thinking about a new CCW

[rebs]

I want to stay with the 45 acp round but a smaller gun than my full size 1911.
What are some recommendations from you guys that carry a smaller 45 acp ?

[hollowpointt]

I have had zero problems with my xds

[Spats McGee]

A commander-sized 1911?

Not that I carry one, but they sure do seem like a good choice for .45.

[AK103K]

I always preferred the Commanders over the GM's, although there really was little difference in size, about 3/4" in length. Probably just more in my head, but the Commanders felt more balanced.

The smallest .45's Ive had/carried, were a Kimber Ultra Carry, and a SIG P245, both of which werent really all that much smaller than the Commanders. I never carried the Kimber, as it was not reliable. The P245 on the other hand, was very reliable, and accurate. Great guns if you can find them.

[Minorcan]

I know Para is now Remington but I have carried a Para Elite Carry for a few years and its been great. Several thousands rounds through it and zero FTF, FTF or FTE. Very dependable and feels good in the hand. It is not as accurate as a 1911 with a 5" barrel but much better than most would think. There are smaller 45 ACPs out there but not many that are that slim, single stack and packing 9 rounds (8+1). Weight is 27 ounces. I carry IWB and use a King Tuck.

[Slimjim9]

I was jonesing for a 45 CCW before I got sidetracked with a GP100, so now I have many months to wait before I can think about that again. My short list was pretty much down to Glock 30 and Sig P320 compact although I have not been able to actually shoot either and haven't even seen a P320c.

[ohiomossyoak]

Glock 30s.

[MarkCO]

These are the two I would suggest you take a look at.

Kimber Tactical Ultra. 25 ounces, night sights. I really like mine and after sorting through 3 other 3" .45s, this one was the keeper. I put slimmer grips on it and use a Kramer horsehide holster.

Kahr PM45. 19 ounces. Striker fired, ultra reliable. Can get with night sights. This is in the premium line, which means polygonal rifling and tool steel action parts. You can save about $300 and get a CM45 which has MIM parts and traditional rifling. The premium trigger parts are smoother which gives a little better trigger pull. I use a Fist IWB ultrathin Kydex holster with this one.

[Uncle Malice]

M&P 45 Compact with a complete Apex kit

or

Springfield Range Officer Compact

[rebs]

Thank you for the replies, I appreciate it.
I am going to the LGS and see what he has that you guys recommend. I am leaning toward the commander.

[happyguy]

If striker fired polymer guns are a possibility you might also look at the following.

For the money the MP45c is great.

I think the Walther PPQ just came out in .45 acp also.

[Steelhitter]

I recently bought a Colt Defender. You can get one with night sights too, called the Night Defender. Shockingly accurate, and no heavy recoil for such a small 45. First time I brought it to the range a retired police officer friend tried it out and fired a one-inch group with it. I'm not nearly as good as that, but I expect it to be an awesome carry gun for me. No failures of any kind through the first 100 rounds.

[eggie1000]

xd mod 2

[kilimanjaro]

Colt Commander or Officers Model will be fine choices. No one regrets buying a Colt 1911.

[seeker_two]

IIRC, the Kahr .45ACP pistols will work with some 1911 magazines....

[snolden]

XD compact with service length barrel rides good with 11 rounds

[Aguila Blanca]

Originally Posted by rebs

What are some recommendations from you guys that carry a smaller 45 acp ?

I am very happy with my Colt M1991A1 Compact (no longer available) and my Para-Ordnance Slim Hawg (also no longer available). For a new pistol in that size class, I'd have to go with a Colt Defender.

[cougar gt-e]

Eaa witness compact.

[Nathan]

Dan Wesson CCO. Aluminum frame on a steel slide with all that 1911 goodness!

[JDBerg]

I like this Sig P227 SAS Gen 2 better than any other compact .45ACP right now.

[rt11002003]

Kimber SOLO, HK p7m8, SIG p239 SAS Gen2, DW Guardian and HK p30sk. All great guns. The SOLO is easy to carry, so small will fit anywhere, capable of 1 inch bulls at 10 yards. I can't do it regularly, but have watched a couple of guys who can, including a LEO.

[Glenn E. Meyer]

In the trade, there is a general indication that the compact 1911s are more jam prone. Of course, someone will say that theirs never jams but that view is out there.

[KyJim]

Since the OP is used to carrying a full sized 1911, I would recommend a CCO sized 1911. It has a Commander length barrel (4.25 inches) and Officer length grip frame (shortened by one round). They can be had in either all-steel or alloy (aluminum) framed. I like them so much that I have four. I would recommend an alloy frame.

As to which one, well that depends on your budget and if want all-steel or alloy framed. The Colt Wiley Clapp CCO is a Series 70 pistol with an alloy frame and is set up very nicely at a reasonable price (less than $1,100 at Bud's). I don't own this pistol but own other recent vintage Colts and Colt makes solid pistols.

I do own a Dan Wesson CCO and can very highly recommend it. It's a bit higher at just over $1,300 at Bud's.

I would not trust a 1911 with a barrel less than 4.25 inches (Commander length). The shorter the barrel, the less tolerance there is for errors. Never let anybody tell you otherwise. While many work just find, the chances of getting a problem gun are just higher.

[psyfly]

Shorter than 5 inch .45s I have owned and used include Colt Commander, Colt Defender, Springfield Ultra-Compact Ported, Para Slim Hawg, and Para LDA Carry. While I don’t think the Slim Hawg or LDA Carry are currently made, I believe there are current equivalents being sold NIB.

I traded the Colt Defender away after a fairly short trial. It never failed to function for me, and was accurate enough, but I never learned to like it for some unknown reason. I traded the ported SA away after an experiment convinced me I didn't want to carry a ported firearm. I carried the Slim Hawg until I acquired the LDA Carry and eventually traded the Slim Hawg away because the LDA became the EDC choice in .45 (and still is).

Despite the “general indications” of reliability problems (upon which I am by no means casting doubt), the only failure I have had among the above was a broken extractor on the Colt Commander. They have all, otherwise, been perfect for me. The Para LDA is a jewel, as is the Commander. The only choice point of LDA over Commander is that the LDA is that much smaller and easier to carry.

Good luck.

Will

[jr24]

When I go smaller than a 1911 (or Glock 21) for carry I go with a Glock 30s with the shorter 9 round mag. Conceals great and doesn't pinch like the 10 round mag does.

Plus I shoot it great.