Wanting Everything....

[Fat Boy]

In looking for a handgun-I want it seems the impossible; sort of looking for the "holy grail" gun...

1. Easy to shoot accurately

2. Acceptable caliber; preferably .45 acp

3. Steel, preferably blue

4. Semi/auto

5. Small enough to conceal

6. Grip frame large enough for me & my xl hands to be comfortable with; Glock 26, s&w m&p compact need not apply

7. Durable

8. Reliable

What are my options?

 

[GNLaFrance]

Colt Model O, aka the M1911.

 

[M-Cameron]

Colt defender possibly......

http://www.coltsmfg.com/products-c5-q51-COLT_PISTOLS.aspx

 

[Wishoot]

OOOooooooooo.... Too bad it's got to be .45. otherwise I would of said Browning Hi Power.

 

[hammerklavier]

A big gun that's easy to conceal in .45, no less? Sounds like you want a 1911.

 

[Steve H]

except for the steel thing Id' go with the Kimber Ultra CDP II

 

[bannockburn]

Colt Combat Commander.

 

[jon86]

glock 36, kahr pm45, 1911...

 

[CB900F]

Fatboy;

If I were you, I'd at least take a look at the H&K USP compact .45. Please, don't let the compact designation throw you off, it's not a small gun. H&K compacts are only compact in relation to the full-size USP models. Mine's in .40, the .45 is a slightly larger platform, but mine has been an every day carry gun for over a dozen years and I'm just an average sized guy.

From my experience, the only point on your list that it misses is the steel required point. Yeah, the frame is some sort of hi-tech plastic, but put a full magazine in it, grip it & see what it feels like. Best of all, you can carry cocked-n-locked if you care to, and it has a decocker.

After all, whatta ya got to lose if you rent one for an hour & try it out?

900F

 

[Iam2taz]

Colt M1911.
Unless you are 5'0 and 75 lbs, you can conceal it. (Yes. Even the full size.)

 

[doc2rn]

FNP 45 would be my first choice! I have an FNP 9 and its the one that does most of the serious duty for me.

 

[Prion]

You said preferably .45 or acceptable caliber. Is 9mm acceptable?

If so I think you should look at the Browning High Power Standard w/ either fixed or adjustable sights. It is blued as you requested which may not be the best finish for concealed carry.

I don't own one yet but it sure seems like a 'holy grail' gun.

In .45, choose from the myriad of 1911 options or a Sig P220 compact or carry. Alloy frame on the P220's would be lighter for carry.

 

[content]

Hello friends and neighbors // CZ75B in .40 s&w

Not too easy to conceal in summer but great in all other respects.

 

[wojownik]

Sig 220, 220 Carry or 220 Compact (the latter might be not great for largish hands). Stainless steel slide, however anodized frame.

 

[rellascout]

Dan Wesson CCO 1911 Commander slide so it can handle 45 ACP JHP with proper expansion. It has Officer grip so it is easy to conceal. Drop it into a IWB holster and it will disappear. It is alum framed gun but this will help with weight.

 

[Fat Boy]

You said preferably .45 or acceptable caliber. Is 9mm acceptable?


Yes- the intended use of the gun would be primarily defensive and while I consider the .45 acp the best caliber for this purpose, 9mm is definitely in the running. (not to start a caliber war here...)

 

[G27RR]

Pick a 1911, in my opinion. I recommend the following from personal experience.

3" officer frames...
STI Shadow
STI Escort
Colt Defender

4.25" Commanders
STI Ranger II

5" government
Colt Combat Elite

Any of those are reliable and can be concealed in my experience. I carry the STI Shadow on a regular basis and sometimes use one of the Ranger IIs.

I've had trouble with the Sig P238 and Kimber Super Carry Pro so I can't recommend those.

 

[verdun59]

Try the STI site.

 

[The Wiry Irishman]

I can conceal this easily, so your options are pretty much limitless:

Just pick a gun that fits your hand well. Concealment is a lot easier than the internet claims.

 

[BruceB]

double post

 

[BruceB]

STAR FIRESTAR!

Sadly out of production, but easily available. VERY compact, but all-steel which cuts recoil a lot. They have ambi safeties, good sights, decent triggers on our pair, flared mag wells, grip frames checkered front and rear, and so is the front of the triggerguard. Rubber grips are standard.

Available in 9x19, .40 and .45 ACP in the $350-$500 range depending on condition. Our two are utterly reliable, even with large hollowpoints in the bullets and HOT loads.

They come in nickel or blue. I recommend the nickel finish for rust resistance in concealed carry

Check gunbroker, Auction Arms, and Gunsamerica. Be aware that a Firestar *PLUS* has a double-column magazine and is much bulkier than the standard gun (model 43). which uses single column mags.

DON'T DRY_FIRE ANY SPANISH GUNS! USE SNAP-CAPS IF YOU JUST *HAVE TO* DRY-FIRE!

They are heavy, the 9mm outweighing my SIG220 .45, but not so heavy as to be a problem (at least to me).

I've long thought these little guns to be one of the best "unknown" bargains on the market.