.45 ACP for CCW

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gbelleh

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I'm looking for a small, thin, reliable .45 ACP auto for winter carry. I don't want an internal lock and no manual safety (unless a 1911 type for C&L carry). I don't want to spend more than around $500-$600 on the initial purchase. I've looked into it and I'm not considering a Glock for this role.

So far, the leading choices are Kahr P45 or Springfield GI Champion Lightweight.

I have a Springfield GI fullsize and it's been great, but is too heavy for CCW. If I got the GI Champion Lightweight, I would definitely change out the ILS mainspring housing. Are these guns generally reliable enough out of the box for carry? Is anything else considered absolutely essential to replace on these for carry purposes? I would want to keep it as close to stock as possible. I don't need a beavertail and skeletonized hammer/trigger, etc. if it's not necessary.

The Kahr P45 is smaller and lighter. Great size for carry, but holds 1 less round and hasn't been out very long. I had a great PM9 and an MK40, so I'm familiar with Kahrs. Are there any known ongoing problems with the P45?

Anything else out there that fits these requirements that I might've missed? I prefer a 1911 without a firing pin block safety. I've also looked into the S&W .45s and HKs and found them all a little too large. Thank you.
 
If you want to stick to a 1911-style, look into ParaOrdinance. I have a 6.45 Carry LDA and it'd been awesome, reliable and accurate. If you want a highr round count, look into the Carry 12, but my 6.45 came with 7-round mags, (go figure) and the LDA trigger pull on mine is sweet....
 
I think for what you're wanting, a 1911 would probably fit the bill best.
If I were going to get one in that price range, I'd try to get a Springer or a Colt.

Best of luck.

Jason
 
If you must go below a 4" barrel, I'd consider a .40 S&W instead (Kahr P40 inssteal of P45) because of the velocity loss in short barrels may leave the .45 with inadaquate penetrate -- potentially even more of an issue in cold weather/heavy clothes situations.

Use the search, lots of folks have issues with sub 4" 1911s. I've had good luck with them but now choose .40S&W from a 3" barrel over .45ACP from a 3" barrel.

If I could conceal and comfortably carry a Commander sized (4") 1911 it's be a no brainer. (yes I know the Commander is 4.25" but pretty much everyone esle is 4" bull barrel in that size).

--wally.
 
Don't know how you feel about Taurus, but they make some pretty small single stack .45s. I've got a mil pro that has been dead nuts reliable so far.
 
I'm in a similar situation as the original writer of this string- looking for a large caliber auto in the 40-45 cal range. I have a Sig 380 that I carry conceal and a S&W 357 for home defense. I also have a Glock 40 that I really don't like and am going to sell because I have a mental block about the internal hammer. I've looked at a few 45s like the S&W and Sig and by no means am I an expert so I'm just wondering if the 40 cal may be just as good?
 
I love the .45ACP round and the 1911 platform, but I haven't had good luck with the really small versions with barrels under 4 inches. They're harder to shoot, not as accurate, lose too much velocity, and can suffer from reliability issues.

After a lot of experimenting, I decided that the perfect carry pistol for me is the CCO size -- officer frame (6+1) with commander slide (4.25" barrel). These days, I carry a Colt Gunsite CCO daily. It's built on an alloy officer's frame to keep the weight down, but thanks to the 4.25" barrel it has the velocity, accuracy and reliability of the commander size guns. It comes with a Novak low profile rear sight and Heinie front (dovetailed), but if you're like me you'll end up replacing them with night sights or at least three-dots for better acquisition. With a set of slim alumagrips on it, it carries very well in an IWB holster with 7 rounds of Winchester RA45T (230 gr JHP).

It's not the cheapest choice, however. Street price new is around $1,000, and you'll probably spend some money (as I did) on new sights and grips and better mags. My Colt 1911's have also all required a little bit of massaging to run reliably with JHP ammo (they ran fine with ball, but ball isn't a good choice for defensive use). In total, I probably have about $1,500 into my carry Colt.

Someone else recommended Para Ordnance, and I will second that recommendation. I have an SSP (full size single action, i.e., a traditional 1911) and an LTC (traditional commander size 1911), and they're both awesome. Both are accurate and have been 100% reliable without any 'smithing, whether on ball, hollowpoint or semi-wadcutters. They also have great triggers, and good three-dot sights standard, along with all the usual "loaded" type features (beavertail safeties, skeletonized triggers, etc.). They're also priced right. I bought my SSP brand new for $595 and the LTC in like-new condition for even less. They're just a little too large and heavy for daily CCW use, at least for my preference. When I decided to switch from a Glock to a 1911 for carry, I really wanted another Para, but Para wasn't making a single action CCO at that time. I don't know whether or not they are now, but if they are, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it.
 
At close range I wouldn't give loss of velocity much thought. Stats show that most issues arise 7-10 feet away. Is loss of velocity really a concern at this point? No. What is? Accuracy. Find a gun that fits you and what you want in a gun. If you're after a 45acp that you can conceal you have a wide range of choices - full size 1911 on down to a compact model. I for one carry a Taurus PT145 and have not had an issues when it comes to concealment nor problems on the range. I think I've shot 400-500 rounds through it and not a single jam or any other problem.

Good luck.
 
As a side note, after much experimenting I found that the Remington Golden Sabre 185gr JHP's were ideal for the 3" barrel - seemed as if they were designed for it...Good luck and keep us posted.
 
To clarify, I'm only looking at 4" or 4.25" 1911s. Years ago, I had a 3" Springfield micro 1911 that worked, but now I'm looking for at least a 4" barrel.

A vintage pre-series 80 Colt Commander Light Weight would be ideal, but I don't see too many around these days.
 
At close range I wouldn't give loss of velocity much thought. Stats show that most issues arise 7-10 feet away. Is loss of velocity really a concern at this point? No.
Click to expand...

Its a major concern for me! Why? Because the only two times I've had to put my hand on my carry piece (never have had to draw, thankfully), I realized I'd have been shooting thru my car door/window from the inside if the pinhead had produced a weapon. The second time it happened, I really reconsidered the short (sub 4") barreled .45ACP and decided I needed more penetration.

--wally.
 
I love my Colt CCO. Kinda hard to find one, but they are worth it.

Colt-CCO.jpg
 
the springer sounds like a viable option 4" 1911s make great carry guns.might step up to the milspec better sights and opened up port could be benaficial.
 
"Are there any known ongoing problems with the P45?"
I had the barrel and slide replaced after 100 rds.
 
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