can you really carry a 45 compact year round

[BossHogg]

I love my 1911's but I'm thinking of a 45 platform different from them just cause. I see used full size are cheaper than the compacts. I'm in the south so only have about 4 months of jacket weather.

The queston is can the compact 45's be carried with out printing so much under just a shirt? I don't like anyone to know I'm carrying.

The full size guns are my favorite for shooting,even in 1911s. I would like to try some compact,but if it can't be CCW year round I may as well pick up a full size.

 

[David E]

I routinely carry a 4" Kimber Compact in a BraveHeart from www.kytac.com and have had no complaints.....and it gets hot here in the summer!

 

[DonRon]

The Kahr CW 45 is a great .45 Caliber to carry at all times. I personally don't feel the .45 cartridge is a useful caliber anymore and the .40 far surpasses it in ballistics. But that's just my opinion.

Single action pistols don't make good self defense guns because they require more than one action to fire them. That why I opt for a Glock or a Kahr. They do make good range toys and show off toys to your buddies though because they sure do make some pretty and expensive ones.

 

[surjimmy]

I carry a Brown Executive Carry, the bob-tail really makes a difference.

 

[DenaliPark]

Ahh the G-36 .45 ACP is IMO one of the very best CCW's of all time, easily carried year round, and in all weather...

 

[CDW4ME]

Yes, I can pack a compact 45 year round, mine is a Kimber Ultra Carry II.

Compact 45 carry methods used by a person anal about printing (me):

Option #1: 3:00 strong side IWB with holster that has adjustable kant like Blade Tech UCH (I remove the sweat guard and other extra length that I deem unnecessary from that model)

The Mitch Rosen ARG, although not adjustable, is also good and carries the pistol with enough kant to satisfy me.

I'm going to want to be able to lean forward a reasonable amount without printing. I pack a Kimber Compact CDP II with 4'' barrel if utilizing strong side carry, the 4'' barrel doesn't hinder concealment in that location and increases velocity.

Option #2: is IWB "appendix" carry with a Fist Kydex clip-on holster. The Kimber Ultra Carry 3'' barrel is as long a length as I would want in this location.

I do not wear a single shirt with the previous two methods. I wear a t-shirt with an untucked loose outer shirt (I hate the look of plaid, but I bought several short sleeve plaid shirts due to the superior anti-printing inherent in a non-solid color; I typically wear the plaid shirt with cargo type casual shorts and the combined look isn't bad).

Option #3: For the really hot days, I go with sweat shorts / gym shorts and a single untucked t-shirt. My Ultra Carry II is totally hidden and printing is a non-issue. My hot weather "holster" is a Smartcarry. Yes, you can very comfortably and effectively hide a 45 without wearing a belt and with nothing but a single t-shirt. The sweat / gym type shorts allow for quick access to the holster.

The initial thought of packing a condition one 45 either "appendix" carry or in a Smartcarry may cause stress (it did for me), but I had been packing a Glock in those locations. At least the 1911 has a manual safety, while the Glock I'd been packing did not.

 

[BossHogg]

CDW4ME great reply that's me. Anyone can not print in a still photo, but real world is a whole other thing.

AS for as guns I know nothing of Karh cw 45. The glock 36 I've held but not shot, grips are thin to me but I guess that's the whole purpose. I have my 1911's just wanting to try the 45 in a different platform, open to all guns.

 

[LiveLife]

The queston is can the compact 45's be carried with out printing so much under just a shirt? I don't like anyone to know I'm carrying.

Of course, here's Taurus Mil Pro PT145 with stainless slide next to my Glock 27 with +1 Pearce grip extension. To tell you the size/thickness of PT145, it uses the same holster as the XD pistol. This is the holster I use.

 

[Rail Driver]

I live in Florida, usually wearing jeans or shorts and a t-shirt or polo... Easily conceal a RIA 3.5" officers frame 1911

 

[jon86]

can you really carry a 45 compact year round

I probably could, but I don't. A 38 airweight doesn't print like my 45 in shorts or jeans and a t shirt.
Props to all of the above in this thread who can and do carry a 45 all year round. For me, it's usually just my jacket weather carry.

 

[jon_in_wv]

The key is the HOLSTER not the weapon. If your holster holds the weapon in close to the body and is stable so it won't wobble around you'll find its very easy to conceal your weapon of choice. A good belt (I use a Galco instructors belt) also goes a long way. My personal choice is a Peters Custom Holster kydex holster. It adds only minimally to the bulk of the pistol and has outboard attachments to make the weapon stable on your belt. A close second for me is the Comptac C-TAC holster. Its adjust ability makes it superb at finding jus the right depth and angle to suit your body for best concealment. Personally I carry a M&P 9C as my year round carry gun. I also carry a P220 Sig under a T-Shirt with no trouble. Good Luck!

 

[Purgatory]

G36...thinnest glock made....45 acp...7-8 rounds...27 oz loaded (vs. 45 ounces for 1911)...plenty accurate at defensive range...almost zero maintenance...sit on it, sweat on it, bleed on it, pee on it, drop it in the water, mud, sand, snow and know beyond the shadow of a doubt that if you need it, you can bet your life on it.

