FN Herstal Firearms banner

FNX.45 or 1911

38K views 33 replies 24 participants last post by  kodiakpb 
#1 ·
I'm looking into picking up a .45 and have been mulling over the options. Of course the FNX and FNS come to mind so that is one choice; the other is a good old fashion 1911. I've not shot either of the FN pistols but I did like the trigger feel when I was in the store. There is an FNX available right now for $699 with a fourth mag free with purchase.

lots of manufacturers to choose from in the 1911 category and a lot of different price points. The other option, and not too likely was the Sig Scorpion 4" barrel but it may be too pricey for me.

What do you think I should do?
 
#26 ·
#3 ·
Kinda depends on what you want to do with it. I have an FNX-45 and a couple of 1911's, including a very accurate Range Officer. Really hard to go wrong with either. Some 1911's are a little finicky. Some are not. You don't want finicky in a SD handgun. I really like the option of carrying 16 rounds of .45 in a gun, but it is not as flat as a 1911.
 
#4 ·
Great points, these exact things crossed my mind, plus the Range Officer was the top of the list, it's price point was comparable with the FNX. Is the RO a finicky 1911? And yeah, a 15 round .45acp is pretty appealing next to the 7+1 1911 mag. Yeah, the FNX is thick but I don't think I'd use either as my ccw sidearm; I carry a G27 for that; if I went .45 for ccw I'd consider the XDS. Every firearm I buy an SD sidearm, concealed or otherwise.
 
#6 ·
My recommendation is the fnx. Fnx shoots like a soft 9mm. Great well balanced handgun. 15 round capacity. Perfect for home defense. The 4th mag is free with purchase of an already nicely priced brand new fnx45. Can't go wrong my friend.
 
#7 · (Edited)
Sorry for the length in advance. The RA 1911s are solid guns. Also some 1911s need to be taken to a gun shop to be cleaned up after the "break in" period. In my opinion I would go after a Springfield, Remington, or an SR1911 as my 1st. No true reason, just my preference.

I would get both too. I was saving up for a 1911 when an AR15 crossed my path.

I've shot both and here's my pros and cons about both:

1911

Pros:
Great trigger, lots and lots of aftermarket parts, slim design, full metal make up (some like that), handles recoil very well

Cons:
More difficult to break down, more parts to clean, limited mag capacity

FNX 45

Pros:
High mag capacity, handles recoil great, easy maintenance, feeds all kinds of ammo with no problems, has a rail system

Cons:
Not a lot of aftermarket products, magazines come at a premium, could be the biggest 45 known to man
 
#10 · (Edited)
lots of manufacturers to choose from in the 1911 category and a lot of different price points. The other option, and not too likely was the Sig Scorpion 4" barrel but it may be too pricey for me.

What do you think I should do?
You've got a lot of options, and it really boils down to personal preference. Personally, I'd go with a quality 1911. I have and quite enjoy the full size Sig Scorpion, and would recommend it to anyone. It's meaty enough to control any .45 round I've put through it, while slim enough to make an excellent carry gun. Mags are plentiful, relatively cheap, and you've got a variety to choose from. In my mind, it makes the better carry gun. That said, I recognize that the 1911 isn't for everyone. Capacity is going to be the big selling point here for the FN's.

Oh, and since everybody loves gun porn:

 
#11 ·
The FNX-45 is a reliable, soft-shooting and high capacity. I moved mine the position of primary house gun.

The 1911 is a classic. Some are finicky, some are not. I've been lucky with mine and they run well. They do need a bit more attention when it comes to cleaning and lube.

Honestly, for me, both is the answer. As much as I love my FNX, I couldn't imagine not owning a 1911.

Here's my lineup:


 
  • Like
Reactions: Kev and LESTER
#15 ·
If its a nightstand (HD) or just range gun, go FN. Cant beat capacity and you don't have to worry about hiding the thing in CC. If its going to be a carry option at all go with 1911 for slimmer profile. My $0.02.
 
