Compact (vewy, vewy small) .45 ACP - what's out there?

[AJMBLAZER]

Other than a 3-3.5" 6 shot 1911. Already have that option so just contemplating what else is available. I've seen the Bersa Thunder .45 ACP but it's around the same size.

Been looking at a carry piece but would like to keep it in .45 ACP and not add another calibre to stock. Really like the KelTec PF9 but it'd be my only 9mm. Seems that if someone can make a tiny 9mm why not a .45 ACP? I know the round is bigger but something along the same vein. Wouldn't be as small as a PF9 but would be smaller than a compact 1911.

I remember reading about someone making a SMALL .45 ACP pistol back in the mid 90's. It was a 5 shot semi auto and that's all I remember. Was that the Cobra model that they currently offer?

 

[gb6491]

The AMT .45 ACP Backup carried 5 in the magazine. High Standard is supposed to be making them again.
Regards,
Greg

 

[theotherwaldo]

Yep. Still got mine. It's choosy about ammo. Full-power, or it stove-pipes.
Lotta recoil, narrow back-strap. But - it works.

 

[sig228]

Kahr Makes A Nice One

PM45:

http://www.kahr.com/PA-1_45acp_pm.html

Pricey, but good stuff from Kahr.

 

[Tribal]

I've got the PM9, which is pretty darn small, but it's my understanding that the PM45 is bigger. That said, the PM45 is probably just about as small as you're going to get with a .45, so if you need smaller then you may have to compromise on your bullet size.

Baby Glocks are out there, too, but I feel like they make up in thickness what they gain in height from a 1911.

 

[Claude Clay]

there was a 5 shot manually operated repeater that looked like a semi-auto at least through 1995 called the american derringer semmerling. cost even was +$1750..stainless $1875.

 

[MICHAEL T]

Colt Defender or New Agent are nice small relieable 45's I have a few 7 round after market mags . So back to 7+1

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

The Kahr PM45 is about as small and light as you can get. I have two other Kahrs and am fancying the slightly larger P45.

 

[jlh26oo]

The glock 36 is a single stack .45, and is actually thinner than all the glock 9mm's. But it's also 6+1 which sounded like you are trying to improve upon.

 

[Tom Fury]

Smallest I think,

is still Detonics Combat Master, or C&S Adventurer; you asked about smallest; I know neither is common or cheap, though Detonics seems easily found on Gunbroker and I saw an Adventurer there last week.
Cheers, TF

 

[Dan-O]

Kahr PM45, Colt New Agent, Cobra Patriot .45.

The Kahr PM45 is the smallest, and is the second priciest. The Colt New Agent was pushing $700. The Cobra Patriot is the cheapest of the bunch. I think I got mine for about $300. Has been a good weapon, but now that I have the Kahr, that is all I carry when carrying a .45.

 

[AJMBLAZER]

How's that Cobra been for reliability and such?


Sounds like there's definitely some options for sub compact 1911 sized .45's.

 

[jocko]

Pm45

That kahr pm45 is about as small and for sure as lite as one will find. Also it is one hell of a handgun. Owners love um. They go bang every time. Not cheap,but neither is life. My PM9 is slightly smaller and my 24/7 carry, and it has never failed to go bang now in 11,800 rounds. today I intend to hit the 12,000 round mark with no issues..

 

[distra]

Springfield Micro 3" 1911, G36 or Kahr P45 are my tiny .45 summer carry pistols. The G36 has a +1 mag extension that gives you 7+1 and is easily concealed. My only complaint about the P45 is that the trigger pull is soooo looonnng. The Micro is just a sweet carry gun.

 

[MASTEROFMALICE]

For pure carry in a 1911 package you'd be hard-pressed to beat the Kimber RCP.

Not only is it small but it brings "melted" to a new level.

Outside of the 1911 the Kahr is going to be tough to beat for size.

 

[Papaster]

Taurus PT145 Pro is small, light, but a little thick. Certainly the highest capacity you'll get in a sub-compact though. Then they have the PT745 with the slimmer grip (single stack seven round). But the PT145 is pretty much the same size as the Cobra Patriot. If you really want to venture out, there are some ultra-lite 5-shot snubbie revolvers from Taurus chambered in 45 ACP. They're a light little package, though fairly thick around the cylinder.

 

[Lobotomy Boy]

I have a Glock 36 and like it a lot. It's bigger than the Kahr, but the Kahr is too big for pocket carry, so if I'm going to carry in a holster I don't mind a little extra size.

 

[ARTiger]

S&W CS45
6+1 23.9 oz

 

[Dan-O]

Blazer,

the Patriot has been a good inexpensive little gun for me. I bought it back in the day when I was on more of a budget. If money wasn't a thing, I would probably not have gotten it and just gone straight for the Kahr.

Back to the Patriot though, I had to replace the extractor after about 500 rounds. I think it was just a fluke thing. I also had to take some 400 grit sandpaper to the inside of the slide to smooth out the cycling process. Other than that, it has been a hearty little gun. The trigger pull sucks on it, but it gets better and easier the more rounds you get through it. I spoke with a gun smith and he thought he could lighten the trigger up some too. I still have not done it as the Kahr has pretty much taken over for .45 carry these days.

 

[AJMBLAZER]

I'm definitely on the budget so the Cobra and the AMT are in my sights. Thanks for the review!

 

[Northalius]

Not tiny, but it's one of the smaller .45's out there:

Glock 39 in .45 GAP:





Also, a tad bigger, the Glock 30 has 11 .45 ACP round capacity; the new Glock 30 SF with shorter (front to back) grip also has 11 round capacity; they'll be thicker than a single stack, but you get good round capacity in return...

 

[jcd15]

+1 on the glock 36.
I have one and carry it with very little discomfort.
I use a cross breed super tuck.
6+1 45 acp

 

[18DAI]

+1 on the CS45. If you are lucky, there are DAO models of the CS45 floating around. They are overuns from LEO orders I'm told. TJ

 

[AJMBLAZER]

The Glock's, compact 1911's, and the CS's are all too big to be a mouse gun or rat gun capable of fitting in a pocket. Not really interested in those.

Not a big fan of Glocks anyways...don't fit my hand well.

 

[TehK1w1]

I saw an AMT Backup in .45 at the pawn shop today, I didn't check the price though. It was pretty small for a .45, fairly wide though.

EDIT: If you're looking for a mouse gun, anything bigger than 9mm is kinda out of the question unless you like derringers.