I am considering buying a compact .45 for CCW. I have full size 1911's but feel they are a little big and hevay for summer carry. I am considering an HK USP compact and a lightweight Commander size 1911. I'd like the Colt Lightweight Commander XSE but the prices on those are very high. Any other suggestions?
Compact .45
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MCgunner
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If you train with and are most comfortable shooting a 1911 single action, I'd chose that platform rather than switching to a DA. Just personal thought. I like DAs better, myself, and wouldn't go the other way. There are a lot of compact 1911s on the market to choose from. The lightweight officers model is the tried and true.
Mac Attack
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I carry a Glock 30 and love it. It packs 11 rounds of .45 ACP in a accurate out of the box package. Coupled with a VMII it is a extremely comfortable and potent package.
HighVelocity
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If you want a compact 45acp pistol that is out of the box reliable, accurate and holds 10+1, take a look at the Taurus PT145 Millenium Pro.
I picked up a used Stainless one w/ 2 mags for $200. I bought it because it was cheap but much to my surprise, it has turned out to be a rock solid pistol. I feel just as confident that it will do it's job when/if needed as I do about any other pistol I own/have owned..
I picked up a used Stainless one w/ 2 mags for $200. I bought it because it was cheap but much to my surprise, it has turned out to be a rock solid pistol. I feel just as confident that it will do it's job when/if needed as I do about any other pistol I own/have owned..
MCgunner
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HighVelocity said:
Will that 10 round double stack grip print under just a T shirt? I went and looked at it on the Taurus site, only 23 ounces unloaded. 11 45s will weigh it down, of course. Personally, I'd prefer a single stack for concealability, but the weight of that thing is VERY appreciated for carry.
HighVelocity
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MCgunner said:
I've carried mine under a t-shirt and not had any issues. The grips is very flat for a double stack.
It also doesn't have any sharp edges so carrying it against skin is not a problem.
waterhouse
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Along with the commander size guns, don't forget to look at the Colt CCO (Kimber's version is called the "compact"). It's a commander size slide on an officer's frame, and I find it is very easy to conceal with the shorter frame.
chaim
Member
Pilot said:
I am a big 1911 fan myself. I hope to own a Kimber Pro Carry II in the next few years. If I had the cash I'd love the Kimber CDP Pro instead. Springfield also makes some nice guns and may be a tad less than the Colt.
If you are considering a non-1911 compact there are a few things I'd consider (and have in my case). If you are a 1911 shooter, try to keep the manual of arms as simple as possible. If you train with a 1911 it seems to be to be dangerous to go with a DA/SA with the S&W style decocker/safety that works in the opposite direction (up is fire, down is safe). It may be too easy to revert to what you are used to and put the weapon on safe when you most need it to fire. So, I'd go with a SA auto with a 1911 style safety, or around equally I'd consider a DAO or DA/SA which can be carried cocked and locked like the 1911, next I'd consider DAO with no safety or a DA/SA which has a decocker only (no safe setting).
I'd take a look at the S&W autos converted to DAO. They are great guns, and somehow seem to be the Rodney Dangerfield of the gun world (they get no respect). So, if you go used you can get a great deal. Even new the S&W "Value Series" are great guns (the 457 is the .45ACP version).
If you don't mind double stack, and dropping to 9mm or .40S&W check out the CZs (still good deals).
I will second the suggestion to get the Taurus Milennium Pro. I love my .40S&W PT140 M. Pro. Great gun, concealable, and a great price. The safety is frame mounted and works properly for a 1911 guy (up is safe, down is fire). The PT 145 Milennium Pro has 10 rounds in a double stack mag, if you want thinner the PT 745 Milenniuim Pro is single stack.
The Glocks are also worth considering since they are DAO (no need to worry about a safety that works "wrong") and have a fairly light trigger. The 30 is a compact double stack, the 36 is a compact single stack.
