.45 ACP for concealed carry

[longnkrnch]

I have a Taurus PT145, so, now, I am obviously STILL looking for a good .45ACP concealed carry gun. If Springfield made the .45 in a subcompact, it would be my first choice, but, they don't. So I would like to hear opinions on what would be my best choice for a small, light, concealable .45ACP.
What do you guys think?

[BerettaBuckeye]

Kahr. Mine is a PM45 and I love it.Some of their larger .45's are still small....P45, CW45 & even the TP45. As a matter of fact, I just saw that Buds has a great price on a TP45.

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=46029


That's a great gun for a great price although it might be a little long in the grip compared to what you're used to. I personally think the size is fine and if I didn't already have the PM45 I would buy one for that price.

If not Kahr the next thing that comes to mind is Glock. I have no problem with Glocks but the small .45 ( G30?) was just too thick for my taste. Good luck

[Gary L. Griffiths]

I have a Taurus PT145

You've probably got the best concealable .45ACP out there, assuming yours is reliable (not all are). I have one that is, and bought a Kahr PM-45 thinking it would be enough smaller to carry IWB under a light shirt. It wasn't. Frankly, it wasn't that much more concealable than the PT-145, and held only about half as many rounds. Moreover, the recoil with +P 230-gr loads was just slightly on the harsh side of heavy. The 145 digests them rather pleasantly.

I traded the Kahr for a Kel-Tec PF-9 which, at .88" width, will just disappear under a T-shirt in a tuckable IWB holster. Also got a Ruger LCP to replace my Kel-Tec P-32 as my "always" gun.

[sksmatt]

Glock 30SF ;)

[Shadi Khalil]

Springfield makes a few 3 inch 1911 .45's, have you looked at any of those?

[rdwoody1]

I carry a Glock 36, which is the Slimline .45 ACP. I carry it in a Crossbreed Supertuck and I have yet to wear an outfit that I couldn't nearly completely conceal the gun. I generally carry about 4 to 4:30, but I've tried 3 all the way to 5:30 with great results. Of course, this could be the doings of the holster just as much as the gun, but I also had very good concealment (for OWB) when I used to carry it in a Safariland and a Galco. I also carried a Kimber Ultra Carry II briefly. It wasn't mine, it belong to my uncle, but it was very concealable as well. And, man, I LOVED that gun!

[Flipper 56]

As the saying goes......
Forget about the Dog;
I've got a Warthog.

A bit heavy with the double stack mag, however it is great in a shoulder holster but fits in a pocket carry Galco. Gotta keep jacking my pants up :o
It is incomparable firepower though, concealed-carry wise. Good article in the current issue of "COMBAT HANDGUNS". The bark alone would scare 'em away.
Para-Ord out did themselves and are now in Charlotte, North Carolina.

[Indy_Tim]

I carry a Kimber Ultra Carry II with a set of thin grips and it's been a great gun. It's light, accurate and reliable. With the thin grips, it disappears under a t-shirt or when worn IWB. Normally, I carry OWB in a Kramer scabbard holster under an untucked shirt and it conceals very well.

Tim

[azyogi]

I've been thinking of what to get once concealed carry [without permit] becomes the law here in AZ. I like the .45 ACP and open carry a 1858 NMA with a conversion cylinder. So I thank you guys for all the reccomendations

[dogngun]

Charles Daly version (same pistol, different sights, grips and finish) that has been a real pleasure to shoot - it still surprises me with its accuracy and it has been virtually problem free...I installed a new recoil spring after the factory original one wore a little after 7 years. (ARMSCOR/RIA sent me the replacement spring free under theur guarantee.)
I have examined very expensive compact 1911 type pistols, including Colts, side by side with my ARMSCOR, and I believe my pistol is as good as or better than any I have seen so far.

Star used to make a very small single action.45 ACP pistol, all steel and heavy as a brick, but they are near impossible to find now.



mark

[MTS840]

I have a Taurus PT145, so, now, I am obviously STILL looking for a good .45ACP concealed carry gun. If Springfield made the .45 in a subcompact, it would be my first choice, but, they don't. So I would like to hear opinions on what would be my best choice for a small, light, concealable .45ACP.
What do you guys think?

I get the sarcasm. Any one of these are small and reliable.

Glock 30 SF

Glock 36

Sig P220 Carry

Sig P245

H&K 45c

[IMTHDUKE]

http://i700.photobucket.com/albums/ww2/imthduke/GUNS/P220DAK-1.jpg

http://i700.photobucket.com/albums/ww2/imthduke/GUNS/62520996525079.jpg

http://i700.photobucket.com/albums/ww2/imthduke/GUNS/62520996552615.jpg

[rsxr22]

Glock 36

[golfnutrlv]

Glock 36 for size concerns, and the reliability question is settled here.

Second choice, Smith and Wesson M&P Compact .45. Better capacity, as reliable as the Glock, and a better all around gun IMO. (I do like Glocks though).

I would have put the M&P first, but size seems to be more important to you, so props the Glock.

[(BH)]

I carry an M&P45c IWB everyday. With the right holster, this thing disappears on me (and I'm pretty thin).

Having 9 rounds of .45 in a compact polymer gun makes for some good carrying.

[ajgranda]

With the right holster and belt, Springfield XD45C!

[madmag]

I carry a Glock G36 .45ACP daily. I am amazed that it is as light and easy to carry as my Smith snub 36.

