Reliable small 45 acp

[vito]

I previously owned a Kimber Ultra Carry, but despite several trips back to Kimber, I never could eliminate FTE and FTF problems, at a frequency that made me unhappy to use it for anything but at the range. But it was a very accurate gun, and a beauty to hold and look at. I'm asking the knowledgable audience of this forum for any recommendations for a truly reliable small 45 acp semi that I might want to consider. The smallest remaining semi-auto that I own, that is totally reliable, is the Ruger P97DC, but it is not small enough for the purpose I have in mind. Any suggestions would be most welcome.

[David the Gnome]

My Para Ordnance Slim Hawg is up to 500+ problem free rounds now. :)

[whitebb]

Smith and Wesson CS45:

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=11101&storeId=10001&productId=12753&langId=-1&parent_category_rn=15712&isFirearm=Y

I have one, accurate, utterly reliable, light.

[Couzin]

I know this is backtracking - but my Kimber Ultra CDP is still perfect at 3000+ rounds - feeds and runs everything, no hiccups.

[Wildalaska]

Colt defender

WilditswahtkimberandparawannabeAlaska TM

[AK103K]

If you can find one, a SIG P245. None of the issues small 1911's have. By the way you describe your Ultra Carry, I'd have thought it was mine. The P245 is reliable and accurate and a pleasure to shoot.


http://www.remtek.com/arms/sig/model/245/245.gif

If you can deal with the updated version and its silly beavertail...P220 Compact

http://www.sigsauer.com/images/catalog/product/220CompactBlkLeft.jpg

[Waldo Pepper]

My choice also is CS45, it's not picky with ammo, good shooter and light at 23oz, down side is with just 6+1 45ACP in the gun it is not for bad shots. :p

http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x245/oldnavy6393/CS45-02.jpg

[Ivory Grips]

10 round capacity, reliable, and less than 4 hun.

[Waldo Pepper]

Taurus Mil-Pro .45 ACP

10 round capacity, reliable, and less than 4 hun.

Say what??? :p

[Ivory Grips]

http://www.gunblast.com/Taurus-PT145.htm

[Pilot]

Yep. Taurus PT145 Milpro. Its the only Taurus I own, but it works great.

[geez768]

Ill second the Sig P245 one of the best guns i ever owned and never a single problem. Had a stupid monent and traded it on a Smith revolver :mad: Ill buy another if if find one.

[Playboypenguin]

+1 for the Paraord SlimHawg. It is an absolutely flawless firearm.

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r89/PlayboyPenguin/Handgun%20collection/SlimHawg.jpg

[2cooltoolz]

I'm at about 500 rounds with zero malfunctions. The bad news: They're no longer in production. I got a great deal on this new just a couple of months ago, though. Shown with my P220 for size comparison (and cause I love my Sig!)

http://2cooltoolz.tripod.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/autosvga.jpg

[GRMREAPER81]

I have a PARA LDX 645B with about 500 trouble free rounds, and it is accurate and fun to shoot. It carries real well and doesn't have the beaver tail that the hogs have. Less apt to snag on clothing.

[michael t]

Colt Defender or Agent both of mine have been reliable

[PSP]

Compact, lightwight and thin describes the Kahr P45. Mine has been reliable and accurate, and conceals very well OWB or IWB. I use a Mitch Rosen Premier.
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i186/ripley16/KharP45001.jpg

[Davis]

I have an Astra A-75 that fits the bill nicely.

Davis

[RJM]

How about the Glock G36? It seems to be a handy .45 with Glock's reliability built in.

[Quincunx]

Have shot my S&W 4516 regularly for over 10 years with nary a FTF or FTGB (Failure To Go Bang). I concede that fact that it's a little bit chunky and top-heavy compared to some of the others mentioned, but I don't necessarily find those qualities unattractive.........:p

[Billy Sparks]

I tried the Kimber and ParaOrd's but the Colt Defender ended up being the hands down most reliable one I dealt with. I would love to try one of the New Colt Agents but don't know how it could be better than my Defender.

[MrAnteater]

How about the Glock G36? It seems to be a handy .45 with Glock's reliability built in.

