45 Auto for Carry

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Sparky

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Want some advice here, gentlemen(and gentlewomen)

looking to secure a 45 auto for concealed carry. Leaning toward a Colt CCO type.... little frame with commander sized topside. I know there are several premium models out there...Kimber, Les baer etc.

So anyone with experience, knowledge or an informed opinion ...weigh in.

I like the Baer Stinger model. expensive but of very high quality...
 
Sparky,
I tend to like the Kimber's that fit that description...I cant remember the model number but I have shot one like that and I liked it..
 
I carry the Kimber Tactical Ultra or Ultra Carry with the Laser Grip.

Light, small, accurate and reliable.

The Ultra Carry is in the $650 range and the Tactical is in the $850 range.


I was shooting my Kimber Compact Custom today.
Very nice gun also but it's all steel so a little heavier than I want to carry.

Between my friends and I we have about a dozen Kimbers. We have had good luck with them.
 
Yesterday I had my Les Baer TRS .45 ACP and Glock 36 .45ACP at the range. The TRS is a very nice 1911 and the Glock 36 is a darned nice little lightweight .45ACP. I was amazed how fast I could get back on target with the G36 while getting a tight group. I would have no concern about carrying a G36.

Rich
 
I'm cranky and reactionary, since I carry a 5" all-steel gun most of the time myself.

The only way I could see myself going compact would be with a CCO-type gun, although I have an enduring fantasy of parking a 5" slide atop a frame whose grip has been chopped to Officer's Model length. :uhoh:
 
Isn't it nice we have so many choices? I prefer a standard length grip, so I pack a lightweight commander sized pistol, a Kimber CDP Pro carry to be exact.
 
I primarily use a Kimber Pro Tac II and just bought a Mil Pro PT145. So far the Taurus is running well with 300 rounds thru her without a problem. If the Taurus continues to prove itself, it might replace my 640 for backup or when added concealability is needed. As Atc1man stated, 10+1 and the compactness of the design is hard to beat. Light recoiling as well.
 
I use a 5" all steel 1911 style.

There is place for a Lt Wt Commander.

I will NOT go smaller tho in a 1911 style...reliability reasons, gun was designed to be a 5" gun. Anytime one deviates from original specs - 1911 style, or others...problems can / will ocur. IMO
 
There is also the Mini Cougar .45 and the SIG P245 and Para's smaller LDA guns and the Compact Witness models... and a number of other good options.
 
If you've got the cash, one of the CCO-sized guns you mention should be an excellent choice.
I started carrying a Colt Defender in November.
From what I've read, Colt cleared up the reliability issues with this 3" barrel gun.
Only problems mine has are when shooting Wolf. (2% failure to extact)

I would love a CCO-sized gun, but with my build, I'm not sure it work for IWB carry for me.
I'm pretty sure the full-size guns are out.
Then there's the weight issue.
The Colt Defender, at ~23oz. empty is the top of my comfort zone for IWB carry, and that is with a good pistol belt, and Milt Sparks holster.

The Colt was around $100 less than the lightweight guns offered by the others, and that, combined with reliability reports, and overall good reviews, sold it for me.
 
I have read about too many JHP failures in short barreled .45 acp guns to trust anything shorter than 4¼".

I like the feel of a Lightweight Officers or Defender but I just wouldn't trust it. If a Commander is too big I'll just carry my 2" .44 special.
 
:) Me, I like the Glock Model 21. I have no problem carrying it all day long, either, IWB or on the belt with a 15* forward cant. Very nice trigger, bright night sights, and it's easy to do your own gunsmithing. ;)
 
I like the Colt Commander XSE, with the alloy frame. Light, accurate, nice trigger.
 
This Ultra Compact Springfield is a nice .45 1911 choice!


PX9161LLarge.jpg
 
M1911A1 Carry

I have asked in an email, but would like general opinion (opinions are like noses we all have one, some are bigger than others).

I am in the process of switching from carrying a Taurus PT99AF (I know) to a M1911A1 made by Ithaca in 1944. My father-in-law has had the M1911A1 after rescuing it from the Hahn River in Korea in 1950 and I have now become the owner. He shot on several Army pistol teams with it, so it has been re-worked extensively and is still a real sweet shooting firearm. About the only original parts are the exterior, which I just had reblued. What holster do you use? I use a Galco with the Taurus 9mm, but have been looking at the Fobus - your opinions?
 
Best holster I've ever found for a 1911 is made by Milt Sparks. Either get the Exectutive Companion, the Watch Six or the Versamax II. The Executive Companion doesn't hold the angle quite as well as the other two, but is just as comfortable and conceals just as well.
 
I will NOT go smaller tho in a 1911 style...reliability reasons, gun was designed to be a 5" gun. Anytime one deviates from original specs - 1911 style, or others...problems can / will ocur. IMO
Click to expand...

Neither will I.

I've had a smaller weapon (Micro) and now I carry a full sized Springfield Loaded model.

Smaller or tighter than milspecs, and reliability suffers.

Reliability is everything in my book.

I would only suggest a smaller or a tighter weapon to someone I was going to have to face in a gunfight. :cool:
 
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