Best .45 for carry?

[charliepratt]

I'm hunting around for a new carry piece. I'm not a big guy, 6' tall and about a buck sixty. I need something that'll tuck nicely without being too bulky. I know that's a lot to ask for a .45, but that's my question.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Water-Man]

Kahr CW45

 

[MachIVshooter]

At 5'11"/180, I carry a S&W CS45, which conceals easily with an untucked shirt or light jacket. But it is a little heavier and bulkier than some others. The smalest and lightest are:

Kahr PM-45 (good gun, expensive)
AMT Back-up .45 (tiny, not always reliable)
Taurus PT 745 (7 shot) & PT 145 (10 shot)

I had a PT145, and it actually carried easier and held more rounds than my CS45. But the S&W is much higher quality.

 

[JoelSteinbach]

Kimber Ultra

 

[Steve 48]

MY favorite CCW 45 is a Springfield Micro Compact Bi-tone.

 

[Jonah71]

Don't know if it's the best, but it's the best I have. Kimber BP Pro Ten II. But when it comes to .45's, I'm always looking. Just seems like there's a lot of good ones out there and I'm getting a bit indecisive in my old age. (plus I'm limited to $500 right now.) That makes it a lot more difficult.

 

[charliepratt]

Thanks for the great suggestions, all. This gives me a great start.

 

[PcolaDawg]

I'm 5'11", 185 pounds, and today I'm carrying a Kimber Ultra Crimson Carry II in a Galco OWB holster with my Polo shirt untucked.

If I have to tuck in my shirt, though, I'd have to go with something a bit smaller.

 

[mmitch]

For a carry 45 I'm with those that favor the Kimber Ultra Carry.



Mike

 

[samurai]

Colt New Agent or Defender.

 

[george d dennis]

glock 36

 

[WNC Seabee]

S&W 4513 is my fav

 

[Lucky Derby]

I would think that just about any 1911 with an Officer's Model size grip would do the trick.

 

[Grey_Mana]

Glock - G30 or G36.
http://www.glock.com/english/index.htm

You may find the mouseguns chart useful

 

[StrawHat]

I am a revolver fan and carry a 4" N frame chambered for the 45 ACP. No, it is not for everyone but it works for me (6'0" and about 200 lbs). I have pondered what I would carry if I were to go to a selfloading pistol and usually come to a Commander sized 1911 of some sort.

 

[PabloJ]

Performance Center .45 'Recon'. Second-hand they cost $1100+/-100 when in top shape with metal box and papers. It is professional grade firearm.

 

[Rexster]

After dabbling with Detonics Combat Masters, Colt Commanders and an Officer's ACP in the 1980s that nearly ruined my faith any 1911's reliability, I returned to the 1911 in the mid-1990s with full-sized (Government Model-sized) 1911s which restored my faith, and also taught me that the full-sized 1911 is still eminently concealable, because slimness is what counts, at least on my tall slim frame. (6' tall, 31"-32" waist)

The SIG P220 I carried from 1991-1993 was reliable, and it's slimness made it very concealable, too.

My job requires me to tote a double-stack DA .40 on the clock, and because I prefer to carry and train for only one auto-pistol system at a time, my 1911 is mostly dormant these days. I am not worried about missing the thumb safety, but about trigger control. I am quite content with the SIG P229, even if it only has a .40 hole in the front end.

I do have a new-to-me "compact" .45, a Ruger Super Redhawk Alaskan in .454/.45, but I don't yet own a carry rig for it, so cannot say from experience how it is to conceal it. I really boughtit for future walkabouts in wilderness areas, not urban concealed carry, anyway.

 

[Jonah71]

Samurai.....Have you fired the Agent a lot? I've actually been considering using the money I'm (slowly) saving for another .45. Possibly a M&P or XD but I really like the look and feel of the agent. Just haven't been able to make up my mind. It may just be worth the extra time to save for it even though I was planning on spending around $500. Do you think it's worth the extra $?

 

[Guns and more]

MY favorite CCW 45 is a Springfield Micro Compact Bi-tone.

Bingo! Winner.
Lays nice and flat, doesn't weigh too much, reliable. Looks great.
Kimber ultra also, but I bought the Springfield based on customer service reputation.

 

[The Bushmaster]

5' 7" and 150 lbs. I carry , with ease, a Kimber UCC II .45 ACP.

 

[SwampWolf]

My SIG 220 Carry model packs comfortably and well-concealed in an iwb holster.

 

[milefile]

6'1" and carry a 5" Colt govt. model. It's easier than you think. You get a good sight radius, the most reliable 1911 the way it was designed to work, and the best target re-acquisition due to it's weight/stability.

It's easier than you think.

 

[CraigC]

I prefer 1911's and also pack a Kimber Ultra Carry, in stainless steel, with Eagle UltraIvory.

 

[K9american]

Springfield 5" Mil-Spec or Colt Commander.

 

[DesertVet]

I have carried my Glock 21 .45ACP concealed with the "proper" clothing/holster setup. My Glock 30 .45ACP conceals pretty well but is a little chunky. I can conceal a full size 1911 well under a T-shirt. Les Baer Concept III 1911 .45ACP. Colt Gold Cup Trophy. Colt 1991 Government. Colt Series 70 re-issue, Colt XS Government Model,TALO Armed Forces Colt 1911-A1, or GI Springfield 1911-A1s in black AND stainless ALL work well for ME as carry guns. My Colt XSE Commander, Colt 1991 Commander, and Colt MKIV Officer's ACP DO work a LITTLE better for carry but difference is minor really. I even used to carry my Smith & Wesson 4566 .45ACP concealed on occasion with proper holster / clothing. It really is NOT that hard to carry a .45 Auto with practice, a decent holster, and "dressing AROUND the weapon"....what pistol would you want to have if you NEED it and is it worth the effort to carry a bigger / more powerful pistol!!!???