.45 ACP single stack carry recommendations?

[fredj338]

If you are a 1911 fan, then look into an alloy Comm. Mine is the 1911PD, 8+1, modified butt, but now available as the 1911SC version. Over 1000rds of mixed ammo, never once bobbled.

For a double stack, I love my XD45C, 10+1, same size as a G19. The 1911 carries more easily, a bit lighter & so thin I hardly know it's there in an IWB holster.

 

[Erich]

In the single-stack compact carry .45 ACP category, my present gun is the SIG-Sauer P220 Compact Elite SAO. You can run the slide with the safety on (making this a particularly safe SA gun to own - the only time the safety comes off on mine is when the gun is either on target or unloaded), it's accurate and easy to shoot fast (despite speculation about the "high bore axis") and well, and it's been utterly reliable for me. It's also decently compact, has a 4" tube, factory tritium sights and is lightweight.

 

[NEURON]

Colt Defender if like me you prefer single action autos.

 

[shell627]

For myself.I carry a glock 21 at work.On my own time I prefer my colt defender 3 inch barrel light and easy to carry.It has been accurate and reliable with everything I have put through it.One of the officers I work with swears by his kahr 45.Their are a lot of good choices out there.

 

[BAM-BAM]

In the single-stack compact carry .45 ACP category, my present gun is the SIG-Sauer P220 Compact Elite SAO. You can run the slide with the safety on (making this a particularly safe SA gun to own - , it's accurate and easy to shoot fast (despite speculation about the "high bore axis") and well, and it's been utterly reliable for me. It's also decently compact, has a 4" tube, factory tritium sights and is lightweight.

]

Never knew you could "run the slide with the safety on"; truth be told never even seen a 220 SOA.

Do love my 245s ...I like the slightly longer 4" barrel for IWB carry and... as Erich said they shoot as well as a full size 220.

 

[sgtsandman]

I like My Kimber UCII and Springfield Armory XDs. Both are very accurate pistols as long as you mind your Ps & Qs. Short barreled pistols are notorious for bringing out any of your bad habits but are usually the best choice for concealed carry as far as size and bulk.

It all comes down to where you want to compromise. Generally, with a compact pistol, it's capacity and inaccuracy issues if your form is sloppy.

 

[USAF385]

Thanks for the input! There are some good options here. It looks like my homework will continue.

 

[Fastbolt]

Depends what you really want and are willing to accept.

Personally, I've already got 9 pistols chambered in .45 ACP in my safe, so I've come to accept I probably won't be buying more of them.

All but one of mine are "single stacks", with the exception being the M&P 45 w/thumb safety.

The lightest of them to carry are all discontinued models, being a CS45, original 4513TSW & SW1911SC 5" stainless (slide).

I suppose if I were going to buy a new production .45 that was lightweight & slim (which doesn't necessarily mean 'single stack'), I'd give careful consideration to the following: M&P 45c; SIG (not 1911) with the current external pivoting extractor; a Colt lightweight XSE Commander; a SW1911E Commander-style (Scandium aluminum frame); or a Glock G36.

 

[much ado]

45 Compact

I own and carry occasionally(wintertime) a Kimber Compact. It`s a steel frame pistol and I`ve had the front strap checkered and night sights installed. Also installed a Wilson flat recoil spring spring...I would recommend that for any of the shorter 1911s. I`m not sure anyone makes steel framed CCOs any more, but if you plan on shooting it a lot and you could get one, it might be the way to go. Otherwise, if I was looking today I would take a close look at the new Springfield Range Officer Compact. It doesn`t come in the final form I would like but I don`t consider it overpriced when compared to similar guns in the market.

There appears to be some "Sig Love" in this thread and once again if I was in the market and ran across a 245 somewhere I think that would be a good if not great choice. Good Luck, John

 

[A10]

Lightweight Commander (regardless of the manufacturer) or a P220 would be my answer.

The G36 just never felt right to me.

 

[TSQUARED]

I carried a Block 36 which I purchased shortly after they were available. At that time it was the only smal 45 ACP carry pistol available. Now one has similar offereing from Springfield and Kahr. Recently I opted for pocket carry of a Kahr PM9.

 

[M29since14]

Even though there are those who would say my middle name should be 1911, I would say give the XDs .45 a good look. It's lightweight, reasonably compact for a .45, accurate, and very moderate in the recoil department. As a plastic fantastic, I can't see that I would be broken-hearted if the worst thing happened and it ended up in police custody. My only complaint is the lack of a thumb safety. If it had a decent one I would consider it a ten for its intended purpose.

 

[sgtsandman]

Even though there are those who would say my middle name should be 1911, I would say give the XDs .45 a good look. It's lightweight, reasonably compact for a .45, accurate, and very moderate in the recoil department. As a plastic fantastic, I can't see that I would be broken-hearted if the worst thing happened and it ended up in police custody. My only complaint is the lack of a thumb safety. If it had a decent one I would consider it a ten for its intended purpose.

That falls under personal preference I guess. Since it has the grip and the trigger safety, it should be safe enough all around. IN some ways, it might be a bit superior to the 1911 grip and thumb safety arrangement. I have both and can't find fault with either. Though, since I carry the XDs more than the UCII, I may have "memory issues" with flipping the thumb safety off.

 

[M1A]

I carry a Colt Government series 70 IWB by Whitehat Holster. Never any complaint, and I carried a Model 36 before that. The 1911 is what I have the most confidence in.

 

[mc5aw]

Just bought a Springfield XDs 3.3 45.

Slimmest magazine fed 45ACP on the market

19oz w/o mag

Other than grip safety, no manual safeties to fool with

Fiber optic front sight is real nice, and it shoots quite well for me

Not punishing to shoot

Works flawlessly out of box

$430 on Net from GrabAgun

+1 for an outstanding compact .45ACP ... My second choice would be a German-made SIG 220.

 

[Watchdog]

Double stack is out of the question......

Just wondering why double stack is out of the question?

 

[USAF385]

Just wondering why double stack is out of the question?

I carry inside the waistband appendix, and doublestack handguns are a bit too bulky after a while.

 

[Watchdog]

I carry inside the waistband appendix, and doublestack handguns are a bit too bulky after a while.

Okay. Was just curious. Just as an aside, I sometimes carry a Glock 30S, 10 + 1, and it's pretty slim. I don't carry it for hours on end though, so don't know how it'd do in the long run.

 

[JLM]

Pretty happy with my Glock 36 but I'm not as accurate with it yet as I'd like, carries better than the 19 but fits the same holsters.

 

[cmort666]

I'd recommend the Springfield Armory MicroCompact... if they still made them. A friend has had one for years, and it's a great little gun. It's accurate, reliable and controllable with everything from Aguila 117gr. IQ to 230gr. ball.

I'm thinking about the similar ATI compact .45.