That or a G30 with 10 rounds available.

[RJM]

That or a G30 with 10 rounds available.

Yep, that too, but I had a G30 and found it to be a bit large, but an excellent pistol by all accounts, I am not too sure about the G36. Does anybody have a side by side picture of the two?

[dasper]

Colt Lightweight Officer's ACP .45ACP

[ssilicon]

XD .45ACP compact. Or perhaps XD .45GAP sub compact?

[buddycraigg]

AMT backup 45

it has no sights
double action only
the trigger pull is long and heavy
5+1

but it's tiny
and has never had a problem with even the cheapest of ammo

[Doctor K]

I have the Kimber Ultra Carry and I love it. I have only fired 50 rounds thru it, but no problems. Different types of ammo can make a big difference on FTF and FTE problems. I need to put a few hundred rounds down range before I completely trust it. My CCW is a Glock 29 (10mm) and its been flawless. It doesn't conceal as well as the Kimber, but with the proper high-rise holster it works great.

Doc

[Johnc]

Put me down for another vote for the Taurus PT-145. A .45ACP that fits in your pocket and holds 10 +1! That is conceal ability and fire power all rolled up to me.

[IdahoG36]

My choice also is CS45

+1. These are great guns. I had one a few years back, and sold it. I still kick myself in the a** over that. Mine was all black.

[katana8869]

PT145 or the Glock 36 :cool:

[Watarski]

What about the Springfield Loaded Ultra Compact? I am in the same position - looking at a compact .45 for CCW. The Springer UC has the 3.5" barrel. I've heard nothing but bad things about 3" 1911's, but I love the size. I would like to shoot the Springer, but can't find it anywhere.

[PakWaan]

I LOVE my Colt New Agent..... small, thin, easily concealable, and it's a Colt :)

http://www.japanese-steakhouse-white-sauce.com/guns/newagent.jpg

[meanoldman]

Wilson Sentinal

[Tom2]

I had a Colt enhanced Officers in stainless once, and it always went bang. I cannot recall any malfs. with it. I even upgraded the barrel bushing/retention system and had a Bar-Sto barrel fitted to it later on. This made it astoundingly accurate for a small 45 but still reliable. Then I traded it off at a time when even superb guns got boring to me after a couple years...:(

[Dallas13]

I had a Kimber Pro TLE RLII that made three return trips to the factory. They never could fix mine. Now I have a Glock 30 that is very accurate and 100%reliable. Comparable in size to my Glock 19. Recoil is tame.

[DBski]

Don't laugh at the Bersa/Firestorm Mini 45. I have the Firestorm version and could not be happier with it. It is a traditional DA/SA, 7 Plus 1 capacity, compact, and a great price. I got mine for less than $330 out the door brand spanking new. The only downside is the long first shot trigger pull and the price of extra magazines.

[sig-9]

Why has no one said anything about the Ruger 345?
The Ruger 345 is a great carry gun, shoots real well & can be bought new for under $400.

If you haven't shot it, try it.

I have a Sig 220 I it is by far the best 45 I have shot.
But for carry, the Ruger has replaced it.
Just feels better in my hand.

[LUPUS]

When you go down the barrel length less than 4'' in conventional rifled barrels, compromise in the bullet performance due to the gas sealing properties, so in reliability is unavoidable in .45 semiautomatics. Of course there exists very well tuned .45 ACP pistols utterly reliable just out of the box. But, the compromise in the bullet performance is still valid.
For better bullet performance in sub 4'' barreled 45 ACP pistols, with better gas sealing properties also assisting for functional reliability, I favour the pistols with polygonal rifled barrels.
Just another point to consider when making your decision IMHO.
Regards.

[gvf]

I favour the pistols with polygonal rifled barrels

Could you or someone name some?

[Socrates]

Glock, H And K.

[Officer's Match]

...and Kahr, other than their "value" series.

