.45 carry gun?

First, welcome to Post#23's "hunterbob" who made his first post after 19 months.

I can't advise on any of the OP's considered handguns. When I carry a .45ACP, I've got three full-size/5" 1911 handguns; and two Glock 30 models (an SF and a Gen4). I had more full-size 1911s but downsized and also had a Colt Commander/4.25", but sold that, too.

I don't know the reason why the G30S isn't working out, but reliability is my first requirement.
2nd would be concealment, if that's a concern.
3rd would be my accuracy.
All of which give me confidence when carrying a particular firearm to be carried/concealed.

I'm mainly carrying a Glock in 9mm nowadays.
 
I have a few carry guns. A shield in 9mm, a kahr cm9, a XDS45 and I use to have a kahr cw45. All of them are reliable but the XDS45 definitely is the most accurate out of the bunch. One thing the grip texture on the XDS45 is very aggressive so it now wears talon grips. Other than that it is my favorite with the cm9 running second. Here's two five shot groups at ten yards I shot last weekend. Not bad with one flyer.
bac30764593b6e5c05d132d42f61edc9.jpg
 
I also have to speak on behalf of the Kahr CW45. I love that you can use 1911 mags for a more concealable profile. Thin, light, and love that Kahr trigger!
 
When I retired and started working part time, I chose the S&W 457 as my carry gun. Inexpensive, accurate and bet your life reliable.

Give one a try. You will be glad you did. Regards 18DAI
 
I also have to speak on behalf of the Kahr CW45. I love that you can use 1911 mags for a more concealable profile. Thin, light, and love that Kahr trigger!
Yep - that's a MecGar Officer's mag in mine. I don't like the factory ones much.

Also have a CT380, and gifted my PM9 to my oldest son years ago.
 
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.
 
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seems like I have spent half my life carrying a full size 1911 or a Commander sized one. Back a few years ago, I picked up two Springfield XDS pistols. They have pretty much replaced the 1911 platform.
Much easier to conceal, and I shoot them as well.
 
For carry, I'd assume you're talking about an alloy frame 1911, as all of the steel ones in my experience are just too damned heavy to tote all day long.

I've had great luck with a cpl Colt brand LT Wt Commanders over the years in .45 ACP. Both shot well (<3" at 25 yds from a rest) with no tuning required, but both needed and eventually got a trigger job by a local hot-shot 1911 smith.

For right out of the box, with superb accuracy and no trigger work required, I was given a Sig RCS 1911. It's the best by far. Lt weight, alloy frame, tritium night sights, 4" bbl. Officer's Model grip length, flared mag well, checkered frame, it's got it all. Sig doesn't make 'em any more, the pity, but they're on GB frequently at reduced prices. It's a honey of a concealed carry gun....by far my favorite. In 50+ years of carrying 1911's, in peace and war, I've yet to find one to compare. Rod

 
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My carry was the old reliable S&W 2" chief 38 SPL. for years , now its in the safe 90% of the time. The Colt New Agent 3" in 45acp. is with me 90% of the time. Came with crimson trace laser grips , I shoot once a week 50 rounds. Nice little piece .
 
OT...what's with Photobucket lately...got the "update" sticker above in my post #51. Going to the site results in a long delay and no help in "HELP". Rod
 
OT...what's with Photobucket lately...got the "update" sticker above in my post #51. Going to the site results in a long delay and no help in "HELP". Rod
For a full thread on this, look at https://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=587960.

The short answer is that Photobucket has screwed everyone and wants $399 per year to allow users to direct link to their photos from other websites. You will need to either upload the photos here or go to another photo hosting site (unless you want to pay the piper). I am trying imgur.com but have only posted one photo so far.

The forums on which I post, mostly here and one other, do not allow editing posts past a certain date so I can't go back and cleanup those messages.
 
Hk45c is going to be my new carry gun. Throwing a nice Trijicon RMR on it this weekend. Should have my new custom Elephant hide holster mid August. Looking forward to carrying then

Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk
 
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