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OP
lobo9er
Member
but outta my price range.
45 compact, which one?
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but outta my price range.
jblackfish
Member
Yep. You said "best bet" and that's one of em. There was no mention of price if I remember your 1st post. Good luck.Wilson combat, $2,500. Not that I wouldn't love one.
jimbo555
Member
Buy a glock 30 if you want to carry a brick around all day,too wide for me.Glock 36 is the most problematic glock there is,just do a search.I have the colt new agent,100%reliable,super thin and very accurate.Put a glock in your hand and then try a new agent/defender you'll feel the difference.Plus there is no comparing the trigger between the two!
Skylerbone
Member
The problem is still that the shorter the 1911 variant, the more difficult it is to get AND keep running. The best option is something reliable first without regard to preference or ergonomics or capacity or price. If there are multiple contenders standing when that first issue is settled the remaining ones (price, fit, caliber and looks) are a snap.
jimbo555
Member
The only thing necessary to keep my new agent running reliably is replacing the recoil spring assy. I replace mine every 1000 rounds.All the smaller 45's including the glocks have the same system.I have had my new agent since 07 and it yet to fail on me.Check around the defender/new agent colts have a great reputation for reliability.
Skylerbone
Member
I have checked, and they do not. I'm glad yours is working well but far too many do not.
Yes, there are better choices like Glock 30sf.
dondavis3
Member
I haven't noticed any mention of the Springfield XDs in .45.
Maybe it's too new.
Anyone have any experience with those?
Maybe it's too new.
Anyone have any experience with those?
OP
OP
lobo9er
Member
I did see a clip from shot show on youtube about them. Looked like a pretty nice package.
jimbo555
Member
Like most things everyone has an opinion,the fact that one person likes one thing doesn't make it better.Best advice is to try the different choices and decide for yourself.And don't believe everything you read on the Internet!
MADDOG
Member
S&W CS45. Very easy to carry and also very reliable.
dogsoldier0513
Member
I've owned and carried several Colt OACPs (SS and LtWt.), an SA Micro Compact Operator, an SA LtWt. Compact and a Glock G36. HANDS DOWN, my fav is the G36.
I've been a 1911 shooter for 35 years, and disliked Glocks nearly as long - until I shot a G30. Went right from the range rental to the sales counter and bought one. Could not be happier with it.
I'm a XXL guy, so concealing it is not a big issue. I chose a Gen3 standard frame, as it fits my hands well and I shoot it very well. The G4 isn't CA approved, and the rental I shot was identical to what I bought.
I also rented S&W M&P and XD Service and Tactical .45s, M&P 9, 9c, Glock 17 and 19, and a couple of XD 9mms. None suffered any failures (and were all dirty, well-used range rentals) and all were completely stock. The XD guns were OK, but the overly-aggressive checkering was a negative for extended range time. The M&Ps were the most comfortable to shoot (bought the wife a 9c) and I may still get a M&P .45 later on.
The G30 was a surprise in every way. The Glocks are the most foreign of the group to a 1911 shooter, but I shot the G30 better than any other gun I'd rented. It's an easy gun for me to shoot well, and the big grip tames the recoil very well. The accuracy is outstanding, IMHO.
The polymer single-stack .45 compacts are attractive, but didn't bring enough to the table to move me away from a 1911. Size and weight reductions also reduce shootability, and I didn't have a problem carrying a full-size 1911. The G30 is actually thicker than a 1911, but not enough to matter to me. It does weigh less, is as reliable as a sunrise, and holds 3 more rounds.
I prefer a CCW that I will shoot often. The G30 fits the bill for me. It won't for everyone. The smaller the gun, the more critical the fit to the shooter. If at all possible, shoot the ones you think are candidates.
You will find proponents of every make and model. All the guns mentioned in this post are quality guns, as are others mentioned elsewhere in this thread. It's like trying to buy running shoes based on what others wear. You need to see what fits you best.
I'm a XXL guy, so concealing it is not a big issue. I chose a Gen3 standard frame, as it fits my hands well and I shoot it very well. The G4 isn't CA approved, and the rental I shot was identical to what I bought.
I also rented S&W M&P and XD Service and Tactical .45s, M&P 9, 9c, Glock 17 and 19, and a couple of XD 9mms. None suffered any failures (and were all dirty, well-used range rentals) and all were completely stock. The XD guns were OK, but the overly-aggressive checkering was a negative for extended range time. The M&Ps were the most comfortable to shoot (bought the wife a 9c) and I may still get a M&P .45 later on.
The G30 was a surprise in every way. The Glocks are the most foreign of the group to a 1911 shooter, but I shot the G30 better than any other gun I'd rented. It's an easy gun for me to shoot well, and the big grip tames the recoil very well. The accuracy is outstanding, IMHO.
The polymer single-stack .45 compacts are attractive, but didn't bring enough to the table to move me away from a 1911. Size and weight reductions also reduce shootability, and I didn't have a problem carrying a full-size 1911. The G30 is actually thicker than a 1911, but not enough to matter to me. It does weigh less, is as reliable as a sunrise, and holds 3 more rounds.
