Choosing between 3 small 45's

Status
Not open for further replies.
A

Ala Tom

Member
Joined
Feb 9, 2011
Messages
98
I have been shooting .40 for CC and for defense and .357 Sig for home defense against hard targets (gangs, armor, etc). But the ability of the .357 to travel far in the neighborhood doing damage bothers me. I am thinking the .45 would be a better choice for the home since it will not go through as many obstacles (like bodies, walls, car doors, etc). It may not penetrate armor but it will probably stun a bad guy allowing a careful second shot. I have found it necessary to carry in the past but not regularly. Still I think any gun I own should be ready to go with me when needed. So a short .45 ACP seems a good idea. I have foun d the following three at my LGS. I will probably keep my .40 and trade the .357 Sig for one of these:

Glock 30 (in .45ACP), Ruger SR45, EAA Witness Compact Steel .45.

I rented the Glock 30 and fired a box of 50 through it. I did not do very well but I felt I could get good enough with practice. The Ruger SR45 is probably similar in function to my Ruger SR40c so I could get pretty good with it. The EAA Witness looks like something I'd like to shoot but it is a bit of a guess. There is not too much published on the small EAA .45. I am also interested in the Commander-size version of the Ruger 1911 but have no example in sight at the moment.

I would appreciate any suggestions based on hands-on experience with these guns. I have found that my SR40c is comfortable to carry and is probably sufficient for defensive carry. The .45 would only be carried if I get comfortable and accurate with it. I did fire full-size 1911's many years ago so I think I would do well with a Commander-size 1911.
 
I did fire full-size 1911's many years ago so I think I would do well with a Commander-size 1911.


how about a commander length Ruger, then? SR1911 CMD.. I love mine. All stainless, looks nice, and relatively inexpensive for a classy looking 1911.
 
I own a G30 and a SR45. No experience with the other. Of the 2 I own the G30 wins hands down. Been 100% for me and accurate too. The Ruger is a different story. It has had light strike issues since I bought it new. Don't care for the Rugers mag safety or 10 rd in a full size pistol. The G30 can also accept the 13 rd G21 mags.
 
Without actually shooting them, it's a guess what you would shoot best. The Glock 30 has a following (shoots much more accurately than you'd think it should, once you get used to it, and holds 11 rounds), and is also available in a Small Frame version. The 30s is a 30 frame with the narrower 36 slide, so it conceals a bit easier. The Glock 36 is a single-stack, so it is much thinner in the grip. I own and carry a 30, a 30SF, and a 36, but most often a G26.

I also own both a G21 and a 21SF - and prefer to shoot the 30. It just fits and performs for me. Puts a bigass grin on my face every time I shoot it.

That said, I've never warmed to cut/chopped/bobbed/etc 1911s. I carried full-sized 1911s for three decades, and still do on occasions when weight is not an issue. I went to the G30 to gain capacity and lose weight, and the G36 for light weight and reliability.

I have no first-hand experience with the EAA, and don't care for the SR45. Both have their fans and their detractors.
 
I own all 3.I like the4 Glock 30 the best.I've been thinking about a Glock 30SF Gen4 or a Glock 30S.Don't forget to look at the other Glocks before you make your decision.
None of these guns are really good for CC.A little too big.OK in winter with a belt holster and winter coat.
 
Just curious...if the gun is for home defense, why small?

Edited to add...I re read your OP and see why.
 
Of the pistols listed I only have own and shot the 30sf, so take this with a large grain of salt. I really like the 30 it shoots good for me three inch groups at 10 yards one round a second, although my Dad can shoot ragged one inch groups with it at 10 yards. It's very soft recoiling for a .45. Mine does not like 200gr SWCs at all (would not cycle them) never had any problems with JHPs or ball. Some people think it's thick, I don't have a problem carrying it IWB and often do. Like the fact that you can have 9+1,10+1 or 13+1, or even 30+1 if you don't mind the weird looks at the range. Since you own a SR already the SR45 might be nice, just clean out the striker channel. I've shot the SR9C and really liked it. Hope you enjoy and like whatever you get.
 
