Which Conceal Carry .45 ACP?

[dlh]

Thanks for all the great suggestions!

I stopped by one of the local shops and dry-fired the Springfield---the trigger is mushy/spongy as one poster mentioned so am dropping the Springfield from the list.

I really like the Shield as it is cheaper than the Glock 30SF but it only has a six/seven round mag. and that is a drawback. I had no issues with the trigger when I dry-fired the Shield.

This is a tough decision---

[aaangel]

ll echo this about the G36. I've carried both the G30 and G36. Can't go wrong with either one - G30 has a 10rd mag, while the G36 is 6rd mag.

First time I carried the G36 I couldn't believe how comfortable it was.

Take a look at the 30S . You get the slide of the G36 but the capacity of the G30

[gduncan52]

I have a G30 for many years now and have enjoyed it. I even took out a 200 lb running hog with it once and it rolled and dropped where it was. It is easy to carry, especially in a Miami Classic shoulder holster. 90% of the time now, I carry a Ruger lightweight commander with a Crimson Trace grip and absolutely love it. It is accurate, fits my hand well and the trigger is better than just about anything else I own. The other 10% of the time, depending on time of year and clothing, etc. I carry a P3AT or Nano. Also have a Taurus .357 that fits the bill sometimes. I carry every single day and have for the 20 years I have had my license.

[mojo84]

I haven't read the entire thread. Have you thought about the S&W Shield .45? I haven't held or shot one but it sure intrigues me.

https://www.smith-wesson.com/firearms/m ... umb-safety

Edit: I just read the thread and it appears there are several recommendations for the Shield. Very glad to see them as that is what I want to switch to.

[Take Down Sicko]

Its hard to go wrong with the S and W Shield in any caliber. I have the 9mm and couldnt be happier that i got it. In 45 caliber a total of 8 rounds is not bad.

[John Galt]

My Gen 4 Glock 30 is the gun that I shoot the best, but I haven't cc it yet. I will see how well cc works with it this winter.

[jb2012]

I'm going to recommend a quality 1911 to most anyone that asks this question. Second choice would be a Glock 30 variant (s, sf). Another great option is the HK45c, this is actually one of my favorite pistols, but the price usually scares people off; I have some major brand loyalty to HK for some reason. After that if you don't mind getting a little bit bigger in frame size, the PPQ 45 is a great option, and many consider the trigger to be the best in striker fired pistols. Currently I'm carrying the Ruger SR1911 Commander, but I've been contemplating throwing one of the above mentioned pistols into the mix. The lightweight commanders that have come out in the last several years are excellent carry pistols, most weigh significantly less than their steel brothers.

[rentz]

I'm going to recommend a quality 1911 to most anyone that asks this question. Second choice would be a Glock 30 variant (s, sf). Another great option is the HK45c, this is actually one of my favorite pistols, but the price usually scares people off; I have some major brand loyalty to HK for some reason. After that if you don't mind getting a little bit bigger in frame size, the PPQ 45 is a great option, and many consider the trigger to be the best in striker fired pistols. Currently I'm carrying the Ruger SR1911 Commander, but I've been contemplating throwing one of the above mentioned pistols into the mix. The lightweight commanders that have come out in the last several years are excellent carry pistols, most weigh significantly less than their steel brothers.

love the 45c i shoot it very well too, but for me its just slightly large for the capacity. i might use it in winter this year though
really it all comes down to preference in the pistol feel and what you want to trade off, capacity , weight etc

[lowdogtx]

I am fan of the Glock 36 its a easy carry

[dlh]

I finally decided on the Glock 30SF and am picking it up tomorrow!

Now I need to figure out the best personal defense ammo for it and a good holster---looking at both inside the waistband and outside the waistband holsters.

I picked the Glock 30SF because:

I already have a Glock 26 and am familiar with the platform, takedown, cleaning, etc.

I really wanted at least a 10 round magazine.

The 230 grain hollow-point is well-known for its effective stopping power.