I prefer a CCW that I will shoot often. The G30 fits the bill for me. It won't for everyone. The smaller the gun, the more critical the fit to the shooter. If at all possible, shoot the ones you think are candidates.
You will find proponents of every make and model. All the guns mentioned in this post are quality guns, as are others mentioned elsewhere in this thread. It's like trying to buy running shoes based on what others wear. You need to see what fits you best.
LiveLife
Member
+1 on conducting comparative range tests to see how they actually shoot with your hands.
Holes on target speak volumes.
For me, ultimately aside from brand/model/price/features/hype, it comes down to how accurate and fast I can shoot it.
What good is a nice 45 compact pistol you adore if you can't hit your attacker when your life depends on it?
Holes on target speak volumes.
For me, ultimately aside from brand/model/price/features/hype, it comes down to how accurate and fast I can shoot it.
What good is a nice 45 compact pistol you adore if you can't hit your attacker when your life depends on it?
there fixed it for you.
Everybody has the same engineering issues when you try to turn that fat little 45 out of the mag and into the chamber, when you go from a 4" to a 3.5" to a 3" barrel you go to a shorter and shorter recoil spring setup, which in turn limits slide travel, which in turn limits the window with which they'll operate in.
Just for the record I've seen a lot of 3" 1911s get through a mag without a hiccup I've never seen a 3" Glock, XD or M&P feed a single round.
george d dennis
Member
never had one problem with my g36, but i like the looks of the springfield xd.
Skylerbone
Member
So what am I to think of an 1911 that is bushingless with a dual-recoil spring set-up with a reverse plug and ramped barrel sitting on an abbreviated frame with shortened dustcover and rails? Same engineering issues yes, that's of course the reason many newer models have been engineered from the ground-up to deal with those issues. Sure there are great options but they're barely recognizable in that guise and they are costly to boot.
A 3rd Gen. S&W for $350 or so would, in my opinion make a fantastic option. New, I'd look at Kahr and investigate the new XDS. Double stack, the M&P 45. It is also my opinion that a carry 1911 ought to have a 5" barrel on it to maximize dependability. I love the 1911 and I'll throw any of mine in the ring with a Glock but concerning compact .45s I truly believe there are better options unless the OP has north of $2,000 to spend.
A 3rd Gen. S&W for $350 or so would, in my opinion make a fantastic option. New, I'd look at Kahr and investigate the new XDS. Double stack, the M&P 45. It is also my opinion that a carry 1911 ought to have a 5" barrel on it to maximize dependability. I love the 1911 and I'll throw any of mine in the ring with a Glock but concerning compact .45s I truly believe there are better options unless the OP has north of $2,000 to spend.
Well now that's really no more a 1911 than the 3rd gen Smith your touting. Look I'm not saying 3" 1911s are ubereliable quite the opposite I beleve everybody has more issues as the recoil system gets shorter. Lowering slide weight past a certain point causes problems too. Thats one reason the Smith CS45 works pretty good its heavy. I see you suggestes Kahr, I'd add that the P45 is a better bet than the PM45, the 1/2" longer barrel allows them to get rid of the duel spring and still have about 1/10" more slide travel.
While a 5" gun works, 4 1/4" gives ample room to shorten the dust cover a smidge and at 3.9" my STI with a bull barrel and reverse plug actually has a smidge more travel than my 5" Para P14.
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whatnickname
Member
Glock 36 or 30
The 3" 1911 pistols are an engineering challnge. The slide lacks the weight and length of travel to function as reliably as the 1911s with longer barrels and slides. To compensate for this, the manufacturers attempt to use some pretty wildly heavy double slide spring units. Even with this the tolerances are right up againt the wall. I had a 3" Kimber once. After the recommended 500 round break in period, my rate of failure was easily 5% to 10%. Although the pistol ran fine for the first 15 to 20 rounds. When things got dirty she didn't always want to run. The reliability of this format is spotty with regard to the ammo used (FTF). Some guns will run just fine with anything. Mine would only run with ball, which is exactly what Kimber said I should use and nothing more. Not that I would feel sorry for myself if all I had in my pistol was 230 ball when the "stuff" hits the "fan". My G36 shoots anything I stick in it. My defense load? 200 grain Hornady XTP that clocks an average 950 fps out of my G36. Which round do you suppose would be more effective in a fire fight?
The 3" 1911 pistols are an engineering challnge. The slide lacks the weight and length of travel to function as reliably as the 1911s with longer barrels and slides. To compensate for this, the manufacturers attempt to use some pretty wildly heavy double slide spring units. Even with this the tolerances are right up againt the wall. I had a 3" Kimber once. After the recommended 500 round break in period, my rate of failure was easily 5% to 10%. Although the pistol ran fine for the first 15 to 20 rounds. When things got dirty she didn't always want to run. The reliability of this format is spotty with regard to the ammo used (FTF). Some guns will run just fine with anything. Mine would only run with ball, which is exactly what Kimber said I should use and nothing more. Not that I would feel sorry for myself if all I had in my pistol was 230 ball when the "stuff" hits the "fan". My G36 shoots anything I stick in it. My defense load? 200 grain Hornady XTP that clocks an average 950 fps out of my G36. Which round do you suppose would be more effective in a fire fight?
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