I need a great 45 for concealed carry

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Since I am 6' 7" and 240 lbs., I guess I'll contribute my experience on this subject too. My strong hand spans about 10.5 inches from thumb to little finger tip. Most gloves in size XL are still too snug. Pistols with a big fat grip fit well in my hand, but most are not a good choice for concealed carry. It's always a compromise.

I carried a Glock 19 for a long time because it conceals well and is not too heavy. But I sold it because of my lack of confidence in the 9mm round, and my inability to get a good enough grip to place accurate shots on target. It's a great carry option for some, just not me. I wanted to carry a .45, like the OP has stated.

Once I had resolved that in my mind, I tried shooting a Colt 1911. Very accurate and nice grip. But the recoil hurt my wrist after shooting a while, and I don't practice enough to be confident manipulating a manual safety in a sudden crisis. Professional warriors choose that weapon for certain benefits, but they also train with it consuming much more time and ammo than I could reasonably expect to. I had to be realistic about my limitations and choose something very simple for myself.

The Glock 21 was also something I liked a lot. But, it was too big for CCW. The Glock 36 is smaller, but the grip is too narrow for me. The Glock 30 seemed to be just right.

After shooting very well with it over time, a couple of issues developed. First, my little finger naturally comes to rest in the gap between the bottom of the grip and the magazine base plate which causes a painful pinch while shooting sometimes. I would get big blood blisters in the same spot on my little finger. I finally found the Pearce Grip extensions and they solved that problem. Next, my declining eyesight prompted me to find a better solution for sighting and the Crimson Trace LG-629 solved that problem. The way they attach around the back of the grip also improved my grip. The places on each side where the batteries go actually filled in some empty spaces in my grip very nicely.

So, the Glock 30 with the LG-629 attached, using Pearce Grip extensions on my 10 round mags all together make a package that gives me a nice fat grip, very accurate, relatively mild recoil, and not too big to conceal.

One of the things I've learned is that there is no such thing as perfect. A fatter grip feels better in the hand, but is harder to carry (especially IWB). A thinner grip will be more comfortable to carry, but you may find that you fumble with it a little on the draw while trying to get your fingers around it. You just have to figure out where you are willing to compromise.
 
G30 owb in a galco leather hoster works well for me. AT your size consealing one will not be a problem, I'm only 5'8 200 and I hide it easily. Its accurate and packs alot of fire power if you carry the g21 mag in the gun or as a back up.
I owned a 4 inch springfield xdm 45, and I liked it. I bought it mainly for the capasity. However when I bought the g30 and a couple of g21 mags, I didn't see the need for the xdm any more, so I sold it at a gun show for money toward another gun. XDM has great resale value.
 
Nomadchris,

Yes I did own and carry a 4" XD45. I carried it IWB in a Brommeland holster and carried two extra mags in his double mag pouch as well. It was an incredibly accurate and reliable gun and my best friend now is it's proud owner and still carries it 2 years later. The only thing I did to the gun other than shoot and clean it was to change out the factory sights to the Truglo TFO's. I am a died in the wool 1911 guy but I really liked this gun and holster carry combo. I highly recommend the gun and holster as well. Oh I am 6'6" and am down to 289lbs. I carried it very comfortably for over two years and no one ever knew it was on my hip. Here is a picture of the rig laying on my spotted Fallow cape.
MCVSET.jpg

As you can see accuracy was not a problem either.
XD45Target.jpg
 
I'm 5'10" and carry an HK45C pistol everyday concealed. I use a Raven Concealment System Phantom holster to do so. It's a OWB kydex holster. I prefer HK pistols over any others, but there are certainly some great pistols on the market today.
 
ATBackPackin said:
Kahr CW45 or P45 - I prefer the CW series over the P series because I don't see what you get with the P series worth the extra money. Again that is just personal opinion.

Best of luck
Shawn
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You get:

1. An extra mag, essential in a low capacity carry gun. New mags are $35+ each.
2. Poly instead of standard L&G barrel, higher (however slight) velocities from the short barrel
3. Night sights or the ability to replace or purchase NS should you want them later

The most expensive P series Kahr I bought was my P380 which was $550 OTD. The shop I get most of my guns from charges me $500 OTD for P series including my P45. My biggest complaint about Kahr is there are very few shops that carry the K series which are my favorite in the line. Love my Diamond Black K40 made around year 2000. Has the old rubber Houge grips and polished mags. Great gun.
 