For a small .45 that you could carry: Glock 36, 30S, one of the Kahr 45s, or the XDs45 come to mind. An officer or commander sized 1911 would do the job too if you like that platform.
 
My first stricker-fired pistol was an M&P. I found how to take it down to expose the stricker chamber. It was obvious that needed to be kept clean yet they never mentioned it in the manual and it was hard to get to. I have since fired a few guns with sticky strickers resulting in dangerous hang-fires. Any such guns I get in the future will have that channel cleaned regularly.

The one gun that remains mysterious is the compact EAA. It looks pretty good. I intend to look for the Commander-size Ruger as well. It seems to be rare in stores. I wonder about the trigger on the EAA. It looks like a DA/SA. The hammer looks to be usable to make it behave like an SA as in a 1911.

The gun I would trade is a Smith&Wesson M&P which was originally a .40 and I converted to .357 with a new S&W .357 barrel. It never had a safety. To carry a gun I feel best using a gun with a thumb safety. That's all I have against the Glock 30 though it also has the highest price. My preferred carry gun at the moment is the Ruger SR40c carried with a load in the chamber and the thumb safety ON. As I bring the gun to bear on a target with my thumb along the slide, I consider flicking off the safety if I see the target is still active and hostile. Obviously, this has to be practiced.
 
I have a hard time calling any of those small, more like mid sized. I would add a m&p45c to your list and that is the one I would buy. Get a couple full size mags and X Grip adaptors for range practice or back up for carry.
 
Among those my only experience is with Glock 30. I like it because it reliable and can take larger magazines just in case if I need it.
 
Ala Tom: You might want to take a close look at the ((( Kahr Arms 45 ACP Pistols ))). Better yet shoot one of them, I bet You will be suprised.
ken
 
Where are the small 45 options? I tuned in to see what the third option was(CW45 and XDs) were the only small ones I knew of.

If you're considering the SR and G30 small you can widen your search to include dozens of others. M&P 45c comes to mind quick, along with the g36.
 
The G30 in Gen4 would be my purchase, or G36, G30s.

My G36 fits a niche that's dynamite.

If I could only keep one pistol it would come down to selling the 36 and 21 to get a 30s.

Gen3 36 already had the dual stage recoil assembly, which makes it a REALLY soft shooter-just like buttah...
 
If you find a 1911 to be a natural shooter for you, and if you shoot a 1911 well (I do, in both instances), you may find that the Ruger 1911 CMD is a very nice gun for the money.

I also really like my Kahr P45, because it is a very nicely made, lightweight .45acp, but the Kahr trigger is nothing like a 1911.

Whether that is critical to you or not...only you can decide.
 
how about a commander length Ruger, then? SR1911 CMD.. I love mine. All stainless, looks nice, and relatively inexpensive for a classy looking 1911.
Click to expand...

I have one & I agree 100%
 
Those SR45's are full size guns, unless they've recently released the SR45C.

If you are considering the SR45, there are a lot of other models that would fit in that size range. I'm not saying the SR45 is a bad choice, just that it is not a "small .45".
 
Who said a kahrs trigger was like a 1911. Might be the same pull weight but a smooth daouble action type pull. But the handguns size and grip is. like a 1911 and fits most 1911 holsters. Easy pistol to shot well and the large tp series is a soft shooter for its weight.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

D
  • Locked
Ruger KP 310 (345 in 10mm)?
Replies
11
Views
927
duncan
D
W
  • Locked
Looking an inexpensive .40
2
Replies
25
Views
2K
wnycollector
W
P
  • Locked
Lookin' at inexpensive .45's: Ruger vs. Witness
2
Replies
26
Views
1K
Handy
H
I
  • Locked
Single action, lefty-friendly .45?
Replies
18
Views
829
Autolycus
A
Quoheleth
  • Locked
SR45 vs 1911
Replies
6
Views
2K
deadduck357
D
Back
Top