45 Full size for carry

[el Godfather]

Dear THR
Which of these full size 45 would you chose to carry with loaded chamber? Each of these has a different platform. Please share your reasoning.

Glock 21
HK USP 45
Colt 1911

Thanks

 

[Balrog]

I have carried all three at various times. They are all good guns. Its a matter of personal preference, and anyone who tells you different has a personal agenda. I find all three of them to be a little too big for my preferences.

 

[2wheels]

1911 because...

A. I already either carry Officer sized or occasionally a full sized 1911, so I'm definitely used to the platform.

B. It's the slimmest of the 3, making it easier to IWB.

Though that being said, I prefer a Commander or Officer sized 1911, but that's just me.

 

[Jason_G]

Concealment is a matter of practicality. What I mean by that is that you can probably conceal just about anything if you really want to go through the headache of doing it. So then it becomes really a matter of what is practical to conceal. Here's my opinion, it's worth what you paid for it:

The USP45 is a great handgun, but it is not really built for CCW. Too big, too thick, and just an all around hawg leg. On paper, just looking at dimensions, you wouldn't think so, but if you tried to conceal it you'd see what I mean. Some folks do get away with carrying it in an MTAC or similar holster, with some serious cover garments, but I don't think I could conceal mine to my own satisfaction in warm weather clothes, even with an untucked button down.

The Glock is another great handgun, but for me, it fails in the concealability department for the same reasons as the USP. Too big, wrong geometry.

There's really only one concealable option here, at least IMO, if you are talking about practicality...


Again, just my experiences, and my opinion. I'm sure there are folks that conceal either the G21 or USP45 to their satisfaction everyday, but it doesn't work for me, and I have what I would assume to be a pretty typical male body type (about 5'11", 170 lbs).

YMMV.

Jason

 

[coalman]

The Glock 21 is ginormous for a CCW. The HK is huge, too. The 1911 can be had in 3"-5" barrels, all steel or not, with a lot of variation to suit the user. I've owned all 3 platforms. All are excellent. The 1911 remains.

 

[Tcruse]

All 3 very large for CCW, 1911 maybe least well suited due to heavier weight.
Glock 21 SF most likely best choice.

 

[Swing]

M1911. Heavy, yes, but slim.

 

[MCgunner]

Can't vote. Won't fit in a pocket.

 

[Shoobee]

How about NONE of the above?

Try a Sig, or a Ruger, or a CZ instead.

 

[Calhoun]

Haven't had a G21, but I have owned the others at various times. Both can be concealed also. The 1911, as others have said, is slimmer, but I think that the HK is more reliable than a 1911. Or at least any 1911 I've had or fired any significant amount. Depending on your dress, holster, and belt combination any of the 3 can be concealed. All are good guns.

 

[iLikeOldgunsIlikeNewGuns]

everyone's different, so I voted what works best for me.
I've carried a full-size full-weight 8+1 1911 in .45acp for two years now, goin on three. I find that the slimness makes it disappear when concealed, and a good leather belt and proper holster makes weight no factor. It is a very accurate pistol with a SUPERB trigger, I love single-action-onlys. Mine is a S&W 1911, so it is redundantly safe as well, has the grip safety, thumb safety, and internal firing-pin safety that does not affect the trigger pull at all. I carried it with a snap-cap in the chamber for the first month, sometimes with the thumb-safety not even engaged, and the hammer never dropped, even when driving and such. I've carried it cocked, locked, and ready to rock ever since. Slim shape and big handle provide a positive smooth draw on target every time I own several semi-autos and this is my most trusted to be reliable every time... 3000 rounds in, only failure was a stovepipe long ago, and that was certainly the mass-produced cheap range-ammo's fault. Also, the slimmer mags make carrying two or three easier than double stacks. Capacity is not so much of an issue as the gun's accuracy and trigger makes shot-placement much easier. Still has more capacity than a revolver.

Just my 2 cents anyhow, happy shootin

 

[kayl]

None of the above- P220

 

[Billy Shears]

I've carried a full-size full-weight 8+1 1911 in .45acp for two years now, goin on three. I find that the slimness makes it disappear when concealed, and a good leather belt and proper holster makes weight no factor.

