I need a thin semi-auto for carry. I have an M&P .40, but it is thick as a brick.
My SW1911 is not as thick, but it is a 5”. I’m leery of getting a short 1911.

I won’t even consider a .380 and really wouldn’t want to go with a 9mm.
I would like a .40S&W at least.

I’m being lead away from S&W and towards Kahr. I have never owned a Kahr and really have no desire to if there is an S&W that fits the bill.

What S&W’s should I be looking at?
How thick is the CS45?

I need a thin semi-auto for carry. I have an M&P .40, but it is thick as a brick.
My SW1911 is not as thick, but it is a 5”. I’m leery of getting a short 1911.

I won’t even consider a .380 and really wouldn’t want to go with a 9mm.
I would like a .40S&W at least.

I’m being lead away from S&W and towards Kahr. I have never owned a Kahr and really have no desire to if there is an S&W that fits the bill.

What S&W’s should I be looking at?
How thick is the CS45?

The S&W CS40 is a little smaller than the CS45, although all the CS autos have rather thick rubber grips. Someone on the forum here does retrofit the thinner Delrin grips to them however.

The 4013 is the same size as the 3913 and would be an excellent selection.

The Kahrs are decent guns, although I would recommend sticking with the steel frame models (less history of problems). Kahrs are a little smaller than the S&Ws, but are heavy for their size.

The CS series & 4013 are traditional DA autos, the Kahr is DAO (I think there was a DAO version of the 4013, but don't know the model number off the top of my head). Do you have a preference? You might try shooting examples of each before you make a decision.

BELIEVE IT OR NOT SPRINGFEILD EMP. IT COME IN 9MM AND 40 CAL ONLY. I WON A 40 CAL AT THE N.P.S.C. THIS YEAR . IT REALLY WAS WELL MADE. 1911 VERY THIN THATS WAY NO .45 CAL.

Take a look at Walther PPS ( police pistol slim)in 9mm or 40 cal. they are imported by SW. They are 1" wide 3"barrel and are lite. easy a front pocket pistol mine shoots just fine. The 4013 and 4053 are the same size only difference is 13 is dbl, single action, the 53 is DA only.

I don't think that there is a smaller semi in .45 than the Kahr PM. It's the size of the PPKS but of course much lighter.

Luck can vary with this model but I love mine and I think they are worth the trouble (if any).


Cat

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Think for yourself.

JNO1 has it pegged with the 4013. I use a 3913 and love it. I think that it is the perfect cc gun of all time. If .45 is your thing, see if you can find a CS45 or a Star Firestar in .45. or even the Astra A-70/75 in .40 S&W, You will not be disappointed!
Randy

I would stick with Smith and Wesson.One of my friends is a City Marshal and bought Kahr in 45 cal as a backup.Out of the box in the 250 rounds he put thru it he had every conceiveable malfunction you can think of and he used a variety of carry ammo for this testing.He sold it post haste.Other friends have had nothing good to say about the Kahr pistols or Kahr customer service.If 45 is your thing I would get the Chief's Special and have Big Dog send you his delrin grips for it.I have one in 9mm with his grips and night sights and couldn't be happier.I am not bashing Kahr nor wish to offend Kahr owners just passing along information I have witnessed and the reports of others.....God Bless......Mike

Everyone has there personal likes and dislikes.
It all depends on what fits you and what you can shoot and hit consistantly with.
I carry a M457 S&W .45ACP and feel more then well armed.
I use a IWB holster or a belly band for carry and they both do a great job of deep concealing my gun and are both comfortable to wear all day long.

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M 686-3

Glock 36. Thin, light, and .45.






The polygonal rifling also gives better velocity for the 3.78" bbl compared to conventional land and groove rifling. The Speer Gold Dot 200gr +P leaves the muzzle at 1050fps.

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-Greg

There's a been a couple recent discussions about this over on TheHighRoad. There's a whole slew of them in the 3" 1911 compact/CS45/Bersa Ultra Thunder .45/Cobra Patriot .45/etc size but smaller than that there isn't much. The Kahrs but they're expensive and I too have heard a decent quantity of "eh" reviews of them, the old AMT Backups but they're uber rare and heavy, and other hard to find and/or support oddities.

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Caretaker of a small herd.

If your wanting a 45, the CS45 or the pre rail 4513TSW are excellent choices.

If you like the 40 round, find a nice 4013 single stack. Great pistol. Accurate and light weight. The "3913" of 40 pistols (although slightly larger and thicker than a 3913)

Good luck with the search! Regards 18DAI.

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7 +1 Rounds of hope & change

+1 on the Glock36.

4513 is perfect-very compact and flat,and plenty accurate. If you can find a Shorty .45 you will truly be in heaven!

Sir, that was my first thought as well.

Hope this helps, and Semper Fi.

Ron H.

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Wishin' don't make it so.

The best compact 45acp, for carry, is the Bersa Thunder 45. Mine is compact, lightweight, accurate, reliable, and not expensive. It has served me well for years. Whats not to like? Regards, Richard

I'll have to check out the Bersa.

Right now, my vote remains for the Star PD. At 25 oz., 3" barrel, ultra-reliable, it's hard to beat. It is of course, single action only, and is virtually identical to a 1911 but does not have a grip safety. If you can find a good one, you've got a great concealed carry .45.

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USAF, 69-92
Vietnam, 72-73

My Shorty .45 rocks!!!!