Which Carry 45?

[jwalker497]

I am having a hard time trying to decide which 45 model would be best for CCW.

G30 (10R of 45's makes me feel warm/fuzzy - but largest & thick)
G39 (Smaller than G30 - but unsure of 45GAPs power vs 45acp)
Kahr PM45 (Smallest by far - but only 5 rounds)

Which would you go for and why?

 

[bpl]

I've been carrying a full size 1911 in the cooler weather. I'm looking for a CCO model for the warmer weather. I'm very interested in the new Dan Wesson model. I do carry a Kahr K40, which is a nice carry model. I go IWB for all but my LCP .380, which goes in the right front pocket in a Nemesis pocket holster. I'm just not that big on the glocks. I have a G19 and a new G20SF 10mm (which I haven't even shot yet). The G20SF is intended to be my woods/hiking/hunting sidearm - powerful, durable, but definitely not pretty!

 

[Keoni]

Not on your your list, but have you considered the G36?

 

[chinpokojed]

I love the simplicity and reliability of my G30, but I think it really depends on how do you dress day to day.

My work is very casual (jeans and a loose t-shirt) so a G30 in a OWB holster works great. But if i had to wear slacks and a shirt and tie I'd be looking much smaller like the Kahr.

Personally I think the 45GAP is an oddball round and may become difficult to find, while 45ACP isn't going anywhere. Yes it's ballistically almost identical, blah, blah, blah, but Billy's Tackle Shop in Maine is more likely to have 45ACP then know what 45GAP is.

Also if it hasn't been repeated 100 times to you already, the right holster and belt combination can make or break your CCW rig. Skimp on one and you may be very unhappy with it.

It's also probably worth renting the pistols once or twice to really feel how they point for you and what you think of the recoil, swapping mags etc..

 

[David E]

the GAP is dead, don't buy one.

The G-30 is a good choice if it's not too thick.

Which makes the PM45 incongruous....why not the P-45?

How about the XD compact?

A Para LDA ?

Kimber 1911 ?

 

[Quiet]

I carry both a Glock 30 and Glock 39.

Got the Glock 30, cause it conceals well and I can use my Glock 21 mags in it.

Got the Glock 39 because it's easier to carry conceal than the Glock 30, while wearing my standard summer wear (t-shirt/shorts/sandals).

The .45GAP and .45ACP launches the same bullets at similar velocities.
Four state law enforcement agencies have adopted the .45GAP, so it isn't going to "die off" anytime soon. As long as law enforcement supports a particular cartridge, it will still be made.

 

[CDW4ME]

GAP

I have both the 39 and the PM45

I like the 39 because the grip is the same as the model 26/27 but the slide is a little thicker. This gun is a shooter, the recoil is definitely less than the 27. the GAP produces the same power a the 45 acp. I chronoed my 39 and got 932 fps with Gold Dot 185 gr. (average for 5 shots). Easy to conceal.

The Kahr PM45 is taller than the 39 and a little more difficult to hide.The Kahr is thinner. I can get a full grip on the Kahr. Although I can get a full grip on the Kahr, my preception is the Glock has a softer kick. This gun shoots well for me and I have fired 100 rounds in a session without discomfort.

Someone mentioned the 36. The 36 pinched my little finger in the gap between the frame and magazine, so I sold it. If you want something that big get the 38.

 

[Ed4032]

I have had nothing but trouble with my PM45. I have sent it in to the factory twice. It is still a Jam-o-matic. To be fair I have a CW9 and love it, but my PM45 is a POS.

 

[redneckrepairs]

none of the above lol . in .45acp i either carry a Kahr p45 or a full sized 1911. I am tho thinking about playing with the xd tactical that is 5", and swmbo carries an old carbon detonics .

 

[gtmtnbiker98]

HK 45c and be done with the debate. The PM45 is a POS, at least mine was.

 

[SHusky57]

G36 if 45 ACP.

Nothing wrong with buying 45 GAP though.... just get reloading stuff. With ammo prices and availability the way it is, I wish I had learned about reloading sooner.

Buy a few boxes of defensive ammo, buy up a bunch of jacketed bullets, powder, and primers and you should be able to have a steady supply of GAP ammo. Of course, you might have to get one of the aftermarket barrels.

 

[WNC Seabee]

I had a Kahr 45 that was scary scary accurate for such a light gun. Never had a FTE or FTF with quality factory loads. FTF with my reloads was traced to finicky OAL requirement (forget exactly what it wanted). Once I solved that , zero issues with reloads.

I sold it simply because I could not stand the trigger. It is a very very long trigger pull and the killer for me was a very very long reset. Follow up shots failed ~ 50% of the time because the trigger wouldn't reset unless I took my finger completely off the trigger. This may not be an issue for some guys, but with my thick fingers it was a deal breaker.

I switched to a 3rd Gen S&W 4513TSW in DA/SA and enjoyed that, can't knock it in any way.

I now carry an Officer's 1911 so I have consistency with my full size carry.

Never could get used to Glocks. They just don't feel right. Had an XD 45 that was a great pistol, felt good and very accurate. Sold that to fund another proejct and now stick with 1911 for my .45s.