EXACTLY!

If I live to be a hundred, I'll never understand the complaint about weight -- at least not with a handgun that will be worn on the belt like this. I could see it in pocket carry, but not on the belt. I carry an all steel gun myself (.40S&W Hi Power), and I don't even notice the weight, let alone find it onerous.

 

[SwampWolf]

None of the above- P220

Yep, best .45 full-size pistol going for ease of carry and concealment imo.

 

[earplug]

I like slim and light weight.
I'd go for a full size 1911 with a alloy frame if I had to pick from the three.

 

[ApacheCoTodd]

Considering the actual question of carry (not stated as concealed so assumed open carry) and chambered round, I had to go H&K for the visibility of the hammer and the de-cocker.

I open carry my 1911s - a lot and regardless of what has been written for the last 100 years and my time in the Army of really carrying them while overseas I don't feel good about having a round in the chamber in polite society even with my hammer block holster.

Glock? Well, I'm just not that guy but understand them to be fine firearms.

 

[56hawk]

I sometimes carry a USP40. It's really too big for CCW, so most of the time a carry a Kel Tec P11. That being said I like being able to carry the HK either cocked and locked or hammer down. Depending on what holster I'm using. For safety reasons I wouldn't consider carrying either the Glock or the 1911.

 

[wlewisiii]

Actually the nicest .45 I ever had was a Ruger P97. Should have kept that; damn sure liked shooting it more than any 1911 I ever fired.

 

[tomrkba]

All are just fine fully loaded in a holster.

As a carry platform, the 1911 is the most narrow. The HK is very wide and the non-compact guns are tall. The Glock 21 is very tall. The 1911 will likely carry the best.

 

[CharlieDeltaJuliet]

I either carry a Sig 220 or a 1911. Sometimes, depending on the clothes, I will carry my Sig C3 1911, just due to size. I carry the larger framed pistols due to my comfort and confidence with them.

 

[MachIVshooter]

None of the above for me. My two carry .45's are a S&W CS-45 and a S&W 4516-1. If I'm carrying a full size, it'll be a 10mm.

Now, if your list read Officer's/Commander 1911, Glock 30/36 or HK USP45c, I'd go with the G-36. For a shooter, I would prefer the 1911, but I don't like C&L carry. As for the HK? It's an overpriced Glock with a hammer.

But, having played with all of the above, I'd still choose my CS-45 over all other compact .45's, several of which I've owned. It's the only one that was really comfortable with +P loads.

 

[amd6547]

I have CCW'd a full size 1911 with no problem. Once I got (and shot) a Glock 30, I never looked back.

 

[Don357]

I chose the 1911. I have carried several different guns and my 1911 and FEG GKK are by far the easiest "full size" to CCW due to their thickness or thinness if you will. I have found that most full size polymer .45acp guns, though lighter, are so thick, that they're downright painful to CCW in a IWB. Of course an AMT.45 is by far the smallest .45 auto I've ever seen.

 

[WoodchuckAssassin]

I believe the Colt 1911 - or any 1911 for that matter - is slimmer, so I'd go with the 1911. Personally, I CCW a full size Ruger 1911 without any problem...and I'm a 170 pound stick. If I could carry a Commander model, I would. Good luck with your decision!

 

[beatledog7]

I really like my G22 Gen4 and was considering a Glock 21 (along with the XD and M&P) for carry until yesterday. Was looking at the 21SF and then had my first opportunity to handle a G21 Gen4. While the grip on these is surprisingly petite for a DS .45, the slide is enormously wide.

SwampWolf is on target re: the P220. Had my hands on a used one today and was impressed. But the shop wanted too much for it, and I was looking for a bit higher capacity.

So, being a CZ shooter, I went with a Baby Eagle. Fewer rounds than G21, and heavier it seems than most 1911s, but will be easier to conceal than the Glock, and man does it feel nice. Blindfold me and hand me this gun, and I'd swear I have a CZ 75 in my hand.

Now I wait....