I need a great 45 for concealed carry

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NOMADCHRIS

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I'M LOOKING FOR A GREAT CONCEALED CARRY 45 I'M 6'2 220 SO I NEED A WEAPON THAT WILL FIT MY HANDS I DONT WANT A SAO PISTOL I WOULD LIKE ANY INFO YOU GENTS CAN OFFER BUT ONLY FROM PEOPLE WHO CARRY CONCEALED NOT PEOPLE WHO ARE JUST SPECULATING OR "HEARD THIS AND THAT FROM A BUDDY" WHAT DO YOU USE? AND WHY DO YOU LIKE IT? WHAT DONT YOU LIKE ABOUT IT. AND DOES ANY ONE OWN A FOUR INCH XD45?:confused:
 
I'm going to play the devil's advocate here. Why must it be a .45?

Would you not be better served finding the gun or platform you shoot best, and can conceal most easily first. Then worry about caliber second? I'm not convinced that 9mm / 40 S&W / 45 ACP are that much better or worse than each other so as to exclude any from consideration for SD carry.

Nothing personal, just trying to pass on the Mindset - Skill set - Tool set -- in that order thought process that mentors both here on THR, and in my personal life have instilled in me.
 
Maybe check out a Kahr? I'm about the same size and carry a K40. Fits my hand well, is easy to conceal. I don't have the 45 version, which is a polymer frame so it will be lighter in weight. However, it is the same size as mine, and I'm really happy with the ergonomics. I have shot the 45 Kahr, and was impressed, but I prefer a metal frame and already owned a K40.

BTW, could you please turn the caps lock off? Thank you.
 
I'm 6 feet tall a bit over 275 pounds and I carry a Glock 22C for concealed work where I live. Nice .40 S&W round with 15 of them in each magazine ready to go. Sure beats a single stacker every day. But it it has to be a .45 why not a good Glock? More ammo and reliable to a fault.
 
I see you don't want sao but here is my experience with any carry weapon.

If it weighs 3 plus pounds you will get tired of it real quick.

A Glock 36 is 27 ounces loaded. At an ounce over a pound and a half it is easy to carry.

.45 ACP is an excellent self defense round so you have a great choice. Finding a platform that is light and small is another story. Go rent one at a gun range and see what you think.
 
The 1911 guys will advocate...the 1911. You should spend at least $1,500 on it, except the Rock Island guys will tell you to get an RIA for $500 or less.

The Glock guys will tell you to get a Glock 21 or 30.

The M&P guys will tell you to get the M&P 45 or 45 Compact.

XD guys love their XD 45's, so you should get one of those.

The SIG guys will tell you to get a German made gun and to avoid the newer models of the P220 (and variants).

Beretta has guns in 45 ACP, but I'm not sure anyone has one.

Ruger makes a few handguns in 45 ACP, but those were all recalled.

Revolver guys will tell you to get an S&W Model 625, install "The Plug" and carry on. S&W fanatics will tell you anything with "the lock" is junk and only pre-lock guns are worthwhile. Just possessing a 625 will make you shoot almost as well as Jerry Miculek.

One guy will tell you to get a CZ 97. Never mind its huge size.

The HK guys won't help you at all.

Everyone else will tell you to get a Glock 19.
 
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I just recently went through the process of deciding which 45 for EDC. So far (about 2 months) I've been very pleased with the M&P 45C

225grunique7yds.jpg

A magazine's worth from 25 feet. 225 grain WFN cast bullet @ 860 fps

My reasoning: with the 'long" magazine the M&P offers good purchase for L/XL hands. It points more naturally than the Glock or XD compacts did for me, only the 1911 pointed better. It is about 10 oz lighter than the 1911. It has an excellent reputation for reliability and will cycle everything - including CAST bullets and even SWC & round balls. American Made. I'm not a big fan of polymer pistols but they are practical.

rb45acp.jpg


I find it to be a good compromise as to what is comfortable to carry and shootability.

olstered45c.jpg


The only negatives are the trigger is less good than Glocks I've owned but I do shoot the M&P 45C better than I did the Glocks. The more repetitions I get with it the less of an issue the trigger becomes.
 
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I own a Springfield Champion .45. It's quite remarkable that I can carry it in many of my selected shorts that I wear in the summer without a holster and you can't even see it. There is a particular short that has outstanding double pockets - and it will not print.
Fully loaded it's heavy so I have a substantial belt. I usually carry something lighter and smaller-but I have tried the Champion many times-I love it it fits my hand, very reliable.
 
When I think of concealed carry I think small.....and for .45auto the Kahr PM45 is about as small as you can go. btw: I'm 6'0" 230lb and I get all three fingers on the grip.

