Smallest .45 that's worth a damn?

[El Jefe]

In youse guys opinion, who makes a really good, small pistol in 45 ACP that would be a good carry piece?

All opinions appreciated. :)

[aliceinchains]

In youse guys opinion, who makes a really good, small pistol in 45 ACP that would be a good carry piece?

All opinions appreciated. :)




Would that be new or used or maybe discontinued but still can get parts for. Colt use to make that sweet little 45 .

[Hondo]

I prefer Commander length 1911's (Colt, Kimber, STI), but you might be wanting something smaller like the Glock 36.


Would that be new or used or maybe discontinued but still can get parts for. Colt use to make that sweet little 45 .

You mean the Defender? Is so, yes that pistol was a sweetheart, the most reliable 3" 1911 i know of. :D

[El Jefe]

Would that be new or used or maybe discontinued but still can get parts for. Colt use to make that sweet little 45 .

Probably new.

[AKTexas]

I prefer Commander length 1911's (Colt, Kimber, STI), but you might be wanting something smaller like the Glock 36.



You mean the Defender? Is so, yes that pistol was a sweetheart, the most reliable 3" 1911 i know of. :D

Hondo?You say something about a Glock...Oh shit!

Seriously I got the pleasure to shoot this little Kimber steel super compact model with a bull barrel.That was a great experience.Recoil was pleasant,accurate and very sleek.I think it might be my next 1911 type but first I'm getting a G30 that is another nice shooting pistol.

[El Jefe]

I prefer Commander length 1911's (Colt, Kimber, STI), but you might be wanting something smaller like the Glock 36.



You mean the Defender? Is so, yes that pistol was a sweetheart, the most reliable 3" 1911 i know of. :D

I like the look of the Defender for sure, but I'm concerned it'll be too heavy for comfortable carry. (?)

[Krupski]

In youse guys opinion, who makes a really good, small pistol in 45 ACP that would be a good carry piece?

All opinions appreciated. :)

I kinda like my AMT 45:

http://three-dog.homelinux.com/phpBB3/images/toy-1.jpg

It hold 5 rounds in the mag and 1 in the pipe. It's got a ramped barrel and feeds HP and RN ammo just fine. I've had zero problems with it... no jams or anything.

Here's the size compared to a 1911:

http://three-dog.homelinux.com/phpBB3/images/toy-2.jpg

It's not a particularly fun gun to shoot (it's got about a 1000 pound trigger pull and kicks like a mule) but for a personal protection pistol, comfort and fun are not the number one consideration.

[Richard Simmons]

I've been looking (locally) for years for a Star PD but so far haven't found one.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Model_PD

[Notch]

I have carried a colt defender for many years. Great handgun.http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y99/Notch_2003/left.jpg

[El Jefe]

I have carried a colt defender for many years. Great handgun.http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y99/Notch_2003/left.jpg

Damn I like the look of that!

[imanaknut]

There is the Kahr PM-45.

[gunsnetadmin]

There is the Kahr PM-45.

Had one..got rid of it..the pin that you use to disassemble it kept sliding out causing FTE's.. brand new handgun. Luckily I was able to return it.

[308]

I've got a Kimber Ultra Carry II with crimson trace rosewood LASER grips.
The nice thing is it is small enough, but still very accurate. The recoil is surprisingly mild for such a small, large caliber semi auto.

http://www.kimberamerica.com/images/products/pistols/crimson_carry/small_ultra_crimson_carry_II.jpg

http://www.kimberamerica.com/products/pistols/crimson_carry/Ultra_Crimson_Carry/

[El Jefe]

I've got a Kimber Ultra Carry II with crimson trace rosewood LASER grips.
The nice thing is it is small enough, but still very accurate. The recoil is surprisingly mild for such a small, large caliber semi auto.

http://www.kimberamerica.com/images/products/pistols/crimson_carry/small_ultra_crimson_carry_II.jpg

http://www.kimberamerica.com/products/pistols/crimson_carry/Ultra_Crimson_Carry/

That's quite nice, but probably cost more than my Colt 1911. :)

[AKTexas]

I've got a Kimber Ultra Carry II with crimson trace rosewood LASER grips.
The nice thing is it is small enough, but still very accurate. The recoil is surprisingly mild for such a small, large caliber semi auto.

http://www.kimberamerica.com/images/products/pistols/crimson_carry/small_ultra_crimson_carry_II.jpg

http://www.kimberamerica.com/products/pistols/crimson_carry/Ultra_Crimson_Carry/

Is this the all steel model with bushingless barrel?

[308]

Is this the all steel model with bushingless barrel?

Specs are here:
http://www.kimberamerica.com/products/pistols/crimson_carry/Ultra_Crimson_Carry/
Aluminum frame with steel slide.

