"Carry" .45's: single or double stack, slim, light, etc.

[SwampWolf]

I tote a SIG 220 Carry comfortably and well concealed in a Galco "King Tuk" iwb holster. The 220 is relatively thin due to its single-stack profile and is relatively light in weight. The pistol has proven to be well-made, accurate and, most importantly, reliable. I also prefer a "traditional" da action with a decocker and no "safety", which is how the 220 is configured.

 

[herrwalther]

ATI Fatboy Lightweight. A double stack 1911 that actually has a smaller grip than a single stack as it doesn't use grip panels.

Or the XD-S if you want to go single stack and much lighter.

 

[TIMC]

So I like the idea of an alloy commander or compact size single-stack; what are the models and relative prices? Don't mind lookin for unusuals either.

My favorite carry gun is the Springfield LW Champion Operator, 100% reliable and a darn fine shooter too, you would not go wrong with one of these.

 

[dgod]

I have several to place in consideration: I have a Colt Agent (45ACP, single Stack), an XD(s) (45acp Single Stack) of these 3, the XD is a lot lighter, the Colt has a Crimson Trace (Grip Style), the XDs does not. Weight wise, the Colt is Heavier. I also have the Springfield XD(m) in 45ACP, 4.25" and 5.25", either should be considered, as they are both Double Stack (More Ammo), a big Guy like you should go the Full Size route, the 4.25 with a Crimson Trace, and the "Old Faithful Holster (Super folks to deal with)" you should be set.

As soon as Crimson Trace has a Grip Style Laser for the XD(s) I plan to switch out the Colt, totally due to the weight difference, I have carried this Colt for about 12 years (Everyday), it needs a break, and I would like a lighter Sidearm.

 

[Livnoutdoorsxd9]

A M&P 45c might be worth considering. I've been carrying mine in one of my hybrids. The size is almost identical to a G19, and in one of my hybrid holsters I can easily conceal it. You also have the option of carrying a spare 14rd mag for a total load out of 22 rounds if you so desire.

 

[bergmen]

Glock G36. Single stack tiny, youll love it.

I agree. Light weight, polymer, accurate, uber reliable, fun to shoot, easy to carry.



Dan

 

[NavyEngineer]

I have a full size 1911, a Commander size model (S&W 1911SC), a SIG P220 Carry and a SIG P220 Compact (dehorned SAS model, with night sights and short reset trigger). I like shooting my 1911s at the range, and keep my P220 Carry handy for home defense, but have found my everyday carry pistol is my P220 Compact. With the magazine's finger extension it is just big enough for me to hold and shoot comfortably, and conceals easier than my P220 Carry or Commander-size 1911 (shorter grip). It is very accurate, completely reliable, and has excellent sights. The mags have a capacity of 6 rounds.

 

[redmule]

If I want to carry a 45, I just pull my old Colt Commander out of the safe. It was state of art when I bought it in 1983, it is still valid today.

 

[jimbo555]

Springfield xds,springfield milspec 1911,cimarron frontier 45colt in that order.

 

[PedalBiker]

That XD 3.8 looks nice!!


When I'm outdoors hiking I'll often carry a P345. It's single stack and relatively compact. I just got an SR-45 and it is a little bigger in every dimension, but strangely enough, it fits in the IWB holster I made for my P345. I have not shot it enough to consider carrying it yet, and I may trade it for an SR-45c when they come out. I know they say "dress around the gun", but a full size is hard for me to accommodate.



With 45 the ammo can get heavy. A lot of time I'll go with 185g Hornady Critical Defense, but light bullets drop a lot of the advantage a 45 gives you, plus they shoot low in my gun. So my favorite is Gold Dot 230g.

 

[skoro]

Three months back I purchased a Springfield XDs on the principle that it would fit in the pockets of most of my trousers and I pocket carry almost exclusively. Seemed to be a good choice and it shot well.

But right now it's back at Springer for a factory recall. Don't know when I'll get it back, as every single 45 and 9mm XDs in circulation has been recalled. Don't know if I'll keep it when it returns or not. The 45acp carry idea appeals to me and this seemed to be the lightest, most compact firearm available in that caliber. But obviously, it has some severe manufacturing/design problems. My confidence is more than a little diminished.

 

[BlindJustice]

I have a Milt Sparks rig for my full size 1911
and it works but the Commander 4.25" BBl would a little
easier to conceal.

I teeter on the fence between a Commander w/Bobtail MSH
-or- CCO format, Cmdr 4.25 Bbl. w/Officers frame.

I recently shot for the first time a Bobtailed 4" Kimber Carry Pro. I like
the Bobtail - tried in my MS Holsters, conceals easily

I have also shot the double stack Springfiled M&P 45C
It's essentially the size of a Commander with a
4" Bbl. and the double stack 8 rds is slim

I don't care to go shorter in Bbl. Len. than 4" as the
.45 ACP velocity loss with the 3"/3.5" Bbl. lengthsis below
where I think reliable expansion is insured.

R-

 

[JDR]

I have a Ruger SR1911 Commander length, paid $639.00 for it brand new, and it really is a great pistol. The Novak sights on it are superb. 100% reliable with ball ammo and Win PDX1 Defender bonded JHP's since I've had it.

