Conceal carry 45

I want to stick with the 45acp. I am willing to compromise size. I am not saying I am a greta shooter but I dont have issues with the 45. 357 and 44 were regular shooters when young.
I like safeties and that is one thing that I am not thrilled about the glock.
I love the features of my p45 but for cc dont need that. I will be looking soon and keep all the suggestions in mind and ultimatly see what fits and in my price range.
 
remember....a smaller, lighter firearm also yields more felt recoil. Follow-up shots are very inaccurate unless well practiced with that firearm.

My CCW firearm is a Springfield Armory MilSpec. It's full sized and carries very well. just dress appropriately to hide it properly and you'll be fine.

If for whatever reason you absolutely have to go smaller then I would go with a Glock, just for sheer dependability.
 
I have a govt model 1911 I love but wanted something smaller. So when I was making this choice I rented a bunch of compact 45s (Glock 30/36, Springfield 1911, Kahr CM45, XDS, and some others I don't recall) at the range to compare them and ended up buying my now-beloved G36.

3 things to check for when testing them out:

1 look at the target, then point the gun at it without looking down the sights, then check the sights to see how they line up with the spot you wanted to hit. This tells you whether that gun points naturally for you, which is important under stress.

2 try some rapid-fire with each gun. for me most guns were equally accurate at 30 feet in slow-fire, but the real difference showed up in faster fire. Another good indicator of how you will perform with each gun under stress.

3 any reliability issues? Could just be a dirty gun, or could be something about the way you shoot it, in which case might want to steer away from it.
 
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I switch my carry guns between 4 inch 1911, 3 inch 1911, compact xd and an xds. All .45. My compact xd is the best shooting gun I own. I've had kimbers, Sig 1911s, h&ks but I really like the xd...

mtsickboy
 
I carry a Colt Defender but really love the feel of the Springfield XDS .45
 
Charlie_K said:
All I've got is big guns. But if this state's concealed carry laws actually change, I'm going to look into getting a Glock 26.
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Very easy to carry. I use magazines with floor plate extensions to increase the grip length and capacity.
 
Colt CCO. Look no further...
 

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I love my 1911s but they arent always the best carry option unless you are confident in your skills to carry it condition 1 cocked and locked, so for most there are better options. Ive owned a Glock 36 had no compliants just was a bit small in my hand but I have larger hands. Ive tried Kahr 45s again were a bit small for my liking. The M&P is a better fit for me or the Sig but Ive fallen in love with my H&K 45 it is a bit larger but Ive had no issues carrying it and the 10+1 gives you a few extra rounds over the smaller 45s. Id reccomend if you can find a range try a few to see what youre most comfortable with. If youre looking for a more compact Id lean towards the Glock 36 or Kahr 45.The XDM 45 I have is full size has a great trigger short reset shoots great but is the hardest to carry IMO of all the 45s I have and Ive never fired the compact XD.
 
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gsx-rboy750 said:
Took a CC class this weekend. I have a large mil spec 45 and am looking at getting a sub compact 45 for CC. I am liking the Xd 45 but am open. Also looked at the glock. I am not trying to buy a 1911 which has been suggested.
I will be sticking with 45. Anyone like the XD? Any other suggestions? Sorry thought this was the best spot to ask and respect the audience.
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Why not get a good IWB holster and carry your current .45 concealed? I carry a full sized 9 or a full sized .357 most of the time - it's no big deal.

Anyway - if you really want a smaller .45 - have a look at Kahr (amongst others). They make a nice, easy to carry (slim / light) and potentially inexpensive carry gun. CW45 shouldn't set you back much more than $300.
 
I have an XDm Compact 3.8" in 45, and I like it a lot. 9+1 with the short mag, and 13+1 in the full sized mag, with grip extension.

I like the trigger better than the Glock's, and it's more ergonomic, at least for my hand. Go to a gun shop, with a range, and try both, then decide which you like better.

You might also look at the new XD Mod 2, in 45. It's real similar to the XDm, but marginally slimmer, and the barrel is 3.3", instead of 3.8".
 
