Metonymy

So...

... I'm potentially in the market for a .45 (although I still want a P22 and a LCP .380).

Here's my predicament:

I love the XD series. Beautiful gun and amazing to shoot.

On the other hand, I'm looking for something compact that will be easier to conceal than my .40. If I get a compact .45 (in grip only, will still have standard barrel), I'm torn between getting the Glock 30 SF and the XD compact.

So for those who have them, care to share your opinion?

Side notes:
- I compared the Glock 30 and 36, and the 30 fits my hand better by leaps and bounds.
- If I get a compact .45, it'll eliminate my desire for a .380, so it would be one less gun to get.

Kolat

glock 29.

45acp vs 10mm is no contest, kinda like comparing an old cb500 honda to a GSXR-1000.

Sure the cb500 is kinda cool in a retro sort of way, but nothing like the badassness that is a GSXR-1000.

T

Metonymy

So I found this comment about the .45 vs 10mm out on the internet:

Thoughts?

GixxerPete

Kahr PM45 FTMFW

10mm is for guys with small peepee's that need to compensate with their "big gun".

I wouldn't dismiss the .380 idea so quick though. There is no "compact" .45 on the planet that can compare in size/weight concealability as the LCP. I bet my LCP weighs less than a fully loaded clip from a G29/30 lol. I can stick my LCP in a jacket pocket and hardly tell it's there. No way the same could be said for a G30 or similar. Granted a .380 is a much weaker round than a .45 but the little gun you have on you is better than the big gun you left home.

So I guess what I'm trying to say is.... buy both!

Oh FWIW, if I was in the market for a compact .45 it would be the G30SF or maybe pony up for the Kahr or HK45C. I love the XD series as well, but the G30 is smaller & lighter than the XD .45 Compact with the same capacity.

Kolat

but pete....the LCP can't do you any good when it's at the factory for recall :-p

T

FLIPEXED

on the Kahr. I handled one for a good bit while waiting for my paperwork to go through this afternoon. It felt tight and well built... slim and sleek as well. I just can't justify spending $700 for one.

Metonymy

I watched a guy buy the compact HK today. I about died at the price. No friggin' way.

I really loved the feel of the G30 in my hand...

Oly

I recentley added a Taurus M. Pro .45 to my little collection. Shot the other day up in Puyallup and was quite pleased with it. Have an Don Hume IWB holster coming and have been using an Uncle Mikes IWB in the mean time.

I'd still like to put a few hundred more rounds through it but for a new firearm I had no problems hittin target, so it will go with me now instead of the P89.

Coug91

45 in anything but a 1911 is sacrilage. I had both a Colt Officer and a Springfield ultra-compact. Both had "issues", most likely due to barrel length. Smallest I would go in a 45 (based on the 2 that I owned that didn't work and the 4 that I had/have that did/do) is a commander sized weapon. If you want smaller than that, go with a G23 or G27. If you're mil or leo/fire you can get one of the Glocks for $410 + the governors fee (with 3 hi-cap mags instead of the normal allotment of 2).

Kolat

you should just get the shiny 44mag revolver that I have :-p

T

Metonymy

I'm not a fan of revolvers. Never have been.

WarriorDriver

love my .44mag revolver, but also love my glock36 .45acp! Still need to get a 1911..

GixxerPete

Already been in for the recall and back again. I've got the free finger ext mag and hat to prove it. Put prolly 500 or so rounds through it since I got it back without a hiccup. Now with the Crimson Trace laser sight it's even sweeter.

Coug91

I think T's got a new name:






























Callahan

Do you feel lucky, punk?

FLIPEXED

Coug what brands of 1911's did you own? I'm looking at getting a 1911 .45 compact... probably another Rock Island Armory.

Petey check this mouse gun out Magnum Research Micro Desert Eagle .380 ACP Pocket Pistol

I think its better looking than the Kel-... ooops i meant the Ruger :)

GixxerPete

Yeah I've heard about that one, first test I've read though. Not quite sure what to think of it though? The LCP is already pretty small and a bit of handful to shoot. Not sure if smaller would be better here or not? It's also heavier than the LCP, but that might be a good thing with the smaller size. Also I didn't see the price anywhere? The LCP is a bargain at $270 IMO.

A quick google and it looks like they around around $500 give or take, nearly twice the price of an LCP. Is it twice as good as an LCP? Methinks not.

thejrod

If you want a .45 you can carry, look for a Kimber Ultra Carry. 3" bbl, single stack, and very concealable. Not horrible to shoot either.

Otherwise, I'd skip the .45 as a deep-concealment gun, and get a full size. Much more fun to shoot, and easier to shoot accurately. Stick with 9mm & .380 for the t-shirt & shorts carry.

Coug91

A gunsite built on a Springfield NM frame/slide. My fav with slm grips & tritiium sites
Springfield TRP stainless - love the front strap checkering, but the magwell adds about a 1/4" to the bottom length. Tritium night sites
S&W 1911PD - that's the commander size one. scandium frame. very light weight easily carried.

The Springfields are 5 inchers.

roland

kimber ultra compact II if you want to look at and feel one let me know. you can fondle mone for a second...... only!!!

JohnnyB

I was going to say that exact same thing...I didn't know how much I would carry/enjoy a lightweight .45, so I picked up a glock 26 (9mm). It's cheap to shoot often (important to be accurate/comfortable with your carry piece) and my wife can shoot it if need be. Someone once razzed me about going with a "wussy" 9mm, I asked him with a straight face if I could shoot him once or twice in the chest with my wussy 9mm. He replied "Hell no, that would probably kill me"...point made!
The springfield XD's are terrific weapons and can be concealed relatively easily. Yes, revolvers are the most reliable, but with the knowledge that you'll most likely miss your target in an emergency situation, I want as many rounds as I can carry to up my chances. If only they made a concealable AR-15 I'd be set!