#16 ·
A WELL MADE and tuned 1911 is going to be the best bet. But they come at a costi had multiple 1911s until I discovered dan Wesson. There 1911s are the closest you can come to custom before you spend the big bucks. All parts are hand fitted and even though they are production guns most ppl still consider them as a "semi custom" 1911. I have the DW valor full govt size and when I got my fnx +rmr I shot it a bunch and it is an amazing gun but I always find myself coming back to my 1911. True the 1911 is harder to disassemble but the all metal parts I'm not worried about breaking some small piece of bending something the wrong way and once you learn it its not that big of a deal. The fnx is a fantastic gun and is accurate as hell. I never thought I would find a plastic gun that shoots as well as my DW but the fnx comes mighty close and it may just be the fact I have much more training behind the 1911 then the fnx. Only thing I don't like about almost any FN product is lack of aftermarket support. Yeah you can find mags if you wait long enough and jump on them as soon as you get the notify email. Also I don't think any other pistol design can come close to the level of trigger crispness and break that a 1911 can have. But not all 1911 have a great trigger but any competent gunsmith can turn your 1911 into a work of art (at a cost). Fnx is a good gun and I'm glad I bought it but if I had to choose just one gun to own (glad I'm not in a position I do) it would be 1911.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
 
#17 ·
All I can say is that my RO is not finicky. I own and carry both guns. If you carry a 1911, it is definitely wise to carry an extra mag or two. I can shoot the FNX45 almost as good as the RO. For a CC gun you need one that is completely reliable with your carry ammo......whatever you choose.
 
#18 ·
It's all going to come down to personal preference. I love my FNX-45 but personally, nothing beats a 1911. For me, nothing feels better then shooting a 1911. I don't know if you have the opportunity to shoot a quality 1911 but if you do, try it out and then see what you want to get.

If you really are torn between the two, you need to shoot each one and then make your decision.
 
#19 ·
I'm looking into picking up a .45 and have been mulling over the options. Of course the FNX and FNS come to mind so that is one choice; the other is a good old fashion 1911. I've not shot either of the FN pistols but I did like the trigger feel when I was in the store. There is an FNX available right now for $699 with a fourth mag free with purchase.

lots of manufacturers to choose from in the 1911 category and a lot of different price points. The other option, and not too likely was the Sig Scorpion 4" barrel but it may be too pricey for me.

What do you think I should do?
My first pistol was a Sig Scorpion Carry. I loved it, modified it, and was extreamly happy with it. Then one day I shot a FNX 45. I never picked up the scorpion again so I sold it. I think it's like going from a 60's muscle car to a new Porsche or something. Both are awesome at what they do but it's preferance as well as the difference of what time has done to the world. FNX seems smoother than my amazing 1911 trigger job and just more user friendly. Plus you get twice as much firepower with the FNX.
 
#20 ·
I competed with 1911s for years. I used to be a diehard 1911 fan. They are one of the best gun designs ever. Having said all of that, I just sold my last 1911. It was a Springfield TRP in Armory Kote.

Now I just have my FNX Tactical. Life is too short to waste it reloading!
 
#21 ·
I've got both, like a lot of guys here, love them both. They are different guns, so you're going to have to decide what fits your idea of the perfect gun. For me, 15+1 is worth a lot and the FNX shoots very soft by comparison to a 1911. Both are accurate. IMO, the FNX is a bad ass gun, way cooler than a 1911. In the end, you need to decide for yourself.
 
#29 ·
I believe the 30S is the latest and greatest Glock 45 Subcompact. It was introduced at this year's shotshow. It is 3.5 ounces lighter than the G30 Gen 4. 10+1 rounds.

 
#30 ·
#32 ·
Bought my Para Ordnance Big Hawg (14 round, aluminum frame, 5 ounces lighter than an FNX) shortly after the election in 2008 when prices were going through the roof.

The problem came when I wanted to upgrade, took nearly as much money to get new sights installed and the gun refinished.

I would buy an FNX, but some things hold me back. I have the 1911 where I want it, I worry about accidentally decocking the FNX while taking it off safe, the trigger didn't feel as good when I tried it and I now live in a state which has 10 round limit on magazines.
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top