Thanks for all the ideas folks! As time goes on and money permits I will certainly seriously look at the other suggested handguns too!

[carlson1]

I finally decided on the Glock 30SF and am picking it up tomorrow!

Now I need to figure out the best personal defense ammo for it and a good holster---looking at both inside the waistband and outside the waistband holsters.

I picked the Glock 30SF because:

I already have a Glock 26 and am familiar with the platform, takedown, cleaning, etc.

I really wanted at least a 10 round magazine.

The 230 grain hollow-point is well-known for its effective stopping power.

Thanks for all the ideas folks! As time goes on and money permits I will certainly seriously look at the other suggested handguns too!

Speer Gold Dot .45 for short barrel firearms.

[txglock21]

I finally decided on the Glock 30SF and am picking it up tomorrow!

Now I need to figure out the best personal defense ammo for it and a good holster---looking at both inside the waistband and outside the waistband holsters.

I picked the Glock 30SF because:

I already have a Glock 26 and am familiar with the platform, takedown, cleaning, etc.

I really wanted at least a 10 round magazine.

The 230 grain hollow-point is well-known for its effective stopping power.

Thanks for all the ideas folks! As time goes on and money permits I will certainly seriously look at the other suggested handguns too!

I bought one yesterday...can't wait to take it to the range. I'm already looking at night sights for it.

[camjr]

Once I started carrying a Commander length 1911, I haven't looked back. Yes, it's a bit heavy but carries very well both IWB and OWB and it conceals amazingly well. If you're looking to carry a .45, don't discount the 1911 platform.

[Excaliber]

I finally decided on the Glock 30SF and am picking it up tomorrow!

Now I need to figure out the best personal defense ammo for it and a good holster---looking at both inside the waistband and outside the waistband holsters.

I picked the Glock 30SF because:

I already have a Glock 26 and am familiar with the platform, takedown, cleaning, etc.

I really wanted at least a 10 round magazine.

The 230 grain hollow-point is well-known for its effective stopping power.

Thanks for all the ideas folks! As time goes on and money permits I will certainly seriously look at the other suggested handguns too!

I bought one yesterday...can't wait to take it to the range. I'm already looking at night sights for it.

The Trijicon HD series with a U shaped rear notch and a huge colored circle surrounding the tritium lamp in the front sight is awesome. As you draw it and bring it up to eye level, that front sight just locks your eye onto it. It's on all my regularly carried guns now.

[Excaliber]

I had an opportunity to shoot 50 rounds through a brand new S&W Shield .45. Here are my observations:

It's light but not too light, and small but not too small. As a carry package, I figure it fits in between an XDS and a 1911 commander. It shot to point of aim and perceived recoil was surprisingly moderate for such a light gun. The new rough finish on the grips is perfect - the gun feels like it's glued to your hand even under recoil, and it's also not abrasive. The trigger action is also MUCH better than the earlier Shields - so much so that I wouldn't bother putting in an Apex trigger kit on this model.

The flush fit magazine is a 6 rounder and the extended magazine holds 7. The magazine tubes are identical - the difference is the extra space for the spring in the plastic extension butt plate. Both tubes are marked with witness hole.s to 6 and the last is marked "+1". That got me thinking both held 7 rounds, and I wondered why I just couldn't force a 7th round into the flush fitting one. Then, as a last resort, I read the directions which I didn't do right away because I've owned other Shields before. This one said that you'll see a cartridge in the 7th position witness hole in the extended mag, and just the spring in the flush fitting mag. S&W saved some money by having only one style of magazine tube, but the markings can definitely be confusing until you read the manual.


On the (slight) con side:

- The new magazines are absolute thumb busters to load. I'm not sensitive in this regard, but it took firing several partial magazine loads before I was able to force the last rounds in.
- The slide failed to lock back on empty several times with the 6 round magazine.

Overall, I was very impressed. This one is worth a serious look from anyone looking for a .45.

If I were going to carry this gun I'd have to put at least 150 more rounds through it to get everything loosened up enough to function perfectly, but I came away very impressed.