Best .45 ACP for concealment

[OneEternalRound]

I am seeking out the opinions of my fellow handgun aficionados in this post. I have a 2 full size handguns in .45 ACP and 9mm but it's near impossible to conceal them. So I'm looking for a small .45 ACP handgun that can be concealed easily. I don't care for looks, I own a Glock lol, not for looks. Reliability, durability and accuracy are my main concerns and they take equal place as far as priority. I appreciate any and all opinions, looking for some light to be shed on the best for concealment.

 

[Ken G Artillery FO.]

You might Checkout the BERSA THUNDER .45 ULTRA COMPACT PRO
3.6" Polygonal rifling, extender slide release, DA/SA, Rail for Laser,
You hafta let one fill yer hand then you decide, shoot one if ya can.
Caned Corned Beef aint the only thing the Argentinians make well.
Fergit Gambler Mt, Try Cabela's, Bass Pro Shop (Not Just for Fishing) &
Cheaper Than Dirt. what yous comphy withs what ya need!
Chuck Wagon Ken.

 

[jimbo555]

Glock 36 or springfield xds.(If they get the recall worked out) I own both,both are reliable and accurate. Glock is a little bigger but you get 1 more round.

 

[Iggy]

Probably not what you have in mind, but I carry it every day.

1916 vintage S&W 45 ACP/AR

 

[el Godfather]

Here i would go for 1911 Commander size. Preferably a VBob.

 

[surjimmy]

Kahr or LW Commander 1911

 

[jimbo555]

Nice Iggy.

 

[Sergei Mosin]

Have you tried concealing one of your full-size guns?

I ask because so many folks think they can't, without even trying. When they do try, they often find that they can in fact conceal a lot more gun than they thought they could. I've been guilty of this myself. Give it a try - you might be pleasantly surprised.

 

[Devonai]

Sergei has a point, but we don't know if the OP has a 1911 or a CZ-97. Physical limitations may also be a factor. I'm in good shape (enough for the Air Force anyway ) but I have a hip injury that makes IWB or OWB of a full-size pistol difficult.

Though they're not the smallest available, I'd recommend the S&W M&P Compact .45, or you may be able to find a S&W 4516 or 457 for a lot less money.

 

[BYJO4]

I think Glock makes a compact 45 for the money and will do exactly what you need it to do at a reasonable price.

 

[righteoushoot]

Colt TALO New Agent (the one WITH the sights). Not easy to find nowadays, but mine conceals nicely. Or take the rubber grips off a Defender and install some thin profile grips.

 

[mljdeckard]

I will echo the question of whether full size guns are 'near impossible' to conceal. Many of us have been doing it for decades.

I really think there is a lot of press and reputation repeating this idea, and I mostly think it's to get people to buy more guns. You can have your 1911, but you also need an old-school 1911, a woods carry 1911, a summer 1911, a tactical 1911, and a concealed carry 1911.

Imagine my surprise to find out that one can't do it all.......when I have been using it all along. I have carried a G-22, a Taurus T-92, a S&W Sigma, and some others, and never once did I think to myself; "This gun is just too big. I need something smaller."

I'm not saying everyone has to do it like I do, but carrying is not an accessory. It is a lifestyle choice. Decide what gun you shoot and handle best, and design your wardrobe and lifestyle around it, not the other way around.

1911s are actually slim, and a commander-sized one makes a great carry gun.

 

[orionengnr]

I like my Kahr P45, and my S&W 1911 PD (Scandium Commander) even more.

 

[Hondo 60]

The best .45 ACP for concealment depend on how you want to dress.

If you like the untucked look a Commander-sized 1911 would certainly fit the bill.
(commander-sized refers to a shorter than standard barrel 4.25" vs a 5")

There's even some 1911s that are 3" like the Kimber Super Carry Ultra HD

http://www.kimberamerica.com/1911/super-carry/super-carry-ultra-hd

 

[Sam1911]

Pretty much anything in the 1911 line from the Officer's up to the Gov't model will be quite easy to conceal with a good holster and belt.

The long-slides (6+" barrel) might start to be a problem, but the standard models conceal quite well.

 

[R.Ph. 380]

Before I carried an XDs 45, and then lost it to the recall. Back to my Officer's size American Classic Amigo. Conceals well and not too heavy.

Bill

 

[PakWaan]

HK 45C, Glock 36, XD-S .45, commander sized 1911 are all great choices.

 

[wow6599]

Kahr PM45

 

[powder]

G36. Just do it.

 

[JDR]

Dan Wesson V-Bob Commander would be my choice

 

[PabloJ]

Second hand S&W CS .45.

 

[Phaedrus/69]

When it gets colder I might carry my HK USP45 Tactical sometime just for variety!

 

[340PD]

Here is a picture of my Kahr PM9 laying on top of my Kimber Ultra CDP .45

 

[Bluerock Brimley]

...I'm not saying everyone has to do it like I do, but carrying is not an accessory. It is a lifestyle choice. Decide what gun you shoot and handle best, and design your wardrobe and lifestyle around it, not the other way around....

.....the best advice that I've read in my short time on THR......absolutely spot on!!

.....once you've made the "lifestyle choice," the size of the handgun becomes secondary to the weight of the handgun relative to comfort. With an IWB holster like a Sparks VMII or Crossbreed SuperTuck----the concealability of a full sized Govt. Model is no more difficult than a Defender----the "comfort index" is the weight of the gun, not its size. I've switched from a lightweight Defender to a Colt Wiley Clapp (lightweight) Commander and can't feel the difference while I'm carrying; when shooting there's a significant difference.

To the OP, I'd suggest changing the question from "what's the best .45 ACP for concealment" to "what's the best way to carry and conceal a .45 ACP"

JMO-YMMV

 

[ghitch75]

Colt Defender 45ACP......is my vote...