3" 45 ACP for Carry

[twolf811]

I have started to look for a 3" 45 for carry. I have looked at the Kimber's and the Colt Defender. I have read about the Colt New Agent which looks very promising. Please provide opinions and experience with these and other smaller45 semi-autos that would make a good carry weapon.

Thanks in advance,

 

[GTSteve03]

Check out the HK USP Compact in 45. It has a 3.8" barrel, but an overall length of just 7 inches and only 1.6lbs, it would make an excellent carry weapon. It also has the same cocked/locked ability of the 1911, along with a decock option if you get the version 1.

 

[Lonestar49]

Colt Defender

...

After some teething problems, first 150 rounds, she's shooting @ 100% with both factory mags and 2 Wilson Combat mags.. 800 rounds to date, going strong, and I have no doubts about this guns reliability, dependability, and her accuracy, from up close, out to 63ft, she's a tack driver..

One hand shots, if necessary, work well..

Just keep the mags and gun clean, and have the rail-guides and rails, well lubed.. WET, and ya..

Couldn't be happier,


Ls

 

[Waldo Pepper]

I love the CS45 myself. They are hard to find since S&W dropped it from their line recently. I have only seen one CSD45 used and I bought it on the spot, never seen a new one either, but mine was close. 6+1 and it will do 2" group at 7 yards for me and maybe better for you. Not sure of the weight, but I would guess 15 to 18 oz at most. It is DA/SA and not ammo fussy. The production date of mine is my birthday, 7/25/05.



Forgot to mention it has decocker/safety for excellent CCW and even though it is really light, it has very little kick or buck when fired. I also have 3" officers 1911 and it weights a ton, but can drive tacks. I would say pick either the Defender or a CS45, and I'm a long time 1911 man, but I picked the CS45 over a Defender.

 

[GunNut]

The Colt Defender is a very nice gun and pretty reliable, as i'm guessing the Agent would be too.

Another good little compact .45ACP is the Glock 36, thin and lightweight. Not sure if you would consider it, but you didn't specify 1911's only.

 

[TheReeves]

Another vote for the Defender. I've had mine for almost two years and many thousand rounds. Only problems were with Speer Gold Dots and some limp wristing. I carry it daily (SOB/IWB) with ultra thin Alumagrips and it is very comfortable.



I'll soon be taking pictures like you Lonestar49, if I could ever find myself an EMP!

 

[Hunter0924]

I wrote a review for the m1911.org e-zine on the Colt New Agent.
The little Colt worked flawless for me and several others I know who have bought one. I believe the New Agent is a viable option for a small carry pistol and is well worth considering.
http://ezine.m1911.org/ColtNA.htm

 

[M2 Carbine]

I'm a Kimber fan. Of the five I own four are Ultras (3 inch).
The two that I prefer to carry is the Tactical Ultra II and the new Ultra Covert II because both have Crimson Trace Laser Grips.
As far as accuracy and reliability I'd carry any of the five.

 

[Hypnogator]

Don't overlook the Taurus PT-145 & 745 Millennium Pros. My 145 gives me 10+1 in the same size as the chopped 1911s. And it isn't finnicky about feeding.

 

[MICHAEL T]

I have a Defender everyday carry and a Agent on layaway .Also a Officer and a Detonics. I like compact 45's and the Colts are the best

 

[bigmike45]

twolf811,

I had a Colt Defender that was very finicky about the ammo it would reliably cycle with so I eventually sold it. I then bought a Springfield Micro Compact that that would only reliably cycle FMJ ammo. After reading several statements made about most sub 4" 1911's experiencing these types of reliable feeding problems I decided to go the 4" route and eventually ended up with a Wilson Professional. It has been flawless.

I, like you, still wanted a 3" 45acp gun and I tried my buddies Taurus PT-145. His had over 5000 rounds through and according to him only had three malfunctions....and they were with his handloads. This little hand cannon carries 10 in the mag and one in the chamber and will cycle anything.

I now have two of the 2nd edition PT-145's, double action only and with an accessory rail. Mine have over 3000 rounds each and have never failed to feed or shoot yet. What's so unreal is the accuracy coming out of these 3" guns. At 15 yards it's easy to group all 11 shots into one ragged hole measuring around the 2" mark. There has been a lot of negative talk about the Taurus products, but I have several and they have all worked fine for me. Here are mine:

bigmike45

 

[wrench]

I have both a Defender and a S&W CS45. About the same size, both of them absolutely reliable.
So, you just pick if you want cocked and locked, or traditional double/single action.
Trigger reach is shorter on the Defender, if that matters to you.

 

[mjb]

I love my Glock 36

 

[dhoomonyou]

Glock 30.

 

[TOADMAN]

Glock 30 or Glock 36...

 

[Steve H]

I've had/carried my Kimber Ultra CDP for almost a year now, great little gun.

 

[bluetopper]

I've been lusting after at a double action only Para Stealth Carry model.


But my 2'' snubbie 45acp wheelgun takes care of business and gives me a warm cuddly feeling in the meantime.

 

[Just Jim]

I bought a Springfield Micro in 45 and have alot of feeding problems, will let you know if I ever get them worked out.

jj

 

[AWMP]

Kimber Ultra CDP II, I'm not a Kimber guy but this is now my every day carry. Shoots perfect, never a problem, very very impressed.

 

[57shooter]

Kimber makes a fine 1911

I have a Kimber Ultra II CDP (3") and a Pro Raptor (4"). They have both been 100% reliable at the range, with a broad mix of fmj and jhp ammo. I'm no great shot but normally can keep 2"-3" groups with the Ultra and 3"-4" groups with the Raptor at 7 yards. Not sure why, but the Ultra seems to be easier for me to shoot more accurately. Also, it only weighs 25 oz and conceals quite well.

 

[glockman19]

I carry a Kimber Ultra Raptor II. Great gun. I'll get another Kimber Ultra in the future. I'll also consider carying my Pro carry II

 

[poet]

For carry . . . Kimber Ultra. Light and very accurate, feeds everything!

My Colt Officer and ParaOrdnance OPS are too heavy for comfortable carry but both are very good pistols.

SA Micro Compact has too much "muzzle flip", don't ask why, it just does.

SA V-10, also too heavy and not as refined workmanshipwise.

Good luck in your quest.

 

[Walkalong]

Check my Signature.

 

[keyboard commando]

Ultra Raptor II

 

[DC3-CVN-72]

I have a COLT officer's .45 ACP. S.S, Enhanced and a SPRINGFEILD ARMORY MICRO-COMPACT .45 ACP. Both are grate guns. I realy,realy,realy like my COLT. I'm not in the market for a compact .45 ACP, but if I were I think I would give the COLT NEW AGENT a try. Dose COLT make them in S.S. Also rember that these compact .45 ACP 1911-A-1 type guns requier a FIRM GRIP when fired. Limp wristing the gun WILL cause a failure of some kind.