Kind of spendy. I think I paid $1050.00

[El Jefe]

Specs are here:
http://www.kimberamerica.com/products/pistols/crimson_carry/Ultra_Crimson_Carry/
Aluminum frame with steel slide.

Kind of spendy. I think I paid $1050.00

Less than I would have guessed and not that much more than my XSE.

[slamfire51]

Look at the Springfield Ultra Carry. I had one a few years ago. A very nice carry gun.
Got rid of it because I don't like the 45acp.

Here is one just like the one I had.

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c80/Canis-latrans/ultracarry.jpg

[FunkyPertwee]

My dads custom shop Kimber Ultra Raptor II is a really great handgun. Its been accurate and reliable right out of the box.

My Para-Ordnance Warthog, on the other hand, was alright until the mag springs wore out after about 300 rounds. After I replaced them with Wolff springs, they've worn out again. Because the grip is shorter than most shorty 1911s, and much fatter, getting a grip was harder in practice than in theory. Felt fine at the store but when I shoot it its definatley hard to hold stiff enough for it to be accurate and reliable. And, spare mags are $50 for the flush fit. I'll be selling it to fund another weapon. It doesn't seem to be defective, just a lacking design.

[AKTexas]

Specs are here:
http://www.kimberamerica.com/products/pistols/crimson_carry/Ultra_Crimson_Carry/
Aluminum frame with steel slide.

Kind of spendy. I think I paid $1050.00

That is not the one I was thinking about.Still a nice pistol.

[El Jefe]

Look at the Springfield Ultra Carry. I had one a few years ago. A very nice carry gun.
Got rid of it because I don't like the 45acp.

Here is one just like the one I had.

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c80/Canis-latrans/ultracarry.jpg

Hmmmm..... hadn't thought of Springfield yet. My local gun shop carries Colt, Kimber, Springfield, Ruger and FNH.

[Lysander]

Selling my Kimbers was the smartest thing I've ever done. That Schwartz safety is the worst invention known to man. Then there's the issues with their barrels rusting, poorly tuned extractors, parts breakage, and that motherfucking Schwartz Safety. The final insult is that for all the money you just dropped on their pistol, they send you a magazine made out of pot metal, so then you have to go and buy Wilson mags at $30 a pop.

If you want a reliable compact .45, just get a G36. Learning to shoot a Glock well will make you an overall better pistol shooter.

If you do get a Kimber, do not trust your life to it until you put at least 1,000 rounds through it. I've owned 3 examples over the last 7 years and got rid of them all.

[El Jefe]

Selling my Kimbers was the smartest thing I've ever done. That Schwartz safety is the worst invention known to man. Then there's the issues with their barrels rusting, poorly tuned extractors, parts breakage, and that motherfucking Schwartz Safety. The final insult is that for all the money you just dropped on their pistol, they send you a magazine made out of pot metal, so then you have to go and buy Wilson mags at $30 a pop.

If you want a reliable compact .45, just get a G36. Learning to shoot a Glock well will make you an overall better pistol shooter.

If you do get a Kimber, do not trust your life to it until you put at least 1,000 rounds through it. I've owned 3 examples over the last 7 years and got rid of them all.

Damn, never would have guessed that. In fact I came quite close to buying a Kimber Royal when I got the Colt.

Schwartz safety?

[weevil]

Schwartz safety?





It's the firing-pin block.

You have two basic systems, Series 80 method like Colt uses that uses the trigger to push up the firing-pin block or the Shwartz system Kimber uses that uses the grip safety to push up the firing-pin block.

The advantage of the Schwartz system is it doesn't effect the trigger pull like the Series 80 system, which is why Kimbers have such great feeling triggers.

The disadvantage is that if you try to remove the slide while holding in the grip safety you will destroy the little pin that pushes up the FPB rendering the pistol inoperative, and Kimber will not warranty the damage.


I've got a full-size Gold Combat II that has been a great pistol with no problems at all.


http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n200/srebough/KIMBER1911A.jpg

Amazing accuracy and the smoothest, sweetest trigger you ever felt.

[El Jefe]

Thanks Weevil, your Kimber is sweet, looks like my Colt. :biggrina:

[weevil]

This is my Colt.


http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n200/srebough/Colt1991A1_edited.jpg



Not as pretty as the Kimber but it has a rugged sort of charm to it.


:biggrina:

[El Jefe]

Yeah, I like it. I also like the Army model Springfield, it too has rugged good looks, kinda like me. :biggrina:

[circuits]

The Taurus PT145 is amazingly small and light for a full power .45 that holds 10+1.

[abpt1]

SA V10

ot the AMT that Krup posted.

