Compact 45 for concealment

[Allons]

I have an XD Sub-Compact .45 that I really like. Real sweet to shoot. But I keep a light attached to it and an extended magazine installed for 13+1 capacity and use it strictly for my night-stand gun.

For actually carrying, I switch out between my officer-size 1911 Colt Defender and STI Escort. Shooting either of those takes me to a happy place, too.

I've never heard of the STI Escort know about STI though. I'm pretty sure that model cost as much as a used car. I wish I could afford one.

The STI Escort is pretty much identical to the Colt Defender. I had the Escort first, and that's one of the reasons I decided on buying the Colt later, because it was identical to my other carry gun (I'm pretty paranoid about consistency in my carry guns!).

Yep, the STI was way more than I had ever spent on any gun before, but I decided at the time that I deserved (wanted ) the very best of something!

The Colt is a fine gun. But the Escort is just somehow "smoother" operating. I'm happy with both.

Good luck on your decision!

Thanks for your input. Colt defender is within the price range that I'm looking at.

[KLB]

My EDC is a Springfield XDs in .45. I'm plenty happy with it.

[skeathley]

I carry a Shield .45, and like it very much, even shooting one-handed. It is very concealable, and has less felt recoil than my Dan Wesson 1911. The Shield grip seems to have more surface area, making control easier, good sights, a decent trigger, good accuracy, and is extremely reliable. The grip texture is a bit aggressive, but not too bad.

I am also a CZ fan, and like hammer-fired guns, but I do like to carry a striker-fired gun, for several reasons. Anyone who shoots CZs knows that they point more naturally than Glocks. The Shield also feels very natural.

They come either with or without a safety. Mine is without, which I prefer for striker-fired.

I don't do a lot of one-handed shooting, but I was able to go through the LTC Proficiency with this gun, one-handed, and still score 248, which is a good test of a gun.

[WTR]

I would suggest a H & K USPc if you can find a used one on the web. Mine is in .40. but they were manufactured in .45. They are comfortable and natural to shoot to me. They are hammer fired ( which I prefer ) and mine has a manual safety ( which is what all auto loaders that I grew up with had..... Very natural to me )
Very comfortable and easy to conceal. I'm 6' 180..... so I'm not all that big.

[Allons]

Looks like I'm going to be pretty busy next two weekends. Hope I can try all thses suggestions. Where I shoot has a pretty good selection of most of these. Thanks to everyone with suggestions.

[longhorn86]

Another fan of the Shield .45 here. Picked up one before Christmas and it is taking over as my primary EDC. May displace my XDm 45 3.8 Compact, which is a sweet shooter.

Allons, where do you shoot?

[tk1700]

XD mod2. It's about the same length and height as an XDS or shield, but a little bit wider because it's double stack. Carry with 9 round mag in pistol and then have 2 13 round mags available, usually 1 in pouch on weak side and another in vehicle console. It's a little heavier than than the single stacks and I like the grip safety.

[Allons]

Another fan of the Shield .45 here. Picked up one before Christmas and it is taking over as my primary EDC. May displace my XDm 45 3.8 Compact, which is a sweet shooter.

Allons, where do you shoot?

At the bullet hole and Nardis gun club sometimes, the new one on NW side. Went to Blackhawk yesterday for the first time. My friend is a member there but they have no guns to try their only a range.

[flechero]

I fall into the 1911 crowd but if you aren't already a 1911 guy, save yourself the additional cost and love affair while you can! They are awesome but require a bit more dedication.

The guys here have you onto some great options to try. Things like
Shield
M&P45C
XDs
(I've not shot any small HK or CZ products so no help there)

Enjoy the journey!!

[longhorn86]

Another fan of the Shield .45 here. Picked up one before Christmas and it is taking over as my primary EDC. May displace my XDm 45 3.8 Compact, which is a sweet shooter.

Allons, where do you shoot?

At the bullet hole and Nardis gun club sometimes, the new one on NW side. Went to Blackhawk yesterday for the first time. My friend is a member there but they have no guns to try their only a range.

If you ever find yourself on NE side, I am member at McQueeney Gun Club. I would be happy to let you try my Shield 45, if you can't find one elsewhere to try.

[Ed4032]

Try the Kahr CW45. Conceals well. Butter smooth trigger.

[twjones]

If considering Glocks, check out the G36. With a Pierce grip it's got 7+1 capacity and is still concealeable. Shares some holsters with G19 as they're almost identical in size.

Just want to echo this comment. Agree, the G36 should be considered. Only downside is the capacity, but it carries very well on me (your mileage may vary).

Best of luck in your search!

[MechAg94]

HK has a couple of newer 45 options. The HK 45 is kind of big for only having a 10 round mag capacity, but they have a compact that looked interesting.

I was hoping CZ would put out a CZ 97 Phantom. I would buy that in a heartbeat.

[Allons]

HK has a couple of newer 45 options. The HK 45 is kind of big for only having a 10 round mag capacity, but they have a compact that looked interesting.

I was hoping CZ would put out a CZ 97 Phantom. I would buy that in a heartbeat.

Yeah me too. That would be my first choice without firing.

[Allons]

Another fan of the Shield .45 here. Picked up one before Christmas and it is taking over as my primary EDC. May displace my XDm 45 3.8 Compact, which is a sweet shooter.

Allons, where do you shoot?

At the bullet hole and Nardis gun club sometimes, the new one on NW side. Went to Blackhawk yesterday for the first time. My friend is a member there but they have no guns to try their only a range.

If you ever find yourself on NE side, I am member at McQueeney Gun Club. I would be happy to let you try my Shield 45, if you can't find one elsewhere to try.

Yeah that would be great. Never fired there, I'm not a member anywhere but will go anywhere to fire.