for an everyday, most of the year ccw pistol...

[jerryrigger]

im looking for a pistol that can be concealed fairly easily, even in the summer (at least most of the time, sometimes i would probably just go with the j frame i plan to buy by then, but since its not 100 degrees out yet ive decided to concentrate my funds here). id like to stay with the 1911 platform, but im not totally set on this. i recently saw these new (to me) sig 1911s that have a full commander length barrel but have a shorter grip holding one less round in the mag. they look like they would be a good choice for me as a carry piece, but i have heard that sig 1911s are somewhat fragile and spend as much time in the shop as they will on the range, so im a bit worried about going to one as a carry gun. my other choice is a glock 30, but they are just so ugly and fat and not a 1911 that im holding off buying one. i shoot the g30 well, but i also dont see it being extremely easy to conceal due to width, and ive heard the g36 is pretty much garbage. hoping to stay at 45 here, because if i sell my delta elite to buy this gun i will be consolidated in 45 and only need to buy one kind of ammo. thanks for the help!

 

[ZeBool]

I absolutely love the Colt Defender for concealed carry. It conceals exceptionally well and feels phenominal in the hand, while providing 8 total rounds of .45 ACP goodness.

 

[harrygunner]

I checked out a Dan Wesson CBOB last time I was in Reno and it appeared to be built well.

The DW CBOB could meet your needs. It is a Commander sized, bob-tailed 1911 with a stainless steel frame and slide. Couple that with an IWB kydex holster.

This rig could be concealed in the summer with a "Polo" shirt. The kydex holster helps shield the gun from sweat. The IWB configuration lets you cover the gun with less cloth. I have a bob-tailed 1911 and the grip is harder for others to recognize as part of a gun if it happens to print.

About the Glock 30, I've shot one and own a Glock 29 (same size). The G29 conceals for me in a Comp-tac CTAC holster. The primary issue I have with Glocks is the grip angle is different from EVERY other handgun I've shot or owned. After thousands of draws with a 1911 or Sig, the Glock points high. Will I remember to compensate under stress? If you only carry a Glock, that issue goes away.

Good luck in your quest.

 

[gb6491]

I switched from a Colt OACP to a Glock 27 as my primary ccw; I don't find the 27 any harder to conceal than the Colt. I love the Colt and the 1911 platform, but find the lighter weight, shorter butt and fewer sharp points of the G27 make it a more appealing (especially for extended periods) carry piece for me.

The Kahr offerings in 45ACP are certainly worth a look as well.

Regards,
Greg

 

[Bob79]

The Colt "New Agent" is a small light weight 45ACP gun designed to be conceal carried. I would definately take a look at them.

 

[BlindJustice]

The Commander length SLide/Bbl. on the Officers' frame was offered by
Colt called the CCO = Concealed Carry Officers. FYI - a full size
magazine does fit in the Officers frame it just sticks out the
bottom of the grip/frame. Wilson Combat offers mags for the
Officers size frame with a 7 rd capacity.

I haven't heard much complaint about Sig 1911s except the
usual boo poo about external extractor - SIg does use quallity internals.

Other companies also offer CCO like models, including Wilson COmbat
and STI. Keep shopping around.

Randall

 

[abuelo]

Of courseyou can also check out Springfield and Kimber , both offer commander and officer size pistols in SS or alloy frames. The Kimber pro carry [4 in] that I use with alloy frame conceals well in cold weather but I prefer the ultra carry size [3in] in the summer. I don't have a Kahr 45 but do have a 9mm and 40 and both are good quality relaible tools.

 

[armoredman]

I carry my CZ-P01 concealed during summer in AZ under a loose t-shirt, an a sweatshield backed HBE IWB rig. The picture below shows how it rides every day.