Pilot,HighVelocity has the thing,however,if you get to fondle one and it feels too"chunky",take a look at the Taurus PT745,it's a single stack version of the PT145 he mentions.Rock solid,also as he says.Not too many years ago,I agree,Taurus manufactured crap.But they have improved greatly in the last 3-5 years or so.Just so you get an idea of my carry choices,I also own a Para Ordnance Para Carry,a Kahr K40,a Makarov,and an HK USP compact.I carry them all in a rough rotation,and the PT745 is actually one of the ones I prefer.Just trying to give you a few choices,buy what you fits your hand the best,you'll probably shoot it the best also...
10-Ring
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I recently had a chance to check out the little 45 from Kahr...nice gun & is worth at least a look before you make your final decision 
1911_Mitch
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Ala Dan
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Sleek, Slim, and Light Weight
Kimber's Stainless Ultra Carry
Kimber's Stainless Ultra Carry
Black Majik
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I just wanted to throw the SIG P245 out there for consideration also
fastbolt
Member
The SW1911PD & SW1911Sc 4.25" models are worthy of consideration if you're looking for a Commander-size 1911-type pistol. The Scandium alloy lightweight frames are a noteworthy improvement, too.
The well proven S&W external extractor design probably isn't something to be casually dismissed out of hand, either.
Depending on your personal preferences, experience and training needs other lightweight designs and models may be worth considering, too.
I've been carrying and training with S&W TDA pistols at work for approx 15+ years, and I've purchased several of them for my personal use off-duty, as well. My original 4513TSW is a fine compact .45 pistol, and the CS45 isn't bad, either. I seldom carry either of them anymore, however, having gravitated to other compact & subcompact 9mm & .40 S&W pistols for common off-duty use, as well as a couple of 5-shot revolvers (1 chambered in .38 & 1 in .357 Magnum).
The M457/457S, as mentioned previously, is sometimes an overlooked workhorse of a .45 ACP lightweight, compact pistol.
While I like the Colt XSE pistol, and bought one this last year, I also picked up a new SW1911Sc 5" pistol. Of the various size 1911-type pistols I own (all Colts), I haven't owned a lightweight Commander in many years, and I decided I wanted a lightweight model for occasional off-duty usage. Considering the advantages of the Scandium alloyed lightweight frame I decided on the SW1911Sc, but with a 5" barrel. While I own shorter 1911's, I've always thought the 5" models had the best combination of balance and overall controllability for my needs, especially if I was going to be doing a lot of training/shooting.
While I selected the standard stainless slide and standard Scandium alloy frame, S&W just released their new railed frame version in the full size model. It offers a Melonite treated stainless steel slide with an anodized black Scandium alloy frame which incorporates their new Universal Picatinny Rail option. While I'd heard that the new railed frame had been adopted by at least one L/E SWAT unit, I wasn't sure when it would be available to the public market ... and now it apparently is: http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/...selected=over&isFirearm=Y&parent_category_rn=
The well proven S&W external extractor design probably isn't something to be casually dismissed out of hand, either.
Depending on your personal preferences, experience and training needs other lightweight designs and models may be worth considering, too.
I've been carrying and training with S&W TDA pistols at work for approx 15+ years, and I've purchased several of them for my personal use off-duty, as well. My original 4513TSW is a fine compact .45 pistol, and the CS45 isn't bad, either. I seldom carry either of them anymore, however, having gravitated to other compact & subcompact 9mm & .40 S&W pistols for common off-duty use, as well as a couple of 5-shot revolvers (1 chambered in .38 & 1 in .357 Magnum).
The M457/457S, as mentioned previously, is sometimes an overlooked workhorse of a .45 ACP lightweight, compact pistol.
While I like the Colt XSE pistol, and bought one this last year, I also picked up a new SW1911Sc 5" pistol. Of the various size 1911-type pistols I own (all Colts), I haven't owned a lightweight Commander in many years, and I decided I wanted a lightweight model for occasional off-duty usage. Considering the advantages of the Scandium alloyed lightweight frame I decided on the SW1911Sc, but with a 5" barrel. While I own shorter 1911's, I've always thought the 5" models had the best combination of balance and overall controllability for my needs, especially if I was going to be doing a lot of training/shooting.
