.45 ACP and holster for CCW?

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A Colt Series 80 5" and a LFI I rig which is IWB velcro tab & belt w/velcro has been working for me.

It's a timeless classic and will continur to be because it's been around so long that everyone and their mother makes parts & mags for them. Even in the most basic mil spec conditions it will do what needs doing, you don't need to get one of the ridiculously priced ones.

My lil ol' series 80 leaves me wanting nothing more in a SD pistol except maybe the thought of trading off my G21 for another one.
 
I like my Kimber Pro - the 4" barrel. However, there are many nice .45 ACP carry platforms, I just haven't been able to buy them all.
For a holster, I like something in ultra-thin Kydex from Fist.
 
My solution

has been Para Tac Four with an IWB tuckable from Tucker Gunleather. Year-round comfort and concealment, 14 rds of .45 ACP firepower.
 
A full size 1911 in a Galco Summer Comfort IWB strongside holster on a dedicated and purpose-built carry belt.
 
Any of the 1911's in a "compact" size.

- Thin profile
- 4" barrel (long enough to retain velocity and reliability)
- Officers (shorter) sized frame - the grip is usually the hardest part to cover up.
- Holster - either a Milt Sparks Watch Six or VM2
 
Kimber Pro Carry and a Desanti's Cozy Pardner IWB leather.

(soon to replace my current carry rig, G19 in a Comp-Tac undercover pro):D
 
If I owned no guns and was starting over from scratch with the intent of carrying a 45ACP, I'd probably get a Colt CCO (Commander-length slide on an Officer-sized frame) as I think they're optimal from a velocity vs. concealability vs. # of rounds perspective. Just being the kind of guy I am, after 500 rounds of ball ammo, I'd send it off to a reputable smith for some bullet proof parts swappin', some internal polishing, a reliability job and a reasonable trigger job. And I'd likely carry it in a Milt Sparks Summer Special 2 holster. I'm sure there are better holsters out there, but this is the best I've tried. :)

A G30 would would likely keep me company while the Colt was away.

One part of the equation that many folks leave off is a good belt. Some guys (and gals) will want to carry a $1,000+ 5" full-steel 1911 with their $150 holster on a $9 belt from Walmart. Now... that $9 belt might work fine for my plastic Kahr or even maybe a G26, but when you get up around the 50 + Oz range, a quality belt can make ALL the difference.
 
Full size 1911 in a Sparks Summer Special II for me. Winter or summer I use the same rig and have had no problems.
 
I vote for the Commander length in a tuckable IWB

I have a Kimber CDP Pro in a C.T.A.C. from Comp-Tac

230 gr Golden Sabres out of a 4" barrel will work

At 28oz, the alloy framed Kimber is easy to keep with me
 
Some good answers here -- I agree with most of them.

My personal solution:

Wilson Compact CQB -- 4.1" bull bbl., officers grip, shoots great and hides well.
Milt Sparks Watch Six Dual Talon -- but SS2, VM-II, Heritage, etc. work great as well.
Milt Sparks 1 1/2" belt and mag holder.

(I'm a Milt Sparks leather fan!)

This is my daily carry and I never have concealment issues and always feel about as well armed as you can get with a handgun.
 
RotR:
Get the best .45 you can afford and put it in an IWB Holster. I use the Wilson IWB Featherweight as it will fit any 1911 style pistol regardless of slide length (so if you feel like carrying a Commander one day and a Full Size Government the next...one holster works for both pistols).
 
Say you wanted accuracy, concealability and .45 ACP power in a CCW weapon.
Click to expand...
I do!

I chose a Colt CCO and a Comp-Tac C.T.A.C. holster. Sometimes I carry my custom Sistema though for that longer Govt. model sight radius.


Colt-CCO.jpg
 
Well, I just ordered the Comp-Tac C-T.A.C. holster for the SW1911 to replace the $29 "Shooting Systems" nylon jobbie. It should come in next week, and I'll give a "carry report". :)


I have a Comp-Tac Shirt-Tucker for a Walther P22, and it's just not that comfy. Tends to dig in after a while, and I just can't take it. Hopefully the C-T.A.C. design is comfier.

-James
 
Saying you want .45 ACP power, accuracy, and concealability I would have expected a .40 S&W flame-war to start up. Maybe the caliber wars have finally settled down to a "live and let live" state :)

My personal choice would be a CZ-97B in a HBE IWB COM2 style holster. IF I had to be saddled with the .45 ACP I want at least 10 rounds :neener:

Just kidding. 5 rounds of .45 ACP should be sufficant if reloads are available and even if I had a 100 round magazine of .50 BMG, I'd still want to carry a spare.

As a parting jab. If I'm carrying a gun that big already . . . I'm thinking 10mm. ;)
 
like many, i started with the 5" GM, went to the 4.25" commander and finally to the officer's ACP. i think the officer's frame and the commander slide offered the best balance between balance and concealability. for carry i would go with an alloy frame and ed brown's "bobtail" conversion.

i started my holster collection with milt spark's summer special (which i still use) but my latest choice is one from heine made for him by alessi
 
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