discreet 45ACP CCW pistol that's still fun to play in IDPA?

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charlie echo

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What's most discreet and RELIABBLE (with factory 230 grain HPs) 45 ACP CCW pistol that's still fun to play in IDPA, in SA or SA/DA, that can be carried "cocked-and-locked"? I am comfortable with manual safety, since friends let me shoot their 1911s (S&W, SAI).

I'm guessing a 4.25" barrel Colt (1911), but am wondering if that's kinda big to wear on a belt holster, in the summer?

I'm a 44 RM revolver shootist.
 
For reliability. A full-size 1911 would be your best bet (in the 1911 platform).

With a good gun belt, you will be just fine. However, good luck concealing either OWB in the summer. IWB, a 4.25" will be more comfortable; again, a good belt is a must.
 
Perhaps a bob tail 1911 would help as well. 1911s conceal fairly well for me because they are thin. If one carries IWB the slide length is not a huge issue. However, a shorter gun is lighter and can be more comfortable (depends on a lot of factors). The biggest thing with carrying a heavy gun like that is getting a belt made for that purpose and a good holster.

For me if all I am wearing is a T shirt the issue is concealing the grip. Again the holster can make a big difference. A bobtail grip hides a bit better under just a T shirt as well.

Give your requirements I would give a hard look at a commander sized bobtail.
 
Dan Wesson VBOB, Guardian, or CCO. Maybe a fullsize 1911 with an Aluminum frame would also work for you?

Most IDPA courses I've seen were short range, and didn't require fullsize guns. Shoot what you allready have for a while first.

1911's aren't big at all, but they're heavy, and they'll drag down my pants regardless of how good my belt is. Unless I go commando. It seems that slick/smooth boxers really allow my pants to slide down. Generally I want something smaller/lighter during the day, and a bigger 1911 at night.
 
Commander sized 1911s are very popular and I used to shoot with several people that had the bobtail grip.
 
About as small as you can get while still remaining reliable and pleasant to shoot would be one of the "CCO" (4- or 4 1/4" barrel on a shortened butt frame) models offered by various manufacturers. The three-inchers are a crapshoot WRT reliability, and the short sight radius (distance between front and rear sights) is a disadvantage at longer ranges.
 
For what you have stated I would say something like a Colt Commander would do quite nicely.
 
A bobtailed government or commander model will fit the bill. A Glock 30 will too. I have found them all to carry with ease with the right holster, even in the summer.
 
Wilson Combat Tactical Supergrade Professional. I use mine for action pistol and carry. Will function as reliably as my full size 1911's and is my favorite 1911 that I own or have ever owned. The DW VBOB (my wife's .45) is the same size as the Wilson, but the Wilson handles recoil better and is faster on follow-up shots.
 
I've shot IDPA with full size 1911s, CCO size, and Officers size, had fun with all of them and they're all reliable. Obviously the CCO and Officers size guns are easier to conceal.
 
I've seen several people shooting GLOCK 30's at IDPA. More in the BUG matches than SSP though. You are looking for two opposite things; conceals well, and "fun to shoot".
 
I went with the Colt New Agent 3" it is light and easy to conceal. This was to be used as my carry weapon and I could stop carrying my full size 1911 n.m Colt. However, at first the New Agent was not feeding reliably. Sent it back to Colt on their dime for polishing the ramp and tightening up the ejector spring. This has now been very reliable. The trench sight system on the New Agent took practice to get use to. For more than 15 yards I would prefer the larger colt. But it comes down to what your intended use will be. The New Agent is my first choice for carry and the Nation Match for target. In the winter I switch back and forth based on carry style and clothing.

David
 
Ccw/ ipda gun

This could be a good option , comes with one flush mount 7 round mag & one, eight rouder. Add a couple Wilson Combat Elite 8 rouders and your all set




S&W 911 SC.jpg
 
SIG RCS 1911 is a CCO pistol with an Officer's sized frame and Commander length slide and bushing barrel. Sweet shooting pistol, it has replaced my 9mm CZ PCR as my daily carry weapon. A friend of mine uses his G30 Glock in IDPA, shoots it very well too.
 
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