.45 ACP single stack carry recommendations?

[DEG]

Just bought a Springfield XDs 3.3 45.

I 2nd the XDS 45. Shockingly accurate and very easy to conceal.

 

[OldK22]

1957 Colt National Match (pure stock never been messed with) - Been shooting it so long that the finish is gone anyway and collector value is not an issue as I will never sell it. And no my other CCW is not a J frame but a 3 1/2 inch Pre 27.

 

[dullh]

Here's my pick...background not so sexy but you get the drift:

 

[USAF385]

Well, I've come to the decision that the one I pick for a CCW will be a Kahr PM/CM45 or XDS. Funny, those were my original two ideas and nothings really changed. heh....

However, this thread has also reignited my desire to get a 1911. Still don't have one for some reason..... I guess something else always just pops up and grabs my attention.

 

[SVT28]

4513TSW in a Sticky Holster.

 

[Rastoff]

However, this thread has also reignited my desire to get a 1911. Still don't have one for some reason..... I guess something else always just pops up and grabs my attention.

This needs to be corrected.

In all seriousness, you need to spend some quality time with a 1911. I once thought like you, then I got to put a few hundred rounds through a 1911. It changed my thinking.

 

[pete950]

You already have your cary piece!!
Go online to: Outdoorgearbarn.com
And for $257.00 shipped you can get the Sig P250 sub compact conversion kit and change your full size to the sub compact same trigger and action your use to!!!!!

 

[shooter1911]

I personally can't recommend any 1911 with a shorter barrel then 4", because of my bad experiences. I have been carrying the new Range Officer Compact for several months and am very impressed with the carry, reliability, shootability, and price of this gun.

 

[USAF385]

You already have your cary piece!!
Go online to: Outdoorgearbarn.com
And for $257.00 shipped you can get the Sig P250 sub compact conversion kit and change your full size to the sub compact same trigger and action your use to!!!!!

I already have the sub compact .40. It's a nice carry option, but not what I'm looking for in .45.

 

[mtrvl]

We all have our preferences, and with that being said, I like to think real guns are made of steel. My favorite "carry" gun is my RIA CS.45 with 3 1/2 inch barrel. It is small, light, very easy and comfortable to conceal, and most importantly, it handles ANY type of ammo that I feed it. I have even ran 2 mags of .45 full wadcutters through it without a hiccup. I also keep in mind that in the event that I ever have to use it, I will probably never get it back, so I won't lose any sleep over that. Just sayin' .

 

[shooter1911]

We all have our preferences, and with that being said, I like to think real guns are made of steel. My favorite "carry" gun is my RIA CS.45 with 3 1/2 inch barrel. It is small, light, very easy and comfortable to conceal, and most importantly, it handles ANY type of ammo that I feed it. I have even ran 2 mags of .45 full wadcutters through it without a hiccup. I also keep in mind that in the event that I ever have to use it, I will probably never get it back, so I won't lose any sleep over that. Just sayin' .

If I ever have to use any of my guns for any reason I fully intend to get them back.

 

[Georgia1911]

The CCO might be considered acceptable, but the grip is too short. Because of this, full size mags cannot be used. Therefore, when in a gun fight, you cannot just borrow a mag from your companion who of course is carrying the requisite 1911. If both of you have CCOs then it might be considered acceptable.

Then again, you're not being considerate of your fellow man; the man on the street. What if he needs a mag? Of course he will also have a 1911. So to be truly a magnanimous defender, the full size 1911 is the only way to go.

This is not true. A full size 1911 magazine will function just fine in a CCO or Officer's frame. The reverse is the problem- you cannot seat a shorter magazine in a full size frame.

And an earlier post said the CCO mag holds 6 rounds, but recent versions actually accommodate 7 (plus one in the chamber).

 

[Georgia1911]

I bet a whole lot of people who talk up the 1911 on the internet also own S&W J-Frames that they actually throw in a pocket for normal daily carry.

I do sometimes carry a J frame instead of the 1911. My 640 and my CCO weigh within a few grams of each other when loaded, but the J can conceal a bit better when necessary. Either one satisfies the first rule.