Seven rounds of .45ACP (eight with extender) and very light to carry......about as good as it gets.:)

[Sarge43]

I have a Kimber Ultra, and have had zero troubles with it. Of all the handguns I own (around 20 at last count), the DW CCO is on my hip probably 85% of the time. It's just a good fit, easily concealable, reliable, and just about everything else I look for in a carry pistol. Many good choices out there. Good luck!
Sarge
http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh281/sarge43_pics/PICT0001-52.jpg

[orionengnr]

For summer carry, my favorite is my Kahr P45. I would like a PM45 but have not found one at the right price yet. I have 1911s in 3" and 4" (and love them) but the Kahr is smaller/lighter than any of them, and spends the most time on my hip.

The bark alone would scare 'em away.
Do not believe this for a minute. To paraphrase the sig line of another member "No-one ever won a gunfight by being the first to make a loud noise".

[Jeepin_Lawyer]

Glock 36. Love the slim line.

[test drive]

Springfield DOES make a sub-compact. its called the Micro. comes in GI and Loaded versions. allso the XD comes in sub compact size.

[xanth]

I carry a Colt New Agent, or a Kobra Carry, both in a supertuck. Dont have a problem concealing either.

[Deputy Dog]

I had a Sig P245 years ago when they first came out. I loved that gun and never should have gotten rid of it. Recoil was low accuracey through the roof and reliability wasnt an issue unlike the P220's I had. Also I would say go with the G30 or G36, with the right holster and garment, you can make them disapare like Copperfield would. Very comfortable to shoot. I havent tried the SF models yet, a good trusted friend told me that they are great and they are working on getting the G20SF for duty use and the G30SF or G36 for off duty or BUG's.

DD

[ghost556]

glock 30sf is the only real answer,deep down you'll know

reliability,accuracy,capacity and cost....it all adds up to 30

[DonutGuy]

I was in your shoes, so I looked a little deeper. Found the Glock 39, .45GAP and haven't looked back. It's Glocks smallest frame pistol and smallest .45. :cool:

[sks]

Another vote for the G36. Conceals very easily and is actually fairly light weight. The slide is just as wide as any other Glock but the grip is single stack so it is thinner. I carry IWB with zero problems. In fact, the G36 has now taken 60% of my carry over my P228. Just easier to throw on and go.

[SouthpawShootr]

I find the PT145 to be an excellent concealment pistol. But, as already pointed out, sometimes you get a good one, sometimes you get a lemon. I seem to be collecting (accumulating) CC pistols. Other nice options are Kimber, Springfield, Colt, S&&W, and even RIA 3" or 3.5" 1911s Officer sized guns. Glocks 30SF is popular, though I just have a regular G30 and my PT145 is more comfortable.

The best, in my view, is the G39, but you didn't ask about .45 in general, just the ACP in particular.

[Pappy John]

G36
http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2006-2/1151859/g36grip.jpg

[Simmy952]

I carry a G30 in a Woolfe IWB. Workes good for me.

[bikerbill]

My cold weather carry gun is a Kimber Ultra Carry II; 25 oz empty, all black, 3-inch barrel ... I use a kydex paddle holster and love the gun; it's run perfectly since new, no failures, one of the most accurate guns I've ever shot at SD distances and it was under $700 NIB when I got it two years ago ... a great gun ...

[laktrash]

Good choices but you have to hunt for them
S&W CS 45
Sig P245

[denfoote]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v22/denfoote/G36andknife.jpg

Glock 36

The best sub compact .45acp on the market. The one seen above is an original, off the boat, born on date 10/2000 G36. No problems in the first decade of it's existence!!

[longnkrnch]

That G36 looks pretty good, but a couple of questions. How many rounds does it hold ("don't wanna get killed for lack of shootin back") and, I have fairly large hands. Hows the grip?

[rdwoody1]

The 36 holds 6 plus 1 in the chamber. Personally, I love the grip. With the mag in, I can get all my fingers on the gun which is a huge plus on this relatively small gun. It is single stack, so the grip is thinner than a standard Glock grip. It is just perfect for me. You should give it a shot.

[sophijo]

..what Sarge said. It's pretty much about the belt and holster....mostly the belt IMO.

[AZAK]

.45 ACP for concealed carry
And just exactly what does the ACP stand for?

Another vote for 1911s. I generally carry Colt Government, Commander, or Officer's depending on my dress and occasion.

[Ben Towe]

ACP= Automatic Colt Pistol. I like my Rock Island 1911 Officer's ACP.

[AZAK]

ACP= Automatic Colt Pistol

Exactly. OP answered his own question in his thread title.

[markj]

a Taurus PT145

My buddy has one of these, is there any way to shorten the long trigger travel on these?

[Fiv3]

Yet another vote for the G36. When the weather gets a bit cooler or if I'm going someplace I want to pack more than a .38, the G36 gets tucked in a holster and slid IWB.

About 1000 rounds so far, and no issues short of putting a hogue grip on it for comfort.

Great lil auto, and this is coming from a revolver fan;)

[dreamweaver]

another vote for the colt new agent and colt defender the colt officers model is also good.
i just happen to have a NIB defender for sale (just bought the nite defender)

[Wilkenstein]

I like my XD45 compact. No, it's not a subcompact. But with a good holster it pretty much disappears. Here's mine in a tt gunleathers IWB. Super nice holster, but took forever to get.

[jreXD9]

not as expensive is the Kahr CW45, which has NOT gotten the bad reviews that many PM45's have produced. you can get a new one for less than $450 all day long. Once I got a PM9 and started carrying it everyday the xd9sc ended up sitting on the dresser. I sold the xd9sc and got the CW45. Very similar in height and length but much thinner and lighter. (it may be shorter in height and length....I can't remember.) it took no time to get used to the longer DAO trigger and I now shoot the CW45 better than the PM9 or the CW9.