Concealed carry weapon in .45

[m25operator]

First, concealed carry has nothing to do with caliber... It has mostly to do with your build and environment.

Let's talk about your choices, semi auto, revolver, single stack or double stack semi. Your choice of concealment depends on your build. Thinner people have more options than heavier people. What you have to do physically has a lot to do with how you will carry, regardless of what you carry. Do you have to bend over a lot? Do you wear a suit? Do you have to lay down on the ground, face down or face up very much?

1) wear a suit, nearly the sky's the limit, long coat tails to cover your pistol, probably not laying down anywhere. Inside the waist band, at strong side hip is optimal.

2) Like me, have to bend over a lot, lay on my back in front of people, or lay down in front of people not wearing a suit or jacket, pretty well makes me carry in the pocket or an ankle holster, ankle holster is also risky in my normal routine, so I carry in the front pocket. I have a C6 Para, that is indeed small, and will fit in a front pocket, but in a firing grip while in the pocket is nearly, impossible to draw.

3) Try different models, in the front position, iwb position, crotch carry, etc... and see what works for you, in your normal. everyday environment..

4) A belly band holster underneath your armpits is a very good setup, and works as well as a front pocket carry, and allows for larger pistols.


I hope this helps.

[Diplomat]

What ever hand cannon you are safe, comfortable and accurate with.

If you still want an opinion a good 1911 is my choice. Kimber Pro to be exact.  Pro has a full size frame for a solid grip and 4" barrol for easy concealment.

[HAWKFISH]

  I would recomend a Glock.[ Then you would have to decide which size, small-medium-or large. The G30 is tad small for a .45 in my opinion, while the G36 is not too big or not to little. It has a nice feel to it. You can carry IWB or whatever.."cocked and locked", just as long as you cover up the trigger guard while you are not holding it in you hand and it is safe. I"ve carried Glock for years, with one in the pipe, iwb mostly.. with no problems. It will not fire until you or something pulls the trigger all the way back. Hence and good trigger guard cover on a holster is criticial. I've dropped mine before, it didn't fire. They are as safe as anything out there as long as you are smart about them. XD's are the same way. M&P's are pretty much too. Hope all that helps some.

[RGJOHNS]

It will be hard to add to much to what has already been said here. I have a Kimber which I like and also have a Para CCO with the LDA trigger. It is a single stack gun.  The double stack is to wide for my hand and a single stack just feels better. I do carry a second clip with me. Not that I think I will ever need more than 7 rounds. Don't think I am going to war in the places I go. But better safe than sorry. Have had a Glock,  Taurus 24\7 , found that I like the 1911 syle better.  The Para LDA has the same trigger pull each and every time. I can carry one chambered and not have To carry cocked and locked. You have to worry alittle about how what you do and how you carry on the part of The police. If you are pulled over and They asked if you have something on you. showing them your permit and they want to see your gun or if you have to go to court after something has happened. they might see cocked and locked as you were looking for trouble. How ever as it is said better to be judged by 12 then carred by 6. I am just saying there are things that need to be thought out. The Para for me allows me to have one in the chamber with the safety on so I can draw and drop the safety in you motion. This works for me. My Kimber which I will always have is single action. so you have to be cocked and locked or draw and pull the hammer back in one motion. The other is to pull the slide and chamber one in your draw having to have two hands free or some kind of way to rack one in. If it is dropped or the hammer is hit you could have a problem with it going off.
            It gets down to what you are comfortable with. What fits your hand. What you are comfortable shooting. ( you have to hit the target to do you any good)  These have just been my thoughts for you. everybody has there own opinions.  I hope this will help some. Ray.

[mutt]

 I carry mostly a Kimber Ultra .45 . Have carried a S&W Mod. 49 .38 spec..  And then a  Colt SAA .45 at times . All are according to weather and comfort .............My lovely young wife carries two . S&W 49 38 spec. and a Beretta .25 Auto .
                                                     Mutt

[Sponsor]

[ericire12]

A lot of Kimbers being suggested, but I think personally I would rather spend that $1000+ and go buy two Glocks & some ammo.

[TexasAggie01]

A you've narrowed it down to Kahr or Glock, I'll leave off other suggestions. If you're open to the GAP cartridge, you might want to look at the 37, 38, and 39 Glocks, as you get a .45 in a smaller frame.

In .45 ACP, I'd shoot all the Kahrs and Glocks you can, and see what works best for you. Personally, I love my Glock 30 for carry, and suggest it, if you've had the chance to shoot one and found it worked well for you. As I have large palms and normal size fingers, the 30 fills and fits my hand better than most of the 9mm sized Glocks. The broadness of the grip really spreads the recoil, and having 10+1 rounds of .45 ACP in such a small package is nice.

If you want a slimmer gun, I really like Kahrs and will probably get another one either in .40 S&W or .45 ACP, depending on how my career progresses. I suggest trying the .45, as I loved my Kahr in .40 for everything but shooting! It's slim, relatively light, and carries a decent number of cartridges, but I could never shoot it well.

[uhpretired]

CCW, I believe, is a lot like soft body armor...carry all the time.  Any type of weapon (gun) is better than a hand full of keys.

[tombogan03884]

CCW, I believe, is a lot like soft body armor...carry all the time.  Any type of weapon (gun) is better than a hand full of keys.

Just out of curiosity, UHPRETIRED, Would that be "Utah Highway Patrol"?
nd yes, I have to agree, .22 in your pocket is a better "manstopper" than a .44 magnum you left home.

[uhpretired]

Just out of curiosity, UHPRETIRED, Would that be "Utah Highway Patrol"?
nd yes, I have to agree, .22 in your pocket is a better "manstopper" than a .44 magnum you left home.

Yes...