Compact .45

Gr80Cakes

Gr80Cakes

Joined
Jun 6, 2010
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402
Handled a mock Compact Glock this weekend and it felt great. Not crazy about polymer guns, nor Glocks, but it's hard to argue with their lightweight and reliability, so I think it's finally time to cave in and buy a compact .45 that I would actually like to EDC. What are your recommendations?

What I like: Full size .45 1911. I have a Kimber Custom Classic II that I love, but I am smaller (shorter) guy with small'ish hands, so it's not real practical for EDC.

I would prefer something I can get my entire hand on, and the Glock compact was perfect for me for that. The subcompact looks like it would be one finger too small for me. Your thoughts? Should I go with a Glock, or are there other brands that have comparable models? Thanks in advance!
 
do you have a gun shop in the neighborhood where you can go try some on? I really like the taurus 145, and they just released a single stack model called the 745 that holds seven rounds, and it costs a lot less than a glock. springfield has an XD compact in 45, too, seems to be well regarded. and kahr, but I don't have any experience with that.
 
Pretty sure it was the compact, not the sub, as all 4 of my fingers fit on it, so I guess I have medium hands :thumbup: I do have local stores, but I wanted to know where to start. Thanks for the recomendations, and please keep em coming if anyone has anything else.

P.S. I'm very glad I asked on here. I had complete forgotten Taurus, but I love their stuff! Can't believe I'd forgottent to think of them. As far as reliability is concerned, which brands do you all favor?
 
My carry gun is a Glock 36.I tried for a long time to carry a 4" 1911 but it was too uncomfortable for my carry method. After trying several options I settled on an inside the waist band on the strong side.I can easily conceal the 36 with just a T shirt to cover it. The short grip is a bit less comfortable to shoot but won't print near as easily as a full grip design.
 
Imo best thing is go to a Gun store find the one that is the right size then a range to shoot. But Glock, Rugar, Springfield ect.. most all will be fine. If you have a bigger budget you have Sigs Hk. Just don't get no cheap one a year no name new brand they have out every few years.
 
I would suggest a non link barrel drop design if you are going anything smaller than a Colt Commander....you need all the recoil spring you can to make if function 100% without going to multiple springs... you might look at a .45GAP option in the intermediate Glock series
 
Just read about Portland police having trouble with the Glock 21. Google Portland police Glock failure.;)
 
m48a3 said:
Just read about Portland police having trouble with the Glock 21. Google Portland police Glock failure.;)
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But you know when you have a defective product you always send it back to the manufacture to figure out whats wrong.2 guns. I've sent Sigs back for repair. They wouldn't let Glock have the guns. That's been on the net forever. But I've had many Glocks for over 20yrs never had a problem. I've had/have Sig ,Hk, Smith and Wesson, Rugar & Colt you can look into all these guns and find something ppl don't like about them. But if Glock was like they say there would be alot more right ups on failure because these guns are all over
 
Kimber Ultra Carry or Compact Stainless (4.25" barrel slightly shorter grip I carry one heavy but good). The Taurus PT145 should be great if you can smooth out the trigger pull. Of those thrown out there I'd probably go with the Compact Springfield XD in .45.
 
m48a3 said:
Just read about Portland police having trouble with the Glock 21. Google Portland police Glock failure.;)
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I have packed a Glock 19 2nd generation for years in all weather conditions with zero problems.:)
 
Google self defense pistol shoots in your area or 3 gun shoots. You cant just buy a gun and shoot a few mags thru it and think your GTG. Visit the shoots, bring some ammo (.45 .40 9mm) and they will probably let you shoot their guns.

Handle all kinds of guns and get a feel for how it fits your hand and the top 3 points for the pistol is reliability, reliability and reliability... then accurate. Cheap guns choke at the worst times, and cheap guns will fail you. Look to the pistols of the military HK (my favorite), Sig etc. They dont play to the pretty crowd but to the users. Yeah they cost more but they keep their value.

Do your own research... Gun owners are cranky old men and anything other than their guns manufacturer, model and caliber is crap. Don't believe them, but don't buy cheap either.

My advice is I like a hammer and a safety that is easy to operate (not a barretta for me, try going to F with your thumb only) And if you might get a gun for the wife, get the same make and caliber so when you hafta grab it, they both operate the same. I don't like trigger safeties, some people holster their pistols with their fingers still on the trigger when excited.

At www.ar15.com they have some pistol forums and then there are manufacturer forums, read everything carefully and note failures, mag jams and stovepipes. Then shoot one/several and decide. Good luck
 
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I love my Glock 30. Although it is a little fatter than the G36, it feels better in my hand. It carries well, too.
 
Gr80Cakes said:
Pretty sure it was the compact, not the sub, as all 4 of my fingers fit on it, so I guess I have medium hands :thumbup:
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Sounds like you may be talking about the 9mm Glock 19, which is the center gun in this pic:

glock171926ay1.jpg


The top is the full-sized Glock 17 and the bottom is the compact Glock 26 (all 9mm)

If you wanted a .45ACP, I don't think Glock makes an "intermediate" size gun in that caliber, just the full-size Glock 21 and the compact Glock 30/36.
 
I have shot the Glock 30 and 36 (I more commonly carry a full-size Glock 22 in 40 cal). The thicker grip of the 30 made it a little more comfortable to shoot (somewhat less perceived recoil pressure on the palm). The single-stack mag of the 36 made it a bit more comfortable to carry. Both shot quite well for their small size.

DancesWithKnives
 
You could get a Kimber Pro Carry/Colt Commander/Springfield Champion to stay in the 1911 family with just smaller versions. Something with an aluminim or scandium frame to stay light.
 
I carry the Sigarms P220 compact. Mine is all stainless and quite rare. Only Sportsmans Warehouse had them on a special run. It carries just fine IWB at 5 o'clock. No safety to fumble with in a moment of dire need. It is DA/SA w/a decocker lever. The trigger disengages the firing pin block when squeezed. The pistol is safe to carry fully loaded. It is very accurate. A single jagged hole at 7 yards from 7 rounds. A very high quality pistol with never a malfunction.
 
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