LockingBlock

Hello everyone. This is my first post.

I have been carrying a S&W Air Lite .357 Mag Revolver. for 3&1/2 years. I was thinking of going to a bigger caliber like the .45 auto but I don't know anything about sub-compact pistols and I can only rent full sizes at my ranges. (I own many full size pistols but no sub-compacts) So I need advice from you guys if you don't mind. I hope I'm not asking to many question but this is whats on my mind.

1. Are sub-compact guns reliable or should I stay with a bigger gun? (Ex. Is glock 30sf ok?) do sub-compacts jam up allot more? If so then why so so many people carry them?

2. Would a revolver in .45 long colt be better? (more accurate, easier to shoot) I was looking at the Taurus Judge also.

3. Can I hit a target from 25 yards with a subcompact .45 with out much practice? I am good with my full frame guns. Are sub-compacts allot harder to control than my big guns?

4. Is .45 auto ok to have in a sub-compact? I heard that the barrel of a .45 should be long so it has more speed because a .45 is slow.

5. Would you guys recommend something else or is my choice ok?

6. I keep hearing that their are much better guns than glock, like h&k. What does better mean? Easier to shoot? Will a H&K subcompact jam less than a Glock?

7. If I want a Glock more accurate I can just drop in a longer barrel right?

I'm so sorry about the long post. I just thought I will get it all out now and then I wont have to post anymore.

Any suggestions will help. If I wasn't specific enough just ask me a question and I will clarify.

Thank you all so so much.

Kerbouchard

The short answer; it depends.

Some subcompact .45's are known to be hit or miss as far as reliability. For instance, 3" 1911's have a reputation(undeserved, IMO) of FTF's or FTE's, but for the most part, they have all gotten more reliable.

As far as accuracy, it is more dependant upon the type of gun you choose. A 1911 will probably be more accurate than you are. I often shoot at 25 yards with my 3" 1911 and score much better than I do with a full size XD.

My recommendation would be a Kimber Ultra Carry or something similiar. 1911 in .45, with a great trigger, and amazing accuracy.

I would avoid the .45 long colt because of price of ammo and how difficult it is to find.

ETA: And welcome to the forum!

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Thumper

Welcome aboard LockingBlock!

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LockingBlock

see now... the 1911 is what I wanted in the first place but I couldn't get over all the bad things people say about them. people even say bad things about the new 1911's so it really turned me off. I carried a revolver for so many years because I am scared that anything else might jam. I am doomed. :( I don't ever think I will find the perfect carry gun.

chuckE

I would say that most modern Autos are more accurate than we the users are. As for accuracy out to 25 yards, for self defense purposes, I would hesitate shooting any gun at that distance.

#6. My Glocks (21 and 23) have never jammed even when I first got them, so how can a gun do better than this? :)

As for wanting to try out a sub compact auto, why not as someone at the range if you can try out their gun? I can't imagine someone saying no if you offer to buy your own ammo - I wouldn't.

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Fozzy Bear

I carry an Officer's 1911 and would never recommend against it...

that said...

I would question your underlying assumption that a .45 is better than a .357.

If you didn't have either, then I would certainly suggest any number of choices very similar to the Kimber mentioned above. BUT if you already have a .357 and are comfortable with it... I can't help thinking you're spending a lot of effort to make a marginal-if-any upgrade.

.357 kicks butt. Yeah, so does a .45ACP, but still... If you're accurate with your current gun at 25 yards (way more than SD range) and you have total confidence in it then I'd say, "stick with it"

And again, that's from somebody who carries a .45

edit: - on the topic of Glocks... I'm not a Glock hater, but I'll probably never own one. - I just can't stand the trigger feel, but understand that's a personal preference. - If you are even remotely considering buying one, I strongly advise you shoot two or three different glocks before you do. -you might love it, but you might hate it.

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chuckE

That's a good point Fozzy.

The .357 and the .45 ACP is so close in terms of effectiveness for SD, why're you thinking of switching? (Just curious).

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Bitter and clinging to my guns and my religion.

Thumper

I carry one of three commander sized (4 1/4") 1911's daily. I have not experienced ANY feed/eject problems of any kind since day one. In fact, the only malfunction I have had was me not seating the magazine! I have over 1000 roiunds through my Springfield Loaded Champion and about 400 rounds each through my S&W 1911PD and SC.

I use Wilson 47D magazines in these weapons and have complete confidence in them.

There are a lot of 1911 guys and gals here who will tell simular stories but nothing beats your own experience!

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LockingBlock

I agree completely ChuckE. At 25 it wouldn't be self defense but I want a ccw that is accurate. i just threw a number out there.

sorry about the confusion.

MountainPacker

In my humble opinion he .45acp doesn't lend itself well to super short barrels because it is such a low pressure round.

I carry a 4" 1911. The 3" models scare me. There are many that are completely reliable and many that are not, even within the same manufacturer and model. They seem pretty pricey for such a gamble. Also, self defense effectiveness isn't as simple as measuring the diameter of the projectile.

I personally carry 230gn JHPs in my 4" 1911. Sometimes, I carry a 9mm or a .38 snubbie instead. I'm completely comfortable with all of them. I mostly carry the 1911, but it's not for the big bullet, it's because I shoot it the best.

There are many semi-autos that are very reliable. Springfield XD, Glock, HK, Sig Sauer. It might be good to narrow your search a bit, then ask. If you just throw out the question, "Which gun is the best and most reliable?" you'll get more responses than there are guns.

Also, think about recoil. That's going to go up quite a bit in a small, light gun when compared to your full size guns. You'll probably place accurate shots more quickly in a lower recoiling load.

In small autos I tend to lean towards 9mm over larger calibers. In the same amount of time, I can shoot 5 accurate shots with a 9mm verses 3 with a .45 from a small pistol. Given that, the .45acp's big holes no longer have an advantage. In fact, given that shot placement trumps hole size, the 9mm probably has an advantage here because I have 5 chances to hit something important rather then 3.

If you can't shoot the subcompacts that interest you, at least hold them at the gun store, then ask for opinions on them from folks that do have them.

Some good ones are:
Glock 26/27
XD Subcompact
S&W M&P Compact
HK P2000SK
Sig 239

If you insist on a small .45 then,
Glock 30/36
Kimber CDP