Compact .45

I like Glocks. I've had a G17 since 1989 and I have a G22. I did have a G30. But the small 45 Glocks are still too big.

If I wanted a small 45, the first one I'd look at is the Kahr PM45. If SIG ever makes the P290 in 45 I'd look at it also.
 
If you want a compact 45 and like the Glocks, the 30 is what you'd be looking at. It's similar in size to Glock's "compact" guns like the 19 and 23, etc. If you like the ergonomics of the 1911, be aware that most people who are used to the grip style of the 1911 find that the Glocks point differently for them. I am a huge Glock (and 1911) fan and I also find this to be true. There's nothing wrong with a lightweight Commander sized 1911 for concealed carry. If you go with an aluminum framed model, they'd be as light as a Glock 30.
 
Thanks for all the great suggestions so far, and please keep em comin!

One questions about something that's been mentioned so far: If I did want to stick with a 1911 compact, are there any that offer higher capacity magazine like the Glock 30 without increasing the handle size much more than the Glock 30?
 
I have some extended 10 rd mags for my full-size 1911s but they stick out the bottom of the grip about an inch, which obviously wouldn't be good for carry. Chip McCormick Power 10 mags, if I recall correctly.

Although higher magazine capacity is certainly desirable if the pistol can still be carried conveniently, I expect that the first few rounds will be the most important ones.

In a moderate-size, double-stack 1911 style pistol, you might check STI's "VIP" model with a 3.9" barrel. I don't know how the dimensions compare with a G30.

DancesWithKnives
 
Alright, I think I have decided to go super compact and not stick with .45 The two possible candidates are the .380 Sig P238 and the new Kimber Solo 9mm. I have handled numerous compact and sub-compact .45's and all are too big for my ideal carry, which is pocket carry. Does anyone have any personal experience with either? I know that may be a silly question on the Kimber as I don't think they are officially available yet, but thought I'd see what you all thought. I love the Sig as it's a mini 1911, modeled after Colt's very popular .380 Mustang, which is no longer being made. The Kimber is also very similar to 1911 in form and function.
 
My Glock 30 is a "compact" brick. I love the pistol but it is difficult for me to conceal in the summer. So I carry a Glock 26 for all the other occasions. You give up nothing in reliability and still have 10 rounds of 9mm hollow point power. IMO and experience the smaller your pistol gets, especially pocket carry pistols, you're starting to compromise with reliability. That of course isn't always the case for everyone, but it has been in my experience. Carrying a gun on your waist isn't that uncomfortable if you have a sturdy belt and quality holster.
 
If you are now thinking about 380 or 9mm, check out Kahr's 380 and their PM9. Both are extraordinarily light and thin.

DancesWithKnives
 
Gr80Cakes said:
Alright, I think I have decided to go super compact and not stick with .45 The two possible candidates are the .380 Sig P238 and the new Kimber Solo 9mm. I have handled numerous compact and sub-compact .45's and all are too big for my ideal carry, which is pocket carry. Does anyone have any personal experience with either? I know that may be a silly question on the Kimber as I don't think they are officially available yet, but thought I'd see what you all thought. I love the Sig as it's a mini 1911, modeled after Colt's very popular .380 Mustang, which is no longer being made. The Kimber is also very similar to 1911 in form and function.
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I have a .380 Colt Mustang. I don't like it for pocket carry. Because for me I don't like the single action condition one in my pocket. I would only put a double action in my pocket. Just me some ppl don't mind.
But I do like the size. I carry my Colt in Iwb in the summer. When it's really hot. But most the time I holster my G27 condition 1
 
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: 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?
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Taurus is hit or miss with their quality.
 
