I'm looking to buy a .45 to carry and I'm leaning towards a Sig Sauer. I've shot about every handgun ever made, thanks to my Uncle who owns an arsenal, and I'm not in love with any certain brand. Just thought I'd ask your opinions on what you like/dislike about different .45's you've shot or owned. My cousin is a State Trooper and carries a Sig and he loves it. Looking for something that isn't going to break the bank either. Hopefully they'll have something I want in stock. It seems a lot of gun dealers aroud here are sold out of a lot of handguns/ammo. Appreciate any advice.

So do you want a gun that won't break the bank, or a Sig? :lol

A Sig is a fine weapon, but I've only shot their full size 9mm and it was a long time ago. It wasn't much of a weapon for concealed carry.

Due to the size of the 45, you won't get much capacity in a concealed carry model. I had a USP compact issued to me for a while, and it was hardly more compact than my fullsize that I have now, but it held 4 less rounds. Any "concealed carry" .45 I've ever handled has been pretty thick, and not very concealable IMO.

There's a tradeoff between size and firepower. My working piece is meant for maximum firepower, and I probably couldn't conceal it under a trenchcoat. My concealed pices are much smaller, but lack firepower, as they're a 5 shot snub revolver and a single stack .380.

Springfield XD has a 10rd and a 13 rd mag on the compact model. That is my main carry gun. 2nd choice would be the new Glock SF. I have the new SF model in 10mm and its 100% better than the previous grip.

^Thanks for the input, I'll check them both out.

Imo Sig makes a great pistol but they are too thick and heavy to carry. If you want a 1911 to carry I would check out the Springfields or Kimbers.

...my CC is a Colt .45 (Defender).

My Taurus PT 145 is a gem and it doesn't break a bank. Holds 10 in a mag.
Picture below is from Gunblast.com as is the gun review

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

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb88/motorkar_photos/PT145.jpg

Lserlyte makes a lnice subcompact laser sight for it. Got mine from Ebay for $99 delivered.

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb88/motorkar_photos/VS-T-145.jpg

^ nice gun. I had a couple Taurus 24/7 Pros that were awesome guns. Love the Ribber grip. Very reliable, in a decent affordable price range. Its that gun I call the one that you don't break the bank on the best, but its far from a low end gun and would trust it on my side.

HK USPSC 8 + 1 it has a safety if your conscious. It conceals just fine. Get the HK or the Sig. The triggers are love it or hate it. The two best IMO.:cheers

If you are looking along the 1911 line I have a Kimber Pro Carry HD and love it. But then again that's all IMO. It's all in what you are looking for. Get out with some others or go to your local range and squeeze off a few rounds. That's the best way to tell what you'll like as far as felt recoil and just the way different weapons shoot. g/l on the search.

Rick

hope you bought a Glock, or a XD. Sigs have to many little parts for all the safety stuff, para's and kimbers are'nt bad, if you gut all the parts and put good parts in them, they have all mim parts in them (stamped metal)

try the 1911's they are usually thinner than most other 45's making it more concealable, but can get skimpy on the capacity side.

i conceal my duty glock22 under a tshirt and you cant see it that much(meaing you wont see it unless your looking for it). but i dont really mind if it footprints and someone notices:lol. hell, i carried to a giants/angels game in frisco on wed.

plus the 15+1 is going to be at least equal capacity to anyone else with a gun.

I interchange between a Glock 21SF, 30 and 36, it all depends what I'm wearing. I probably have over 20,000 rounds through the three of them without a single issue and can trust them without question.

Sometimes I CC my Glock 30 with a DeSantis Pro Stealth IWB holster. I don't have any problems with it. I usually carry my HK compact USP40 tho.

I'm looking to buy a .45 to carry and I'm leaning towards a Sig Sauer. I've shot about every handgun ever made, thanks to my Uncle who owns an arsenal, and I'm not in love with any certain brand. Just thought I'd ask your opinions on what you like/dislike about different .45's you've shot or owned. My cousin is a State Trooper and carries a Sig and he loves it. Looking for something that isn't going to break the bank either. Hopefully they'll have something I want in stock. It seems a lot of gun dealers aroud here are sold out of a lot of handguns/ammo. Appreciate any advice.

