i've always liked small guns. i'm looking for a small pistol in.45 acp. I have a full size 1911 and a 4" sw 625. I like the offices size 1911's but heard there are difficult to run reliable. there is no ccw law where i live so weight is not an issue. I have short fingers so i have problems with the trigger reach of xd-45. anyone have experience with glock 36, kahr .45 or officer size 1911?
small .45
- Thread starter iyn
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benderx4
Member
What about a HK45 compact?
CObrad
Member
I did a lot of research last year on small carry guns. I too read of the reliability issues of the officer sized 1911's, which is sad because the 1911 is my favorite pistol, and a commander is one of my primary carry guns. The pistol I selected was the Kahr PM40. This gun has run 100% for me. I have debated getting the pm45, but it may be too much of a good thing in a gun that small. Kahr makes a few other models that are just a bit larger that I think I could probably handle better in a .45. Based on my experience with the PM, I would not hesitate to buy another Kahr.
I purchased a Kahr CW45 about a month ago and love it. I had problems with a box of Blazer Brass that failed to extract on 20 out of the 50 rounds. Have had no problems since, with 500 rounds through it, including an additional 100 rounds of Blazer Brass. I think I just got a bad box on that one. I have put Blazer, Federal HST+P, and WWB through it with no problem. It is a fun gun to shoot even with the +P, you just get to walk around with grip checkering on your hands after about 50 rounds of +P.
I carry an Ultra-Compact 1911. It has been great and would be a contender for the "if I could only have one" category too. I've had some ammunition related problems, and 1 bad magazine related issue. I did replace the factory recoil spring, add Crimson Trace lasergrips, and custom night-sites; but "other than that", the gun is 100% stock and I wouldn't change anything. With the exception of the recoil spring, the other changes were because I needed/wanted them, not because the gun "needed" them to function. "Most" of the reliability issues related to small 1911 platforms can be resolved with changing out recoil springs. Please note that I said "most" and NOT "all".
MICHAEL T
Member
I guess I am lucky I have a early Wa state Detonics, 2 Colt Officers , Colt Defender and a Colt New Agent, Have not had first problem with any of them
I did have a Para Ord compact it was a 1 shot pistol before and after factory . worked over.
Buy a Colt Defender their very relieable.
I did have a Para Ord compact it was a 1 shot pistol before and after factory . worked over.
Buy a Colt Defender their very relieable.
71Commander
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Para C6-45. It's small.
huntershooter
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I've a Wilson "carry Comp" that is 100% reliable.
Commander length slide with single port compensator and "Officer" frame.
+P ammo causes the compensator to work most effeciently.
Commander length slide with single port compensator and "Officer" frame.
+P ammo causes the compensator to work most effeciently.
KaliS-Pugilist
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Taurus Millennium PT-145 Pro...has 10+1 of .45 in a very nice package. extremely affordable, defensively accurate, very concealable, and reliable (w/3rd generation). may be the smallest double stack .45 on the market.
Red Eye Fred
Member
I carry a Glock 36. It is one of the smaller and lighter Glocks I have put many rounds through it without a problem. I am certain there are smaller and lighter 45's but I trust the 36
gtmtnbiker98
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Either a Glock 36 or an M&P 45 will fit the criteria. I owned a PM45 and it simply was not reliable.
I had a Glock 36 and it was a fine gun, never had any problems with it. Sold it when I bought my Kimber Tactical Ultra II, that is a sweet gun and I've never had a problem with it, eats anything I feed it, have had to do no modifications with it, tweaking, tuning, etc. 100 % reliable out of the box. My buddy has a Kahr PM45 it has been a good gun for him, I've shot it and you definitely feel the recoil more than with my Kimber but by no means is it uncomfortable. None of them are range guns that you want to shoot 1000's of rds each time (not that you couldn't if you wanted to). Personally I'm looking at a Glock 30 as my next gun to buy (just cause I think you can't have to much of a good thing 
). Lots of good manufactures out there, look at them, fondle them, and then buy one and have fun shooting it. Good luck with your decision.
). Lots of good manufactures out there, look at them, fondle them, and then buy one and have fun shooting it. Good luck with your decision.Furncliff
Member
Defense Minister
Member
I had a Glock 36 for a while and liked it. I carried it a lot, but trained with it very little. I put enough of my chosen carry load through it to be sure it would function properly, and that was about all the shootin' I did with it. It was quite accurate, easy to shoot, and has a long sight radius for a compact pistol thanks to Glock's placement of the sights. The G36 is also very light and has the thinnest slide of any Glock pistol making it easy to conceal comfortably. I only sold it because I have become fond of the Smith & Wesson M&P pistols and now carry an M&P40c.
LightningJoe
Member
The Taurus PT-145 is small, but the Kahr PM45 is smaller.
I've had this very early, (first year produced) Kimber Ultra CDP for about eight years now. As a matter of fact, the factory night sights have just about died now and I'll be replacing them soon.
It has been EXTREMELY reliable from day one forward with any type of self defense ammo you can name, plus it shoots tight groups too!
As you can see by the wear and tear, this gun has seen some carry! It has been a GREAT little aluminum-framed, officer model-sized .45ACP.
Also note the extreme "meltdown" package treatment done on these early Ultra CDPs. They are much more radically rounded on all the edges than they do today on the same model.
And . . . it weights just about the same as my nickle plated S&W Model 36 snubbie that's pictured . . . and not much bigger either!
Yep, they are pricey . . . but factored over the years I've had it, not bad. Plus, I don't intend to trust my life to a cheap gun. Ya only live once!
T.
It has been EXTREMELY reliable from day one forward with any type of self defense ammo you can name, plus it shoots tight groups too!
As you can see by the wear and tear, this gun has seen some carry! It has been a GREAT little aluminum-framed, officer model-sized .45ACP.
Also note the extreme "meltdown" package treatment done on these early Ultra CDPs. They are much more radically rounded on all the edges than they do today on the same model.
And . . . it weights just about the same as my nickle plated S&W Model 36 snubbie that's pictured . . . and not much bigger either!
Yep, they are pricey . . . but factored over the years I've had it, not bad. Plus, I don't intend to trust my life to a cheap gun. Ya only live once!
T.
boxingRef_Rick
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Love the Kahr P45, thin, reliable, and very accurate!
Be safe!
Rick
Be safe!
Rick
FuzzyBunny
Member
+1 on the Star Firestar .45
I own the firestar in 9mm but have shot the .45 many times. A bit heavy but real solid.
I own the firestar in 9mm but have shot the .45 many times. A bit heavy but real solid.
JR47
Member
I own a Colt Series 80 Officers Model, in SS. It's been 100% reliable for over 12 years.
I also own a Star PD, that has seen service since the late 1970's. It has also been 100% reliable.
The Star FireStar Model 45, while a heavy gun, is also a fine choice.
I also own a Star PD, that has seen service since the late 1970's. It has also been 100% reliable.
The Star FireStar Model 45, while a heavy gun, is also a fine choice.
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