Compact .45 Auto - What do you carry and why?

[alaskanativeson]

While I have several caliber handguns, I've become more comfortable trusting my safety to carrying a .45 Auto since I've been living in the Alaska outback. When I'm in full Winter gear it's no problem to put my full sized USP Tactical or my Glock 21SF in a holster on my belt. (For that matter, if I'm venturing anywhere out of the village I've always got my Super Redhawk in .454 in a shoulder holster, and a 590 12 gauge attached to whatever vehicle I'm using.)

However, this is my last year here on the Yukon Delta, I've turned in my resignation and I'm going to try my hand at teaching somewhere else. Of course when I'm not teaching I'll still want to carry, but even my USP Compact is more difficult to carry around than my Kel-Tec I used to carry when I worked in the real world. Now I'm looking for something I can still comfortably carry but with a proper sized hole in the barrel.

Suggestions?

 

[gtmtnbiker98]

HK45c, here.

 

[HexHead]

Colt New Agent.

 

[Yo Mama]

Taurus pt145. I also think my 1911s are compact, as they are so slim vs. the pt145. Love both, wouldn't dream of getting rid of either. Between both, no reason to not carry a .45

 

[kk0g]

Try the original--a 1911. It's obviously got the big hole in the barrel you're looking for and it's super thin making it a joy to carry concealed. I carry mine in a Kholster IWB holster 24/7 365 days a year wearing everything from a winter coat to a t-shirt, it's so comfortable I hardly know it's there but it's very comforting knowing there's a fullsize pistol with a "big hole" on my side.

 

[The Bushmaster]

Kimber UCC II, S&W Mod 19-5, Firestar M43

 

[denfoote]

Glock 36 here.
Just a little bigger than the G26 and smaller than the G19.

 

[dmazur]

1911 in Govt or Commander barrel length, if you plan to shoot it frequently for practice (or for fun).

The 3-inch barrel lengths can be problemmatic, in terms of spring replacement and tuning to get them reliable in the first place. This doesn't mean there aren't any 3" 1911's that are "out of the box" reliable, just that you should be prepared to mess with the short ones a little if necessary. From what I've learned, the longer barrel lengths have a better track record.

As others have said, the 1911 is already pretty thin, which makes it fairly easy to carry.

Aluminum frame if you want to save some weight.

 

[PX15]

CS45

IF I lived in bear country I'd use the CS45 on the bear...

The LWS380 on myself if the CS45 didn't stop the bear...

Then if I were still breathing after using my Seecamp I'd slit my throat with the Kershaw Leek before the bear could do to me as one did with Timothy Treadwell ...

Jesse

P.S. I'm really, really scared of bears...

 

[MachIVshooter]

Another CS-45. Had a PT145, was a good gun, but simply not the quality that the Smith is. I was willing to give up 4 rounds for a better piece without an ILS.

 

[ambidextrous1]

Colt Defender!

 

[gb6491]

I'm a fan of the Colt Officer's ACP, but, now that I've worked the glitches out of it, my Kahr CW45 is quite a nice CCW. It's similar in size to the OACP, but weighs less and is slimmer through the grips.

Regards,
Greg

 

[NOLAEMT]

what caliber is your usp compact?

I carry one in .45 and it is an excelent ccw piece. Its not super small, but it is very accurate, and light enough that i can carry it all day.

I also have no problem concealing it in any clothing. I'm about 6'1". and 190, and i can conceal it in shorts and a tee shirt.

 

[biohazurd]

Mabye take a look at the Bersa thunder 45 UC. It is a really compact lightweight package and i believe it holds 6 or 7 in the mag. Ive heard great things about these .45s and i proudly own the 9mm version. Great reliable pistols, for a amazing price.

 

[DeepSouth]

WHAT:
KAHR PM45


WHY:
It is reliable, small, light, and a 45.
I generally carry it in my pocket.

 

[distra]

G36, G30, Springer 3" micro, & M&P45c are my 45 carry guns. G36 & Springer are summer "thin" carry guns, G30 & M&P45c are fall winter higher capacity guns.

Here is my favorite.

 

[trekgod3]

Cobra Patriot 45 and my home-made kydex IWB holster:



It's light-weight and was cheap.

 

[Joshua M.]

Kimber Ultra CDPII....love it love it love it, why, because I have had zero problems with it, it looks very nice, and I can shoot the hell out of a target with it. Other than that, I have never owned another .45

 

[ironduke]

HK USP Compact

I carry it because it is nice (and my 1st and only .45).

 

[Ala Dan]

What Works For Me

Kimber 3" Stainless Ultra Carry II in .45 ACP~!

 

[71Commander]

Either of these two.

Para C6-45



Springfield Compact high cap.

 

[CortJestir]

I have an HK45c that I carry, but that's not going to help you much if your USP compact's been giving you some troubles. Like others have mentioned, I'd recommend a slim and trim 1911, perhaps in a commander size or a CCO.

 

[SC_1911Shooter]

XD45 Compact because I can use the stubby flush-fitting magazine and get 10+1 and carry an extra, larger-cap magazine for 13+1. Also because it has eaten every single type/brand of .45ACP I've put through her like candy...dead reliability. Also have TruGlo TFO's and Crimson Trace laser grips on her.

 

[augustino]

Glock Model 30
Small;
Relatively easy to CCW;
Accurate out of the box;
Capacity of 10+1=11!!!;
Takes a licking and keeps on kicking;
Incredibbly simple to field strip & clean;
Incredibbly easy to detail strip;
Fairly affordable as compared to other 45's;
I can continue but...

 

[Quiet]

Glock 30 (.45ACP) & Glock 39 (.45GAP) for me.
Why? Because, they work every time.