Get one of the newer 1911s, they have no equal. Pure and simple..

BTW, they made those zillion shot pistols for the peeps that can't shoot!! :lol

The 1911, and 7 is all ya need!!:cheers

Cant go wrong with the H & K compact 45 ACP. Iv put 10,000+ rounds though it and never had any problems and always dead on groups.

Springfield XD compact 45, you get 10 rd and 13 rd mags for it, nice fit in a IWB concealed holster, and an outside (serpa, paddle, ect...) holster.

Glock 29 is my favorite. How can you hate a round that can be loaded as mild as a 40S&W and be can loaded to have more energy than a 357 Mag.? Or you could swap out the barrel for a 9x25(10mm casing necked to a 9mm) and have one of the fastest pistol rounds on the planet.

Glock 29 is my favorite. How can you hate a round that can be loaded as mild as a 40S&W and be can loaded to have more energy than a 357 Mag.? Or you could swap out the barrel for a 9x25(10mm casing necked to a 9mm) and have one of the fastest pistol rounds on the planet.

Most 10mm rounds already have more energy than a 357 mag. I am also a fan of the G29, but have yet to own one. I have a G20SF, and its a cannon. I love it. Pushes 1650 fps and 750 lbs of energy. VERY powerfl round, pretty much a .41 magnum semi auto:lol

I shoot a Dan Wesson Point Man 7 Custom, Fusion Tactical 6" 1911, a G29 and a 610 6.5" all in 10mm. I also have a 9x25 Dillon barrels for the DW and the G29. The 610 has been rechambered for 10mm Mag but can shoot 10mm Auto and 40S&W.

10mm is a nasty nasty round. The mag is pushing 180grs at 1495fps. 9x25 moves a 90 gr Bonded at 2100fps

Get one of the newer 1911s, they have no equal. Pure and simple..

BTW, they made those zillion shot pistols for the peeps that can't shoot!! :lol

The 1911, and 7 is all ya need!!:cheers

whaaat? howies makin sense :lol plus if you think you need more than 7, some wilson combat 10rounders can still be carried in some cargo shorts witout being noticed

try the 1911's they are usually thinner than most other 45's making it more concealable, but can get skimpy on the capacity side.

i conceal my duty glock22 under a tshirt and you cant see it that much(meaing you wont see it unless your looking for it). but i dont really mind if it footprints and someone notices:lol. hell, i carried to a giants/angels game in frisco on wed.

plus the 15+1 is going to be at least equal capacity to anyone else with a gun.

unless they're carrying a Springfield Armory XDM-9 (19+1)

actually I believe there is also a CZ pistol that is 19+1 now but I can't remember the model.

Granted, I would still rather carry 15+1 in a .40 than 19+1 in a 9mm, but just sayin...

I like my 1911's though.

edit: Oh, just noticed you're in California. I don't think a 19rd mag is even legal down there. oops.

unless they're carrying a Springfield Armory XDM-9 (19+1)

actually I believe there is also a CZ pistol that is 19+1 now but I can't remember the model.

Granted, I would still rather carry 15+1 in a .40 than 19+1 in a 9mm, but just sayin...

I like my 1911's though.

How about one upping that even and going with the Glock 20, packing 15+1 of full load 10mm ammo:cheers

How about one upping that even and going with the Glock 20, packing 15+1 of full load 10mm ammo:cheers

True, that or maybe even a .357 SIG. I keep telling myself I need to add both a 10mm and a .357 SIG to my collection at some point.

True, that or maybe even a .357 SIG. I keep telling myself I need to add both a 10mm and a .357 SIG to my collection at some point.

