Money no object CCW .45acp

[Art Eatman]

Since around 1980, my main social gun has been a lightweight Commander. Sorta modified.

Oven cleaner removes anodizing. Then, for proper nitexing of the frame, use double-strength solution and run the current for twice as long--after a full de-horning and rounding of all sharp edges.

Beavertail grip safety. I'd traded into a dehorned slide which had S&W sights put on it, as well as a Browning cut at the front. Not my choice of sights, but no problems in thirty years, so...

A polished feed ramp, and bevelled mag well. The trigger breaks at three pounds, and does not follow to half-cock when the slide is released.

Diamond pattern factory wood grips.

Works really, really good.

 

[Yotecallr]

Les Baer anything.

 

[Gtimothy]

First of all, I want to thank everyone for the help. I'm getting some good information that is going to help with my decision.

I currently carry a "J" frame .38 in an IWB holster in the small of my back and I'm tired of having that cylinder pressing into my kidney all day. I tried carrying my 1911A1 there but the gun felt like it was pulling my pants down all day and created a lot of pressure on my hips.

So after reading these posts and doing more research online, I'm looking for something in the mid 20oz range, and easy to conceal, so I'm thinking either a "New Agent" size 1911 or a Glock 30 or 36.

BTW, The "money is no object" isn't really true...I do have a limit that will be determined by how much "kissing up" I have to do with my wife!

 

[Sergei Mosin]

As you have discovered, small of the back is not really the ideal carry position for a full-size 1911. (I know Tom Selleck sometimes did it in "Magnum, P.I." but he didn't use a holster and he was a lot cooler than I am!) I carry mine on or just behind my right hip, IWB with a good leather holster and leather gun belt. Makes all the difference in the world.

 

[xmanpike]

I used to have a Colt Gold Cup Trophy. I recently bought a Dan Wesson CCO. The fit and finish on this gun is simply amazing. Zero FTF, FTE'S in 500+ rounds and counting. It's Alloy framed so it is light weight and the Officers size grip makes it lighter weight as well. It is a perfect carry gun in the 1911 platform.

 

[Pancho]

Not to throw a wet blanket on this "money is no object" line of thought but just remember that if you ever have to use your CCW gun it will be confiscated by the law and then bang around in some property room and be cared for by an officer that has little respect for your property. The gun will be returned to you at the convenience of the local government probably months after the incident and of course it won't be cleaned after you discharged it, a good reason not to CC a blackpowder revolver.

 

[shootingthebreeze]

I love my Kahr CW45; easy to carry, take apart, clean, re-assemble, and, very accurate. A true winner.

 

[Teachu2]

Die-hard 1911 shooter, no desire for a plastic pistol - until I shot a Glock 30. It's worth spending a few bucks to rent one and run a box through. I bought one.

 

[bigfatdave]

Pancho:
1 - the "money is no object" concept includes a replacement, doesn't it?
2 - as far as confiscation ... meh ... the cost of repairing/replacing a weapon is minimal conpared to the cost of being dead, and a gun you enjoy will get practiced with. I don't have silver-inlaid guns with rubies and emeralds for sight dots and grips made from the USS Constitution's teak decking ... but I carry guns I like, they tend to be in the 5-700 dollar range (more after a few minor tweaks), and I have quite a few of them ... instead of one $750 gun and a similar backup, I could easily have a $1500 gun. There's a lot of money tied up in that cabinet, a single particularly expensive gun isn't really signifigant once you start looking for a larger cabinet/safe to keep them in.
3 - I'll get my gun back in the condition it was confiscated in, or I'll blow more money than a new gun would cost making the confiscators' lives difficult, just on principle. Because that's the kind of jerk I am.
4 - A modern gun fired a few times isn't going to corrode unless kept in a humid environment, if it was cared for before firing. I'd be more worried about theft or deliberate damage. Seriously, the manufacturer test-fires a few rounds, sprays the gun down with shipping preservative, and tosses it in a box for who knows how long ... just firing a gun doesn't start it sliding down a slippery slope of corrosion quite as fast as some people fear.

 

[5150]

A better holster and belt to improve your ability to carry and conceal the 1911 you already have.