The only 45 I ever carried concealed was a Taurus pt145. Great gun, never had an issue and pointed very naturally for me. And it carried very well too. Dang, thanks for reminding me that I never should have sold it.
 
trentu said:
Kahr CM45 is pretty nice for such a small 45.:cool:
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Over the years I have tried just about every configuration imagainable for CCW, in the quest for the Holy Grail of firepower vs all day comfort.
I have picked the Kahr Pm .45 for a .45.
I now have a Kahr Pm9 and carry Speer GD's 124 grain +P's. I have had no less then 5 Kahrs in different flavors all performed above my expectations of a compact concealed carry.

I have not tried the CW brand of Kahrs.
 
GingivitisKahn said:
Why not get a good IWB holster and carry your current .45 concealed? I carry a full sized 9 or a full sized .357 most of the time - it's no big deal.

Anyway - if you really want a smaller .45 - have a look at Kahr (amongst others). They make a nice, easy to carry (slim / light) and potentially inexpensive carry gun. CW45 shouldn't set you back much more than $300.
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It just so fucking beast mode. I am 5,7 180 so it would imprint the shit out of me. I like it cause you can have one in the chamber and either the hammer down or up with the safety on or off.
I like the gun but it is big.
 
gsx-rboy750 said:
It just so fucking beast mode. I am 5,7 180 so it would imprint the shit out of me. I like it cause you can have one in the chamber and either the hammer down or up with the safety on or off.
I like the gun but it is big.
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Right out of the Academy, I worked for a private college police department. We had to provide our own weapons in one of the following calibers: .38 Spl., .357 Mag or 9mm. Mine, a S&W 586 [.357] with 6" Bbl, fully adjustable sights and target trigger - was carried in uniform, in plain clothes and also off duty. I'm 6'2" and at the time about 265 and carrying a gun that large [IWB] was all but impossible, even for me. I was relegated to a shoulder or cross-draw holster.

If I had the clout to have a say in the matter, I'd have Baretta make a model 92 in .45 ACP. But since none of us have that option....

...might I suggest a Springfield Armory XDM?

Springfield Armory XDM Compact 45 ACP 3.8" 16+1 Poly Grip Black

Description The XD has taken on another design in the XDM Compact. The "M" stands for a Model contour frame, Major grasp slide serrations, Match-grade barrel, and Minimal reset trigger. The XDM has a whole other level in precision. With an incredible attention to detail, no handgun company approaches specification and precision engineering like Springfield Armory.

Action Semi-Automatic
Caliber 45 Automatic Colt Pistol (ACP)
Barrel Length 3.8"
Capacity 16+1
Safety Grip
Grips Synthetic
Sights Dovetail front/3-Dot rear
Weight 27 oz

Here's a decent review [from 2010!!] of the full size---and even though nutnfancy is kind of full of himself, he's retired USAF [a Lt. Col] and his reviews are very well structured and informative....

[video=youtube;Rj0Kal84UNE]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rj0Kal84UNE[/video]
 
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gsx-rboy750 said:
I am 5,7 180 so it would imprint
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Unless you live in some state that pretends they have the authority to outlaw open carry, why worry about printing? I usually conceal to be polite but if you see that I'm carrying - it's not that big a deal. All you need is a pair of pants that's a little on the large side and a moderately loose shirt.

If it bugs you tho, that's cool. There are some good, smaller .45s out there (did I mention Kahr? :D ) and hunting for that perfect pistol is tons of fun. Good hunting!
 
If it bugs you tho, that's cool. There are some good, smaller .45s out there (did I mention Kahr? :D ) and hunting for that perfect pistol is tons of fun. Good hunting![/QUOTE]

Ding da da ding ding. ;) did i mention my GF wants a snub 357
Ruger with laser grips. Yes she has shot 45s 357, 44
 
My Xds .45 is, IMO, the PERFECT .45 for concealed carry. I carry it in an Alien Gear IWB holster and it hides and carries great!
 
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