Here the my PM45 next to my G30
DSC03385.jpg
DSC03386.jpg
DSC03388.jpg
 
Although I am a Glock fan, I would recommend Taurus PT145 over Glock30 for smaller carry 45. It is one of the smaller double-stack 10+1 45ACP with SA/DA trigger and frame safety.

Slide/barrel is actually shorter than G26/G27, the grip is comparable to G19/G23 and slide width is such that it actually shares the same holster as XD. Glock 30 is more comparable in size to G19/G23 with fatter slide width.

Glock 27:
WIDTH - 1.18"
LENGTH - 6.29"
HEIGHT - 4.8" (with +1 Pearce mag extension - 4.17" with 9rd factory flush magazine)

Taurus PT145:
WIDTH - 1.25"
LENGTH - 6.125"
HEIGHT - 5.125"

Here's a comparison picture of PT145 next to a G27:

attachment.php
 
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bds said:
Although I am a Glock fan, I would recommend Taurus PT145 over Glock30 for smaller carry 45. It is one of the smaller double-stack 10+1 45ACP with SA/DA trigger and frame safety.

Slide/barrel is actually shorter than G26/G27, the grip is comparable to G19/G23 and slide width is such that it actually shares the same holster as XD.
Glock 30 is more comparable in size to G19/G23 with fatter slide width.

Here's a comparison picture of PT145 next to a G27:

attachment.php
Click to expand...
Alot of people will bash the PT145 but I love this handgun. The trigger is much better than a glock, even if shooting DA, (and yes i have both at my disposal) and it just feels better in the hand. 10+1 in a short frame with good sized grip.
 
I'm 6'1" and 250#'s so I think I can comment on carry for folks my size. I carry 2 different pistols and like them both very well for CC. First is a Briley 1911 that has a commander slide on an officer's frame. Probably the best, most accurate, well balanced carry option. Second, is a Glock 36 (not the 30 everybody raves about). Magazine capacity is the same in both and the only addition to the G36 is a +0 extension on the mag.

Not bashing Kahr but have a friend who had a CW45 and it was nothing but trouble. I had a CW9 and although it was a good gun, I was never 100% convinced with it's reliability. Traded it on a Glock 19 and it is now back at the factory to be fixed too.

The Briley and the G36 are the only ones which have never failed.
 
I have a Kahr P45, bought because it fit my hand, and despite that some have had issues, I never did. Put 1000 rounds thru to insure reliability , various types, before it became a carry gun for me. From what I've read, they have good customer service.
 
Carry Guns 45 ACP

My Auto Carry 45 ACP Preference
(From First Hand Experence)
Sig 220 Carry SA/DA
(My Wish SigArms Would Mfg.List Includes the Sig 239 in 45 ACP. But Untill Sig Makes One I Will Continue to Carry my 40 -239)
My Favorite Size Bullet is 45 , but in 45 Colt
My Primary Carry Gun is a 45 Colt Single Action
Never Leave the House Without One Being Stuck Inside My Belt)
Hagen
 
Hey, 230therapy, your post is pretty darn accurate.

I think the only error in your post is this one.
Ruger makes a few handguns in 45 ACP, but those were all recalled.
Click to expand...
I don't think any of the .45 ACP Ruger's have ever been recalled. However, most have been discontinued with the exception of the the P345. With the evolution of the SR line-up from the SR9 & SR40 to the SR1911, my guess is the P345 is now on life support.
 
230therapy said:
The 1911 guys will advocate...the 1911. You should spend at least $1,500 on it, except the Rock Island guys will tell you to get an RIA for $500 or less.

The Glock guys will tell you to get a Glock 21 or 30.

The M&P guys will tell you to get the M&P 45 or 45 Compact.

XD guys love their XD 45's, so you should get one of those.

The SIG guys will tell you to get a German made gun and to avoid the newer models of the P220 (and variants).

Beretta has guns in 45 ACP, but I'm not sure anyone has one.

Ruger makes a few handguns in 45 ACP, but those were all recalled.

Revolver guys will tell you to get an S&W Model 625, install "The Plug" and carry on. S&W fanatics will tell you anything with "the lock" is junk and only pre-lock guns are worthwhile. Just possessing a 625 will make you shoot almost as well as Jerry Miculek.

One guy will tell you to get a CZ 97. Never mind its huge size.

The HK guys won't help you at all.

Everyone else will tell you to get a Glock 19.
Click to expand...
This post made my morning!!! Thank you!
 
S&W 4513TSW - the early variant without the rail.

I'm 6-1 230 and it conceals easily. 7 round capacity. Accurate and reliable and looks good doing all that too! Good luck! TJ
 
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