The small-ish .45 concept...

[Steelharp]

Educate me; why does it seem the small-ish .45 concept seems to be on track in South America where manufacturing consistency seems questionable? The Bersa Thunder, Taurus PT 145... what does it appear that America/Europe tries to go too small (Kahr, G36) to make a controllable, comfortable, concealable .45? Or am I just missing something obvious?

[krunchnik]

I would imagine they are filling a void by offering smaller concealable pistols for those of us that feel a need to carry one on a daily basis.I know I sure wouldnt carry around a full size 1911 for a real long time without whining a lot.

[Oh Shoot]

I think "big round in small gun" is sort of a non sequitur 'Mericun concept. Only a transplanted Moonie offers it.

- OS

[mav]

Can't really answer your question. Are you talking this small?

This is my Kimber Ultra Raptor II, which is what I carry everyday. I fell in love with it when I saw it. When I went to the range, it was a different story. Being so small and light it is rather it is a lot harder to control versus my full size 1911s. I haven't decided yet, but I may be looking to trade this one in for a stainless 4 - 4.25 inch model. Then again, perhaps I just need to take the lace out of my panties and learn to shoot it properly.

[lowery100]

The smaller .45's are a little easier to control with 185gr bullets. But still no 9mm.

[Steelharp]

I guess I need to be a little clearer. The Bersa and Taurus (to me) are easily controllable; they compare to a 9mm in recoil. BUT, the South American manufacturing seems to be hit and miss. Why can't an American/European maker get it together, and build a reliable .45 along those lines? (I say that, because it seems the most reliable manufacturers are American/European.)

[Oh Shoot]

I guess I need to be a little clearer. The Bersa and Taurus (to me) are easily controllable; they compare to a 9mm in recoil. BUT, the South American manufacturing seems to be hit and miss. Why can't an American/European maker get it together, and build a reliable .45 along those lines? (I say that, because it seems the most reliable manufacturers are American/European.)

Assuming you don't want a small 1911, is the Glock .45 slim (dunno the number) or the XD .45 compact all that much bigger than the Bersa/Taurus?

It's mostly the grip that's the prob to conceal, and both of these address that.

- OS

[THE COOP]

I prefer American/European makers like SIG and that's why I have and carry them, think SIG P220 carry!!!!! COOP

[hipower]

I know everyones perception is different, but I don't think the 3 to 4 inch barreled 45 is hard to control. Especially if you use the 185 grain round suggested above. Just hold on tightly and pull.

[Will Carry]

That is a good question Steelharp. There is the AMC back-up in 45acp but it's kind of an old design and never seemed to be popular. I have never known anyone who owns one. The Colt Defender and Agent are small. The Sig 220 and the Kimber Ultra-Carry are small. But all of those pistols are expensive. You are correct in that no company north of the equator seems to make an affordable sub-compact 45acp.

Whenever I go over to Fuquay Gun & Gold I drool all over the glass counter looking at the Colt Defender they have on sale. I just can't justify buying it right now. He's the same bastard that sold me the Diamondback 380.

[Steelharp]

OS, to me, the Glock 36 (slim) is too small and painful. Haven't seen an XD Compact; but the XD's I've had just didn't do well for me.

[Oh Shoot]

OS, to me, the Glock 36 (slim) is too small and painful. Haven't seen an XD Compact; but the XD's I've had just didn't do well for me.

Oh, TOO small?

Guess I still don't really understand the criteria then.

- OS

[Steelharp]

Whenever I go over to Fuquay Gun & Gold I drool all over the glass counter looking at the Colt Defender they have on sale. I just can't justify buying it right now. He's the same bastard that sold me the Diamondback 380.

"Small" is relative. This Bersa is the same size as a Glock 19. IMO, I think that's optimum carry size. Why can't SIG, Beretta, Colt, Ruger, etc. come up with a .45 like that? It would no doubt be more reliable than what seems to come out of the South American manufacturers. (Not a 1911 platform, either. I think the DA/SA is the best carry option, again, for me.)

