Best .45 ACP for Concealed Carry (Striker Fired)

[Wethepeople01]

Sorry 1911 fans.. You have every right to live your 1911 and loathe any striker fired pistol. But, I am interested in recommendations from our community on the right single or double stack .45 ACP for concealed carry. Barrel length must exceed 3.5" (4.0" max). Height must be no taller than 5.5". $600 max purchase price. I'm familiar with the following Springfield Armory and Glock models (I carry only Springfield and Glock) These are my top picks in no particular order.. XDM Compact (too heavy?), Springfield XD 4.0 Compact (discontinued model), Glock 36, Glock 30S, Glock 30SF. Now go! And, thanks!!

[Water-Man]

Along with the XD-S, I like the S&W Shield.

[PatientWolf]

I'd look at the S&W Shield for a single stack and the Sig P320 for a double stack.

[RKG]

M&P 45C (plus Apex DCAEK).

Violates a number of my prejudices, but: easy to carry, easy to shoot, easy to maintain.

[MandolinMan]

If possible, rent the models that you are interested in from a local range.

[Ed4032]

Kahr CW45

[Big Shrek]

Striker? Shield. Hands down.

[Gary L. Griffiths]

Another vote for the XDs. :cool:

[boondocker385]

FWIW I carry a Glock 21 as my cc weapon....

[Kilibreaux]

I think you already know your answer.

FWIW, the G30SF is without peer right out of the box. It's Glock simple and reliable, and the extra-thick magazine base pad makes it fit very comfortably in the hand (as opposed to the G29's thin base pad). The only downside is the OEM barrel has a generous feed ramp...and I do mean generous, like landing a Boeing 757 generous! This isn't an oversight on the part of Glock, they built the gun to chamber a 19,500 psi cartridge and within that parameter, the ACP easily survives lack of case head support, BUT if I were planning to pump up the volume I'd opt to install a barrel with less ramp exposure.

The XD has two advantages over the Glock. Grip and trigger ergonomics. For this it pays in having a high slide height. The Glock striker is only partially cocked, and the trigger take-up is finishing up that cocking just before left off. The reason is because the trigger bar rests atop a frame ledge that positively CANNOT allow the striker to release unless the trigger is pulled to the rear....a great system! The XD trigger is fully cocked by slide movement so of course the trigger has almost no take-up or movement before let-off, resulting in a short, more crisp feel. The downside is they had to add the grip safety to compensate for the internal safety ledge inside the Glock, but the end result is that when you are holding either pistol with a round chambered, it's live and ready to fire.

the real advantage to the Glock is that every part is available in the aftermarket including barrels, slides, connectors, triggers, safety systems etc., AND a Glock can be completely stripped to it's smallest component in seconds with the use of only a simple punch tool. The XD requires pulling out the hammer and punches just to get started.

[MichaelS.]

I love my Glock G36 for ultimate concealment in a .45, when I'm not carrying one of my 1911s.

[jr24]

If you don't have an issue concealing it (I can't imagine how people do myself) it is almost impossible to beat the G30 (SF or Gen 4) in a compact, striker fired .45 ACP.

I like my 30S with the 9 round mag and a pearce +0 baseplate and a G21 13 round mag as backup.

The backup mag is harder to conceal than the gun, IMO.

[Bart Noir]

I very much like the 30S also.

I found the hard way that every shot would cause the magazine to rise up just enough to pinch my pinky. Adding the Pearce Grip mag bottom and sanding the edges took care of that.

May I mention that the XD-S comes in two sizes. The barrel lengths are 3.3 and 4.0 inches. And while I sold my 3.3-inch XD-S (9mm but the description is the same) I'm keeping the 4.0-inch XD-S.

Since there are 3 sizes of magazines for it, you can have a small one (5 in .45) for concealed carry and a full one (7 in .45) for reloading. And more rounds if you buy the gun in 9mm :D Yeah, I'm trying to get a caliber war going here. Naughty me.

The 4-inch XD-S with a large magazine is the same size as a Colt Commander yet slimmer.