Ive never shot the sig. Wouldnt mind trying one out sometime. Fast round, I believe they were well known for the ability to penetrate vests because of the speed and size of the bullet.

whaaat? howies makin sense :lol plus if you think you need more than 7, some wilson combat 10rounders can still be carried in some cargo shorts witout being noticed

mdillon, the handgun is an EMERGENCY WEAPON. If you know there is going to be gunfight, get long arms/shotguns!!

So, what do I need a zillion shots for??

Not only that, I want something with some stopping power.. Yeah, the 44 mag got stopping power too!!

The 1911 is with it 7 rounds should enough for any emergency..

However, I have seen peeps with a lot of hanguns and ain't hitting chit!!:biggrin

With peeps like these I be scared shitless if they wasn't shooting at me!!:biggrin

Truth of the matter comes down to hitting. That is why you see all those AIDS (funny sights), and big, big capacity mags!! :biggrin

whaaat? howies makin sense :lol plus if you think you need more than 7, some wilson combat 10rounders can still be carried in some cargo shorts witout being noticed

:nono

If you "need" more than 7, you should re-think whether you should carrying a handgun. Stick to mace and pepper spray, for the public's sake.

i dont think you guys are understanding. im agreeing that you should only need 7, just that with 1911's the option for more is easier to conceal than a double stack.

:nono

If you "need" more than 7, you should re-think whether you should carrying a handgun. Stick to mace and pepper spray, for the public's sake.

What if there are 7 attackers:shifty

What if there are 7 attackers:shifty

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/81/Minigun.jpg/300px-Minigun.jpg FTW

OR

Just ask them who ever want s the first round please step forward. You should really think about where you hang out and what kind of person you are if you have 7 people that want to harm you so much you need to open fire on them. IMHO :scratch

I personally know someone who was shot 9 times (4 COM) and still returned fire and had enough to leave the area. He probably wished the perp only had a 1911. Maybe he'd still have use of his left arm. :lol (I can laugh at him as it was his drug deal gone bad and he to this day has never had a job in his life.)

I personally know someone who was shot 9 times (4 COM) and still returned fire and had enough to leave the area. He probably wished the perp only had a 1911. Maybe he'd still have use of his left arm. :lol (I can laugh at him as it was his drug deal gone bad and he to this day has never had a job in his life.)

There was an incident in Miami where cops had to shoot a meth head. Took 15 rounds in the chest and was bleeding all over the place; 10 minutes later he was giving a statement to the media as the medics were wheeling him into the back of an ambulance. Too bad they were only using 9mm.

What if there are 7 attackers:shifty

Identify the ones most like to be armed (or the biggest ones) and start with them. Once Mr. Thundermaker starts barking, the rest won't likely stick around.

Or, 7 in the mag and one in the chamber is 8. Aim careful......

Spray and pray is an out dated idea, really if you need more then 8 rounds go back to the range and run a couple of hundred rounds until you are sure of your aim. It not like the movies where you stick you hand over a car hood and open fire.

Most times you have to draw your weapon is within 20 feet. At that range if theres that many you wont even have time to fire more then once or twice before his friends are in your face.

Learn hand to hand CCB, and hope you never find yourself in something like that.

kahr makes very thin .45's, great for concealed carry inside the waste band. The PM45 could easily be concealed while wearing a t-shirt. You'll probably have your pinky hanging off the bottom...if it bothers you a P45 would be slightly longer in the barrel and grip. It's about about the smallest .45 (that I know of) that would still allow all fingers on the grip. They're expensive though....probably the same price range as a comparable sig sauer. I have a P40 that I carry IWB....and it's semi-noticeable. If I wear a t-shirt and bend over, the edge of my shirt catches on the grip leaving the gun exposed...so I have to be careful when going to the store. I don't think the PM series (with a shorter grip) would have that same issue.

1911's are great, a number of manufacturer's are offering CCW models that are more compact than a full 1911. I personally stayed away from them for IWB CCW because of the external hammer (didn't want it to snag). But I think they're great when used with a hip or shoulder holster. They're probably going to be in the same price range as a sig or kahr.