[gunsnetadmin]

The Taurus PT145 is amazingly small and light for a full power .45 that holds 10+1.

I had one also.. maybe it was just me, but I could never shoot accurately with the damn thing. Right now I'm pretty accurate with a Glock 27.

[El Jefe]

[QUOTE=gunsnetadmin;31287]I had one also.. maybe it was just me, but I could never shoot accurately with the damn thing. Right now I'm pretty accurate with a Glock 27. QUOTE]

Hey man, that's not chambered in .45 ACP! :close_tema:

[gunsnetadmin]

yea I know... just pointing it out. :)

[El Jefe]

yea I know... just pointing it out. :)

Okay, just making sure. :tongue:

[Blacksmith]

I have one of the original AMT Backups in .45
I have at least a 1000 rounds through it. It ran a 100% before the hammer spring got weak and no longer has enough strength to set the primer off.
:gruebel:
I need to order one. and maybe even a spare.

[El Jefe]

I have one of the original AMT Backups in .45
I have at least a 1000 rounds through it. It ran a 100% before the hammer spring got weak and no longer has enough strength to set the primer off.
:gruebel:
I need to order one. and maybe even a spare.

Yeah Roger posted a pick of his and stated he was pretty pleased with his AMT. To be honest I'm not very familiar with them and I'm pretty sure no one here locally carries the brand.

Right now I intend to go look at the Colt Defender, the Springfield Ultra Carry and the Glock 36, plus whatever else my local guys might have. I'm not inclined to like the poly guns, but the Glock does have an excellent reputation, I'd be foolish not to give it consideration just based on aesthetics.

[Lysander]

You do realize that in actual tests, all the major handgun rounds performed almost unanimously terribly, right? At this point, capacity is a greater consideration for me than caliber.

Here's a really good article on 1911s and practical use (http://www.10-8performance.com/1911_Duty_Use.html), pay close attention to the many deficiencies for the SSS.

[Blacksmith]

Yeah Roger posted a pick of his and stated he was pretty pleased with his AMT. To be honest I'm not very familiar with them and I'm pretty sure no one here locally carries the brand.

Right now I intend to go look at the Colt Defender, the Springfield Ultra Carry and the Glock 36, plus whatever else my local guys might have. I'm not inclined to like the poly guns, but the Glock does have an excellent reputation, I'd be foolish not to give it consideration just based on aesthetics.

They just came back into production not too long ago, but they are popular and you should be able to find one locally. I haven’t handled one of the new ones, but other than minor cosmetic differences, I do not see any major differences. and there is no reason they should not perform as well as my original has.
The advantage of them are that there is no safety to fumble with. They are highly concealable as well as durable and reliable. a very simple design. The disadvantages is accuracy.
The Colt you are looking at is not as simple. safeties to disengage, an external hammer to get caught on something, and at twice the price….. Just my 2 cents. :)

http://i1008.photobucket.com/albums/af204/Blacksmith66/DSC00921.jpg

[deputyvaughn]

I'm very fond of my Kahr CW45.

Scott
http://a.imageshack.us/img228/4666/kahrcw45.jpg

[F-16 CHIEF]

Okay, I've got to throw in a plug in for this 1911, if you must choose it over a G36. It's heavy, but for the price, I don't think you can beat it. It's the RIA compact "tactical".

There's two types. A1 sites and the one like mine with the extended safety and the decent sites.

It's crazy accurate and has never misfired. For 399, how can you beat it?

http://www.gunsnet.net/photopost/data/500/medium/RIA.JPG

[El Jefe]

Nice, lots of good input. I appreciate it fellas.

I've not made a decision yet on what I'm going to get. I'm going to give the Glock a close look. My local Glock dealer is also the owner of our only indoor range. Besides the regular charges, I can try out the 36 for a mere $5.

I guess I can see the argument concerning the exposed hammer and the safety, but the capacity and simplicity of design don't concern me. I dunno, maybe I'm wrong, but I think it's safe to trust a well maintained Colt.

Now that said, I'm having doubts about the weight of the small 1911's. I'm concerned in a shoulder rig they might get annoying quicker than the plastic guns.

Just for fun and since I haven't posted a pic of my XSE, here it is. Kinda hard to conceal this thing. On my hip under a coat yeah, but that doesn't work well in August.

http://img442.imageshack.us/img442/6955/miscpics009.jpg (http://img442.imageshack.us/i/miscpics009.jpg/)

[Lysander]

Now that said, I'm having doubts about the weight of the small 1911's. I'm concerned in a shoulder rig they might get annoying quicker than the plastic guns.

The one good thing I can say about the Kimber CDP series is their aluminum slide cut down the weight immensely.

