.45 ACP decision...

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Warners

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I'm in a bit of a quandry now. I need a .45 ACP pistol. I want one that I can take to the range and shoot some rounds through, but I ALSO want one that could be a CCW in the event that Illinois EVER makes that an option. As an NRA certified trainer, there are some healthy discount available, one of them being the Kahr P45. I really like this gun - I like that the grip holds all of my fingers - no dangling pinky. Now I hear that Ruger recently released the SR45, which would undoubtedly be a better (more comfortable) range gun. I only have the budget for ONE of them. I have other range guns, so I'm leaning towards the Kahr.....but I'm still not sure. Would it be feasible to CCW the SR45 (and yeah, I really don't want to wait for the SR45C). I also considered the Glock 36, which seems to fit my hand well, also......

What say you guys?

Warner
 
Its almost a bit of an apples and oranges comparison, a (semi)compact versus a full size auto. For a purely range or OC gun, I would think either the Ruger SR45 or the Kahr TP45 would be my choice. If you want to throw CCW into the mix, the Kahr P45 would definetly be my pick of your original two. Certainly, people can and do CCW full size autos like the SR45, but a more compact gun gives you more options and is generally more comfortable to carry.

As far as the Glock 36, I have one and love it. Its my current "go-to" CCW pistol. I do find that it recoils noticably more than my full size Glock 21 and that my little finger tends to fall off the end of the grip if Im not careful though (I do have somewhat large hands, though, so YMMV).
 
Yeah....shame on me for asking a question that I already knew the answer to.....I know it's an apples to oranges comparison...just looking for some "buddy" advice and maybe someone can bring something up that I hadn't thought about.....thanks for the reply.

Warner
 
SR45 isn't even out yet. I have, but don't care for, the G-36

I'd get a Smith & Wesson M&P in .45. It's proven, it's available and can be had in 3 variations, not counting the grip options.

IL won't get concealed carry, so ccw use is moot.
 
David E said:
SR45 isn't even out yet. I have, but don't care for, the G-36

I'd get a Smith & Wesson M&P in .45. It's proven, it's available and can be had in 3 variations, not counting the grip options.

IL won't get concealed carry, so ccw use is moot.
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I see SR45's for sale on online auction sites right now. I do believe they are out now.

I'll take a look at the Smith M&P.

As far as IL getting CC, we'll see. Right now there is a federal circuit court that gave the state a deadline for implementing some type of CC. I know Madigan is requesting the full panel of judges consider it again, but there's no guarantee that they will hear it based on her request. Even if they DO, and even if they see it her way, it will then get appealed to the US Supreme Court, which has been pretty clear on the 2nd amendment in all recent cases. So in other words, I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

Thanks for the reply,

Warner
 
I have to say that I've never really liked the Kahr's and for varying reasons. I got to ask have you looked at any of the SIG's? The P220 has long been a favorite of mine and Kimber makes some really guns too. Good luck on your states CCW passage, I hope it pans out.
 
Warners

Have you considered something in a Commander sized gun? With all steel construction it would be great for the range and still be a bit more compact than a full size M1911 for concealed carry.
 
I have the XDs and coming from a j-frame, I found it nice to carry, 45acp round, accurate, and didnt try to jump out of my hand. I love it.
 
I'd get what I've got: a SIG Model 220 Carry. It's single-stack magazine makes it a relatively slim pistol to carry concealed. Mine has proven to be very reliable and accurate. I prefer the traditional da action, with a decocker and no safety. If you like this configuration and also prefer a hammer (as opposed to striker-fired ignition), the Model 220 deserves a hard look.
 
Teachu2 said:
Another to consider is the Glock 30.
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I'm not a big Glock fan. I shoot them well, but I just don't LIKE them...can't put a finger on it really. Maybe because they all look the same and are a little blocky? Anyway, I handled a Glock 30, expecting to like it. I didn't. I also handled a Glock 36 expecting to NOT like it, but I DID. It fit my hand really well and seemed so much more pointable than the other Glocks that I've shot.

Warner
 
I realize its old school....but a well made 1911....can be a spectacular gun...if its well made and well tuned...especially from companies like Wilson Combat or Ed Brown....

I will tell you hands down, some of the best guns in my safe are my 1911's made by Wilson Combat...


My carry gun, a Wilson CQB 5", with black armor tuff finish on it...in .45 acp
has been a heck of a gun ....this one is about 10 yrs old now, and I have at least 20,000 rds thru it now...and not a thing wrong with it.
The CQB is the bottom gun in the photo.

Handguns - Nov 2009 003.jpg
Some of my 1911's - some are 9mm and some are .45 acp...but they've all been pretty nice guns !
 

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+1 I have a 30SF and wife and I both like it for a variety of reasons.
 
I have carried a glock 36,30,kimber ultra carry all 45's but my current carry is a kahr pm 45 have carried it for 4 years or more it is thin,lightweight,good trigger pull very comfortable to carry.I also carry a extra 7 rnd. mag,in my opinion that conseal carry is a combination of dependability,comfort and your ability to hit what your shooting at.Just my 2cents worth.
 
I'm actually a revolver (steel) man myself but.... I bought a Glock 36 last summer. Although I haven't shot it much, I really like the feel of it. Its now my main goto for carry.

Good Luck...
 
mdauben said:
As far as the Glock 36, I have one and love it. Its my current "go-to" CCW pistol. I do find that it recoils noticably more than my full size Glock 21 and that my little finger tends to fall off the end of the grip if Im not careful though (I do have somewhat large hands, though, so YMMV).
Click to expand...

My favorite carry pistol is also the G36. I had the same problem with my pinky not having a good home and sometimes getting pinched between the mag floor plate and the grip frame.

As a result, I installed Pearce +0 floor plates on all my magazines. Problem solved and the gun feels like it was custom made for my hand:

Glock36-03_zpsd8ebf0bf.jpg

It makes almost no difference to the length of the magazines:

Glock36FloorplateComparo-01_zps93752f4c.jpg

Dan
 
I would say lightweight (aluminum framed) 1911 or HK45c if it had to be only one pistol and it had to be a .45.
 
As a result, I installed Pearce +0 floor plates on all my magazines. Problem solved and the gun feels like it was custom made for my hand:
Click to expand...
Thanks for posting that side-by-side photo! I hadn't really considered the Pearce because I thought it would interfere too much with concealment, but that looks like it would really be worthwhile.
 
David E said:
SR45 isn't even out yet. I have, but don't care for, the G-36

I'd get a Smith & Wesson M&P in .45. It's proven, it's available and can be had in 3 variations, not counting the grip options.

IL won't get concealed carry, so ccw use is moot.
Click to expand...

I agree the M&P 45c is perfect it's mid size, fits all my fingers holds 8-14 rounds depending on mag used can be fired extensively at the range without worry and carries well. Plus should be cheaper than a Kahr
 
jp0319 said:
I agree the M&P 45c is perfect it's mid size, fits all my fingers holds 8-14 rounds depending on mag used can be fired extensively at the range without worry and carries well. Plus should be cheaper than a Kahr
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The M&P may have a lower street price than the Kahr, but the with NRA trainer discount, i can get a Kahr P45 for $420 plus $30 shipping and my FFL transfer fees. This is the direction I'm leaning, not in small part due to the discount. I will likely opt to spend an additional $65 for the night sights though. $540 for a P45 with night sights by the time I get it into my safe. Not bad....

Warner
 
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