looking for a .45

[justin22885]

I figured out he was talking about a second pull for a bad primer and stated later that it probably would not work, anyway. Also something I don't worry about. I think his wording threw me.

and yes, thats basically what i said.. if the single action fails to fire, you either have to cock the hammer or rack the slide.. you may not be able to do this

if a double action fails to fire, you can pull the trigger again and hope the second or third strike sets it off... it may not, and you will need to rack the slide, if someones on top of you, this probably wont be possible

if you have a DA revolver and it fails to go bang, pulling the trigger gets you a fresh round, much more likely to go off if one doesnt, no need to rack a slide if it dont... all entirely one handed operation

 

[MICHAEL T]

I carry a Colt LTW Commander , Officer or Defender . Depends on how dressed and what I have planned. I have no trouble concealing any of them, IWB You do need good holster and belt . But that can be said of about any carry pistol except a small 22 or 25

 

[sigarms228]

I am looking for a .45 decently priced. I have always liked a 1911, but I am concerned about concealability with it,and I wonder if the technology of it is a bit dated as compared to hammerless weapons of today.Any thoughts would be helpful.

If I was going to get a CCW .45 it would probably be an HK45C or SIG P227 Carry however they are a bit pricey. IMO the Glock 30, M&P 45 Compact, and SIG P320C would be worth look for quite a bit less.

As always check around and try to see if you can test shoot whatever you are considering.

 

[justin22885]

my vote goes for the bersa thunder 45 UC pro for a conceal carry piece, almost small enough to be a pocket gun in 45acp and around $400

 

[HKGuns]

Look at the HK45c or USP 45c.

 

[jjones45]

Xdm 45 compact, glock 30S, Hk 45c, sig p320c, officer frame 1911's

 

[stoky]

Colt or Springfield

 

[Nappers]

My Colt Commander conceals just fine in a pancake holster and baggy t-shirts. Only my better half knows I have it, and her .40 Shield in her purse!

I do carry an XDs 9mm or said .40 Shield. All 3 great guns, never a problem.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

My Colt Commander conceals just fine in a pancake holster and baggy t-shirts.

You can do better and convert that pancake to a tuckable. Punch a couple of holes, one on either side of the muzzle. Get some Kydex and cut two 6" X 3/4" strips. Bend the tip, about 1/4" of one end of each strip up, then bend the strips again about 2" farther down. Drill holes in the other ends, then attach to the holster with Chicago screws.

Put your pants on normally, then insert the holster between your trousers and your hide. The Kydex strips will slide over your belt and click into place. Holster your gun, then pull out your shirt from behind the gun and holster, drape it over the gun and holster and tuck it between holster and trousers. Adjust your belt and tighten it. Then "blouse" your shirt -- pull out a couple of inches all around and let the slack hang down.

That .45 will totally disappear!

 

[armedwalleye]

I have the same pistol Joneb references. Excellent shooter, SA quality. Parkerized finish, my only complaint is a single side safety which will be remedied shortly.

 

[Delford]

I tried the XDs in .45. Too small for my hand in .45 and somewhat snappy. So I tried a G30 and G36. Neither were a good fit and I shot the 30 pretty well. I ended up with a LNIB Kahr PM45, which fits my hand and shoots extremely well with very manageable recoil. It carries IWB very well and is my EDC now. The price was less than $400 at my local gun store. It was 2 years old. Similar are the CM45 and CW45 at lower new prices.

 

[gunfighter48]

I've carried a 1911 45ACP for over 20 years now. I carry a Colt LW Commander size and for me it's easier to carry. I'm 5'7" and 250lbs. I have no trouble carrying IWB with a Versa Max II or Crossbreed hybrid holster. I find 1911s very easy to conceal. They don't take anymore practice/instruction to shoot well than any other auto loader! There's no magic involved in shooting a 1911, if you can shoot a auto loader you can shoot a 1911.

If you want to try one out that's inexpensive look for a used or new RIA. They make several models and they work very well. If you decide it's not for you, you won't have a lot of money involved and they are easy to resell. They are very popular contrary to what the gun snobs say!

 

[Shootshellz]

Find a range that allows you to 'rent' a pistol so you can 'try before you buy'. I carried a Glock 21 for 20+ years at work and was extremely happy with my choice (I had to pay for it myself). I also own a Colt 1911 but consider it second fiddle to the Glock. Carries less ammo, safety to futz with, WAY more difficult to field strip/reassemble and lots more parts. But what I like may not be what you choose, thus go for a 'test drive' first before you plunk down your ca$h.

