poorbroker
US Veteran
My three favorites are the Shield.45. the CS.45 and the S&W 457 for year round carry. I also like the slightly larger S&W 4513TSW pre rail and a Springfield Armory V10 Ultra Compact for winter carry.
Best Compact .45
- Thread starter Cellar Hound
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imcrazy
Member
Glock 30S IMO for double stakc, Shield 45 for single stack... If you can master it's use, have the patience for it's maintenance, can afford to drop $1000+ on a carry piece and like a manual safety it's tough to beat a 1911 with an officers frame and a 3 or 4" barrel.. I reserve carrying a 45acp for back woods duty and no longer have a need for a small 45 but, of the ones I carried my Kimber Ultra Carry II was really great for all day carry, not much fun to shoot with full power loads though!
For pocket carry these days it is the Boberg for me
6+1 rounds of 45ACP, +P or even 45SUPER with a 3.35" barrel. There is nothing this small with a barrel even close
Prior to getting the Boberg, the Detonics filled the pocket carry role.
The Detonics defiantly needed deeper pockets and was not a double action trigger system
The DAO pull on the Boberg pistols is truly astonishing
If we are talking about holster carry (IWB, OWB or Shoulder) that opens things up to make slightly larger firearms feasible. I am a HUGE fan of carrying Commander sized 1911s on my belt
For daily carry I am very fond of this Kimber Pro Carry. I had the frame checkered, night sites added and the firearm refinished in KimPro
For more formal events I usually carry a Colt Gold Cup Commander with Ivory stocks in a Galco horse hide shoulder holster
For holster carry of a Double Action capable auto loader, I fell in love with the Smith and Wesson Shorty Forty Five. Pictured is the MK2 with the adjustable sights. It is a shame this never made it into the regular lineup. This gets you into a 7+1. This was designed around the 4513 alloy framed pistol and is just a pleasure to carry with a good holster and belt
The 4516 would be an all steel, fixed site brother
Obviously these are a lot heavier than the Short Forty Fives, but they are much easier to find in the marketplace
Sorry but I have just not warmed up to carrying plastic guns unless I am forced to by the group I am working for at the time
If I had to pick a plastic gun, it would be the HK USP 45 Ct
That is mostly for it's outstanding performance when shooting suppressed, not because it is plastic
Prior to getting the Boberg, the Detonics filled the pocket carry role.
The DAO pull on the Boberg pistols is truly astonishing
If we are talking about holster carry (IWB, OWB or Shoulder) that opens things up to make slightly larger firearms feasible. I am a HUGE fan of carrying Commander sized 1911s on my belt
For more formal events I usually carry a Colt Gold Cup Commander with Ivory stocks in a Galco horse hide shoulder holster
For holster carry of a Double Action capable auto loader, I fell in love with the Smith and Wesson Shorty Forty Five. Pictured is the MK2 with the adjustable sights. It is a shame this never made it into the regular lineup. This gets you into a 7+1. This was designed around the 4513 alloy framed pistol and is just a pleasure to carry with a good holster and belt
The 4516 would be an all steel, fixed site brother
Sorry but I have just not warmed up to carrying plastic guns unless I am forced to by the group I am working for at the time
If I had to pick a plastic gun, it would be the HK USP 45 Ct
That is mostly for it's outstanding performance when shooting suppressed, not because it is plastic
crsides
US Veteran, SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
What he said. DW CCO is a great 45 carry choice.
American1776
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Colt Defender. Keep the spring assembly fresh every 800 rounds. It is the 3 inch 1911 that debunks the old maxim “shorter than commanders won’t work”. The Defender works
Another vote for the S&W 457. More compact than a Commander - about on par with Officer model 1911, but lighter weight, with equal capacity PLUS the first round is DA, then the rest are SA.
Everything you could want in a 45acp CCW, and they can be had for under $400 - often closer to $300. What's not to love?
Everything you could want in a 45acp CCW, and they can be had for under $400 - often closer to $300. What's not to love?
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Have a Shield 45, Glock 30 and 21 as 45 options. By far the most carried is the Shield, not even close. It has been excellent. The grip was a bit thin for my tastes at first, but with a grip sleeve on it now, it has just the right amount of width for my liking, really enables me to shoot it very well.
JimBianchi
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I sold my G30, it was nice and I had it 10yrs, just never was perfect for my hands.
My MP45c is slightly smaller, has the adjustable backstraps, I use the medium. I think it carried better than the G30, even with the 10rd mags in both.
Carries well, for me 8+1 is the ticket and I prefer the grip angle.
The 3 and 4 inch 1911 are very comfortable to me. I really like them.
Lots of good guns to choose from. I recommend going to a major range and rent a few.
My MP45c is slightly smaller, has the adjustable backstraps, I use the medium. I think it carried better than the G30, even with the 10rd mags in both.
Carries well, for me 8+1 is the ticket and I prefer the grip angle.
The 3 and 4 inch 1911 are very comfortable to me. I really like them.
Lots of good guns to choose from. I recommend going to a major range and rent a few.
Well Armed
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Another vote for Shield in 45
OP
Cellar Hound
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This is great information. Thanks to everyone for sharing. The more information, the better.
If you want to go small and light go with 325PD with a titanium cylinder. No +1 but only 21.5 oz. My NG is slightly heavier with a steel cylinder. With full moons it reloads as quickly as a semi. Its not at all finicky about bullet shape or load level.
A Sig 245 has met my concealed Carry needs since about 1993/94.
Same gun later called the 220 Compact. 6+1
In a 1911 I like the CCO concept: Officers frame w/ a Commander length slide.... I carry IWB..... so best of both worlds..... still 7+1 (Wilson Mags) but 4" slide.
Same gun later called the 220 Compact. 6+1
In a 1911 I like the CCO concept: Officers frame w/ a Commander length slide.... I carry IWB..... so best of both worlds..... still 7+1 (Wilson Mags) but 4" slide.
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Probably a Kahr.
Maddog 521
Member
Another vote for the Springfield XDs 45. You can get 5, 6 and 7 round magazines for them. Accurate and very easy to conceal and carry.
HOUSTON RICK
Member
I stayed away from the wheel guns because of the 6+1 requirement
However I, like yourself, do consider the revolver to be a viable personal defense option
I often carry my 19 ounce, 2" Taurus Model 450 Total Titanium revolver. I have pocket carried this in the 5.11 Covert Khakis, just as I have pocket carried the Smith and Wesson Night Guards in the same pants.
This one carries 5 rounds of 45 Long Colt
Barnes solid copper HPs
All of the N-frame family of Night Guard revolvers are barely any larger and only a few ounces heavier than the 5 shot Taurus
JohnnieBoy
Member
HK 45c with LEM trigger. Comes with standard 8 round mags and factory 10 round "elephant" mags available (standard with HK 45ct).
Bozz10mm
US Veteran
Shield .45. Light, slim, reliable and 6 +1 or 7+1.
Targets Guy
US Veteran
mrchuck
Member
KAHR CW45 is great pistol.
The grip is thinner and you really get your fingers around it and really grip it! The recoil is strong and you must be able to hold it.
You can with this one.
The grip is thinner and you really get your fingers around it and really grip it! The recoil is strong and you must be able to hold it.
You can with this one.
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