While I selected the standard stainless slide and standard Scandium alloy frame, S&W just released their new railed frame version in the full size model. It offers a Melonite treated stainless steel slide with an anodized black Scandium alloy frame which incorporates their new Universal Picatinny Rail option. While I'd heard that the new railed frame had been adopted by at least one L/E SWAT unit, I wasn't sure when it would be available to the public market ... and now it apparently is: http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/...selected=over&isFirearm=Y&parent_category_rn=
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Richard.Howe
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Do yourself a favor -- make an informed decision on this, not solely on the basis of what folks here recommend, or what you like the looks of -- be sure to shoot several examples of compact 45s before purchasing.
There are a lot of well-intentioned designs out there that just do not work for me. I have owned a G30, 2 high-end 1911 Champion variants, and shot the Taurus Millenium and G36. The only one I cared for, both in terms of accuracy and shootability, as well as quality, was the "Classic Personal Size" Sig P245.
Best of luck, this is the best kind of decision to "have" to make!
Rich
There are a lot of well-intentioned designs out there that just do not work for me. I have owned a G30, 2 high-end 1911 Champion variants, and shot the Taurus Millenium and G36. The only one I cared for, both in terms of accuracy and shootability, as well as quality, was the "Classic Personal Size" Sig P245.
Best of luck, this is the best kind of decision to "have" to make!
Rich
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fastbolt
Member
Do yourself a favor -- make an informed decision on this, not solely on the basis of what folks here recommend, or what you like the looks of -- be sure to shoot several examples of compact 45s before purchasing.
Not to belabor the obvious, but this is very good advice.
If at all possible, try to use both whatever training ammunition you commonly use, as well as a reasonable amount of whatever premium defensive ammunition you favor, too.
Not to belabor the obvious, but this is very good advice.
If at all possible, try to use both whatever training ammunition you commonly use, as well as a reasonable amount of whatever premium defensive ammunition you favor, too.
What feels right in your hand and is most comfortable to operate are the top considerations. I recently purchased a gun for concealed carry. I narrowed my choices down to a SIG and a HK USP Compact. I went to the gun shop and handled both extensively. I went with the HK because it had a better feel in my hand and the ergonomics of the controls were better for me with the HK. Go touch, feel, and shoot if possible before making the choice.
Richard.Howe said:
Thanks Rich and others. I have shot my friends Colt Lwt Commander XSE and loved it. However, they are hard to find, so maybe a similar pistol from another 1911 "assembler" would do it. Also, the Colt's are pushing $900 which I think is too high for what you get.
I have a full size HK USP .45 Tactical and like it, but it ain't no carry pistol, and I've never shot an HK USPc in .45, but I'm sure its chunkier than a downsized 1911.
Someone mentioned CZ. I have two to them in 9MM, inlcuding a PCR, but I want a smaller .45 to carry. BTW, they are great pistols and every bit as nice as my Sig P228.
The Taurus looks interesting, but I'm somewhat of a traditionalist and not very fond of DAO, although I do see a benefit to it if the trigger pull isn't too bad.
I'm going to go fondle and rent some and see what happens. Thanks guys! Wonderful info.
MCgunner
Member
I'm going to look into a "Patriot". MSRP is $300, but apparently they can be had for less. http://www.cobrapistols.com/products/doubleaction.htm Looks neat for CCW, 20 ounces of .45 and I'm hearing good things about the gun. DAO, what I like, too.
Anyone have any unbiased experience with these guns. I know they're probably crap cause they're not 1911s, but beyond that?
Anyone have any unbiased experience with these guns. I know they're probably crap cause they're not 1911s, but beyond that?
georgeduz
Member
i have the glock 30,it the best!
gudel
Member
everyone and their cuz have commander size.
You should try something different.
You should try something different.
Kahr is producing a single stack .45 now. It appears to only come as a polymer frame. Kahr seems to have a decent reputation, although the 45 is brand new so who knows. It seems like the consensus view (of the 9's and 40's) is that Kahr's are a little smaller than the competition but they are also more expensive.
It would be a little smaller, lighter than a scandium smith and probably a little cheaper. Spendy for a polymer though...
They are made in the USA.
It would be a little smaller, lighter than a scandium smith and probably a little cheaper. Spendy for a polymer though...
They are made in the USA.
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