What's the best small conceal carry 45?

+1 for the CS45. I have one. I also have a Taurus PT145 that uses 10 round .45 mag's.


RogueJSK said:
Don't forget about the S&W Chief Special 45. It's similar in size to your 3913 (a bit smaller, but a bit wider), with the same slide decocker/safety system so retraining would be minimal.
cs45.jpg

One of the big distributors is clearing out their remaining 3rd Gens, so I've heard of quite a few NIB CS45s popping up lately. There are 5 NIB on GunBroker right now.

Other than that, the DAO Kahr PM45 is just as small (actually a bit thinner), and has gotten pretty decent reviews.
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I have been carrying a Para Carry nine double action only for a couple of years, the light trigger pull is has to be tried to be believed. They now make the same small gun in 45 ACP.

While I have never experienced this I have heard some people cannot shoot a light 45 that they react so violently to the recoil the action does not function.
 
Bersa Bargain

I have had many, many .45 acp pistols over the last 35 or so years. I had an Colt Officer's Model and a Defender that functioned 100%. I have had a Glock 36 and 30. Neither fit my smaller hand very well. I had a Kahr 45 briefly and it was a jam-o-matic. I had a Para Companion and it was a very nice pistol and so were the S&W 3rd Gen DA/SA .45's. There have been lots of 5" and Commander sized 1911's. I prefer the lightweight Commander sized 1911 or the compact/covert style 1911( Commander slide/barrel on an Officer's frame). I have carried a cocked and locked 1911 for many years and am comfortable with that.

A friend bought a Bersa Thunder .45 a few years ago. I expected it to be junky since it was so cheap. It has turned out to be a great pistol. Its light and very compact. The trigger is very good in both DA and SA mode. It has been 100% reliable with every type of ammo used. It is pretty accurate and has been very durable. The fat grip doesn't fit my hand very well but that's the worst thing I can say about it. I now believe this pistol to be a great bargain. I rarely read anything about this pistol but its worth checking out.
 
This little beauty just rocks. Never a hiccup, easy to conceal, and accurate as hell.


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On my hip every day for the last two years.
I shoot it regularly. Reliable and accurate.
Mags from my full size work for reloads.
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I have a box stock Colt Officer's ACP. Feeds and shoots Winchester Ranger HP all day long without a hitch. Only wish it was a LW version.


Colt OACP between a Colt LW Commander and Colt Gov't pocketlite .380

Colts1911-1.jpg
 
I believe the Kahr PM-45 is the smallest, and they make great guns (I've got 2 Kahrs, and have never had a FTF...). My Colt Defender is my favorite carry .45, nice and slim with it's VZ slim grips, it's been 100% reliable, and accurate. I also like my Sig 245, it's a little larger, but still conceals well; very good trigger, accurate, and also 100% reliable.
 
I had an AMT BackUp in 45acp. It worked which I hear is rare but had the heaviest DAO trigger I ever shot. I traded it on a nice S&W Model 27 and some money on my part.

I have a Kimber Ultra CDP series one that is a great little pistol and two FTF form the stock mag in 500 rounds and retired that mag. I undestand some don't like cocked and locked but fine with me and my Colt Mustang.

I've heard praise for the S&W CS45 and may be my next purchase too.
 
I have a Para CCW model. Commander size with the LDA trigger.
Mine has been completly trouble free. Very Accurate. Very easy to carry in a Milt Sparks Summer Special IWB.
 
My choice....Kimber Stainless Ultra Carryll....Shoots as good as it looks....Carried in a Cozy Partner IWB
 

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Glock 36

Since you asked I'll put in my 2 cents. I love my Glock 36 its easy to conceal and very accurate. I carry it in a Side Guard Double Snap whenever I'm not carrying my 637 Smith. The Kahr .45 is the smallest but I would rather trust my life to a Glock!

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These pics show the size of the Kahr.

Short45s003.jpg


Short45s004-1.jpg


It's sitting on top of my model 60.

It did take some work to get it to work right, and you can limp-wrist it easily so a firm grip is required. But to me it was worth it. I'm mean that's such a tiny .45 package. It also shoots very accurately. Like two to three inches at 25 yards.

Now if Kahr would just make a flush mag, it would truly be a pocket peice. At least for me it would.


Cat
 
I had a 4553 TSW. Great little carry weapon. Sold it to get a K-22. Wish I still had it.
 
4516 or 4513 will be VERY similar to what you have.
Did you guys not read his post about NOT wanting c&l carry? Lots of 1911s here. NOT what he wants.
 
Frizzman said:
A friend bought a Bersa Thunder .45 a few years ago. ... I rarely read anything about this pistol but its worth checking out.
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I have several friends who carry Bersas and without exception they love them. I'm planning on picking up a Thunder Ultra Compact in .40 or .45 myself.
 
The Kahr CW45 is ideal-reliable-easy to conceal and carry on the belt-very accurate-shoots all defensive rounds in mine-but I also like your original pick-given the right loads the 9mm is every bit as good as a 45ACP-sorry fellows its true-read Marshall/Sanow they have the facts-45 or 9mm-its just a choice-the real trick is the shooter and how good you are
 
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