Compact 45 ACP shopping

[dgod]

Compact 45ACP Carry

I personally rotate between:

XDS w/ CT
Colt New Agent w/CT
Sig 1911SS /w/CT

All with Guard Dogs & Glasiers Alternating

The trick for the Heaver/Longer 1911 is HOLSTER..... Get the right one. Mine is a Custom Build by a local guy, and I love to carry it as well.

Occasionally, I splurge and carry the Public Defender W/.410 Buckshot, they don't make a CT for that variant.

Good Luck

 

[2ndAmendmentNut]

Sig used to make a 245 which are very nice compact 45s that can still be found used on occasion. Sig now makes a compact variant of their 220 which I have heard good things about. Kahr also makes a number of reputable compact 45s

 

[skoro]

I thought the XDs was comparable, but then saw it is single stack.

Last year at about this time, I was looking over the subcompact 45 offerings. Initially, I was set on a Glock 36 or 30s. I finally decided on the XDs45, even though it has that small 5+1 capacity just because it's SO compact. I had a few second thoughts when it disappeared for two months when I sent it in for the recall. But I have to say that I'm very pleased with the choice since it returned. Yes, it still has the small capacity. But it handles and shoots so well that it's a compromise that I'm willing to accept. Recoil is surprisingly manageable. Reliability has been flawless.

No regrets.

 

[Panzerschwein]

I'd get an XDS 45. Small gun, highly handy.

 

[nugun55]

My XDS45 works for me.

 

[Grayrock]

Do any larger cap mags fit the XDs? If they stick out the bottom it is OK as a reload.

 

[proximo]

The XDS 45 has optional 7 round mags

 

[Grayrock]

I'm with you, Scarpia- I really like my PT-145. But every time I extolled its virtues the peanut gallery opened up and all the Taurus bashing started. I sure hope I can get it fixed. I have seen a few negative reports on the Warthog and that is dampening my enthusiasm for it. Wondering if the Bobo pocket gun comparison chart lists the PT-145, Warthog, XDs & Glock30s? Guess I'll go look.

 

[TommyD45]

That HK45C also has polygonal rifling and shouldn't be used with lead bullets either, just like a Glock.

I believe the limitation on the Glock does not apply to the HK45c. From page 27 of the HK user manual:

"NOTE: Currently there are no known .45 ACP ammunition types that are not compatible with the HK45 pistols with the exception of some light, match grade wadcutter loads that provide insufficient recoil impulse to reliably operate the HK45. All HK45 pistols are approved for use with +P and +P+ ammunition. The use of +P and +P+ ammunition does accelerate wear and reduce the service life on the component parts of any pistol including the HK45."

 

[BLB68]

There's also the Bersa Thunder 45 Ultra Compact Pro, but it's a 7+1.

 

[Grayrock]

While shopping virtually, the Sig P250 caught my eye. The sub-compact version in .40 S&W holds 10. But I am reading mixed opinions on this model. I also see there is a world of opinion on the 40 vs 45 topic. Glad I'm not in a hurry to buy.

 

[RustyShackelford]

Rounds for compact .45acp pistols.....

To insure proper feeding & cycle, avoid jams/double feeds, etc, I suggest using .45acp rounds that can work in short barrels.
Corbon's top rated PowRball, Speer Gold Dot 230gr JHP +P short barrel, Federal Guard Dog, 230gr milspec FMJ(like the Winchester 1911 FMJ).

Rusty

 

[shlike]

Here is my Kahr CW45. Great concealment gun. Has run flawlessly out of the box (over 1000 rounds).

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I would recommend this gun to anyone looking for a light, compact, single stack .45 that is accurate, reliable, and with a smoooooooth trigger pull (like a fine DA revolver).

 

[george burns]

I have had a 30 since they came out, "with no rail", I sold it 3 weeks ago, am now evaluating the same as this thread, although I have an XDS with 4 mags. I am either going with a 30S, or a Gen4 SF. I need a rail for a lasr/light and wanted the thinner slide of the "S" or the frame variation of the Gen 4.
Still haven't decided which way I want to go. But the XDM has a nice 3.8 version with 9 & 13 rounds. Which should also work well.
The next step up is the H&K if you wand more than a 1911 in a small package.