The Taurus Millenium Pro shown before would be a great weapon as well. Thicker than a kahr or 1911, but thinner than an XD or Glock. Still very concealable. My dad has 2 (one 9mm and one .45). Both were VERY reasonably priced and have never failed to fire.

Nighthawk Custom T3 the ultimate Carry 1911 4.25 inch barrel

I say go with a 4" or 3" 1911. The 1911 is nice and thin and packs a serious punch with the 45acp. You cant go wrong with a quality 1911. Here is my Kimber SIS Ultra resting in her Milt Sparks Versa Max II IWB holster. I can wear this with a T-shirt and even though I am chubby and have love handles you cant even tell I am wearing it. I wear it for like 8 hours a day and it is soooooo comfortable I dont even notice I have it on.

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f388/abbiejw/Brian/IMG_1741.jpg

i love my smith and wesson m&p40c holds ten rounds, 3 sizes for the handgrip, very comfortable as my cc

Sig P220s are definitely nice guns. If you are looking at something in that price range, give a HK45c a look as well.

I'm also going to suggest the M&P45c. I've been able to find nothing but rave reviews about them, minus the poor feel of the stock triggers. It's several hundred dollars cheaper to boot.

After I get my 1911 sold, one of these three will be my next purchase. These are just my humble recommendations. YMMV.

Get one of the newer 1911s, they have no equal. Pure and simple..

BTW, they made those zillion shot pistols for the peeps that can't shoot!! :lol

The 1911, and 7 is all ya need!!:cheers

I have to agree with Howie, but I load 8 rounds + 1 in the chamber with two additional eight round mags. They are the slimmest mags you can get. Plenty enough to get out of any situation.

If you fire nine rounds and are still standing around with bad guys, your not going to make it no matter what your carrying as civilian defensive encounters are going to happen in less than 10 ft more than not, as you will not be able to realize a true threat any further away when it becomes an active threat. You let a crowd of people around you that close, you did not take preemptive measures to avoid the fight all together. No one gets robed from 25 feet away or more, you just head in a different direction at that distance. Situational awareness is always important. Few situations will someone pull a gun at you that far, unless your in gangland or someone is coming specifically for you.

$.02



I say go with a 4" or 3" 1911. The 1911 is nice and thin and packs a serious punch with the 45acp. You cant go wrong with a quality 1911. Here is my Kimber SIS Ultra resting in her Milt Sparks Versa Max II IWB holster. I can wear this with a T-shirt and even though I am chubby and have love handles you cant even tell I am wearing it. I wear it for like 8 hours a day and it is soooooo comfortable I dont even notice I have it on.

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f388/abbiejw/Brian/IMG_1741.jpg

I would agree very comfortable to me as well, but would stay with a 4" for reliability. 3" inchers can be finicky. But really need to shoot the pistol & get a feel for it. 1911's are great, but not for everyone. You have to be able to feel second nature comfortable with the controls and you have to be able to hit something with it, that is with any self-defense gun. I would rather have hits with a 22 than a miss with a 50 cal, so do not get caught up on caliber & capacity as it is the hits that count. I recently switched from an FNP9 to my Kimber Eclipse Pro, because it carries slimmer and I shoot it much better. There is no disadvantage for me as I know I can consistency get rounds on target under stress.

$.02

I'm also going to suggest the M&P45c. I've been able to find nothing but rave reviews about them, minus the poor feel of the stock triggers.


My next pistol. :thumbup I know a guy who owns a machine shop and is making a sear for the M&P series (I already installed them in my 9 and 40c) and what a difference! Liittle to no creep, clean break and positive, short reset. All for $25.00.

I may have a whole lot of Glocks for sale soon. :biggrin

xd sub compact, it has the available magazine extension. im not too fond of the small grips, leaving the pinky floating in the air.

i have the xd full size stainless slide tactical in a .45 acp. i love it. but my opinion is biased as ive never shot another .45