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45 ACP for year round CCW in CA?

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charlie echo

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what're among the most reliable and very discreet 45 ACP pistol for CCW that's legal in CA? I don't want hoplophobes calling 911 on me from the "print" that may reveal what's being carried, IWB.

I've heard rumors that 3" 45ACP 1911s are less reliable...is that true?
 
My 3" kimber tactical II runs flawlessly, But I take care of it. It eats whatever ammo I feed it. No a single jam or FTF in 1000+ rounds. I will replace the springs probably next year. Couple that with a crossbreed IWB holster and you are good to go.
 
I've carried both the Colt Commander (IWB) and a SIG 220 (OWB) without problems under an unbuttoned work shirt or a sweat shirt...I wouldn't personally carry a 1911 with a barrel length shorter than 4.25"

If I wanted something a bit more discreet, I'd look at a Kahr or an S&W M&P in .45ACP
 
Since you are in CA, unless you are exempt, you are limited to what is on the CA DOJ Roster of Handguns Certified for Sale.


On Roster 3"ish .45ACP semi-auto pistols
Armscor Rock Island Armory 1911 Compact
Colt Defender
Glock 30
Glock 30SF
Glock 36
H&K USP-45 Compact
Kahr Arms KP-4543
Kimber Ultra Carry II
Kimber Ultra CDP II
Springfield Armory PX9801L
SIG P-220 Carry


Off Roster 3"ish .45ACP semi-auto pistols I like/recommend...
Glock 30S
H&K HK-45C
S&W M&P-45C
 
If I could pack in California (or NY for that matter) with 7 round mag limits, at least in NY..

I'd pick a slim line Glock .45 and put a NY-1 trigger so I could carry it in the appendix position as well as behind the hip.

Deaf
 
I carry my Colt Commander off duty, single stack hides well. My fellow's carry .380's, not a bad gun, cute but I like my .45 with 8 and 10 rounders close by.
 
G30 in any of its configurations gets my vote. If you're not interested in caliber conversions, then the G30S is probably the best choice.
 
I've heard rumors that 3" 45ACP 1911s are less reliable...is that true?
Click to expand...

Now there are several 3 inch 1911s made. All by different companies.

I suspect as a class, yes they are less reliable than a 5 inch 1911... as a class.

Some makes do well, some do not.

But I have owned Colt Officers Models as well as Defender 1911s and the springs do not last more than 500 rounds before replacement.

500 rounds is not much.

Deaf
 
Sometimes I carry a Glock 30, but it can be a bit bulky. Probably the smallest available was the AMT Backup. You can sometime find these in gun shops.
 
In Arizona I went from a g19 to an Xd45 and now carry a Cw45. The Kahr is easy to conceal under a tee shirt with very minimal printing. Heck my work blackberry shows more than the XD did...
 
I think the smallest CA approved 45s I've seen are the kahr p45, the 3" kimber 1911s & glock 30sf. The full size Sig p220 has a slim profile as well. You might also want to check out the ruger sr 45. You might be able to get a deal on the ruger because I think it is falling off the roster soon. I think the smallest lightest of the bunch is the P45. I think you can conceal just about any full size with a good holster like the galco kingtuc or crossbreed supertuck. If you want to go subcompact then you need to look at the 40s.
 
I haven't had a lot of luck with short barreled 1911's. My vote goes with the guy who suggested a Glock 30. I don't know what your magazine limit is in the Republic of California, but you can pack a lot of firepower in a little G30. I've had 3 of them and all have been reliable and very accurate.
 
Commander length 1911, or perhaps a Wilson BWC (4"). The BWC carries a little less obtrusively, but you lose a round because of the compact/Officer sized grip.
 
If you can find one, the Taurus PT-745 is still on the Roster.
If I didn't already have the PT-745 I'd be looking to SSE a XDs.
 
If you're serious about CONCEALLED CARRY then you're looking at something like a Colt "Lightweight" Commander or Officer's model...or a Kimber super-duper lightweight something or another mark XVIII that comes with an aluminum frame...the KEY is the aluminum frame which brings the weight of an Officer's size gun down to 22-25 ounces which is dead square in the wheelhouse of what Glock brings to town but with the personal surety of an all-metal 1911.

If you go steel frame then even the most chopped 1911 is going to weigh over 30 ounces.
 
The operative word is "year round carry" actually that's 3(three) words.

Some 1911 will be more difficult to conceal "Year Round" depending on dress.

The new Springfield Armory XDS 45 in 3.3 inch barrel is a true "Year round" carry pistol.

Small enough, and light enough that your likely to carry it.

Accurate enough for self defense.

Otherwise I would recommend a CCO 1911 as the grip profile is small; aluminum frame so weight is conducive to carry "Year Round" and plenty accurate.

Price point for the CCO is higher.

Dan Wesson and Colt are the best in my view.
 
SoCal "year round carry" equates to t-shirt and shorts.

The three handguns I have listed on my CA LTC permit are:
.45ACP Glock 30 (Gen 2.5)
.45GAP Glock 39
.45ACP S&W Model 325PD (2.5")

Normally carry IWB and I have not had an issue with printing.
 
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