BlackSky
Member
I went with the Glock 36 and a Crossbreed SuperTuck.
What's the best small conceal carry 45?
- Thread starter JamesArthur60
- Start date
Nimble Jack B.
Member
I've owned and carried the CS45 for many years. It's dependable, accurate and it has eaten every standard .45ACP round I've ever put through it (no +P rounds). It will even shoot and cycle CCI shot shells. Although holster selection has diminished over the years, I managed to acquire about every style ever made for it. Keep in mind if you opt for a CS45, new holsters may be hard to come by.
About the only thing negative I can say about the CS45 would be the magazine butt plate; I just never liked the protrusion on the front of it and never could understand why S&W continued offering it like that. Someone furnished a S&W part number to convert the butt plate to a more flush type in this forum years ago so I went on a scavenging hunt and finally came up with 4 magazines like in the picture below.
My CS45 now shares carry time with my HK45C (excellent pistol too). But my next .45 pistol purchase will be the 17.3-ounce Kahr PM45 with a stainless steel blackened slide and tritium night sights. Jeremy Clough wrote a review in the March 2010 edition of Combat Handguns about the PM45. Clough's review prompted me to go look at the PM45 at my favorite gun shop today and although they did have a matte stainless steel slide version that I could look at, hold and point, they were sold out of the matte blackened stainless steel slide model. So I'm just waiting on Kahr…and according to the gun shop manager, I'll be waiting longer than normal because Kahr is running behind on delivery of these models.
About the only thing negative I can say about the CS45 would be the magazine butt plate; I just never liked the protrusion on the front of it and never could understand why S&W continued offering it like that. Someone furnished a S&W part number to convert the butt plate to a more flush type in this forum years ago so I went on a scavenging hunt and finally came up with 4 magazines like in the picture below.
My CS45 now shares carry time with my HK45C (excellent pistol too). But my next .45 pistol purchase will be the 17.3-ounce Kahr PM45 with a stainless steel blackened slide and tritium night sights. Jeremy Clough wrote a review in the March 2010 edition of Combat Handguns about the PM45. Clough's review prompted me to go look at the PM45 at my favorite gun shop today and although they did have a matte stainless steel slide version that I could look at, hold and point, they were sold out of the matte blackened stainless steel slide model. So I'm just waiting on Kahr…and according to the gun shop manager, I'll be waiting longer than normal because Kahr is running behind on delivery of these models.
myanof
Member
Colt Defender
If you will do some research you will find these have the reputation of being the most reliable 3 inch 1911s on the market. I am still in test mode, but so far it has been 100% with anything I have fed through the gun. If you like 1911s these are worth a look. It all depends on what format suits your needs or likes.
If you will do some research you will find these have the reputation of being the most reliable 3 inch 1911s on the market. I am still in test mode, but so far it has been 100% with anything I have fed through the gun. If you like 1911s these are worth a look. It all depends on what format suits your needs or likes.
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driver4895
Member
My detonics combatmaster has never let me down
skeeterbait
Member
In my opinion it is hard to do better than a CS45
CS45 Stainless ambi-safety. Big Dog's extended delrin grips and bases from the 4513TSW. XS 24/7 express night sights. A little strip of grip tape on the front of the grip makes a world of difference in controllability. I would be hard pressed to name another model that functions as reliably.
CS45 Stainless ambi-safety. Big Dog's extended delrin grips and bases from the 4513TSW. XS 24/7 express night sights. A little strip of grip tape on the front of the grip makes a world of difference in controllability. I would be hard pressed to name another model that functions as reliably.
smith revolver cop
Member
I know it's been mentioned in at least one reply, but I would like to recommend the Para Ordnance LDA. My current off-duty gun is a Carry 6.45. It's a double-action trigger that is partially cocked by the slide (think striker fired, but with a hammer!), with a very smooth, light trigger pull. It's otherwise a 1911 with a shorter grip and a 3.5" barrel. It's stainless, so it's not light, but it's easily carried and concealed, and recoil is very manageable. Any 1911 Officer's Model magazine will fit flush, and any 1911 mag will work (if you don't mind that it doesn't fit flush). That's a big plus for me- plenty of mags, in all levels of quality from cheap mass-produced stuff to match-grade custom stuff. Saves a fortune on spare mags. It's a 1911 without that whole cocked-and-locked thing (no matter what your feelings on that...). It has a double benefit for me, because my current duty gun is the Para LDA 7.45.
I have shot several different Colt Commanders, both Lightweight and Combat over the years with no problems.
Recently I helped a friend break in 3 Commanders, one a LW, that he has had unfired for 15 years of so..
No malfunctions with Remingron 230 ball and 230 Golden Sabers HP.
Also with a Colt Officers Model, it is a good idea to replace the recoil spring and its recoil spring plug. The only thing holding the spring in is a small protrusion, that does not look to strong to me.
Replace it with the Wilson captive recoil spring/rod assembly.
I know of a Colt Officers Model, with the Wilson that has fired a couple of thousand rounds with no malfunctions.
Recently I helped a friend break in 3 Commanders, one a LW, that he has had unfired for 15 years of so..
No malfunctions with Remingron 230 ball and 230 Golden Sabers HP.
Also with a Colt Officers Model, it is a good idea to replace the recoil spring and its recoil spring plug. The only thing holding the spring in is a small protrusion, that does not look to strong to me.
Replace it with the Wilson captive recoil spring/rod assembly.
I know of a Colt Officers Model, with the Wilson that has fired a couple of thousand rounds with no malfunctions.