 

[The Big D]

The 1911 is far more concealable than competing designs of similar barrel length due to the slim profile. They also generally shoot better. They're also safer than many alternatives - no risk of "glock leg" when holstering.

I would not consider any other design for a long cartridge (.45, 10mm, .38 Super) carry gun.

 

[cliffb]

Take a look at the M&P .45 compact. About the size of a Glock 19 but has 8+1 rounds of .45 acp. Mine is absolutely reliable and accurate. It conceals pretty well in a Galco Concealable or similar holster.

 

[Bobson]

Among an onslaught of various 1911 recommendations (and a revolver or two - good grief), allow me to be the voice of reason.

1911s are great. It's arguably the most iconic handgun ever designed. It can be made to function remarkably well, and it still offers reasonably respectable firepower after 100+ years. None of these are a good reason to carry one. Carrying a 1911 is like being the last person on the face of the Earth and exclusively riding a sidecar motorcycle, knowing full well that you'll never have a passenger. You're not doing it because it's practical or because it makes sense; you're doing it because you just plain like the design enough to be willing to put up with it. Call me crazy, but self defense is a pretty lame place to be making compromises based on cool factor.

Instead, you can carry something that benefits from increased capacity, no gamble regarding reliability, lighter weight, costs about half as much as a Colt, will conceal more easily than a government model 1911 or just as well as a CCO, will shoot just as well or better than any comparable out-of-the-box 1911 ...but it's not gonna be nearly as cool. Oh boy.

Do yourself a favor and look into a Glock 30SF. The M&P 45c mentioned above is also worth your consideration, as are the Springfield XD/XDM compacts.

 

[Shootshellz]

Be aware you can also suffer 'Colt leg' or 'S&W leg' or 'Sig leg' if you fail to keep your finger off the trigger when re-holstering. It is not restricted to a particular brand of firearm. 'Off target, off trigger'. And IMHO 'shooting better' 9 times out of 10 depends on the shooter and the amount of practice he puts in with his chosen firearm, not the brand of firearm chosen.

 

[samweller]

I have never heard of 1911 leg as anything like a regular occurrence. In fact, I do not see how it is possible in someone properly trained in the handling of a 1911.

Bobson, the only thing I agree with you on about the 1911 is magazine capacity. I still carry a 1911 some, but in recent years I have switched to my regular carry being my BHP. I used to say "who would need more than 7 rounds in an SD situation." I don't think we can say that anymore. As far as reliability, maintenance, accuracy, and recoil, I believe the 1911 is as good or better than those pistols you mention. Again, much of this is preference. I'll have to say that the "cool" factor never enters my mind. If I wanted to be "cool" I'd carry one of those Desert Eagle hog leg jobs or one of those .50 cal handguns some Mac Bolan wannabes are buying. (remember Mac?) I think Mac's was a .44 mag semi-auto...been a while since I read that stuff.

 

[tarosean]

I wonder if the technology of it is a bit dated as compared to hammerless weapons of today.Any thoughts would be helpful.

I hate to break it to you, but striker fired guns pre-date the 1911. Heck even polymer frame pistols are 45yrs old now. Not sure I'd call that modern

 

[JR47]

Be aware you can also suffer 'Colt leg' or 'S&W leg' or 'Sig leg' if you fail to keep your finger off the trigger when re-holstering. It is not restricted to a particular brand of firearm. 'Off target, off trigger'. And IMHO 'shooting better' 9 times out of 10 depends on the shooter and the amount of practice he puts in with his chosen firearm, not the brand of firearm chosen.

Ok, explain how a cocked-and-locked 1911 can go off when re-holstering? Or how a hammer-down 1911 could suffer that, either.

The idea that, somehow, any guns accuracy is ONLY dependent on the shooter is also odd. Most people who shoot the 1911 have found that it's far easier to introduce a new shooter to that gun than others. It points pretty naturally for the majority of people, and a single action trigger is easier to control for new shooters.

A Glock, in my hands, shoots high. I've seen that in a number of new shooters, as well. Under that CQB stress everyone seems to be so interested in, it may not result in a miss, but it might result in a peripheral hit that lets the bad guy get off a lethal round.

Also, that same stress seems to result in far more negligent discharges among trained operators using striker-fired guns than they've ever seen in either double-action, double-action only, or single-action guns. Something to do with automatic release of safeties, and the natural action of putting one's finger on the trigger. It seems funny that we can "train" that out of someone, but seem to feel that we can't train releasing a safety out of the same person.