.45 Help

[JCook5003]

Ok Guys-

After carrying my P239 around for a while now, I have decided to upgrade to a .45, seems like a 1911 would be thinner and not that much weight difference.....

A Kahr .45 would be lighter thinner and smaller....but more expensive unless I pick up the CW series.

So I have some questions for you guys:

Who produces the most reliable stock 3" 1911 for under $1000 and is it worth the fuss trying to find a reliable Officers model or should I just pony up and carry a commander or Gov't model. I would ideally like to carry OWB is this easily achievable with any 1911 model? How would you recommend I carry it OWB?

The Kahr series seems like they get mixed reviews but I havent heard anything about the P45 or CW45, ideally I would like to pick up the CW45 if I got one.....anyone here have expierences if so what are they?

Thanks for the help guys.....

Josh

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[BlackPR]

You might check out the Colt New Agent. They're running around $800 on GunBroker.com. Smallest 1911 that I know of. I'm sure someone will correct me. :)

[Pete Zaria]

Most seem to be of the opinion that 1911's with a barrel length any shorter than 4" is straying a bit too far from John Browning's design and gets into some potential reliability issues.

Now, that's not to say that lots of people don't have well-tuned 3" and 3.5" 1911's; they sure do exist, but from all the reading I've done, they're a bit more picky, and a good one will cost you some bucks.

I just picked up a Springfield Mil-Spec (gov't size) 1911 in .45 ACP and it's smaller than I was expecting (my first 1911). A 5" barrel sounds a lot longer than it really is. I think a Commander size (4.25" slide on Gov't frame) would be a great compromise.

Khar makes some pretty nice guns from what I've seen (never owned one, but have shot a few) but to me, 1911's are in a different league. There's something about an all-steel single action .45 that makes me warm and fuzzy inside.

As to how to carry it, the answer is, whatever works best for you! I've been shooting for a long time but haven't been carrying all that long. So far I'm preferring an IWB setup around 4-4:30, but you have to figure out what works best for you. OWB carry is certainly possible with a decent cover garment, a good holster, and a good stiff belt.
The bad news, it seems inevitable that you'll end up with a few holsters in a drawer somewhere that you don't use... failed attempts so to speak.

Best of luck.

Peace,
Pete Zaria.

[BlackPR]

I think a Commander size (4.25" slide on Gov't frame) would be a great compromise.

There's also the CCO, which is the Commander size slide on an officers frame. I carry one IWB and OWB depending on what I'm doing/where I'm going. It conceals perfectly IWB (In a UBG Striker I)with just a t-shirt.

[Fast Cloud]

You might check out the Colt New Agent. They're running around $800 on GunBroker.com. Smallest 1911 that I know of. I'm sure someone will correct me. :)

It's right there with the Defender size wise. The Defender is stainless with regular sights as opposed to the trench site of the New Agent. Even though the stainless makes more sense, I just love the New Agent.

[mavrik46]

I alternate between a 5" government model and a Kimber 4" Pro sized 1911. I mostly carry the Kimber IWB, but carry the 5" OWB and have not trouble what so ever concealing it.

[Ivan4x4]

I carry a colt defender but a kimber ultra carry 2 is a very good option also.

[dukalmighty]

I carry a RIA 45 acp 3.5" cost under 400.00 this thing will eat everything from FMJ to JHP to Cast lead bullets it was accurate right out of the box.you can spend more money for a better name and maybe a smoother trigger/action but when the shtf you're gonna be pointing com and pulling the trigger as fast as you can til threat stops,also if i have to shoot and cops confiscate weapon til the invstigaton is over it's an inexpensive gun.

[MitchellCT]

Why switch from a Sig 239?

If you want a thinner gun, have you tried to find thinner grips for it?

If you aren't satisfied with its effectiveness, load with DPX.

The 239 is a great gun, and if you have time on it from practice, why switch to something else?

If you want a .45ACP, consider one of the chopped 220 variants instead of going away from the Sig platform.

[HowardCohodas]

When I was looking at a 1911 45 cal I was impressed with the STI Escort. STI International, Inc. Can be found for less than $950.

[Van55]

If you are not wedded to the 1911 platform, you might consider the Sig 220P Carry or the H&K USP .45 Compact.

[JCook5003]

I already have a Gov't size 1911 I could carry it's a totally custom piece my Granddad built for me when I turned 21....I would like to switch to OWB as I dont care for IWB at all but am only interested in OWB if it can be done with a polo or t shirt for cover, I'm extremley hot natured and 2 shirts or a vest wont work for me.....

I'm just concerned with the piece being covered 99% of the time I'm not worried about the occosional peak out from under a shirt since open carry is legal here in Va.

[jwhite75]

Might look at the Para Covert Black Carry. If you want ultra small and DA on a 1911 platform

[Captain Crunch]

Here ya go.

The Revolution™ C3.

1911 platform, CCO format, made by SIG.



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[pogo2]

I've had good experiences with a Colt Defender. Mine has been reliable and it is small and thin so it conceals easily. My favorite holster is an OWB Kramer horsehide belt scabbard, shown below.