Bart Noir

[Boncrayon]

Tried my friend's S&W .45ACP and loved it!

[Wethepeople01]

Thank you my friends! You have all given excellent advice here. I wish I could buy 'em all! But, the Glock 30S, Glock 36 and Springfield XDS 45 4" have all grabbed my attention even more so. I prefer a barrel length 3.5" to 4.0". This rules out the Shield I believe. But, the S&W M&P Compact also is attractive in size. An Apex trigger would be a necessity. Also, it's similar enough to my EDC Glock 23 & Springfield XDS 3.3" 9mm. Yes, I want to rotate the big three calibers - although I truly favor the .40. Still, the big three calibers allow us to maximize the size of the preferred carry weapon: 9mm (Pocket), .40 cal (Medium Frame/Double Stack) & 45 ACP (Medium/Large Frame)..

[JERRYS.]

if you can get a Kahr to run properly within a few magazine tries youll have a winner. their problem is that one often spends more money in "break-in" ammo than the gun costs, and even then its finicky.

[JDBerg]

I'd take a serious look at the Sig P320 Subcompact in .45ACP

[BigHutch]

Glock G30S

[franco45]

Kahr TP45.

[SocialAnarchist]

Love my XDs. Reliable and easy to conceal.

[peggysue]

Cobra Patriot 45.:p

[Viper99]

Have you handled the XD mod 2 .45? I like mine a lot.

[rpseraph]

I have shot the shield 45 and the XD-S 45. Personally I prefer the XD-S!

I carry an XDM Compact in 9mm. For something slightly more concealable, I would feel comfortable with either a shield or XDS. I love the capacity of double stack though!

[IndyDillon]

Sig 320 gets my vote

[t45]

Another vote for my XDS 4.0 45acp. Very easy to conceal and shoot accurately.

[chaim]

Based upon your criteria I'd take a close look at the P320. When looking at similar criteria for myself (I was looking at both hammer and striker fired but I wanted a smallish/not too small, lightweight, DAO or DA/SA .45), I got a SIG P250. The P250 is a great bargain, the similar but striker fired P320 is a little more money but still a good deal. I like the modular aspect, you can have one gun that can be both a compact or a subcompact depending upon your needs/wants that day. I went with the P250 Compact, but if you like smaller there is nothing wrong with going with a subcompact and, again, being modular you can switch it out between sizes as the mood hits.

[Bongo Boy]

I most definitely won't answer the question 'what's the best', but I'll answer 'which one is my all time favorite that I recommend evaluating'. M&P 45c.

Most accurate, comfortable, fastest handgun I've ever shot, regardless of any criteria including make, model, materials, capacity, caliber, comfort or concealability. I think it does everything better than any other gun I've owned.

I carry a G29 most of the time, I guess, mostly because it's always 'there'. For familiarity, accuracy, speed and confidence, I should probably go back to carrying the M&P.

[DHart]

My old standbys
http://i397.photobucket.com/albums/pp59/zmonki/Glocks/45acpDefenseTeam.jpg (http://s397.photobucket.com/user/zmonki/media/Glocks/45acpDefenseTeam.jpg.html)

Great guns.

But for carry, my favorites these days are the M&P45C
http://i397.photobucket.com/albums/pp59/zmonki/Smith%20and%20Wesson%20M%20and%20P/P1030924.jpg (http://s397.photobucket.com/user/zmonki/media/Smith%20and%20Wesson%20M%20and%20P/P1030924.jpg.html)

The Sig P320 Full Size
http://i397.photobucket.com/albums/pp59/zmonki/SIG%20P320/P1000871-Edit.jpg (http://s397.photobucket.com/user/zmonki/media/SIG%20P320/P1000871-Edit.jpg.html)

The Sig P320 Compact
http://i397.photobucket.com/albums/pp59/zmonki/SIG%20P320/P1000849-Edit.jpg (http://s397.photobucket.com/user/zmonki/media/SIG%20P320/P1000849-Edit.jpg.html)

You won't need the Apex trigger with the M&P45C. But you most likely should pop in the Apex sear and the Apex striker block. Not expensive to do, and very quick and easy to do. That's all you'll need to make the M&P45C trigger awesome. If you don't want to replace those two tiny parts, you can polish the ones you have, which will make a nice difference. Or do a little filing and polishing to give you the same result as using the Apex sear and striker block.