Gr80Cakes said:
Alright, I think I have decided to go super compact and not stick with .45 The two possible candidates are the .380 Sig P238 and the new Kimber Solo 9mm. I have handled numerous compact and sub-compact .45's and all are too big for my ideal carry, which is pocket carry. Does anyone have any personal experience with either? I know that may be a silly question on the Kimber as I don't think they are officially available yet, but thought I'd see what you all thought. I love the Sig as it's a mini 1911, modeled after Colt's very popular .380 Mustang, which is no longer being made. The Kimber is also very similar to 1911 in form and function.
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I have a Sig P238, which carries quite nicely in a Robert Mika pocket holster. Holster covers the slide safety completely.

The gun shoots like a dream, very accurate and came with night sights. Although it is a clone of the Colt Mustang, the innards are not the same as the 1911, though the battery of arms is quite similar. There is no grip safety. Make sure you get a recently made one... the early ones still had some bugs to work out. I am very happy with mine, there are those that say otherwise.
 
I'll second what MT Borg said; "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."

The other thing for you to consider is the type of safety you get on the gun you are considering. If you are used to a 1911 style, then you are probably wired to sweep your thumb down to disengage the safety as you draw, which is what you will instinctively continue to do under stress. This is no problem with any other 1911 style design or a Glock, which has the safety built into the trigger, but beware of a model which requires you to flip the safety UP to fire (e.g. S&W, Berreta) which will require you to practice with it a lot and "rewire" your reflexes. Especially if you are going to alternate carrying multpiple brands. Of course, a lot of practice at the range is a good thing... :-)
 
After researching the great suggestion on here, not to mention many you tube videos, and several trip to local gun stores during which I handled pretty much all the sub compact .380's, I've purchased a Sig P238. I have Desantis Super Fly pocket holster on the way, so I have not started carrying it yet, but I can't help but play with it constantly at home (unloaded of course). So far I love it, but I am biased as I am a huge 1911 fan! I have not yet had a chance to shoot it, as I got it just this Saturday and did not have time to hit the range yet, but will be doing so this coming weekend. I can't wait! Thanks to everyone who chimed in here, I really do appreciate it!! :D
 
Gr80Cakes said:
After researching the great suggestion on here, not to mention many you tube videos, and several trip to local gun stores during which I handled pretty much all the sub compact .380's, I've purchased a Sig P238. I have Desantis Super Fly pocket holster on the way, so I have not started carrying it yet, but I can't help but play with it constantly at home (unloaded of course). So far I love it, but I am biased as I am a huge 1911 fan! I have not yet had a chance to shoot it, as I got it just this Saturday and did not have time to hit the range yet, but will be doing so this coming weekend. I can't wait! Thanks to everyone who chimed in here, I really do appreciate it!! :D
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Congrats; I think I'm going to pick one up as well. A good friend and long time concealed carrier and firearms instructor introduced it to me Sunday in Seattle on a visit home. I was quite impressed (he has the SAS version). He was quite impressed with the accuracy of such a small piece and carried it in a Kramer IWB. He's never had an issue with the safety and has about1000 rounds through it already. It's heavier than the polymer models, but has a good grip. He also said it felt like less recoil than his Sig P230...let us know how it does on the range.

ROCK6
 
Glad you got that settled. Funny, cause you started with a .45 and ended with a .380. Far cry!! LOL! I carry most of the guns mentioned here, a PM9, PM45 and a Glock 27( I also bought a 9MM barrel and mags for it as they also work on the Glock 27 when interchanged) Carry them is no problem.
 
alejandrino said:
Glad you got that settled. Funny, cause you started with a .45 and ended with a .380. Far cry!! LOL! I carry most of the guns mentioned here, a PM9, PM45 and a Glock 27( I also bought a 9MM barrel and mags for it as they also work on the Glock 27 when interchanged) Carry them is no problem.
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Yeah, I know it's far cry from .45, but I really decided I wanted something I could pocket carry in business casual clothes for work, otherwise, I really won't wind up carrying all the time.
 
Back in the day, I had one of the Colt Mustang lightweights. The problem I had with pocket carry was that it was easy to bump the mag release in your pocket, which gave you a single-shot. A 'good' pocket holster will prevent that, so don't try to save a few bucks with a cheap holster.
 
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