Large Caliber CCW

what would you recopmend for a CCW in a caliber larger than 9mm or .38Sp
id love to have a 45acp any suggestions

Buy an XD45?

there's no shortage...you've got the Glock 30 and 36, XD 45 compact, Kahr, 1911s, CZs...the list goes on and on.

1911s are the classic single-stack .45, which makes them remarkably thin compared to other full-sized pistols.

Just be aware that the officer size, while tempting for CCW, tends to require more care and maintenance than the larger frames. You can skimp on a full-sized 1911 and buy offbrand, but if you go smaller you'll either want a more expensive, better-made model or expect to throw a couple hundred in parts into a cheap one to make it perform reliably.

My officer Rock Island's needed a new ejector (sucker bent in the first 50 round box, locking the slide), sear (full auto in first 100 rounds), recoil spring and cap (cap overran the spring on the guide rod ~250 rounds in and didn't return the slide to battery), and I'm pondering whether I want to replace the trigger group or keep shooting it until it loosens up. When I started the trigger pull was so hard I kept shooting into the dirt 15ft in front of me, but it's lightening as it breaks in.

I know I want some night sights on it. The GI sights are rough.

I know my experience is atypical, but just budget $700 one way or another when you buy a 3" 1911. You can spend it on a quality gun or on a cheaper gun and quality replacement parts ;)

How about a Ruger Super Redhawk Alaskan in 480 Ruger or 454 Casull?

Seriously, a quality 1911 would be nice. Or a Glock 36, Kahr, the options are endless.
Just pick one of the single stacks and it should conceal better than a double.

Your original post did mention bigger than .38spl and if you have any interest in big bore revolvers I highly recommend the Ruger Alaskan .44, can shoot Mag or Special or the whole range of Buffalo Bore, I carry mine in a sourdough pancake from Simply Rugged (an awesome holster btw, quality is top notch). I'm still carrying my Sig in the summer but as soon as jacket and coat weather comes back I'll break the Alaskan back out.

I know two Dr.'s who worked in the emergancy rooms in Dallas and Houston and they said they pactched up a lot of people shot with 38's, 380's 9mm and sent them home, but they sent thoes shot with a 45 ACP to the morgue most of the time. Does that tell you something?

Does that tell you something?

That the guys with the .45s were better shots?

A longer sight plane will do that!

;)

The Larger Caliber kills em.

I pack a .45 in a Smart Carry by summer and no one (No even wife) can see it unless SHE knows where to look. But that is for carry specifically into bad areas when necessary.

In winter I use a Uncle Mike's on the hip with a big shirt large coat over it. It's also my range/house holster so... it's got the most use of the carry side.

To conceal a .45acp, I'd go with an M1911 of some kind.

I regularly conceal a Norinco M1911 in a Don Hume 715M IWB holster.

If you want something smaller, but still easily controllable, consider the Springfield MicroCompact. A friend has one and I was truly surprised at how accurate and easy to conceal it was. It was also completely reliable with 230gr. ball (which I don't recommend for carry) and Aguila 115gr. IQ (no longer made).

Most of the time I carry an SP101; but when I want something bigger I tote a Glock model 21. That's 13 rounds in the mag with one in the tube alng with two extra magizines makes 40 rounds of 230 gr; if that doesn't do the job, I'm in DEEP DO DO. :uhoh:

My 3 favorite carry guns are: S&W 442, Glock 19 & DW CBOB :cool:

My favorite three/four are:

S&W 642 & 442, .38 Special, 5 rounds
Glock 26, 9mm, 10+1 in CA 15+1 everywhere else.
Kimber Ultra Raptor II, .45 ACP, 7 rounds.

I'll carry one or another depending on wheather, dress, location.

Most carried are the 442/642, followed by the Glock 26 and the Kimber Ultra 1911. I carried a Glock 19 until I got the 26. also have CCW'd 4" 1911's.

I do have a pair of 4" & 5" 1911's with a double sholder holster and extra mag pouch. Worn once under a Tuxedo.

Revolver

Smith & Wesson's Nightguard line
All have the Scandium frame with a Stainless Steel cylinder
but it's got an overall flat black finish.
Front sight, ramp w/dot night sight and the
rear sight is Cyl. & SLide's Extreme Duty fixed notch
Pachmayr rubber grips - MOdels Include
N frame
325 NG - 6 shot .45 ACP s/full moon clips or .45 AUto Rim
329 NG 6 shot .44 Magnum
327 NG 8 shot .357 Magnum
310 NG 6 shot 10MM AUto or .40 S&W w/full moon clips
L-Frame
396 NG 5 shot .44 Special
386 NG 7 shot .357 Mag
K Frame
315 NG 6 shot .38 SPecial +P

The N-frames are all in the High 20 oz. range for weight
I think the 315 is 24 oz.

A poll on a forum and the 325 and 396 were most popular
seems the common 2 1/2" BBl. len. wouldn't utilize the
powder of the magnum cases .

in Semi-Autos

The 1911 CCO format which other makers offer currently with
the Commander 4.25" Bbl./SLide with the shorter Officers frame
offers better ballistics than the 3.5" and shorter barreld weapons
and less issues in takedown with the cmdr style plug and recoil
guide rod.

Randall

It's tough to top the Walther PPS in .40S&W. It packs some punch, and it's wonderfully easy to conceal. Walther quality and reliability are a great combination.

Uh with the Redhawk the wheelbarrel you need to lug it around
might be a giveaway.

R-

How about a smaller, compact 1911? My personal favorite is the S&W 4" M22 in 45acp. That is my main carry gun but I oftern carry my Bulldog in 44 special.