 

[lovemyguns]

I second the kimber ultra. Hides so much better than a baby glock.

 

[pdm]

Kahr pm 45 I carry it and it's great small and dependable

 

[Tom_R]

A Dan Wesson Bobtail is an excellent choice.

 

[bimmerland]

Kimber Pro Carry 2 is on my hip.

 

[Budasac]

We can't carry here in NJ but, I'm applying for my Florida and Connecticut permits (family lives there). If I was to carry a .45 I'd likely go with my RIA compact 1911.

 

[Harkrader]

"Mid-size" .45ACP pistols




For years one of the guns issued to me was a Sig 220. They are amazingly accurate - we could bounce golf balls out to over 30 meters hand-held. So I think they are worth consideration. I haven't tried the compact version but can only imagine they are excellent.

Growr mentioned the Firestar .45. I was totally surprised at how good that gun is. It feels like a chunk in my hand but I figure that does a lot to dampen the recoil. Easy to shoot, easy follow-ups. Only problem was a tendency to pitch the rear sight, until we ickumpuckied it into place. I wish I still had one. It's heavy for its size, but that size makes it easy to conceal.
The Firestar .40 is also an excellent gun, in my opinion.

Four of us took the following guns to the range for a mutual try-out: 1. S&W 1911Sc - early version. 2. Springfield Champion Operator Light Weight. 3. Sig Scorpion Carry. The front of the rail is sharp. 4. Sig 1911CA-45-BSS. The CA doesn't have a rail, making it easier for me to carry.

We all loved the Sigs but agreed that compared to the others they were heavy for all-around CCW. The S&W Sc was an easy gun to carry and shoot and got second place in our opinions. Top choice was the Springfield Champion Operator Light Weight. Everyone said it was one FINE gun!

 

[Protected One]

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.

HEY! I can't tell if it's loaded!!!

 

[_Dylan_]

Another vote for the Springfield XDs 3.3"

Half the weight of a 1911 and has a slimmer grip. Decent trigger, great reliability, and conceals easily.

I can shoot mine just fine. It's very accurate and more controllable than you might expect in a small .45

I carried mine IWB in the 4-5 o'clock position for about a year until I switched to a S&W 686+.

 

[11B Lifer]

Traditionalist

Colt combined the Commander barrel and slide with the Officers frame to create the CCO, a 45 ACP with the 4 1/4 barrel and six rounds of ammunition. Others have copied it and the Dan Wesson my brother has is a nice iteration.

Kevin

Colt Commander-I've had mine for close to 40 years-customized-big bright sights-beavertail grip safety-slick trigger-Nothing against the plastics-I'm good with the Commander.

 

[Pointblank2U]

Not me. I carried the 1911 Nightmare (cross-draw, open & concealed) all day yesterday while we were out (wal-mart, grocery store, restaurant, others) and will carrying it again tomorrow.

Well, that's two days covered.

 

[Lt JL]

Colt Combat Commander. it's perfect. especially if you have it bobtailed.

 

[old 1911 fan]

I have carried 3 different 1911's since the early 70's. The first two were full sized Colts. For some years now I have carried a Kimber UCII. The Kimber is starting to have that used patina that shows that it is a trusted friend. I like the "Night Sights" and have taken the time to get some range time with "Low Light." Try it sometime, and learn.

old 1911 fan

 

[Guevera]

Another vote for the 457. In my time I have owned and shot full-size and Officer's models, a Defender and New Agent, a SIG P220, and even in my misspent youth, an AMT Backup. I would still rather depend on my rather tired looking 457s than any of these.

 

[KSDeputy]

I carry a CS45, and I love it. I keep a 4513TSW by the bed, and have a 4506 in the safe. I do not like the DA only guns made today.

 

[USAF385]

I actually owned a 457 a few years back and sold it to a friend.

It had a weird trigger and this was back before I really got into working on my guns.

 

[ChattanoogaPhil]

You haven't bought the XDS yet?

 

[USAF385]

You haven't bought the XDS yet?

No not yet...... I need to get out and hold the XDS again and the Kahr CM45. I've been too busy for gun shopping!