Metonymy

I think I'm just gonna call Fed Way and tell them to put me on the Ruger LCP waiting list... *sigh*

GixxerPete

Do eet! You won't regret it!

Mrwyld

I've got a snub 38 for carrying when I get my Carrying Permit, but am also going to carry a full size 40 cal Glock 22 (I believe it the caliber). I have a full size Ruger P89 9mm, but that is nothing really for me. If I want to carry a 45, I'd just get a subcompact 45 glock as well. Pricey, but easier to take apart and do stuff with in my opinion.

Jared535

I brought this thread back from the dead to hit on this point. Having shot a glock 20sf 10mm I can say that recoil is much less severe than it is made out to be. I think the heavy slide really helps. I havent shot a 1911 10mm but the glock 20 isnt bad at all. If you are still looking, the glock 29 might be worth a look. I just have a problem with 10mm ammo availability and pricing. Reloading is a must IMO.

Kolat

from everyone I've talked to that's shot a 29 the recoil on the 29 is un-manageable.

Recoil on my G20 is on par with a 9mm.....ported barrel FTMFW.

T

sunofnun

hmm I'm a hardcore .45 guy and have been shooting 1911's for the last 25 years (I picked my first one up about 13 years ago)

I finally grew to appreciate a polymer framed pistol in the XD platform.. (glock's never fit my hand)
Anyway I got a .45 tactical, and can shoot the hell out of it..

I have shot the service in 9mm and .45, as well as subcompact in 9mm and .40. I had heard lots about how snappy the .40's are compared to everything else.. but I didn't notice any real difference.. and the subcompact .40 I shot tore very consistent holes

so in my opinion the vicious .40 rumors are just that.. rumors.

maric 57

I'm shooting a Para Ordnance 12.45. I purchased the gun specifically because I have large hands and the double stack fits me much better than a single. I don't carry so I won't really comment much on that other than 12 rounds in a "carry" weapon in .45 should do the trick. I'm certain there are smaller guns out there but when you add round capacity in .45 to the equation you probably won't find anything similiar. It's got a specialized "double action" which I love. Before shooting this gun I would have never even contemplated getting a double action. But it's extremely light and has a definite point during the pull where you can tell it's going to fire. The problem with standard 1911's is that if you are going to carry cocked and loaded you've got an exposed hammer just hanging out the back. I'm sure it could be argued about whether this is safe or not but a lot of law enforcement agencies don't allow you to carry a single action exposed hammer "cocked and locked." The Para Ord LDA can be carried with a round in the chamber on safety and ready to rock without the hammer exposed.

Para: Products Page | Para Carry Pistols, handguns, and firearms. New Para Carry Pistols are now available

sunofnun

that LDA is dead sexy

migxdm

Yeah Pete and I both pack lcp's with lasers. Good gun. All rew ones aren't recalled so no worries there

GregM

I've got a CZ75 in 40sw and I bought one of those Colt 1911 reissues(?) (one of 5000) that they made a couple years ago.
I always wanted an original 1911 and when I got the chance to get, well, a real one, I couldn't pass it up. But the CZ is the most pleasant handgun I have to shoot.

If I were forced to choose one pistol that I had to survive on I guess it would be the CZ but it would be a tough choice over the Super Blackhawk
Glad I don't have to decide.

Ok
If there was a ground war and I had to take a pistol to the field it would be the CZ.
If it was a ground war with grizzlies, I'd take the 44

GixxerPete

Quoting myself for update/correction: I was in the market awhile ago, and went with the XD 45 Compact after shooting it and the G30 back to back it was no contest. Yes the XD is a little heavier and a tad longer than the G30, but it's also slimmer than the Glock, and the 1911-esque ergos of the XD are better IMHO. Plus you have the option of using the extended 13 rounds mags which makes the Compact essentially the same a s 4" Service model. It shoots soft for a .45 and it quite accurate, and is "two guns in one" and has been utterly reliable after at least 1500 rounds through it.

(random internet pic)

Metonymy

I still haven't purchased a .45 as of yet. I bought an LCP in the interim. :)

usmcgunnerm4

I have the Kahr CW45, and it's a good concealed carry weapon. I'm looking at getting a Glock 10mm, because I need to keep one at home for the young lady.

Size.....its an age old debate, but I am a firm believer that there are three ways a round can stop a subject:

1. Rapid Decompression of the Cardiovascular system
2. Loss of Nerve Function
3. So much pain and trauma that the body goes into shock.

#1 takes quite a while, even with a major artery hit (3-4 seconds is long enough to empty a 9 round mag or stab someone 7-12 times)
#2 is hard to achieve with a standard shot placement

So that leaves us with #3. Delivering as many shots as possible in as little time possible to cause enough pain that the body shuts down. Really doesn't matter the caliber at that point.

But, it never hurts to have more rounds. :-)

wwkii

ive got a para 45 warthog for sale 800

Kolat

if you want to take a 10mm for a test spin before you buy one let me know and you can borrow my G20.

T

usmcgunnerm4

Yessir, that would be wonderful. That is what I am looking at buying. I only wish that Glock made a compact version. The sub is tiny, and the full size is a tad bulky for off duty concealment. I'll still have my Kahr though, which is dandy for concealed.

Kolat

just let me know when, and let me know what options you want with it lol, the scope lets the accuracy of it show better, but is bulky

The ported barrel makes it finicky on ammo accasionally but I can throw the factory barrel in it depending what you want :-)

T

millertime

nothing says stop like a 500 s&w

rockriver

I love my Glock 36, it will be my primary carry gun for a long time.

timebom

I'll stay with my kimber 45. It just works every time and works well.