[Alx]

Beretta 8045D MiniCougar DAO
Closed slide, rotating barrel, 6+1, can use extended mag 8+1.
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y165/Alx357/CIMG1124.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y165/Alx357/CIMG1127.jpg

[old_ironsights]

http://dealerease.net/catalog/images/taurpic1745031.jpg

More information that you'll ever want on the Taurus PT-745...http://www.gunrush.com/firearm/gun/Taurus-1745031-Pistols.htm

[old_ironsights]

Gunblast likes the Cobra Patriot...http://www.gunblast.com/RKCampbell_CobraPatriot.htm

http://www.handgunsmag.com/featured_handguns/HGpatriot_062207A.jpg

[18DAI]

I tried a bunch of compact 45's when I was shopping for one. I went through Kimbers, Springfields, Glock, HK, Sig, and a few more. Most of the fellows in my old agency had one or more of all the "popular" compacts.

I only tried two that met my reliability standards. The Colt Defender, and the S&W 4516-3. Both were flawless in function, and met my accuracy requirements as well. I went with the 4516-3 and have not looked back.

If you try a 4516, be sure to get one with a dash #, or laser etched markings. The early no dash models had feeding problems due to slide inertia. Good luck with the search! Regards 18DAI.

[briang2ad]

the G36 is probably best.

But, for more firepower, check out the XD 45 Compact - NICE slim grip too!

[Socrates]

If you want 45 ACP ballistics in a 9mm size gun, try the G39

[Dangerwing]

I bought a Paraord Warthog the first year they were produced. FTE and FTF jams all the damn time. I tried every kind of ammo I could find. I had the feed ramp polished professionally. I tried loading the mag 1 round light. I bought new mags. I was fairly new to shooting at the time and though I might be limp wristing so I fired it from a vise. Still just jam after jam. Seems people in this thread have been refering to the "slim" hawg. I don't know if thats different than the orriginal, but I would strongly recomend AGAINST dropping a wad of cash for the orriginal Warthog.

[tex45acp]

I have two of the DAO PT-145's. One all blue/black and one with a stainless slide. I have several thousand rounds through each and both have been flawless in their operation. They are accurate, easily carried, and reliable. I have no problems recommending them to anyone who is looking for a RELIABLE small 45acp. I always have one with me either as a BUG for my four inch 1911 or as primary when the bigger gun can't be carried. Believe me I don't have to carry the guns, as I have a Wilson Combat 4" Professional and a Springfield XD45 Service that are my primary CCW's. I choose to carry the Taurus'.:D

tex45acp

[Playboypenguin]

Seems people in this thread have been refering to the "slim" hawg. I don't know if thats different than the orriginal
Two completely different beasts.

The single stack is way more reliable.

[IdahoG36]

I favour the pistols with polygonal rifled barrels

Could you or someone name some?

Baby Eagle's also have polygonal rifling.

[orionengnr]

+1 for the 18.5 oz Kahr P45, my every day winter carry (IWB CHL).

FWIW, my two Kimber Ultra Carrys (and both of the oher Kimbers I've owned) have been flawless. The additional 6 oz is not "all that much" but is still a 33% weight increase.

I'd rather carry a 1911 (and do from time to time), but the Kahr is just so light and shoots so well...

Oh yeah, and Colt Defender? Had one, note the use of the part tense...

[Socrates]

One of Orion's was flawless from the day it came out of the box.;) Part of that was going to the gunsmith and having him
inspect it ASAP, and, work out any problems prior to shooting it. Also installed very stiff springs, heaviest ones Wolfe made for that gun, at the time, and custom grips. I also shot only ball, or 230 grain bullets out of it.

Springs loose about 25% of their tension after the gun is broken in, and, then they stabalize, IIRC. That's why I think alot of the problems are the factory using a light spring, so the gun functions with the 165 to 230 grain range of 45 bullets.

S esq.

[DaveShooter]

Mine shoots as well as my full size 1911.Like post # 52 said light weight and good for packing. I wouldn't trade mine for nothing.
DaceShooter:):):):)

[stolivar]

Ruger p345 is not a small gun.


steve

[Taurus_9mm]

Taurus PT-145 :D

www.taurusarmed.net

[wyohusker]

Love this little gun. This will be my primary carry when I get me CCW permit. 10+1 in 45. Mine is DAO. :D

[ghalleen]

Colt Defender