The P320 45 (Full or Compact) won't need a thing but your trigger finger. The P320 45 models are scarce right now, as Sig has had a lull in producing them and the inventory in shops has pretty much all been snapped up.

The P320 is very popular world wide and Sig is cranking them out as fast as they can, filling large agency orders. I'm sure that we will be seeing the 45s again in the marketplace before long.

Interesting to note that the S&W M&P and the Sig P320 are very, very similar guns. They could be close cousins. Sig had the great benefit of being able to fully study and digest the Glock and M&P designs closely before designing their own striker-fired model and the result is a home run for Sig!

[pete2]

Based on your specs, I'd opt for one of the Glocks. The only plastic pistol I own is a Ruger LC9 and it has a hammer. I have shot the S&W, SA and the Glock, I don't like the grip safety on the S/A, Some problems with the S&W so the Glock would be it. If I'd seen better reliability with the S&W, that would be my choice.
Since I'm not prejudiced, I carry a Lightweight Commander. Actually, I carry a 642 revolver or the LC9 as a norm. Commander is hard to conceal.

[DHart]

As far as concealing goes, I find it no problem to do so with any of the guns mentioned, with shorts and t-shirt. Just requires a good belt and holster.

Let's take the Glock 21SF, for example, it's the "big boy" of the bunch:
http://i397.photobucket.com/albums/pp59/zmonki/Glocks/P1010683.jpg (http://s397.photobucket.com/user/zmonki/media/Glocks/P1010683.jpg.html)


http://i397.photobucket.com/albums/pp59/zmonki/Glocks/P1010679.jpg (http://s397.photobucket.com/user/zmonki/media/Glocks/P1010679.jpg.html)

Or, full size Sig P320
http://i397.photobucket.com/albums/pp59/zmonki/SIG%20P320/P1030939.jpg (http://s397.photobucket.com/user/zmonki/media/SIG%20P320/P1030939.jpg.html)

http://i397.photobucket.com/albums/pp59/zmonki/SIG%20P320/P1030941-Edit.jpg (http://s397.photobucket.com/user/zmonki/media/SIG%20P320/P1030941-Edit.jpg.html)

The smaller models are, obviously, even easier than this to conceal.

Sig P320 Carry in High Noon Bare Asset holster
http://i397.photobucket.com/albums/pp59/zmonki/SIG%20P320/P1000894.jpg (http://s397.photobucket.com/user/zmonki/media/SIG%20P320/P1000894.jpg.html)

[Tactical Jackalope]

Glock 30S or 36.

That said, my concealed carry 45s are the HK USP 45 Compact and full sized pistol. Love 'em.

[fire4606]

M&P 45c with an Apex sear, took Division Championship in my state, IDPA shooting it, trijicons on it so it was an actual carry gun not a game gun and it shot/shoots great.

[tahunua001]

I personally love the XDM 45 compact. I sold my full size because the compact was the only 45 I was taking out shooting anymore. it's a great gun, accurate, great trigger, and the ammo capacity is hard to beat. also, I like the ergos way better than any other compact with the exception of the beretta PX4, but that's not a striker gun and not in your list.

[jr24]

ammo capacity is hard to beat

Not for the Glock 30 ;)

Nah, XDm's are good, but I just could never really truly warm up to the XD triggers (M&P either).

I prefer the standard Glock trigger if I don't get a 1911.

[tahunua001]

XDM triggers are a little better than XD triggers, I've shot enough of both to say with certainty that the xdm does improve on the XD in a lot of areas, not the least of which being the trigger. with that said, I'd take a plain jane XD trigger over a M&P anyday.

