Advice for a small .45?

Fitz

I have a S&W model 457. I really like it alot but it's just too big to carry concealed, especially as the weather warms up and the clothes get sparser. I know the age old debate between the 9mm and the .45 well (mag capacity -vs- stopping power), but I would really like another .45 that's small enough to carry very comfortably. Does anyone have any suggestions?Thanks.Fitz

Oski

I have the Glock model 36. Its 6+1, so not huge capacity. But it is easy to shoot, reliable, lightweight and small enough to pretty easily conceal carry. I don't really have a frame of reference to compare it against other concealable .45's, but I've been very happy with it.

Fitz

Is this a good choice? http://www.gunbroker.com/auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=3511671

j2k22

Fitz- the USP compact is a great pistol, but it is not any smaller than your 457. There are not mant choices is you want to keep the .45 caliber and go significantly smaller.S & W makes the CS .45, which is a bit smaller; there is the AMT .45 DAO, which is considerably smaller, but some folks don't like the trigger, which is heavy and long ( by design). The Glock previously mentioned is probably the best choice in this category, and the most expensive.

chilip

Hey guys, I know they're not made anymore but how about the Star PD and the Detonics Combatmaster (MK VI)? I like both of these ALOT and they're both reliable and concealable. I might even opine that the Star PD is the best compact 45 ever made. Too bad Star is out of it.

JudgeColt

The Taurus PT145 is the smallest .45ACP pistol of which I am aware. For two years, Taurus has been saying it will be introduced with a titanium slide, but so far, no show. The PT145 with steel slide weighs 23 ounces, and holds 8 plus one. A small but HEAVY .45 pistol I really like is the Para-Ordnance Para Carry C6.45 LDA. If Para would just offer it with an alloy frame, it would get its 30 ounce weight down to about 24 ounces. Para claims it is the smallest .45 autoloader available, but its overall length of 6.5" is longer than the PT145's length of 6". The LDA holds 6 plus one. As much as I love the LDA, I would choose the PT145 for a small .45. I do not have one so I am not sure of the reliability and durability. When the titanium slide finally makes it to market, I will get one.Back when the Detonics first came out, I took a Colt Commander (alloy frame) and cut it to Detonics size. Seecamp sold me a spring extender recoil spring assembly that he made for my pistol. (He did the welding on my aluminum frame and suggested the spring extender assembly.) At first I used a Detonics barrel and magazine (Detonics actually sold me a barrel in those days!), but on subsequent conversions, I sleeved the Colt barrels and cut down the Colt magazines. I lightened the slide on my last one and got the pistol down to about 20 ounces. I always intended to have my last one converted to double action by Seecamp, but Seecamp quit that before I got around to it. I still have my last conversion. It has a fairly high round count and has been totally reliable for the last 20 years or so that I have been shooting it. I quit carrying it when the Kel-Tec P11 came out.

cpermd

I still like my Lightwt Commanders in a SOB holster.cpermd

royc38

Find a Colt Defender. (7+1) cap. Great shooter, 22 1/2 ozs.

burn1bob

why not try a para p-12. officer's size. 12+1 capacity. blue alloy/blue steel/stainless steel!!!>bob

JudgeColt

Fitz says he is looking for something smaller than his M457, so the Commander and P-12 do not fit that requirement in my opinion. Since the M457 is DA, I assumed he was looking for another DA or DAO. The Para P-10 with alloy frame is a good choice if single action is acceptable, as is the very neat Colt Defender. (Why won't Para put the alloy frame in combination with the stainless slide? Even backward Colt finally started doing that years ago!)I keep waiting for Kel-Tec to come out with a Taurus PT145-like .45 about the size of the P-11, which should weigh about 17-19 ounces and hold 7 or 8 plus one. Once the P-32 gets caught up, maybe the .45 will be next?

Fitz

First, I want to thank all of you for your advice.Weight is not an issue. The trouble with the 457 is that it is 7 1/4" long and very thick. I'm average size, but the point of having a carry permit is to carry, and it's a pain in the * with my auto. Maybe I'm overly paranoid, but here in Connecticut, I want to make sure that it's always concealed. I am looking for an automatic in DA or DAO, but even 5 rounds should be sufficient, I would think(?) Based on all this, should I start considering .38 or 9mm?Fitz[This message has been edited by Fitz (edited 03-30-2002).]

JudgeColt

Well, if you are willing to drop down to 9x19, I will recommend the Kel-Tec P-11, which I chose over any other pistol available at any cost in its size and power category. You have 11 rounds of 9x19 in a package that is very small and light. I carry a full-size magazine as a backup. (Pick up a Mec-Gar S&W M59 series 17-round magazine to use as your backup.)

TeleDetective

Hmmm, anyone wanna second guess my thought that Kimber or other 1911 w/a 3" barrel and 6 or 7 rnds would fit the poster's needs? What about dropping to a .40 and consider a S&W or Glock 23 or 27. He could lose about a 1/2 inch in length. With with either the Ultra Carry Kimber (.45) or (.40)Glock 23, maybe a S&W 4053TSW. Can get down to 6.5" length with the S&W CS40. OR... the Para-Ordnance C6.45 LDA, yeah I like that idea a lot. Check out the C6.45 LDA on www.para-ordnance.com... let me know what ya think.[This message has been edited by TeleDetective (edited 03-31-2002).][This message has been edited by TeleDetective (edited 03-31-2002).]

Fitz

Yeah that C6.45 LDA looks like a beautiful pistol. I especially like the idea of the ultra fast action. My only hesitation is the difference between what I would get for my 457 and the price of one of those, to lose only an inch off the overall length. But thanks.Fitz