 

[mastergunner]

.45 XDS 3.5 works for me FMJ will do deadly damage to anything.

 

[burk]

While shopping virtually, the Sig P250 caught my eye. The sub-compact version in .40 S&W holds 10. But I am reading mixed opinions on this model. I also see there is a world of opinion on the 40 vs 45 topic. Glad I'm not in a hurry to buy.

Unless you want a revolver trigger with a looooooooong heavy double action for every shot on a fairly cheaply made gun stay away. Sig makes some good stuff and when the P250 was $349 on sale pre Newtown it was a good value, but at the $549 to $599 they are going for now their are a host of better made and functioning firearms available as already mentioned here.

In 9 and 40 (while not a carry gun) the 2022 from Sig is a FAR better gun.

 

[Elkins45]

I have owned (and traded) a Glock 30, Glock 36, Kahr P45 and Sig P245. Of the four, the only one I really regret getting rid of is the Sig. I really wanted to love the Kahr (I carry a P9 now) but shooting it was like gripping a cheese grater.

I might consider a 30sf. I just bought an M&P 45 compact and initial impressions are very positive.

 

[fastbolt]

... fit my hand well, it had night sights, 10 round magazine and was light enough to carry comfortably. What are similar pistols out there that might fit those criteria?

... What am I missing? Is this a niche in the market that does not need filling?

Dunno about "niche", but the smaller 9/.40 guns certainly seem to be selling in greater numbers (outside the predictable 1911 .45 market segment). You often see a lot more interest in the G26/27's than the G30/36's among a lot of folks, for example.

Also, if a 10-rd magazine is firmly on your list of criteria, it can start to restrict your potential choices.

Personally, I own, use and have carried smallish .45's with 3 1/4", 3 1/2" & 3 3/4" barrels. (My larger .45's have 4 1/4", 4 1/2" & 5" barrels)

I don't mind carrying .45's that have 6, 7 or 8-rd mag capacities ... but then I spent some years carrying 6-shot service revolvers, a Colt Commander and a Star PD off-duty.

My M&P 45 uses standard 10-rd mags, which are a bit better than the 7 & 8-rd mags I use in my 1911's, but I'd not be too concerned if I owned & carried a M&P 45 compact that came with 8-rd mags, either.

Matter of fact, my CS45, "original" cutaway grip 4513TSW and Colt OM all came with 6-rd standard capacity mags, making the 7 & 8- mags seem as though they contain an extra margin of capacity.

When it comes right down to it, though, I look at "capacity" as being just one of the factors to consider when selecting an off-duty (and now retirement) weapon, and not necessarily a critical factor, at that. Grip girth, controllability & overall recoil management are of a bit more interest to me, nowadays.

Of course, this is from someone who regularly carries a 5-shot .38 snub or a 6-rd LCP for retirement, too.

Training, practice, skillset, mindset and weapon maintenance/service are all much more important to my needs than sheer capacity (or even caliber, for that matter).

I also tend to like to stay with the major gun companies who either see a lot of LE/Gov business, or at least offer weapons that are commonly approved for optional/personal use by a lot of LE agencies. Reliability and feeding/functioning with modern hollowpoint ammo produced by the major American ammo makers is important to me, too.

You can probably try out a number of potentially interesting smallish .45's that may appeal to you and may fit within your needs and preferences.

 

[george burns]

Sold my 30 last month picked up a 30 "S" today. Will shoot it tomorrow. If you want the maximum amount of 45 power in a small 20 oz gun, there is nothing else on the market. After 20 years I went and got the same gun with a reduced weight and thickness, near perfect for a 45. Where else can you get 11 rounds of 45 in a lightweight package like the G30 S? My XDS is second string with 8 rounds, but with the Glock 21 I can have a spare with 13, or a flush with 9.