[DHart]

Fire4606 said: M&P 45c with an Apex sear, took Division Championship in my state, IDPA shooting it, trijicons on it so it was an actual carry gun not a game gun and it shot/shoots great.

Sweet! They are such nice shooters and have awesome triggers with a simple change of sear. I love what the Talon grip wrap does for it, as well - makes a great grip shape feel even better.

M&P45C
http://i397.photobucket.com/albums/pp59/zmonki/Smith%20and%20Wesson%20M%20and%20P/P1030924.jpg (http://s397.photobucket.com/user/zmonki/media/Smith%20and%20Wesson%20M%20and%20P/P1030924.jpg.html)

[Cousin Pat]

I'd at least get on the Kahr website and review their 45acp options -- the guns are very compact, very light, very reliable -- 2 price points -- but the trigger is different -- very long, very smooth. You will either like it a lot -- or not!

[Jericho1911]

My smith and wesson mp45 sheild
all the way

[DHart]

Why people make recommendations without reading the specifications that Wethepeople stated I don't understand.

Of course, there is no "best" choice, but there are a variety of different options. Only you can determine which of them best suits your unique needs and interests.

[PACraftsman]

Just a clarification, did you specifically want a striker fire only? I know it's in the title but not in your description...

[DHart]

did you specifically want a striker fire only? I know it's in the title but not in your description...

I think it's safe to believe what the OP stated. As you note, he stated that in the title. :cool:

[PACraftsman]

I read posts that suggested ones that weren't so I just wanted to be sure.

[ritepath]

I'd have to say the XDS or Shield.

Most 45's are porky pigs, and that's the problem.

[DHart]

Some 45s are porky pigs.

This one is just right... Not too small, not a porky pig. Feels absolutely perfect in the hand. The more I carry it and shoot it, the more I love it. S&W got the M&P45C just right. And I'm finding that I don't need, nor want the angled pinky extension on the mags any more as my three fingers just fit on the gun without the extension. I'm going without the extension these days. 9 rounds on tap, very controllable platform, and effortless to carry. This is by far my favorite 45 carry gun.

http://i397.photobucket.com/albums/pp59/zmonki/Smith%20and%20Wesson%20M%20and%20P/P1030928.jpg (http://s397.photobucket.com/user/zmonki/media/Smith%20and%20Wesson%20M%20and%20P/P1030928.jpg.html)

[skoro]

The best varies with the carrier.

The best I've carried is the XDs.

[DHart]

M&P45C. The grip with 8-round (8+1=9) flat mag base plate is just long enough for me to get all three fingers on it without using an extension. My glove size is large. This keeps the gun very compact and feels great in the hand.

http://i397.photobucket.com/albums/pp59/zmonki/Smith%20and%20Wesson%20M%20and%20P/P1030984.jpg (http://s397.photobucket.com/user/zmonki/media/Smith%20and%20Wesson%20M%20and%20P/P1030984.jpg.html)

The pistol also takes the 10-round magazine for 10+1=11.
http://i397.photobucket.com/albums/pp59/zmonki/Smith%20and%20Wesson%20M%20and%20P/P1030999.jpg (http://s397.photobucket.com/user/zmonki/media/Smith%20and%20Wesson%20M%20and%20P/P1030999.jpg.html)

I like this combination for carry; 10-round mag is the spare.
http://i397.photobucket.com/albums/pp59/zmonki/Smith%20and%20Wesson%20M%20and%20P/P1040010.jpg (http://s397.photobucket.com/user/zmonki/media/Smith%20and%20Wesson%20M%20and%20P/P1040010.jpg.html)

Smith & Wesson really nailed this just right for a compact .45 that isn't too small. It's big enough to handle and control well. Long enough barrel for good ballistics. Yet small and lightweight overall - very easy to carry.
http://i397.photobucket.com/albums/pp59/zmonki/Smith%20and%20Wesson%20M%20and%20P/P1030993.jpg (http://s397.photobucket.com/user/zmonki/media/Smith%20and%20Wesson%20M%20and%20P/P1030993.jpg.html)