[Okiecruffler]

Went out shooting this weekend with a doctor friend of mine. We were shooting long guns and having a good time when we started talking about pistols we had carried. I mentioned that I used to carry a ParaOrd P10, but got rid of it because I preferred DAO as a carry piece. So he reaches into his waistband and out comes a nice shiny Para Carry LDA. Very slick little gun. Very easy to conceal, not too bad to shoot, maybe a bit more pleasent than my snubby 357. Got me thinking I needed one, but that price is a bit much now. So I was wondering what other compact DAO .45's are out there. I know Taurus makes one, but I haven't heard many good things about that one. Any others that don't require your first born?

[New_comer]

DAO 45's...

Off the top of my head:

Taurus Millenium Pro 45 (This one shows promise);)
Glock 36
Glock 30
Cobra Arms Patriot 45
HKUSPc 45 variant 9, I think

Well, that's about it...

[Telperion]

Add to that list the SIG P245. It's normally DA/SA but can be ordered in or converted to DAO.

[rappa]

Ditto what New_comer said. If you're on a budget. I just bought a G36 last Monday. Already put 650 rds of various FMJ, JHP and +P through it. I'll probably start carrying it once I hit 1,000 rds.

[Berg01]

Take a look at a Smith & Wesson 4553TSW; excellent sights & DAO trigger, one of the more shootable DAO .45ACP compacts, that I feel would favorably compare to most any of the other selections mentioned on this thread.

[Okiecruffler]

I've owned a couple of Glocks, a 30 and a 26, didn't care for them. They were reliable and accurate, but the grip angle completely messed up my point shooting. Not sure if I'd call the glock trigger DAO, it's kinda in a whole different class. If Glock would come out with a 1911 style grip angle I'd be all over it. I kinda like the Taurus, but they had so much trouble out of the gate that I think I'll give them a few years to iron out the bugs. The S&W looks ok, but for that price I could get the Para. It's all just a mental exercise anyhow, my .357 suits me quite well.

[10-Ring]

I'm gonna second that USPc 45 in var 7 (no control lever)

[chaim]

I think the Mauser M2 is DAO but I don't know for sure.

The new Taurus Millenium Pro series is an update/improvement of the Millenium series. The trigger is supposed to be much nicer and from the sounds of it the Pro series may be a bit thicker/sturdier than the old Millenium (and they did seem to finally iron out the frame issues on the old gun about a year or so ago).

Can you get the SW99 .45 in DAO?

Of course buying whatever you otherwise like and having a smith convert it to DAO is an option as well.

[KarlG]

AMT Backup

[jem375]

KarlG....yes you can, I have one and like it very much.......I am one of the lucky ones that have one that don't malfunction at all........shoots everything I put in it with no jams, and for its purpose is accurate enough at close range.....

[Deepdiver]

You can pick up a S&W 457 (compact DA/SA .45) for about $450 or so. I have one, and it is an excellent shooter. I still prefer my 1911, but a DA compact 45 can be handy.

[SouthpawShootr]

There was a special run of DAO S&W 457's (called 457D) made for Chicago PD, if I'm not mistaken. If I see one, it's mine.

[McKamie]

Okiecruffler:

Two compact .45 ACP S&W's are the 457 and the CS45. Both can be had in stainless and DAO options. I own both (in TDA) and I am extremely happy with them. So much so that I never carry my SIG P220 anymore. The CS45 goes with me everywhere. Very accurate and absolutely reliable. My next weapon will be a stainless DAO CS45. They're that good.

Mac

[jdmb03]

Oc:

I sent you an email.

[DF357]

about a CS45 DAO ? I've not heard of one and they're not listed on the SW product web page??? I'd be interested too ! And you're right - the CS45 is that good ! It's with me 24/7

[Poohgyrr]

I was going to suggest a G30, which is still my first choice here. My only concern with Para's LDA's is if these have all the same mag problems I've heard about with their single actions. A lot of folks are happy with the standard Smith 457 too.

And in any case, a good .357 isn't such a bad thing to have around :evil:

[Dorian]

another for the USP Compact DAO

[tiberius]

The Taurus Millenium Pro sure looks interesting, but can anyone tell me why in world this thing has a safety lever?

IMHO, the beauty of DAO, is that there are no controls to manipulate before you use it....just the trigger.

If it has a manual safety, then when you draw you must assume that it is engaged so you must perform a safety deactivation during the draw. They are messing up some potentially attractive carry pieces by adding a manual safety when it isn't needed.

If I have to actuate a safety, I might as well use a SA and have a better trigger. Are there other reasoned opinions on this?

I guess the same thing goes for the Para's.

[SouthpawShootr]

They're just trying to please everybody while making as few models as possible. You make a gun without a manual safety, a significant number of potential customers will not buy it because of the safety.

[Felonious Monk]

Okay: If the words AMT and Taurus are being posited here for consideration, then I don't feel hesitant to say:

Bersa Thunder Mini-45.
These are HOT little guns.

http://www.bersa-llama.com/cat_thunder45.html

Please note: Do not confuse Bersa with Llama. They ARE NOT the same.

Bersa--made in Argentina, imported by Eagle Imports. GOOD.
Llama--made in Spain, imported by Import Sports. Bad.


Flyer's got one, too. He'll tell you all about it. ;)

[tiberius]

Flyer,

I've heard good things about the Mini Firestorm, but is it DAO? I thought it was a traditional DA/SA.