What is the smallest .45 acp you own?

[lanternlad1]

I'm looking for a good .45 for carry. What do y'all suggest?

 

[Devonai]

S&W 457 or 4513. Easy to carry, 7+1 cap with 8 round mags as spares, more than enough for goblins and trolls.

 

[Sistema1927]

I have a Springfield Ultra Compact. It took the addition of a full length guide rod (FLGR) and a Wilson Bulletproof extractor to make it a reliable carry piece.

 

[Geno]

Tell ya what. I have owned over 20 (twenty) 1911s, in 5", 4" and 3". The only ones that have been 100% reliable from box to years laters, and through tens of thousands of rounds has been the 5" 1911s. I have read that the smallest 1911s that are 100%, 100% of the time are the 4.25" and larger. Is that true and accurate? Matches my experiences, and to that end, the smallest 1911s that I own all all 5".

 

[Larryect]

Glock G36

 

[Larryect]

Sorry double tap.

 

[Gordon]

My Colt Defender lt weight is small and seems reliable with ball , Ranger Talon and Rem. Golden Saber. My Officers' model required the touch of Heine to make it work 100% with most anything.

 

[sel366]

I have had good luck with my Taurus PT145. Very light and concealable. 10+1 capacity and it comes with two mags. I think it weighs in around 23oz. You can get it in blued or stainless slide. Very inexpensive for what you get. I think I paid like $300 +or- a few dollars. Might be something to check out.

 

[TIMC]

I love my little Para C-645 LDA pistol. have been carrying this gun for about 4 years now. Very reliable and accurate handgun.

 

[Geno]

I should clarify that one of the most comfortable 1911s I have ever held was the Kimber Ultra Eclipse. That's why I bought it. It carried like a dream, but unfortuantely it shot like a different type of dream...a nightmare. It blew up...as in kaboomed. That was disheartening. It went back to Kimber 2 or 3 times. It was never right.

I really like the G30 and the G36! I have no reservations about them, and especially the G30!

Doc2005

 

[Hunter0924]

Colt New Agent. I have grown found of this little pistol over the past few months.

 

[10-Ring]

The smallest 45 I own is a commander size 1911 -- DW CBOB.

 

[glockman19]

I carry the Kimber Ultra Raptor II but any Ultra Kimber would be my choice. As Doc states a Glock 30 or 36 works too.

 

[Clipper]

I saw in Shotgun News that Kahr is supposed to be bringing a PM45 out @ 17oz dry. It should be by far the lightest .45 auto on the market, at least until Kel-Tec decides to finally start making one...

 

[Condition Plaid]

Kimber Compact CDP II. 7+1.

 

[sm]

Doc2005,

Once again you and I agree.
Or both of us are right - depends on how you interpret.

1911s of Commander Size and up are Reliable.

Personally, make mine Gov't Model of 1911, or Bone Stock Colts of full size, Steel Combat Commanders or Lightweight Commanders, with USGI/Colt 7 rd mags with dimpled followers.

The Springfield "GI" are running out the box, and the OLD OLD Kimbers before being called Series I , and the Series I.

After that, Caspian frame and slide, Shuemann barrels and build as close as can to GI, and I'm happy.

Now there is one 1911 "different" I will suggest.
Commander Sized 1911 in 9x23 .
Helluva a carry gun!

 

[ta4]

M&p 45

M&P 45 is the smallest 45 I own. However, it's the only 45 I own. It is flat & could be my favorite carry if I could find a holster I like. Slim pickings for the gun. Wish I could say that I have an HK 45. HK needs to get on the ball with the HK 45 before I defect to a 1911.

 

[Sir Aardvark]

The Glock 30!

It is about as big as my hand and holds 10 rounds of .45ACP.
It has proven to be 100% reliable and I use it as a concealed carry gun.

 

[Car Knocker]

My Kimber Ultra Carry has almost 3,000 rounds through it without a problem. I have no complaints.

 

[Ala Dan]

.45 Acp

Kimber 3" Stainless Ultra Carry II~!

Works well for me-

 

[MPanova]

Taurus PT145, 100% reliable and 10+1 in a smaller package then most 7+1 or mini 1911's

specs

Action: SA/DA
Length: 6-1/8"
Height: 5.125"
Width: 1.25"
Weight: 22.2 oz
Barrel Length: 3-1/4"
Capacity: 10+1
Safety: Firing Pin Block,Manual Safety,Manual Safety,Trigger Block


All for less then $350

 

[Quiet]

Smallest .45ACP I own is a Glock Model 30.
Smallest .45 caliber handgun I own is a Glock Model 39.

 

[1911 guy]

Grip length and thickness.

The length of the grip frame and thickness of the pistol overall have a lot more to do with concealability than overall smallness. I'd be willing to bet that an Officers frame and Commander slide would be the perfect choice, if you're hip to a 1911. I know they're made, Colt calls theirs the CCO. I'm not up on them because I carry a fullsize.

 

[wally]

My Kimber (pre-series II) Ultra Carry seems reliable enough, but I've rethought the whole issue of .45ACP in sub 4" barrels and have decided to carry .40S&W in sub 4" barrels.

My reason is I'm not confident that .45ACP will have adaquate penetration out of such a short tube. The .40S&W generally has 100+ fps more velocity than .45ACP in the same length barrel. Penetration is a function of bullet sectional density times velocity. The 230gr .45ACP has the same sectional density as the .40 180 gr.

I had been hot for the Kahr P45 but after seeing too many short barrel .45 230gr chrono results dropping below 800fps I've decided to stay with my PM40.

--wally.

 

[Zen21Tao]

I have to side with TimC. Here is my Para Carry. It is a great little gun. I offers the feel and design of a 1911 but has a patterned LDA (light double action) trigger that has an amazing light pull with a crisp break.