Suggestions for 45acp Pocket Pistol

[Tallball]

I like to have carry pieces in all of the major calibers.

I already have a 45acp snub revolver and a small 45acp belt pistol, but I'd like to have a 45acp pocket pistol as well.

The small belt pistol is a Taurus PT145. It functions just fine and the trigger isn't as bad as most of them, but IMHO it's too large/heavy for pocket carry. (It's a double stack and roughly the size of a G26.)

I'd be interested in suggestions for pocket pistols in 45acp. Suggestions for something the same size or larger than the PT145 wouldn't be helpful.

 

[toivo]

Heizer PKO 45?
https://americanhandgunner.com/handguns/the-heizer-pko-45/

I don't think you're going to find too many. Once you get that small, .45 ACP starts to stretch the parameters of usability.

 

[1KPerDay]

An actual pocket pistol is going to be a tough one. Look at the Springfield XDS. I think they stopped making them.

AMT made a tiny .45 for a while in the 90s.

or a derringer. Bond arms maybe?

https://www.handgunsmag.com/editorial/amt-backup-45-semiauto-pistol/476782

 

[Madcap_Magician]

I think the original XDS or the Kahr PM45 are the smallest options that don't sacrifice some sort of major functionality in some way.

 

[earlthegoat2]

The he AMT Backup 45 is about the only pocket capable pistol with more than 2 capacity.

They are of an older and heavier all steel design and long out of production and have a dubious reputation for reliability.

 

[1KPerDay]

That heizer looks pretty impressive. I likely wouldn’t want to shoot more than one round though.

 

[lee n. field]

I like to have carry pieces in all of the major calibers.

I already have a 45acp snub revolver and a small 45acp belt pistol, but I'd like to have a 45acp pocket pistol as well.

The small belt pistol is a Taurus PT145. It functions just fine and the trigger isn't as bad as most of them, but IMHO it's too large/heavy for pocket carry. (It's a double stack and roughly the size of a G26.)

I'd be interested in suggestions for pocket pistols in 45acp. Suggestions for something the same size or larger than the PT145 wouldn't be helpful.

Springfield XDS: https://www.springfield-armory.com/xd-series-handguns/xd-s-mod-2-osp-handguns/

5 shot short mag. 6 and 7 round factory extended magazines.

Currently listed only in the "Mod 2" version, optics ready or optics equipped.

I have pocket carried the XDS45. ("Gen 1")

It can be a handful.

Mine had problems with going into battery early on. I worked through that and fixed it. Perusing Interwebz gun forums, it looks like that was a not-infrequent problem, early on, but not later.

 

[Jim Watson]

Gotta have a Semmerling LM4. American Derringer lists them but whether they will actually make one, I don't know.
http://www.amderringer.com/lms.html

I saw one for sale that went for $8750.00 but that was for an original Lichtmann.
An AD was a mere $2875.00.

 

[entropy]

I've cargo pocket carried my PT145 in a Remora, but it's not very concealed that way. It fits the legal definition, but it definitely is on the big side for it. It's also a two handed draw.

 

[GEM]

Debatable whether American Derringer still is in business. Haven't seen a definitive answer. Last I heard they might make something out of available parts but nothing new. Supposedly sued over a police ND and couldn't afford the defense. I don't have more than that.

 

[Jim Watson]

Debatable whether American Derringer still is in business. Haven't seen a definitive answer. Last I heard they might make something out of available parts but nothing new. Supposedly sued over a police ND and couldn't afford the defense. I don't have more than that.

Might be why the ones I saw were on the secondary market.

 

[CDW4ME]

XDs:
https://www.springfield-armory.com/...-s-mod-2-osp-3-3-single-stack-45-acp-handgun/
L 6.3'' - H 4.4'' - 23 oz

Kahr:
https://shopkahrfirearmsgroup.com/cm45-cm4543/
L 5.7'' - H 4.4'' - 19 oz

Perspective. I can carry and easily draw a Sig 365 from the front pocket of most of my shorts, some pockets are more accepting than others.
From this website
https://www.handgunhero.com/compare/sig-sauer-p365-vs-kahr-cm45
Sig 365 - L 5.8'' - H 4.3'' - 17.8 oz
Kahr CM45 - L 5.9'' - H 4.5'' - 19.3 oz

 

[dickydalton]

Here's a picture of my S&W Shield Plus on top of my old Officer's Lightweight. The Colt fits in most of my pockets.

 

[.455_Hunter]

Bersa makes (or has made) a DA/SA compact .45.

 

[Ohen Cepel]

Another vote for Kahr.

 

[rperyam]

The Kahr works for me.

 

[Great Scot]

XD-S .45 works for me. Recoil is stout, but controllable. Conceals as easy as a PPK. Also, decent trigger and good sights. Finally, it’s reliable.

 

[Tallball]

duplicate

 

[.455_Hunter]

Bersa makes (or has made) a DA/SA compact .45.

The Bersa Thunder Pro Ultra Compact .45 unfortunately does not appear in their current catalog.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

Star Firestar M45 and PD are out there. Firestars are still relatively cheap, if not spare magazines.

 

[Electricmo]

.45acp pocket pistol?

 

[Zeabed]

There is at least one pocket holster made for the Glock 36, by Alabama Holsters. It will fit in the front pocket in Tru-Spec cargo pants or cargo shorts. Can't imagine that it would be very comfortable to carry, but it is designed for pocket carry.

 

[commygun]

I’m a big pocket carry guy and I’ve certainly tested the limits of front pants pocket carry. There are some guns that, theoretically, can be pocket carried but are such bricks or so tight to draw that there’s no reason you’d ever bother. The AMT .45 DAO Back-Up is one of those guns. I don’t think there is a .45 semi-auto that’s truly a pocket gun.

 

[ChuteTheMall]

Glock 30 and have your pockets enlarged as necessary.

 

[Tallball]

XDs:
https://www.springfield-armory.com/...-s-mod-2-osp-3-3-single-stack-45-acp-handgun/
L 6.3'' - H 4.4'' - 23 oz

Kahr:
https://shopkahrfirearmsgroup.com/cm45-cm4543/
L 5.7'' - H 4.4'' - 19 oz

Perspective. I can carry and easily draw a Sig 365 from the front pocket of most of my shorts, some pockets are more accepting than others.
From this website
https://www.handgunhero.com/compare/sig-sauer-p365-vs-kahr-cm45
Sig 365 - L 5.8'' - H 4.3'' - 17.8 oz
Kahr CM45 - L 5.9'' - H 4.5'' - 19.3 oz

Thank you for the comparison. The Kahr and the Springfield are two very reasonable candidates.

The Bersa is a little larger.

Thunder Pro Ultra Compact 45 6.8 in 5.1 in 1.45 in 27 oz