The Glock guys will tell you to get a Glock 21 or 30.

The M&P guys will tell you to get the M&P 45 or 45 Compact.

XD guys love their XD 45's, so you should get one of those.

The SIG guys will tell you to get a German made gun and to avoid the newer models of the P220 (and variants).

Beretta has guns in 45 ACP, but I'm not sure anyone has one.

Ruger makes a few handguns in 45 ACP, but those were all recalled.

Revolver guys will tell you to get an S&W Model 625, install "The Plug" and carry on. S&W fanatics will tell you anything with "the lock" is junk and only pre-lock guns are worthwhile. Just possessing a 625 will make you shoot almost as well as Jerry Miculek.

One guy will tell you to get a CZ 97. Never mind its huge size.

The HK guys won't help you at all.

Everyone else will tell you to get a Glock 19.
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Ding Ding Ding ..... Winner....winner.....winner. Brilliant. Close thread; nuf said.
 
Like, an XDm .45 compact? I think it'd be a hit.
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already exists. been in gunshops for some time now. looked at one a few months ago.


mp45c is reliable, if you don't mind the 100lb trigger break lol

the glock 30 is good too, but too thick, and sub 4inch 45's limit the variety of jhp's that will consistently expand from that barrel length.
 
Every .45 I've ever handled is too fat to CCW on me. Only 1911's are thin enough to work well on me.

I think your setting yourself up for failure, looking specificly for .45ACP, but not a 1911. I can't fathom why anyone would be against the best pistol trigger out there?

Don't dismiss going down to the smaller, nastier .40S&W round. If you drop down to .40 you can find plenty of decent CCW's like the Glock 23.

-The double stack .45's are too fat.
-The single stack Glock 36 still deosn't have a flush fit mag, just those gimpy Chernoble looking mags.
-The single stack Kahr P45 and CW 45 will be as good as it gets. But the Kahr trigger, while very nice, deosn't offer the performance that a Glock or a 1911 trigger will.

But based on your criteria the Kahr P45 is probally the best chioce.
 
At the Springfield website they are announcing a new XDm is fixing to be announced. Bet it's the Compact .45 ACP! ;)
 
From Guns & Ammo

The XD is correctly classified as a single-action design, meaning it is fully cocked by racking the slide. Most single-action autos have manual safeties, but the XD's Croatian designers eliminated the need for such safeties by adopting the Glock-type trigger safety as well as an internal firing-pin block. They also added a grip safety. The XD is a very safe design, but its single-action designation has confused some.

The XD is a true single-action internally but externally operates more like a double-action-only handgun. There are no manual safeties to disengage beforehand, and the trigger take-up has the feel of a light (very light) double-action pull before reaching a final single-action release. The XD operates like a Glock with a grip safety. As with the Glock, the trigger design does not fit any traditional classification, so Springfield coined its own terminology and dubbed it the USA (Ultra Safety Assurance) trigger safety.

The XD is a single-action design in that the trigger does not cock the striker. But the XD trigger does perform more than a single function, as do many other modern single-action designs. When the trigger is pressed, the trigger bar moves forward, and a lever in the frame pivots upward, disengaging the striker block. It's important to note that this disengagement occurs during the final stage of the trigger release. The striker-safety lever moves up in unison with the sear release. This means the long take-up of the trigger serves no mechanical function. The long pull does enhance safety, however, and performs much the same as a two-stage military-rifle trigger.
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I had an xd (non m) compact 45. Great gun. unfortunately I sold it for something smaller, a glock 26. Very accurate however and regret selling it.
 
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I've carried a PT145 for years and never had an issue with many 1000's of rounds down the tube. That said, I just bought a P45 Kahr yesterday and think I have a new favorite after shooting 50 or so rounds through it yesterday.

Seeing the poly rails with molded metal inserts was a surprise, but I've read nothing but good things about them, the used price was excellent, so I'm a happy plinker. Once I shoot it enough, it'll be my new carry gun. Initial results are very good with 230 grain XTPs over medium to hot hand loads. Accuracy was very minute o'pop can bottom at 21 feet. Easy to hit where I pointed it. Easier than my PT145 IMO.

oops, holy thread revival
 
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