 

[IMTHDUKE]

 

[jerryrigger]

hey guys, thanks for all your replys. i guess i forgot to mention that i live in massachusetts and that is why my list is as small as it is-we have some fairly ridiculous "consumer protection" laws from our AG's office that put an intense stranglehold on what we can/can't buy in this state, so much so that we cant even technically buy 3rd gen glocks unless they were in the state before these new laws came into play or came in some other way. for some reason im pretty sure no colt products can be sold here either. i would not think that anyone not from here would know these laws, but that is sadly the case here, and thats why my list reads as it does. it is possible to find a way to get a lot of legal guns that are not for sale through stores here by buying them directly from their current owners, but the chances are not great that one can find the right gun and someone who is willing to sell it, so while i have definitely seen others that i like, and continue to have interest in them and actively pursue them, i wanted to try to get peoples opinions on models that i am pretty sure i can find fairly easily (the g30 3rd gen, while it cant technically be sold here, can be found used pretty easily here, as can most glocks, thats why it is on the list).

 

[Ala Dan]

Kimber Stainless Ultra Carry II .45 ACP~!

 

[wtfd661]

You won't have any problem concealing that Glock 30. I conceal carry either a Glock 26 or a Kimber Tactical Ultra II depending on which one I feel like carrying at the time. Both are easy to conceal. My preference is a Comp-Tac MTAC IWB, very comfortable and conceals a gun easily. Plus for my glock to be honest, I don't care as much what happens to it as much as I care for my Kimber, so I find that I carry it more in the summer than I do my Kimber.

 

[hawk45]

I carry a G30 and Kimber Compact and love them both. Dont think you can go wrong with either. Just depends on what you are most comfortable and familar with the controls on. Glocks are great b/c it's just pull - point - shoot. Some feel more comfortable with a manual safety.. not me.

 

[mljdeckard]

I regularly carry a full-size 1911 in 100+ degree heat. No problems with the heat OR the gun.

 

[jerryrigger]

how do you do that? i can not find a way to carry my gov size s&w without the grip printing for my life. granted its a little heavy for ccw i would still wear it at least sometimes if i could conceal it better

 

[burningsquirrels]

the most important thing is to go to the gun store and figure out what fits your body. i'm built like an asian pillsbury doughboy, so a slim 380 is the best i can do without cutting my circulation off at the hip when i sit down. but some of my other friends have put a fuller sized CZ p-01 or XD 4" on their hip and have it completely dissapear.

figure out what the biggest shape you can carry is, then work out your selection from there. everyone's body is different.

 

[burningsquirrels]

oh, and for 45acp, try checking out kahr's line of 45 pistols. very slim, and i find them more streamlined and lighter to carry than a 1911. i shot a p45 once and it was a nice shooting gun.

 

[gtmtnbiker98]

Don't forget to check out the M&P 45 Compact - simply awesome.

 

[mljdeckard]

I use a Milt Sparks IWB, a Galco Miami Classic shoulder holster, and a fanny pack. The IWB won't work with cowboy-tight Wranglers, but it will work with any relaxed-fit jeans. (Good thing I'm not a cowboy.) Then wear any long t-shirt or button-down shirt to cover it. It's not any different than IWB any other time of the year.

The fanny-pack wears over anything.

Something else to remember, that especially in the desert, when the temperature exceeds body temperature, when you shed clothes, you're actually letting heat IN. You don't ALWATS have to run around naked to stay cool. The other thing to remember, is I'm in Utah, where we aren't required to conceal.

 

[The Bushmaster]

Kimber UCC II between 3:00 to 4:00 IWB or OWB...

 

[Geezer Glide]

MTAC and a Glock 26.

 

[gareth96]

How much $$$ for a Colt Defender?

I just looked at a Colt Defender at the local Gander Mountain and they wanted $999 for it. It wasn't the typical stainless steel version. This one had the gray frame AND a gray slide. Does that make it worth $999? I'm going to call the manager in the morning and tell him I've been finding them for for $750 to $850 online, but that's the stainless version. Any help will be appreciated.

 

[Rinspeed]

I love my Sig 239 in an Alessi Talon Plus.

 

[Pops 1]

Glock G27

 

[Sapper771]

I carry full size, I dont mind the weight. You just have to wear the right holster (IWB) and wear a slightly larger t-shirt or over shirt.