 

[DeepSouth]

I do.

Length - 5.67"
Height - 4.49"
Weight - 17.3 oz.






I will agree with others that the holster makes a huge amount of difference, I carry my 45 in my pocket.

I personally don't feel the .45 cartridge is a useful caliber anymore and the .40 far surpasses it in ballistics. But that's just my opinion.

I am an admited 45 fan-boy. I have a different opinion, I even have an opinion about your opinion. We all know how them opinions are.
.
.

 

[mesinge2]

My 45 acp Colt Defender is the same size as a 5-shot snubbie. I know, everyone says "Don't get a 3" 1911 it jams"

Well, mine doesn't. I had one jam in the first magazine and I haven't had one since. Going on 700 rounds since I bought it and still only the one jam with-in the first 8 rounds.

Here are the pics to prove how small it really is:

View attachment 129460
View attachment 129461
View attachment 129462

Click Images to Enlarge

 

[TBT]

I carried a Kimber Ultra Carry II for several years. Switched to a SW1911 and a Glock 19 for a while and then a Smith and Wesson M&P Full Size. All are roughly the same size, the SW1911 being the largest. Honestly, I notice little difference in carrying any one of them versus the other. If you have a good holster and secure belt and aren't planning on wearing a halter-top and skinny-jeans, you should be okay.

 

[Shadow 7D]

Some people can hide a Desert Eagle, or an AMT Automag (the one that shoots trimed .308 case .44?)

It's rather more what would you like to hide?
and how good are you? can you make a raging bull disappear or does a P-32 stand out and shout gun.

But, if you talk to the OC crowd, apparently 99% of people can't tell a gun when it's in a drop leg with a neon sign and blinking arrows (ok so I exaggerate SLIGHTLY), and the ones that do, either think you are a COP, or are carrying themselves.

 

[IBEWBULL]

I have a 1991 Colt Compact It is not any easier to carry than my Commander and the Commander hits better for me.
I have a Bullman holster IWB and It carrys well.
Milt Sparks is worth waiting for in the Summer Special.
Wearing the proper size britches and shirt makes a huge difference in concealment.
I can wear an XL T shirt but go for the 2X and wearing two T-shirts helps too.
Not that Wisconsin has its permitting system yet, so my references are to carry on my property only.
Attention to bending sitting and such is a must.
The Glock 30 is nice and light and easly carried, the 36 and I dont get along well when it comes to hitting a target.
My old Detonics pocket 9 was a mistake, heavy noisy and never hit a target over 7 yards. 9mm blowbacks were a bad idea.

 

[harmon rabb]

If you're determined enough, you could carry a desert eagle year round. you'll have to try 10 different holsters to find the best concealing one, always wear a real gun belt, and dress around the gun, but you can absolutely do it.

it's a matter of what you're willing to put up with.

when i'm feeling extremely lazy (or am wardrobe limited), i just stick my lcp in my pocket and call it a day. it sure isn't a 45, but it's also a heck of a lot better than no gun. almost as easy is my taurus 709 in a IWB holster. very thin, doesn't weigh much of anything, easy to keep from printing. with more effort, i can tote my g27, cz-82, or sp101.

feeling lazy today, so the lcp is in my pocket

 

[bigfatdave]

Good holster and belt make carrying a compact 1911 from Citadel (officer's size) easy, I've slapped in extended mags to give it a gov-size grip and it still doesn't show.

But if you're going to stuff it into an uncle mike's generic holster and hang it on your belt from the mall, it won't be comfortable.

 

[Walkalong]

I personally don't feel the .45 cartridge is a useful caliber anymore

Dang, I better get rid of all my .45's then.

Single action pistols don't make good self defense guns

Uh oh, better inform those special ops groups who still use them.

We have maybe two months of coat weather here, maybe. I bet I wore a coat less than two weeks this year. I can conceal my 3" CDP fairly easily with loose shirts, and I do sometimes, but usually just carry a NAA .22 MAg or a Seecamp .32ACP, all depends.

 

[lambertiana]

I carry my G30 year round. I don't like IWB carry, so I use a Galco Jak holster and a Galco belt, in the 4 oclock position. It keeps the pistol very close; my son often can't see it even though he knows it is there. And I'm not big with a lot of area to hide things (5'7", 150lb). It gets hot here in the summer, and I wear shorts and a button down shirt six months of the year.

 

[WNC Seabee]

I carry either an XD 45 compact or a S&W 4566 every day. My office is casual, so an untucked polo is the normal routine.

As others have said, it's all about the holster. I use a CrossBreed super tuck and forget the weapon is there. If I need to go tucked, the CB does a fine job of retaining discretion.

 

[G27RR]

Get a good IWB holster and belt and it's no problem. These three have been 100% reliable and I carry the Shadow regularly with a Crossbreed belt and Supertuck or Tucker Gunleather holster.

 

[DCB]

Check out the M&P 45c. Feels great and easy to carry.



Peace

 

[Vern Humphrey]

I live in Arkansas (Stone County) and carry a full-size M1911 year 'round, with no problems.

Part of the secret is having the right carry gear -- a stiff gun belt and a good holster. I design and make my own tuckable holsters, and they carry just fine under a T-shirt.