bbousa said:
I recently put my Glock 30s on consignment. Hated that thing for many reasons. Bought a shield in 9mm that I love for concealed carry, but I would also like a .45 to concealed carry as well. Was looking in a couple different directions. I was looking at the XDs (4inch barrel), a Kimber Ulta TLE, a Kimber CDP, or a Sig 1911 compact. What are your guys thoughts? Is there anything else that you guys have had great experiences with for concealed carry with a .45?
I don't own any of the guns you are looking at, so take this with the appropriate grain of salt.
I've wanted a Kimber CDP since I first saw an ad for them 16 or 17 years ago. At the time I thought the CDP Pro would be the perfect carry gun: aluminum frame, Commander size (my preference), night sights, melt treatment/dehorned, and beautiful (OK, not really needed in a carry gun). It was out of my price range however so I didn't get one then, they went to the Series II and lost some luster in my eyes (though I do still want one), and we all see the internet reports that quality has suffered. I still want a CDP, and a Kimber generally, but due to those reports I haven't been able to pull the trigger. I recently bought a RIA Rock CS over the Kimber Ultra II (my eventual top two choices, narrowed down from a top 3 of those and the Colt Defender, and original consideration of nearly the entire field of sub-$1000 3-3.5" 1911s), with the final decision being largely due to the reliability reputation. If you can get over the reputation, if losing money on trading it if you get a bad one is a risk you are willing to take, the Kimber would probably be my first choice, but only with that disclaimer.
I wouldn't go with the XDs due to capacity. It is about the size of a CCO 1911 (compact frame, Commander slide) but with too small a capacity at 5 rounds with the flush mag, 6 rounds extended (6 round mags are the standard mag for a compact sized 1911, and many companies make 7 round flush or nearly flush mags).
If it were my dollars, and limited to your choices, I'd be neck and neck between the SIG and the Kimber. If you are willing to take a chance on the Kimber reputation, I'd go Kimber, if you want to play it safe (i.e. you don't have the money to lose if you are unlucky, and/or don't have other comparable guns to carry until you replace it if you are unlucky) I'd go SIG.
Out of guns I've experienced and had good luck with in .45ACP, I'd go SIG or S&W or save some money and go RIA or Citadel.
I have a SIG P250 Compact in .45 which has been a great gun and I think is a great size for carry (maybe a little thick). It is a double stack, polymer, DAO auto. It holds 10 rounds (9+1) of .45. If you want something smaller, I'd strongly consider the P250 Subcompact, and if you want a shorter trigger pull I'd consider the P320 in .45.
I have a Commander sized S&W 1911SC (the original generation of the 1911SC, basically the same gun as the S&W 1911PD). It has been perfect, is very well made, and I wouldn't hesitate to consider a compact sized S&W 1911 if it was in the price range I was considering, or any S&W 1911 for that matter.
I also had great luck with a Charles Daly 1911. Over 10K rounds through it when I sold it. Very few issues, and it performed wonderfully once I replaced the stock mags. That experience makes me view Armscor brand 1911s very favorably. Hence, my just recently buying the RIA (it is on layaway a few more days) and I also considered the Citadel (also made by Armscor). They are less expensive than the other 1911s on your list, but don't overlook them as a result, they may still be a good choice.
