I disagree. I have a 1976 German made PPKS that has not missed a beat. I got it used and replaced all the springs and mag catch, stuffed 2000+ rounds of all sorts of ammo and no snags. PPKs were service sidearms for numerous military and police units across Europe. The Interarms US made ones had issues.

I've never had an AD with one, but I do know they are known to go off if you drop them on the nose.

that is exactly what happened.

Went to the range for the first time today, shot an SA XD40 and a Glock (forgot the number) .45. I really liked the Glock, but the grip probably could have fit my hand a bit better. I was shocked how little recoil it had, which I liked. The XD really popped each time I shot, I found myself anticipating the recoil before I pulled the trigger, which threw off my aim. So, I didn't like the XD all that much, the Glock felt good.

SO, based on what I felt today, what do you guys thing I would like in a gun? I need to go back and shoot something else, but I don't have a huge amount of time, and I can't shoot everything. My price range has jumped up to the $500 range, my inlaws and wife decided they were both going to throw in on it as a Christmas gift.

The Glock is indestructable. If you like it...that says it all.

You think that's my best bet? I liked it's shooting characteristics, but it didn't fit my hand nearly as well as some other guns.

If you have big hands, your pinkie will always dangle until you get into big frame guns like a 1911 or clones. Fit is important though. maybe you should shoot a few more to compare. You should be able to get into a 1911 / clone for $500.00 used. Have you shot the Sig or the big Beretta?

No, I would have liked to have shot more, but I just didn't have the time to rent anything else. I'd like something with a minimum amount of muzzle flip to it, I didn't care for that with the SA .40. I was really suprised how controlled the Glock .45 was. Is that a function of the caliber, or just the gun itself?

Also, my hands aren't all that big, but the Glock seemed very blocky. Other guns that I have held in stores have had much more ergonomic grips, much more comfortable to hold.

Glock is a fine pistol, and it generally requires absolutely no gunsmithing to make it "fire extinguisher" reliable right out of the box. No expensive tuning for defensive ammo.

Keep in mind that there are numerous Glock models, including some without the double column magazine, which reduces the grip width.
Glock Models. Glock slimline .45 ACP.

Actually, the Glocks on the site had different looking grips, much more contoured. The range gun I rented was most likely an older model, maybe they've updated the grips. I need to check some out at the store.

Another question, will going to a smaller gun introduce more flip to the recoil?

Another dumb question, what's the difference between .45 GAP and .45 Auto?

Going to a lighter gun with the same cartridge will increase felt recoil. Factors, in addition to gun weight are grip shape, hand size, and your body weight. A good compromise in stopping power, recoil, and magazine capacity is the .40 Smith & Wesson caliber. Less recoil than a .45 ACP, more power than a 9mm.

If you want to see how bad your flinch is, have someone load a magazine for you with one or two dummy rounds or snap caps. Put it in the gun, rack the slide back without looking at the chamber and then start shooting. When you come up with a dummy and you pull the trigger, you will see how much your hands jerk downward in anticipation of the bang. Learning to correct this will make a dead-on accurate shooter. Some guy at the NRA Range showed me that years ago and I promptly went home and made a few dummy rounds to mix in with my range ammo.

I flinched pretty good with the .40, just because I knew how bad it was going to flip up. The .45 recoil seemed much easier to control. Maybe I should just get one of each?:D

45 GAP is a shorter version of 45 ACP. It was designed to fit into the same basic frame as .40 S&W or 9mm. This allowed Glock to use similar components for it's GAP pistols. GAP = Glock Auto Pistol, ACP = Automatic Colt Pistol.

Is there a big difference in price or availability between the two .45 rounds?

Yes. GAP costs a lot more.

check out the prices at www.cheaperthan.dirt

use the ammo wizard. The selction is no where near as good for GAP as ACP.

Here are a few:

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=61617350

http://nas4.atlanta.gbhinc.com/GB/06...x699897829.jpg

And a very good deal:

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=61617348

http://nas4.atlanta.gbhinc.com/GB/06...x615111173.jpg

I've never heard of GAP ammo and I'm sure I've shot .45 ACP through someone's Glock at some time. Matt, if you buy .45 in bulk, it usually works out to around $10 per box of 50 rounds in 230 gr. FMJ. I buy from Georgia Arms and they have free shipping on orders of $500 or more. Under that and the shipping gets expensive. Also, a lot of bulk sellers come to guns shows, which is how I got my latest batch. If you do your own reloading, you can cut your costs WAY down, but it's time consuming. I think I'll start reloading again when I have kids and can make them work my assembly line.

Well I had to let the Remington Hepburn go..at 3250.00+ 15%. I gues it was consigned by the orginal owners decendents and came with a box of shooting/reloading tools. I just didn't have the gun in my hands nor have someone give me a good description of it. In paticular the bore.

However I am now a High Standard Collector.. I bought a Trophy, Victor and Citation all in new or near new condition (all Hamden,CT made). Also I picked up a NIB Beligum Browning HP with the Pouch for $590.00 out Z door.

A Barrett M82a went for $6200 with Springfield scope...thats an $8900 package...so there were some great deals to be had today.

C'mon Tabs, it's just money, right?