Suggest a .45 to meet these criteria

[hirundo82]

Another vote for the P220. My daily carry is a Compact (.6 in shorter barrel, .5 shorter height than a full size) in SAO, but they make them in DA/SA. There's also the Carry (.6 in shorter barrel than full size, same height) that's available in DA/SA, DAK, and SAO. They're beautiful, highly accurate guns. Downside is that they have an external hammer.

I've also heard good things about the SIG DAK (DAO) trigger, and Sig makes a P220 Carry (the compact model) with that system. Both my Sigs (W. German P220 and P6/P225) are DA/SA, but I'm looking at a 40S&W P229 with the DAK trigger for my next handgun purchase.

[doc.lonestar]

IMHO nothing beats the Glock 30 or Glock 36 for 45acp ccw. Simple in design and function, dependable, realiable. The 36 will be easier to conceal due to it being the thinnest Glock made (check the website). I personally own and edc a G30 owb. For reference I also carry a AC Commander on occassion without issue as well but prefer the G30 for edc.

[MoJo]

Hoi Polloi,

PM sent

[Hoi Polloi]

Hoi Polloi,

PM sent

Got it and responded. Thanks!

[Seabear]

Taurus 24/7 c or the Milpro both are available in .45. I have the Milpro is .40 S&W and is very easy to shoot.

I'll back that one up. I have a 24/7 Pro CDS that will carry 10 +1 and will kick butt with any ammo you feed it. AND you can carry a spare 12 round mag if you choose to.
It has a decocker AND a thumb safety. How much safer can you get? Has very visible chamber loaded indicator as well as cocked/decocked indicator. Plus a rail if you want to add attachements.

[bigdave238]

I have a hk45 and I love it. It shoots very accurately and has little kick back for a 45.

[one73maro]

I would also have to go with the P220. I have one and it is a great pistol!

[fannypacker]

I have a Colt Lightweight Officers Model with a Jim Clark meltdown. It is totally reliable. Cost a fortune and not ever going to be sold.

[Salty1]

Hands down the Sig 220, why look at the rest when the Sig 220 series are simply the best..... While staying totally subjective I can honestly say that Glocks are not even in the same county as the 220's..........

[johnson0317]

Who would want to live in that county? lol However, if you get tired of trying to have others validate your weapon, you can always get a nice Springfield Armory XDm...anything.

Go ahead, I can takes 'til I can't takes it no more.

[kd5yig]

Taurus 24/7 c or the Milpro both are available in .45. I have the Milpro is .40 S&W and is very easy to shoot.

I'd like to back that up. I have a mil pro in .45. Honestly the first .45 I've ever bought. It actually feels to have less recoil than my Ruger P95, and is a smaller package. There are 2 options in the Mil Pro series right now for .45. There is the 145 which has a 10 round mag, and the 745 which has a single stack 6 round mag.

[Mike from Texas]

Other than your desire for changeable grips the way I see it your choices are (smallest to largest) Kahr PM45, M&P 45C and Glock 36.

The Kahr by far is going to be the smallest and lightest, but at the expense of some added recoil which is to be expected. I shoot 185 grain Speer Gold Dots in mine and the recoil is very manageable to me. Every person perceives recoil differently as evidenced by CC Italian's post above comparing the recoil of his PM9 to a Glock 20 in 10mm. I have both of those weapons as well and I think the PM9 is very soft shooting for such a small pistol. My wife and daughter have no problem shooting it comfortably.

I don't really consider the M&P45C or the Glock 36 small guns. Yes they are smaller than some but to me they are larger than an Officer's size 1911. But depending on your application they may fit well for you.

[Hoi Polloi]

This goal isn't a primary carry gun. I have one I can use for that. I'm disappointed that my gun doesn't have any way to make it purty and want one that looks as nice as it shoots. It's a second gun so I can be picky and care about such trivialities, right? Who among you will tell me it's a bad reason for acquiring another gun?

[Mike from Texas]

This goal isn't a primary carry gun. I have one I can use for that. I'm disappointed that my gun doesn't have any way to make it purty and want one that looks as nice as it shoots. It's a second gun so I can be picky and care about such trivialities, right? Who among you will tell me it's a bad reason for acquiring another gun?

Far from me to question anyone's reason for buying a gun. Heck I've bought them just because I wanted to try one out.

Based on your comments above, nothing is more beautiful or customizable than a finely crafted 1911.