CCW Alternative to 1911

[sleepyone]

I am wondering what .45 ACP pistol is a good carry alternative to a 1911. I love 1911s and have one and might end up buying a Commander 1911 for another carry gun, but I am also thinking about a .45 like a M&P. One reason I like full-size 1911s is their weight makes recoil a non-issue. However, their weight also makes it a gun that I don't enjoy carrying. If I go to an alloy 4.25" 1911, am I ending up with a gun that is going to recoil much like a polymer .45? If so, I might as well go with a polymer frame and save a huge chunk of change. Those double stacks hold 11-12 rounds and have the ability to change backstraps for a more custom grip. As a lefty, i also like the reversible mag release and ambi slide release and safety a pistol like the M&P offers. I keep using M&P as an example because I'm a HUGE SW fan, but I'm open to others as long they are 100 percent USA made and assembled. I think the M&P I was looking at was $579. The Colt XSE Commander alloy is over 1k, so you can see why I am considering this option.

 

[allaroundhunter]

The M&P .45 compact is a great gun. Recoil is more than tolerable, and they are known to be very accurate. I don't have an M&P .45, but the one that I rented was a pleasure to shoot (I just didn't go with it b/c of the cost of ammo). That being said, I liked the M&P platform enough to stick with it in 9mm as my carry gun.

If I was going to carry something in .45 other than a 1911 it would be hard to look past the M&P, but Kahr makes some good single stack, polymer .45's (also American made guns). The Kahrs typically go for less than $500

 

[Skylerbone]

I can't say with certainty how any one person will react under critical circumstances but I doubt a tad more recoil would be perceptible. It may not be your favorite range gun but consider its purpose first. That leaves reliability, carry weight and bulk as factors for consideration. If you're an S&W fan there are non-current production models you might consider as well.

 

[bdb benzino]

I really liked the Kahr CW45 I had, I regret trading that one for sure. It ran flawless and had a slim grip with a single stack mag like a 1911. The ammo capacity was pretty much the same as a 1911, and I found an Officers size holster also worked perfect for the CW45. YMMV.

 

[TonyT]

I carried a Golck-36 in 45ACP with 6+1 capability in a very small and very controlable poackage. Cjurrently I would also consider the Kahr 45ACP offerings. I have a full size S&W M&P45 which is also a delight to shoot. The polymer frmaed guns seem to absorb more lof the recoil when compared to metal framed guns. I find the Glock-36 quite pleasant to shoot an d the M&P45 pure joy. I also have several 1911's which I shoot in competition but I would not concealed carry a gun with external hammer or safeties.

 

[CharlieDeltaJuliet]

The M&P is nice. My alternative is a P220 Sig. The P220 Compact and the P220 Carry are also good choices. I am old school, I love my .45's, that being said the P220 fit me better as it reminds me of the 1911 in its form and fit. Plus a DA/SA is a plus to me.

 

[gunnysmith]

Yugo M 57 Thin, accurate. light, for a steel pistol.

 

[BossHogg]

To me the Glock-36 is the best bang for the buck in CCO sized 45acp. It didn't take very long at all to move into my EDC gun spot.

 

[buggley]

FNX .45 (or varient) and is what im picking up next. i carry a 1911 but want different, i also like the idea of sa/da on a carry weapon

 

[coalman]

"Winged" holsters (e.g. Crossbreed) spread the weight well, especially with a good belt. Alloy frames and 3-4" barrels lighten things up even more. I don't notice it much. For an all-USA poly gun S&W is a good choice.

 

[joecil]

I have the Taurus PT 145 Pro and like it as well as has been very dependable.

 

[~Abstract~]

I like full-size 1911s is their weight makes recoil a non-issue. However, their weight also makes it a gun that I don't enjoy carrying.

Do you think you'll be shooting it more or carrying it more?


If your weapon is too big...it makes a great excuse to not carry it. Then Murphy's law comes and rears its ugly head.


Small, light, punishing to shoot. Hopefully you won't be shooting it too much.

 

[JTQ]

The Ruger P345 is not a "high capacity" polymer, but has a slim grip and relatively short trigger reach like a 1911.

GunBlast review
http://www.gunblast.com/Ruger-P345.htm

Current THR thread
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=655807

 

[sleepyone]

thanks for the feedback. this gun will be one that I shoot as much as I carry. At least that is the plan.

 

[sleepyone]

i will add the Ruger P345 to my list.

 

[SwampWolf]

A SIG 220 Carry model would be (is ) my pick.

 

[xXxplosive]

Basically.........all I carry are 1911 platforms...be it Government Models or Combat Commander.
I just recently did something I thought would never happen.....I took the Glock Plunge.....yup I did it....bought a NIB 30SF.......10 + 1 rounds of .45acp is some Serious Business.
Now I'm trying to get used to it......different style grip than my Colts.

 

[340PD]

Kimber Ultra CDP II. Zero flaws in mine. Mostly assorted handloads.

 

[BlindJustice]

I carry a full size 1911. At the indoor range I'm a member at in
Lewiston Idaho onne day talking with the guy tending the counter
I let him check my S&W 1911 He liked the trigger So, he let me
check out his S&W M&P 45C = Compact 4" Bbl. 10 rd mag cap
I asked if I could shoot it. So, I put my ear muffs back on and
returned to the range and put twenty rounds through it.

My shooting buddy has a Glock 19 -and- I liked the M&P in terms of
the sights, controls, and remarkable thinness to the grip for a double
stack mag. trigger was near the same as a Glock IMO as well as having options for the different backstraps whichever one he had on that example fit my hand well, reminded me of my CZ 75B the 45C is maybe
10 oz lighter empty than a full size steel 1911

Randall

 

[Teachu2]

I recently was shopping for a CCW, and shot a Glock 30. I'm a middle-aged 1911 fan, the Glock 30 was the first Glock I've been able to shoot well. Recoil was surprisingly mild.

I was shopping for a Glock. I would expect the M&P to be comparable.

 

[Motownfire]

If you want to stick with the tradition look of the 1911 you can not go wrong with Kimber.

If you are not worried about the traditional look then go with either a Glock 30 or Glock 36. You can never go wrong with a Glock.

 

[skt239]

Well, if I was in your shoes I'd be looking at the Kahr P45. I've been carrying long enough to know that I'll leave a big, heavy gun at home more often than not. I can't think of another .45 as light weight as the Kahr but even that would be more gun then I'd want to carry.

 

[Jason_G]

However, their weight also makes it a gun that I don't enjoy carrying.

I'd say save yourself some change and just buy a better carry rig for your 1911.

Most of the plastic .45 ACP pistols that have the mag capacity you mentioned in your original post are thicker and harder to conceal. You'd just be trading one problem for a bigger one IMHO. And to be honest, the weight is a non-issue IME if you have a good belt and holster.

It's not my money though. Good luck whatever you decide.

Jason

 

[Blue68f100]

I have the Kimber SS Ultra Carry II TLE 45acp model. It's been flawless right out of the box. Very accurate, I've put over 2k rounds through it the first year. It has shot every thing I have feed it so far.

 

[theQman23]

I owned a smith 39-2 predecessor to the 5906's and 4006's.
I think one of those guns in 45 would be an awesome da/sa trigger variant in a stell frame alternative.