"Compact" 45 with three finger grip?

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Slimjim9

New member
And by 3 finger I mean the pinky - not a big fan of curl under.

Where this is coming from is last night I rented a Glock 30 short frame (Gen3 I think) and an XDM mod 2. The G30 had the extended mag and XDM had at least a two round extended mag. With only 25 rounds each, I'd say I shot the G30 better as my main pistol is a G19 so trigger and sights were very familiar, just a bit more recoil (more akin to my LCR357 with 38+P I'd say). The XDM trigger has the longer take up and a bit more recoil and muzzle rise than the G30.

Anyway, my main gripe with the G30 is that with the extended mag and the finger grooves, my pinky naturally landed right in the groove between the grip and the extension and under recoil was pinching my pinky right where it joins the palm. I had read reports of pinching while changing mags but not while shooting. Wouldn't be a deal breaker for defense obviously but not a real good fit for me.

So I wonder what other 45s out there have a bit longer grip than the G30 while still being considered "compact"? Also prefer striker or DAO (maybe DAK or LEM) systems to either DA/SA or SAO.

The only thing that comes to mind would be the Sig P320 and P250. I think the compact length barrel with either compact or carry grip modules might fit the bill. I haven't seen either though yet. I am hoping a new range near me that supposedly has a big Sig presence will have one or both of these to rent.

Other things to look for?
 
SA

I have the XDm compact 45. Absolutely no pinch w/ extended mag, but I really enjoy shooting the 9rd. My little finger holds, just barely, on the shorter mag. Wouldn't trade it for a Glock of any model.
 
Anyway, my main gripe with the G30 is that with the extended mag and the finger grooves, my pinky naturally landed right in the groove between the grip and the extension and under recoil was pinching my pinky right where it joins the palm. I had read reports of pinching while changing mags but not while shooting. Wouldn't be a deal breaker for defense obviously but not a real good fit for me.
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My main gripe with my 30S as well. I found the 9 round mag with a pearce grip extender finger dongle thing was the ticket for me. It reduced the gap juuuust enough that I get my pinkie on the grip and not the gap.

No more pinching for me.

For mag changes, I always use a Glock 21 mag for my reloads.
 
I like the Sig options...but I wouldn't rule out some of the 1911's either...especially from Wilson Combat -- they have about 9 models with a 4" barrel ...and several more in 4.25"... / and while I'm not a big Springfield fan, they offer some compact 1911's in .45 acp as well.
 
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So learn to shoot it with two on the grip and one under. Hickok45 has several videos shooting that way. On our home range, we see a variety of pistols, many with the shortened grip that makes CC easier. In actual use, a single afternoon range session usually suffices to accustom a shooter to the 'new' grip. Accuracy at SD distances is no problem...say out to 15 yds.

Try it before you condemn it...a lot of shooters here on the forum loudly proclaim that it's an impossible task for them, without actually spending a box or two to learn the task. Kind of like the "I hate the .40 S&W 'cause it's got 'snappy' recoil. For gosh sakes, man up and learn the gun.

YMMV, ROd
 
Some good suggestions here.

@rodfac/@jr24 - G30 "au naturale" or with Pearce are worth another look (FWIW, rod, I didn't say a 2-finger grip is "impossible", just that it isn't my preference. I swapped out my stock LCR grip for a Pach Diamond Pro if that means anything)

@vent/@hubris - XD45c or XDM45c seems worth a look

@gothcopter - HK45c - yeah, this range had one in DA/SA. I might try it sometime. $$$ though. ;)

The thing about this 45 decision is that I'm in no hurry. Don't really "need" a 45, just kinda want one. The more guns I try, the more I like my 19. :)
 
The XD 45 Compact has a slightly longer grip than the XDM and Mod 2 models.
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I'm sure there are some out there, but it looks like Springfield has dropped the 45 compact from their line.

XDS
with a pinkie extension works with all the fingers
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The XDS would be my first suggestion.

My other suggestion would be to look at Bersa's Thunder 45 Ultra Compact Pro. DA/SA auto, with controls laid out like the 1911 guys like. (I had the older "non-Pro" version for about 5 years. Shot well, but mine had a few things break, and some of this is a PITA to service.)

Anyway, my main gripe with the G30 is that with the extended mag and the finger grooves, my pinky naturally landed right in the groove between the grip and the extension and under recoil was pinching my pinky right where it joins the palm.
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No finger grooves on any of these.
 
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I straightened the grip up on my old G 30, removed the finger grooves and rounded and undercut the trigger guard. I did all this when I was involuntarily left-handed for six months due to a shoulder surgery. I had just a little bit of the finger pinch before the modification but it's all gone now.

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The Kahr CM45 has a pinky extension on the small mag that just allows a full 3 fingers, for those of us with normal mitts.
 
Well, you should definitely look at the SIG Sauer P320 and 250. I have moderately large hands and shoot a full-size SIG P350 .45 ACP but I have handled plenty of compact SIG P320s and shot a compact P250 (9mm).

With the compact P250/320 grip module I find that I can get all my fingers on the grip fairly comfortably, although they are squeezed together a little bit and I would probably be at some risk of pinching my strong hand with a rapid magazine change. The full-size grip module is not quite 1/4" longer and is a bit more comfortable.

But I think there is something in what rodfac says. I have 2 Beretta mini-Cougar pistols which allow only 2 fingers on the grip and one under with the flush fit magazines. They also except full length Cougar magazines with grip extender sleeves.

At first, I really didn't care for shooting them with the flush-fit mags and did not shoot them as well with the short mags as I did with the longer ones. But as time went on I got used to the grip and now shoot them about as well with the short mags and 2 finger grip as I do with the longer ones and the 3 finger grip.
 
I will admit, I hate when a gun has no pinky realastate. I need somewhere to park my pinky when I'm shooting. There are to many guns with extentions and bigger grips that work for me.
 
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