I have something to add and ask. I talked with my gunsmith today about a .45. I have a friend that has a Kimber and it's a sweet shooter. My question was on the Springfield Mil-Spec because I'm cost conscious but don't mind spending 5 bucks more if it gets a good result. He told me he's seen several SA's with broken pins and were made in the Phillipines. Para-Ordnance was his recommendation and are made in Canada. I'll have to wait for the next gunshow when I can hands on and feel the difference's. The only problem is finding all the available models!!! at 1 or 2 tables. My question is I'm torn between the Beretta 96 .40 S&W and a Mil-Spec .45. The .45 will have the most rounds available at the most ole' country stores. But I just plain like the Beretta. And no my wife doesn't support pistolmigamy!! I have to get them one atta time, spread out far enough she won't remember how much I spent on the last gun!

So, what do you recommend? Beretta 96 .40 S&W, Springfield .45 or Para-Ordnance .45?
3 Crows

I hear that Para-Ord's are prone to feeding problems. As good as the Beretta's are, I'd go with the Springfield. Because of you mentioning ammo availability. The Springfield is your best bet.


Walter30-06:cool:

I have the 96 and love it. It is quite a shooter. Funny though a 1911 is very high on my next gun list, with the springfield being one of the strong contenders. If you reload the 40 becomes real cheap to shoot. You really can't go wrong getting one first over the other.

Between the Beretta and the Springfield, you're really comparing apples to oranges so to speak.
I own a Beretta 92 that has NEVER had a malf. in the 15 years I have owned it.
My Springfield Stainless loaded 1911a1 is still working fine after owning it for 5 years now, again, not a single problem in reliablity, short of me forgetting to tighten my rear sight set screw.
I have owned now 2 .40 cal handguns:
A sig 229 [should have NEVER sold that one]
and currently onw a Walther P99 in 40.

Know that your choices are two fine guns, but are extremely different in function and operation.

If I had to tell you what to buy, it'd be tough....but I believe I'd steer ya towards the .45 :D

I've had a Beretta 96 Centurian for about 5yrs now with no malfunctions and trigger smooth as silk-I bought it used, and among its many qualities, I love how easy it is to disassemble and clean. I've never warmed to 1911s but heard they're more complicated to break down, maybe someone could speak to this. Tried a Springmilspec and didn't care for the trigger at all- do they always need tinkering out of the box, I don't know. But I own 2 S&W in 45acp, the 645 and 4583TSW, so you know my preference in 45s. Maybe you could shoot the handguns in question and make a decision from there. :D

My Para P-12 has been gone over extensively and it still has the occasional FTFeed when it gets dirty, even with ball. If you want a handgun that is 100% reliable out of the box with any type of ammo you can throw through it, and will be more accurate than you are for certain, look no further than the HK line of pistols. USP, USPC, P2000, P2000SK, SOCOM, you name it. Sure, they cost a little more, but you more than make up for the money spent by getting quality, right out of the box, and you won't have to spend another dime tweaking it to make it work the way it should. Before you buy, at least check out the HK pistols. Not that I am prejudice or anything... ;)

I have a P-12 as well, and the only feed problems I've had with it have been fixed by keeping the magazines clean. Also, it's only the high-capacity magazines that do this; the springs are noticeably weaker than the standard 10-round that came with it originally. I've had more than one gunsmith tell me that most jamming/feeding-related issues for any 1911 are cured by cleaning or replacing the magazine.

In response to the original question, I'm partial to the .45; I like shooting the bigger bullet. But the .40 is a lot easier to control, especially if you're using a light gun.

Get the SA Mil-Spec and never look back...i bought mine about 6 months ago and it impresses me more and more every time i shoot it...ive got about 2500 rounds though mine with zero problems.

I have something to add and ask. I talked with my gunsmith today about a .45. I have a friend that has a Kimber and it's a sweet shooter. My question was on the Springfield Mil-Spec because I'm cost conscious but don't mind spending 5 bucks more if it gets a good result. He told me he's seen several SA's with broken pins and were made in the Phillipines. Para-Ordnance was his recommendation and are made in Canada. I'll have to wait for the next gunshow when I can hands on and feel the difference's. The only problem is finding all the available models!!! at 1 or 2 tables. My question is I'm torn between the Beretta 96 .40 S&W and a Mil-Spec .45. The .45 will have the most rounds available at the most ole' country stores. But I just plain like the Beretta. And no my wife doesn't support pistolmigamy!! I have to get them one atta time, spread out far enough she won't remember how much I spent on the last gun!

So, what do you recommend? Beretta 96 .40 S&W, Springfield .45 or Para-Ordnance .45?
3 Crows

Before you buy anything in those calibers, take a long look at the new .45GAP! It's a available from Glock and, now Springfield. Performs like a .45ACP but packaged in a 9MM sized frame. Read all about it in the current issue of American Rifleman.

gunwriter

I think you can probably throw the whole "Ammo availability" argument right out the window. You're talking about two of the most common rounds for defense in the U.S., I can't imagine any gunshop carrying one but not the other. And there are so many different factory 40 rounds out there it'll make your head spin. Now if capacity is an issue, take the 40 and run. If eight rounds of 45 aren't enough, maybe you should skip to the next step and get a howitzer and some grenades.......... ;)

PJ

Thanks for the help. Well you know when you like the lines and style of a gun, like a car you look at whats under the hood. That big 350 Holley 4bbl or the 305 with fuel injection. They are both great and will get you down the road in a hurry but if I'm bivoauced in the hills I think Local Joe would be able to help more with 350 than the 305. So I'll take the 45 until I can convince the house I need a Beretta in 40 S&W!
I'm leaning toward the SA Mil-Spec. but the other night I rediscovered Dan Wesson. What do you think of this manufacturer?
Thanks again for all your help,
3 Crows

Rather than ammo availablilty I'd look at parts. You'll find a lot more parts and alot more gunsmiths for the gov.model than you will for the Beretta. Some time down the road you may want to do some custom work.