A (Mitch Rosen Slimline) well made Holster will save you the coin over the latest and greatest 45 acp..

 

[Pilot]

Getting your gun back, if you get it back at all will be the least of your worries, and expenses if you unfortunately have to use it in self defense. Carry what you want.

 

[bigfatdave]

A better holster and belt to improve your ability to carry and conceal the 1911 you already have.

this is very true, anything slim and flat is comfortable if you have a good belt (that's a real gunbelt, not a "pretty sturdy belt I found at WM/Sears/Target") and a well-designed holster. Getting that lump out of the SOB is probably a good idea, too - having somehting bulgy poking into your delicate anatomy around/on the spine isn't wise, you're going to slip and fall on your icy steps before you need a pistol for defense, statistically speaking (don't overanalyze the example here, either)

A BeltMan bullhide belt and a CrossBreed SuperTuck handle my all-steel RIA-built CCO-ish size 1911 and one or two extra magazines just fine ... weight isn't a major issue with the right carry gear.

 

[45bthompson]

I have a TLE II. It will NOT feed hp. I sent it back and they said it was fixed. Its not. A glock is a great choice. People would still buy them even if they had a higher price tag. The Colt defender would be my second choice.

 

[Gtimothy]

I'm going to try and swing by my LGS tomorrow or Thursday and see if he has any compact .45s for me to check out. I've said that I'd never own a Glock because I don't like the way they feel in my hand. However, I've heard nothing but good things about them and I think I'd like to at least check out a G30 or 36 before I rule them out completely. Just have to wait and see what I can get my hands on for comparison.

My sister's boyfriend is a leathersmith and I have him making me a custom gunbelt for my IWB holsters at this very moment. Maybe I can convince him to build me a holster as well. He builds western style gunbelts and holsters so maybe I can persuade him to venture into the practical side of holstery and build me a nice one for my 1911A1 or my Sig P229R....

 

[Chuck R.]

Here’s my solution; Les Baer “Stinger” (CCO) put together to match my Concept V. It’s a little heavy, but conceals well, and shoots like a full size.



Chuck

 

[jolly roger]

S&W M&P 45 Compact and a crap load of ammo. Mine shoots crazy good despite the funky trigger which has smoothed up a lot over 2K rounds or so. Shoots every bit as good as my Sig 220 and that's saying a lot.

 

[LCPor9mm]

CCO

Do yourself a favor...don't overlook the CCO.

 

[GLOOB]

High end 1911's are like pool cues. The more you spend, the more it's about the the looks rather than the function. I suppose I'd get a Les Bauer. They seem as good as any other, and they have an accuracy guarantee.

 

[SigP229R]

Sig Sauer P220.

 

[NOLAEMT]

If you're already comfortable with the 1911, I would go with a CCO (concealed carry officers) model.


I've got one (a Colt Gunsite CCO) that I absolutely love and is my full time carry gun.

 

[Winkman822]

By far my Wilson Combat CQB Compact. Perfect CCW gun.

 

[Gtimothy]

Well, I spent some time at one of my LGS looking at what he had to offer. He had both the Glock 30 and 36 in stock and I got to spend some time handling them. I found I likeed the 36 better than the 30. The 36 has a slimmer grip than the 30, which felt better in my hand. The only 1911 style compact he had in stock was a Colt for $1050.00. Think I'm gonna try (rent) the G36 this week and see how it shoots.

I also have my sister's boyfriend building me forward cant IWB holsters for my 1911A1 and Sig P229R. I may just have this issue licked, or at least I'll have my choice until I buy a dedicated semi-auto CCW gun.

Thank you guys for helping!

 

[velojym]

I really liked my old micro compact 1911, and I'm sorry I ever traded it off. Right now, though, I'm waiting for the XDs to hit my LGS' shelf. Really wanna try that one on for size. I've yet to find a ccw pistol I'm comfy with, in my caliber, that packs better than my full sized XD45. I'm sure the compact ones would, but I'll wait all the same.

 

[45crittergitter]

I solved that problem for myself by ordering a lightweight 5" Les Baer.

 

[Inebriated]

Glock 30.