[Guest truthsayer]

I've always wanted the same thing, Steelharp... A G19 chambered in .45. Exactly that. Looks like we'll never get it.

[Will Carry]

I own a Glock 36. Put a Crimson Trace laser gaurd on it and bought a +1 extension for one of the magazine. The only thing painful about it is the orginal magazine is a pinky pincher. It doesn't hurt much but is the only painful thing about it. It has never failed to fire and is accurate. It is an amazing pistol and I carry it often. With the +1 mag. extension it looks a lot like the Glock 19 and it eliminates the pinky thing. I don't consider it to be that small or at least not small like the AMT backup.

Edited August 1, 2010 by Will Carry

[Guest Seraph]

There's nothing painful about toting this around all day, everyday. Just takes a proper holster and belt.

[Guest 70below]

Seraph...........if that is your pistol, I'm quite jealous.......That pistol really strikes me!

[Steelharp]

Seraph, excellent. Just don't want a thumb safety to deal with. I carried one of those for a long time.

[tnhawk]

I've found the Ultra CDP II to be easy to conceal, accurate and reliable during the 2+ years I've had it.

[jcj]

OS, to me, the Glock 36 (slim) is too small and painful. Haven't seen an XD Compact; but the XD's I've had just didn't do well for me.

The XD45 Compact is my carry gun about 80% of the time. Never had a failure in about 800 rounds. Well, there was one FTE when I let a buddy shoot it, but he was limp wristing it. In my hands it has never failed to go bang. Nice mag options included too. 10rnd for compact grip and a 13 round with an extension.

I actually like the G36 but I haven't had the opportunity to shoot one.

Sent from my SPH-M900 using Tapatalk

[Guest Seraph]

Seraph...........if that is your pistol, I'm quite jealous.......That pistol really strikes me!

Appreciate it, friend, and I like it too, but it's just a 1977 Colt Govt. Model, with a set of ironwood grips made by a buddy of mine, out in Arizona. I put in a 10-8 trigger, and an Ed Brown flat MSH, and call it good... for now. It's laser accurate, and eats 230gr FMJ's and 230gr Golden Saber HP's with indifference.

Steelharp - I understand the thumb safety thing, objectively, and I've heard it from a few friends, but it always surprises me to hear it from someone who's carried a 1911 a lot. For my own part, I find the thumb safety to be second nature.

[JPS]

I have a Kimber Ultra Carry Tactical and a Kahr PM45 - both obviously on the expensive side, but I find both easy to carry, conceal, and shoot. (The Kimber is a little easier to shoot, and the Kahr is a little easier to conceal.)

I think the lower round-count of these weapons is offset by the power of the cartridge - I feel better carrying a .45.

[SonnyCrockett]

Educate me; why does it seem the small-ish .45 concept seems to be on track in South America where manufacturing consistency seems questionable? The Bersa Thunder, Taurus PT 145... what does it appear that America/Europe tries to go too small (Kahr, G36) to make a controllable, comfortable, concealable .45? Or am I just missing something obvious?

I only look at compacts and sub compacts when considering a fire arm......full size hand guns IMO are for Duty use

as a civilian I have that freedom......The smaller the gun the more I like it....Duty/Service people are issued a firearm

and usually its a big ole clunker .... No thx man,I like my guns concealable no matter what size slug it fires

[laktrash]

I have several compact 45's S&W, sig,detonics ,etc. The CS45 is the smallest no issues IMHO super pistol. The SIG P 245 as well but not american. The detonics (american ) has good rep. but honestly I've never fired ( in safe) I also have S&W 457.along with H&K, bersa american arms. The compact 3rd gen smiths I guess never caught on but from I've read were good budget priced weapons and still a pretty good value today.

Edited August 1, 2010 by laktrash

[Will Carry]

This is a good topic for me. I like the 45 acp and there have been a lot of good comments. Do any of you guys know anyone who has ever fired an AMC Backup 45acp?