 

[RussB]

I consider my S&W "Gunsite" lightweight Commander an ideal carry piece,

 

[Teachu2]

Hey y'all,
Have been looking for that one piece that will satisfy me needs for a ccw in .45acp

Hoping to learn what others have about which models fit the bill. I know there 'slims' and polymer '1911s' and subcompact double stacks, so I'm looking to hear about the trade offs. I am a big guy but thinking a full-size anything is too much in .45
Thanks in advance!

I carried full-size 1911s for the better part of three decades, but decided to look at others a couple of years ago. I'm 6'3, 285, XXL.

A good IWB holster like a Crossbreed SuperTuck really helps, along with a true gunbelt, regardless of the gun you choose. I have a top-tier membership at the local range, so I was able to try out all the rental guns for the price of the ammo. NOTHING was very satisfying to me until I tried the Glock 30. I shot it well, and fast, and comfortably. I bought one immediately, and it's my primary CCW. I also have a G36, but don't like it quite as much. My G26 is my #2 CCW piece. I'd just rather have 11 rounds of 9mm than 7 of .45acp. YMMV.

With a good holster and belt, you can carry a lot of guns comfortably. I wanted to reduce the weight but don't care for alloy frames. Once I learned the Glock platform and practiced a bit, I have become very comfortable carrying them. I have found them to be extremely reliable, reasonably accurate, and they eat any ammo I've tried. I like the thicker grip, as I find it fits my hand and reduces felt recoil. I can take it to the range and shoot 300 rounds without feeling beaten up.

If you can, try out all your candidates. There are many suitable choices, and only you can tell what fits your hands best. I will say that the extra thickness of the G30 doesn't bother me. The weight reduction compared to a steel 1911 is terrific, and the extra capacity is pretty nice, too.

 

[gpjoe]

I regularly carry my Kimber Ultra CDP II.

It seems that Kimber is not well loved, but I have put enough rounds through the pistol to trust my life to it. Yeah, the capacity is only 7+1 but I'm also comfortable with a 5-shot S&W 442.

 

[namvet68]

I agree that one of the first considerations should be hand fit. I have big hands and find that the double stack pistols fit my hand better. I also don't care for polymer framed pistols (call me old fashioned). My regular carry gun is a Para P12-45. With 13 rounds, it is heavy but I find the weight reassuring. I normally carry it in a Fobus paddle holster. The double stacks tend to print when carred IWB.
When wearing more fitted clothes, I carry a Ruger lcr in an IWB or pocket holster

 

[ritepath]

I'm in the same boat...looking for a nice slim 45 for carry. I had a PT145, great feeling nice sized, good accuracy. It had everything (including a external safety that I like) going for it except I had feed issues, I even tried different mags. Nice compact 45 just that mine had issues.

I sold it and bought a SR45 I've carried a few times but it's a pretty large pistol that's for sure. I'm going to give ruger a chance to come out with a 45c. If not I'll find something maybe a g30 or XDs...

 

[The_Armed_Therapist]

Odd that your choices are actually thicker than a 1911

Fat might have been a bad choice of word. They're too big for my hand relative to the others, including the Glock. Whether that's because of fatness or something else, I'm not sure.

0.91 1911
1.01 CW/P45
1.27 G30

I'm assuming you are not talking about the GRIP of the 1911, since there's no way in heck it's 0.91." I was referring to grip.

 

[Inebriated]

The trade-off is almost always capacity and weight.

How much of a trade-off is up to you. To me, the G30 is about the best CCW .45, given the mix of capacity, weight, and overall size. For you, maybe something like the Kahr CW45 is the better mix. But then I have to ask, why not get a smaller 9mm that's likely easier to shoot, lighter, smaller, and has higher capacity?

I love .45, I carry my G21 once in a while, but for daily carry, I've never been able to get away from the fact that .45 is just always a trading away more than it's gaining. For me, anyway.

If you're set on .45, look at the CW45, XDs .45, and G30/30s/36. Not a lot of other smaller .45's out there that I've shot that handle as well, and work as well for daily carry.

 

[txgunsuscg]

+1 on a Lightweight Commander. I actually transitioned back to a 1911 from a Glock 19 because I felt it concealed better. Because it is lighter, you will feel more recoil than a standard 1911, but I shot steel yesterday with it, and didn't feel that it appreciably slowed my shots.

 

[Hit_Factor]

I'm a big fan of my Sig RCS, officer/commander hybrid.

I did a little trigger work on it and now I dont mind the series 2 safety.

Springfield EMP is also one of my favorite carry guns. I had to change out the night sights. I really like the trijicon white outline front sight on it now.

Very few of my guns are stock as they came from the factory.

 

[gym]

I have been carrying a 30 since it came out, and now an xds, But I don't always carry a 45, when it's a 9, it's my 26 or the Kahr pm9

 

[Old Dog]

Colt's "100 Years of Service" Lightweight Commander XSE ... One of my favorite packin' pistols. Don't even notice it's there in a Kramer Belt Scabbard pancake OWB.

 

[LebbenB]

My favorite carry gun is the Springfield LW Champion Operator, 100% reliable and a darn fine shooter too, you would not go wrong with one of these.

Ditto.