Glock 23 .40
Glock 21 .45
Dan Wesson CBOB .45
Dan Wesson Valor .45

The Glock 23 is plenty of caliber and is fairly easy to conceal.

I am looking for one of these to carry. Smith model 629 3" full lugged barrel,
44 Magnum.

I would suggest Glock, Smith and Wesson M&P, or Springfield for carry. A good revolver is a nice choice as well. I am partial to the .40 in my auto's and .44 in my revolvers.

I saw a Lew Horton Distributor run,
Model 25 3" Bbl. .45 ACP Nickel Finish
on Gunbroker It was at retail $1180
This is a carbon steel with the older square
Butt frame and the grips conform to the frame
outline.

Load it with .45 AUto RIm 250 gr. SWC @ 850 FPS
and have a couple of Moon CLips .45 ACP 230 gr.
Bonded JHPs of your choice for reloads.

R-

CHecked gunbroker again, and looks like the new
this year Nightguard 325s are in the $900 range NIB.

Another poster suggested the S&W Model 22. This is
the 4" Bbl. w/fixed sights, blued with square butt frame
& small wood grips that comform to the frame profile -
many add a Tyler T-Grip to fill the area behind the trigger
guard 2 on gunbroker, NIB $450 - $480 THis model
as well as the Model 22 Model of 1917 w/4 1/2" Bbl. are
N frames of course - the frame is sculpted a little thinner
in order to make it in appearance like the PRe-WWII M1917
and the 4" Bbl. model 22 like the 1950 Army. The model 22
with the 4" Bbl. is listed at 36.8 oz weight empty, making it one
of the lightest of the N-frames I've noted in recent years.

It would help if the O.P. had stated a budget and whether
or not the carry gun he would like in .45 ACP would be for CCW
or Open carry in the field.

Randall

Quote:
Does that tell you something?
That the guys with the .45s were better shots?

A longer sight plane will do that!

:D

That was a gut buster.

Kahr PM45 and XD 45 compact, luv em.

Love my S&W CS-45

http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n117/Hunter2506/CS45.jpg

I'd consier a Ruger Alaskan or snub Smith 329 in .44 mag. I'd load it up with .44 spl, which is ballistically about the same as .45acp.

I carry a Springfield Armory XD .45 compact (4" barrel)

Until recently my small concealment gun was a Kahr K40 that I really liked, but I realized a few months ago I hadn't fired the thing in years. I was also never happy about the mag capacity. The carry mag was 5+1 and the spare was a six-rounder.

All of my "shooting" handguns are in .45 ACP so I began looking for one to replace the Kahr. Slim was not as much of a consideration as overall size so I ended up choosing a Para Warthog.

Despite all the negative comments about their reliability I have completed the 300-round break-in period without a failure of any kind. Almost a disappointment as I enjoy tinkering with my 1911s.

I'm much more comfortable with 11 rounds of .45 before a reload than I was with the six in the Kahr.

The only changes to the stock configuration were to replace the mainspring housing with a Smith & Alexander arched mainspring housing. It fills my hand a bit better and is a considerable aid in maintaining control under recoil.

And, a fiber optic front sight was requisite. I don't have them on all my shooters yet, but in time I will. They are a huge aid.

I do not like the striker-fired system or plastic guns. JMHO, but I'd go with a quality 1911 format of some kind. There are so many nice guns to choose from it shouldn't be hard to find one that is satisfactory.

What, no 10mm? :neener:

If you want something big I would suggest a S&W Mountain gun in either .44 Magnum or .45 Colt. :D

I just bought a brand new Kahr PM45. It is one of the best guns I have ever held in my hand. I fired the first 30 rounds of the Magtech 230 grain through it today. It fed and fired every round perfectly. I'll keep everyone posted on the progress I make with the break-in period. I must add the fact that my mother who is a very small woman shot a couple rounds off in it. She had no complaints other than the stippling on the backstrap ruffled her feathers. If she can shoot it, anyone can. She hasn't shot a gun in years. I was shooting at a can on top of an old deflated basketball of all things for giggles. I hit the can at 15 yards and put a beating on the basketball. Then I stepped back to 25 or so yards and moved the ball a couple times out of 5 shots. It has a VERY smooth trigger pull. It can't be much over 4 pounds if that. It is perfect for concealed carry and it digs the same hole as a 1911. I wouldn't want my mom shooting it at me! She hit the basketball at 15 yards too. I have medium sized hands and my pinky stays right where it should, on the grip! I love this pistol! But hey, the Colt New Agent is really nice also if you like a 1911 style pistol. That was my second choice. Just not quite as small and the trench site isn't gonna cut it in the dark if you have to use it on a mean person. But crimson trace has the remedy for that as well. You just aren't gonna find a .45 acp in a frame as small as the Kahr PM45 that shoots like the one I have. It shoots GREAT!

In my state, it's ".45 caliber or smaller", so......

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D83tzCMeLPo

there's your large caliber handgun, perfectly legal to CCW.

I usually carry my Glock 30sf but sometimes when im wearing light yard clothes without a belt Ill pack my airweight snubby in the front.

I carry an XD45 Tactical all the time in a strong side paddle holster. Just buy a sports coat, and it disappears. A spare 13 round magazine in my left back pocket and I'm pretty much good to go.

Glock 30, 10 or 13 round mag, not too big or heavy and it's a Glock.

If you want a CCW in .45acp I would reccommend the Sig Sauer C3. I have carried it for over a year now and am very happy with it.

Take a look at the Sig P239 in 40. I held one at a gunshow and seconds later was filling out the paperwork.

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m247/matquig/DSC05273.jpg............. .500 Snub. Still waiting on a Sparks Hi Ride.