, they're .36 calibre, but still have a lot less oomph than a bullet of anything from .32 on up.
3) The .45 Colt is nice, but the gap between the cylinder and barrel, plus the shot friendly rifling has to degrade accuracy.
4) The thing is as big as a house. Unless you weigh three hundred pounds you can't conceal it. If I'm going to use it in the house, I'd rather have 18 rounds of 9mm from my Glock than 6 of any kind of .410.
5) If you're hooked on shot for ccw, get a Bond Arms SnakeSlayer derringer. Theyre only 2 shots, but they take 3" 000, as well a the.45 Colt. They're built like a tank, have interchangeable barrels, and ride invisibly in your jeans. I have one in .357 and it shoots (with a little practice), about 4" at 10 yds. I'm sure the .45 .410 will do as well. Check out their site at www.bondarms.com
For a fair evaluation of the judge and a lot of other cool objective tests of firearms go to www.boxotruth.com. Its a great site and they put a gun through its paces.
Personally, I said thanks, but no thanks to THE JUDGE.
fightingquaker13
-
Yes but as previously pointed out....you might have a bunch of watermelons that need killin'
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GDOPPwoU54c ;D
-
Quaker,
You need to do some more investigating on the actualities of the gun (BTW it comes in a 3" now). There are many articles, vids and first hand experience with the Judge posted right here on this forum.
Concealed carry? Nope, and was never intended for that. GREAT car or house gun, yep. Accuracy better that you think even with the .45 and 7.5 bird shot at ten feet is lethal. Remember 1 " spread for ever yard traveled.
-
I'd rather depend on a .32 or even a .25 auto. It was a gimmick when T/C came out with it in the 80's and as a revolver it's still a gimmick. it fills the role of small shotgun and major caliber pistol, and does both poorly.
-
I think it makes one hell of a snake/critter gun when fishing and such. Good ATV or truck gun too.......IMO.
-
I Like this one and you could get it for less then list, http://www.ruger.com/Firearms/FAProdView?model=6647&return=Y
and this one for fun and targets , http://www.ruger.com/Firearms/FAProdResults?function=famid&famid=19&variation=.45%20Colt%20/%20.45%20Auto%20Convertible&bct=Yes&type=Revolver
-
Quaker,
You need to do some more investigating on the actualities of the gun (BTW it comes in a 3" now). There are many articles, vids and first hand experience with the Judge posted right here on this forum.
Concealed carry? Nope, and was never intended for that. GREAT car or house gun, yep. Accuracy better that you think even with the .45 and 7.5 bird shot at ten feet is lethal. Remember 1 " spread for ever yard traveled.
Haz
Here's some cat nip for you. The .410 is great for quail, if you're a good wing shot, home defense, not so much. Instead of arguing I will refer you, and hopefully many others to one of the most useful, no BS gun sites on the web. Its www.theboxotruth.com This guy builds a simulation of dry wall, brick, car doors etc,and sees what will pop 4 water jugs (equivelent o the FBI's 12" of penetration standard). The tests range frlom the usefull to the absurd (shades of Letterman's "will it float"), but its all straight up. My low opinion of the Judge, both as concept and in execution was born out. Check out this link and let me know what you think. http://www.theboxotruth.com/docs/bot41.htm
fightingquaker13
Subscribe to the TBOT Newsletter to know when we update the website!
-
I just don't like them. Call it what it really is, a multi caliber horse pistol. As for snakes you can get "rat shot in pretty much any caliber without a 3" cylinder.
Clays at close range it might be fun though. ;D
-
I just don't like them. Call it what it really is, a multi caliber horse pistol. As for snakes you can get "rat shot in pretty much any caliber without a 3" cylinder.
Clays at close range it might be fun though. ;D
There's actually a clip on youtube of a couple of champion clay shooters doing this, all 25 shots. I did't feel even a little indaquate, nope not at all.
fightingquaker13
-
I should clarify...I don't own one (Judge) and probably never will....too many others higher on the list.
At self defense ranges, if you bust a SOB in the chest or head area with four 00 Buck pellets or a .45 LC from any gun, the JUDGE included, it should make for a crappy day for that person.
Would I prefer it over my 1911 .45 ACP? Hell No.
Would I prefer it over my NAA .22 LR mini-gun? Hell yeah.
All that being said, below are my (.44 Super Blackhawks) personal choices for snakes and outdoor 'country-style' pests........
(Pssst.....hey....the middle one is my favorite....and it is a hell of a mule with 280gr Cor-Bon JHP's at 1400 fps).. :D
-
3" loads of buckshot are a lot more powerful than 2-1/2" loads. It's about like the difference between a .38 Spl and a .357 Mag. The 3" Judge with 5 pellets of 000 Buck would ruin anyone's day. 5 holes should bleed more than 1 bullet hole too. 3" birdshot loads are more powerful than 2-1/2" ones too. I think Maximum loads of #4 birdshot would would hurt even if it doesn't penetrate much. It goes right through soup cans so It should penetrate skin. :)
The 5 1/2" .45 Colt/.45 Auto Blackhawk has been in my top 10 list of guns to buy for about a decade, but I just haven't been buying many guns. I'll probably get a .44 Mag instead. Ruger's centerfire automatics are staring to look good too nowadays but I don't think I'll get any. I do love my 2 .22 pistols and 10/22. They take a licking and keep on ticking for decades.
-
Always liked Ruger revolvers.
-
Bisley grip frame on the bottom one?
-
looks like a modified Super Blackhawk grip frame to me, it has the squared trigger guard
-
looks like a modified Super Blackhawk grip frame to me, it has the squared trigger guard
But the grips are rounded and the frame looks to be stainless (could be the lighting)
-
Bisley grip frame on the bottom one?
looks like a modified Super Blackhawk grip frame to me, it has the squared trigger guard
But the grips are rounded and the frame looks to be stainless (could be the lighting)
I might have figured you two would notice the difference......... ;)
It is a Super Blackhawk (all of them are).
I call it my hybrid grip frame......a cross between stock and a Bisley......... ;D
The frame looks like stainless but it is the factory blued steel frame. It is silver now from the reshaping and polishing work I did to it a few years back. I have not messed with it in a while though (lazy I guess). When I'm done with the metal work I'll re-blue it. I've always been a sucker for the blued steel guns.
Next I want to reshape the trigger guard to a rounded one. I love the gun but hate those squared trigger guards (what was Ruger thinking?)
I've slicked up the factory guts, (it's a heck of a shooter) but now I have considered starting over with one of those kits to give it the extra click when cocking, and free spinning cylinder for loading. I'm also thinking of going to a 5 1/2 ' barrel.
It is an ongoing work in progress so please don't judge it by the grip panels that are on there now (ugly as a train wreck, but they do feel good in the hand). They are temporary until I can find some nice curly maple.
-
Thought you got the cylinder to spin free by putting it on half cock ? I could be wrong, got rid of mine about 25 years ago.
-
Thought you got the cylinder to spin free by putting it on half cock ? I could be wrong, got rid of mine about 25 years ago.
New Model Super Blackhawks don't have a half-cock, but you can get an aftermarket kit that gives them one and also allows the cylinder to spin in either direction.
-
FNH makes firearms in the good ole U.S of A,i should be picking up my nib FNP 45 by the end of next week. ;D