Hk($1,000) or sig p220 eltie($950)?  Leaning towards the hk!  Your thoughts?

I've shot both. You can't go wrong with either one. For me I would buy the one with the best feel and pointability <sp?> in my hand and has the features I really want.

For my taste I prefer the Sig. Have you looked at any of the 19911's out there?

Never looked into the 1911?  Should I jump into the 1911 45 if I'm spending that much money!

American Classic 45 Made in the PI $700

Awesome first 45. We got one to look at in the store...

A long time ago, when I was buying my first .45, I too was comparing the Sig and the HK (USP). I chose the Sig. I liked the trigger better and the fit and finish better. Now, It's the only gun I will not sell.

Never looked into the 1911?  Should I jump into the 1911 45 if I'm spending that much money!

I would determine what features you want before you look at 1911's. For instance the Sig is double action and the 1911 is single action with safety. Two totally different feature sets. Decide what you want first then look at the guns with those features. JMHO. 

A long time ago, when I was buying my first .45, I too was comparing the Sig and the HK (USP). I chose the Sig. I liked the trigger better and the fit and finish better. Now, It's the only gun I will not sell.

I will never sell my Sig either. Love the gun! 

Congratulations on your choice to buy a .45!  You'll never regret it.

Now, as far as selecting a platform, I've found what works best is to adopt one then blindly defend it every opportunity.  That being said, buy a 1911!!!  The 1911 is a perfect gun!! 

Ok, I got that out of my system. 

Have you shot the guns in question?  if not, find a way to do so!  The monthly LIFE funshoot is a perfect opportunity.  Odds are excellent that you'll be able to try out the Sig and the HK, as well as a variety of others you may not have considered (like a 1911).  Upcoming dates are Oct 28 & Nov 25.

Thanks for the replys!

+1 for the LIFE shoots.  There are a TON of firearms there, of every shape and size...

Springfield TRP?

I hear Colt 1911s are keepers.

Ok, I'll be the dissenter..... Go for the HK.
I bought a HK45 last year and couldn't be happier. The HK 45 is a true tack driver.   At the HDF shoots Im constantly impressed with the accuracy of this weapon.
The HK mag release is odd to get use to, but much faster than traditional mag releases once you have it down.
If you are in the market for a more modern combat pistol, then the HK45 is towards (if not top) the top of the list.
The ergo's of the HK melted in my hand and once I held it, it was a sale.

 1911's are nice, but a totally different platform. I will have a 1911 later, but not as a primary. I'm not too wild about the beaver tail and single stack capacity. But everyone should have a 1911.

SIG is also top notch, biggest difference being a metal versus polymer frame.  SIG will also outshoot most individuals capabilities. SIG is another brand I will have. In fact , a SIG 226 or MK25 will be my next pistol purchase (9mm).

I can go on and on, but that's my two cents.

Go to OGC, fondle everything on your list and let the ergonomics make the decision for you. If it doesn't feel right, who cares what everyone else has to say.

Good luck!

PS- Ill be at the next HDF shoot and you're welcome to shoot my HK45.

IMHO you should look at what you want to use the pistol for and make your decision based on that.

1911's are great, but it's not the best pistol to use for SD if it's your first autoloader.  Consider this...........lots of people make 1911's there's no set "milspec" that you would look at like you would an AR15.  So some will work better than others and parts are not always interchangeable.  Cost goes from well under $1,000 to nearly $3,000 if you look at Ed Brown, Les Baer, Wilson Combat.  If it's primarily for plinking, target shooting, etc. I'd suggest this.  Longer sight radius, better trigger will probably lead to better results.  Heavier weight (unless you go with aluminum frames) will generally mean less felt/perceived recoil.

Sigs (P220) are good out of the box.  The triggers are not going to be as good as the 1911, but definitely better than the HK.  If you are looking into SD, then I'd opt for this.  No safety, long double action trigger pull transitioning to a single action thereafter.  Of the three this is going to have the most felt/perceived recoil.

HK USP or 45.  Worst trigger of the three, but will still shoot well.  I personally think that my USP shoots softer than my P220 and P220 Elite, but not as soft as my 1911.  I shoot my USP better than my P220, can't say why, I just do.  I don't own a HK 45, so no comments on that other than when I shot my friend's I really hated that groove that is cut on the top of the trigger guard.  I hate it so much I'd rather shoot a USP than the newer 45.

Finally I would suggest looking at an M&P 45.  With the modular grip you can best fit your hand.  With a trigger kit, you can upgrade the trigger.  With a different spring you can tame out how snappy the stock pistol feels.

Best thing as others say is to shoot them.

Lifer............I love the HK mag release system.  One of the best out there.

There is a "mil spec" for 1911s as it was a govt gun. In addition, there were National Match specs for it as well versus none for the AR. I'd go 1911 or a Glock for its simplicity

I'm in the same boat.... After shooting my buddies hk usp 9mm I was pretty certain I wanted a hk45... Then yesterday I went to OGC and got to handle the sig 220 scorpion....now I'm not really sure..they are both around the same price... I own a few 1911's and that got me lovin the 45acp....another gun I'm really interested in is the fnp 45 tactical but that I can only find on gunbroker .... It seems pretty big too compared to the sig or hk.... Are hk 45 magazines hard to find?

I think I mite go with the sig scorpion even if the cerakote finish wears off easily

Look at the availability of parts and accessories available. Good guns have a following of tinkerers that want to make them better

Check Midway or Brownells and see how many after market parts are out there.

Check out actual shooting match results and see which guns are on top of the winners list.

If you are just after tacticool looks, then buy airsoft.

i wouldn't say that HK mags are hard to find
i will say that they are very expensive when you do find them
there are not any good aftermarket mags for hk, you should only buy factory ones

http://www.hkparts.net/shop/pc/HK-Pistol-Parts-c15.htm
http://www.hkpro.com/forum/cross-creek-guns/

I'm in the same boat.... After shooting my buddies hk usp 9mm I was pretty certain I wanted a hk45... Then yesterday I went to OGC and got to handle the sig 220 scorpion....now I'm not really sure..they are both around the same price... I own a few 1911's and that got me lovin the 45acp....another gun I'm really interested in is the fnp 45 tactical but that I can only find on gunbroker .... It seems pretty big too compared to the sig or hk.... Are hk 45 magazines hard to find?