 

[shlike]

I have owned (and traded) a Glock 30, Glock 36, Kahr P45 and Sig P245. Of the four, the only one I really regret getting rid of is the Sig. I really wanted to love the Kahr (I carry a P9 now) but shooting it was like gripping a cheese grater.

I might consider a 30sf. I just bought an M&P 45 compact and initial impressions are very positive.

Regarding the "cheese-grater" grips that caused you to not like your Kahr P45, that's why I put this Pachmayr Tactical Grip Sleeve on my Kahr CW45. It really enhances the grip and is very comfortable to shoot:

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[george burns]

This was the first 2 boxes or whatever I had with me, in 230 grain fmj, fired out of the Glock 30 S, that I got yesterday, 3 different kinds of ammo, federal, Remington, and Tula,. Gun had not been cleaned yet and I hadn't fired any gun for a good 6 months.
This was at distances of 20 -60 ft. Most of them were from beyond 50 ft. I shoot fast none were truly aimed or staged, except for a few double taps. I just empty a 10 round mag in 5-10 seconds I started out slow at about 1 shot per second, and gradually increased both distance and speed. I was finished with 2. 5 boxes in a matter of 10 to 20 minutes, as there was nothing to do but shoot.
I used to be pretty good at this, and near the end my groups tightened up and speed increased, the gun was flawless, better trigger than on my old 30, that I sold last month. I need to go back with a few boxes of hollow points. There was 1 flyer out of all shots fired, although a few were out of the kill zone.
Makes me want to start shooting again. Near the end of the drill I got the feel back. The first 10 rounds actually hurt my hand until I found my sweet spot on the grip.
Several were taken one handed also from 20-25 yards.
This is the perfect weapon, I almost forgot how deadly this gun could be. If 11 rounds of 45 won't work for you, you are in trouble that there is likely no way out if If you were in doubt, please take the word of an old shooter, this gun rocks. I hardly ever shoot 45 ammo anymore, I do dry fire drills late at night, when the wife is asleep, it seems to help.
The one with the most holes was the first one, I buckled down on the second one, and had 5 minutes of experience with it by then.
Also I was shooting 5-7 rounds per mag so as to test the 2 new ones and the old 9 rounder. Frog lubed her today, next time will shoot for accuracy.

 

[TomJ]

30s/xds .45

I own both the 30S and XDS .45. Both are great guns which I use for concealed carry. I like the increased capacity of the 30S, and it conceals best when I'm wearing an untucked shirt or jacket. I use the XDS as a pocket gun (it's at the larger end of that spectrum) when I need to wear my shirt tucked. You won't be disappointed with either.

 

[jbrown50]

I own both the XDS-45 and the Glock 30S. The XDS-45 is my everywhere carry gun and it's much easier to conceal. I carry two spare magazines with it so I'm not worried about capacity. I'm a little more accurate with the XDS than with the 30S too although the 30S is definitely no slouch accuracy wise.

I like them both and they're both keepers. Although the 30S is larger and fills the bulk of the role of my range/home defense gun it still easily conceals inside the waistband and I can use the 13 round Glock 21 magazines with it too.

 

[george burns]

If you really want "Lightweight", try the Liberty 45 cal 70 grain Ammo. The stuff weighs less than half as much as most any brand of HP you can think of.
I started using it on my Kahr PM9 over a year ago. And it drastically reduced the weight of the package. With The Glock 30"S" or the XDS, "which I also pocket carry, the weight is almost cut in half.
Where are you going to find a 22 -23 oz Loaded 45 with 11 rounds. It's unreal even compared to my standard 30. It is kind of the perfect carry option. I can't believe they were able to make the Glock 30 so light. It is all in the thickness of the slide and barrel. You can't slide a standard barrel into an "S", they took all that extra material from the thickness of the barrel off.
If I remember correctly it is lighter than my 26.
That frog Lube made it like Velvet also, I started doing all of my guns and Knives with that stuff. Great for your carry gun where it may get sweat on the slide, this will stop any damage like pitting or rust, from occurring down the road from what I read.

 

[nugun55]

XDS .45. It surprised me, how well it shoots and how accurately I can shoot it. A lot of power in a compact package.