[308]

I've been wearing my Kimber (that I mentioned earlier) all day today and didn't even notice it was there until I just saw the email for this thread show up. Probably one of the reasons is that I wear it in a super thin leather in-the-waistband holster made by Binachi that my father gave me a long time ago.

[El Jefe]

I've been wearing my Kimber (that I mentioned earlier) all day today and didn't even notice it was there until I just saw the email for this thread show up. Probably one of the reasons is that I wear it in a super thin leather in-the-waistband holster made by Binachi that my father gave me a long time ago.

How exactly do those work, do you have to wear your shirt untucked? This may be a dumb question but I honestly don't know. :gruebel:

[308]

How exactly do those work, do you have to wear your shirt untucked? This may be a dumb question but I honestly don't know. :gruebel:
I like to wear regular white a t-shirt underneath my regular shirt...even it it's another t-shirt. This way I carry in the small of my back. At first the you can feel the temperature difference, but after a short while the gun warms up and feels normal. My outer shirt is not tucked in of course. The holster just clips over the waistband of my pants\belt and sits down low enough that it doesn't print even with a tight fitting shirt.

[slamfire51]

I like to wear regular white a t-shirt underneath my regular shirt...even it it's another t-shirt. This way I carry in the small of my back. At first the you can feel the temperature difference, but after a short while the gun warms up and feels normal. My outer shirt is not tucked in of course. The holster just clips over the waistband of my pants\belt and sits down low enough that it doesn't print even with a tight fitting shirt.

Are skid marks a problem carrying it in the small of your back.?

[308]

Are skid marks a problem carrying it in the small of your back.?

No, my anus has not been relocated upward for easy access like yours.

[slamfire51]

No, my anus has not been relocated upward for easy access like yours.

Just curious.

smartass.

[308]

Oh, perhaps I misunderstood your question :laugh:

[slamfire51]

Oh, perhaps I misunderstood your question :laugh:

Nah.
Not these type skid marks:avatar4388_1:

[gunsnetadmin]

Are skid marks a problem carrying it in the small of your back.?

no... with these new handguns, they have a "wipee" function when carrying back there. You just pull the trigger and a very compact "baby wipe" comes out at high speed, leaving a perfectly clean bunghole area. You dont even have to pick up the wipe, it disposes of itself.

[slamfire51]

no... with these new handguns, they have a "wipee" function when carrying back there. You just pull the trigger and a very compact "baby wipe" comes out at high speed, leaving a perfectly clean bunghole area. You dont even have to pick up the wipe, it disposes of itself.

Good, I finally got an intelligent answer.

Deodorizer an option?

[gunsnetadmin]

Good, I finally got an intelligent answer.

Deodorizer an option?

Umm..yes. After years of refining, its a black powder. Not attractive to women, but very manly.

[El Jefe]

I like to wear regular white a t-shirt underneath my regular shirt...even it it's another t-shirt. This way I carry in the small of my back. At first the you can feel the temperature difference, but after a short while the gun warms up and feels normal. My outer shirt is not tucked in of course. The holster just clips over the waistband of my pants\belt and sits down low enough that it doesn't print even with a tight fitting shirt.

So you just stow it in the console or whatever when driving? How about if you go to a restaurant or to the movies?

[308]

So you just stow it in the console or whatever when driving? How about if you go to a restaurant or to the movies?

I wear it when I drive short distances. Long distance it gets stowed.
As far as dinner or a movie goes...if I decide to take it with me, then I wear it.

[gunsnetadmin]

I wear it when I drive short distances. Long distance it gets stowed.
As far as dinner or a movie goes...if I decide to take it with me, then I wear it.

same here. I carry all the time. IWB, front right hand side.

[Randomluck]

Okay, I've got to through a plug in for this 1911, if you must choose it over a G36. It's heavy, but for the price, I don't think you can beat it. It's the RIA compact "tactical".

There's two types. A1 sites and the one like mine with the extended safety and the decent sites.

It's crazy accurate and has never misfired. For 399, how can you beat it?

http://www.gunsnet.net/photopost/data/500/medium/RIA.JPG

+1 on the compact RIA.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y4/Randomluck/gums/RIA.jpg

Carried in one of these, a Beltster.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y4/Randomluck/gums/Beltster.jpg

[Bick_Sastard]

Springfield micro-compact "milspec" aka more or less just a shrunken mil-spec.


Great shooter, had some issues with feeding gold dots with the factory mags because of the forward dimple. Swapped out the follower from a full sized mag, all was returned to normal, ordered rear dimple followers and life has been good ever since.

Mil-spec sights suck though and getting a novak cut in the front and rear of that slide will cost 1/3 of the price of the pistol.

FYI sell price NIB around here is 430 to 480 or if your stupid you can indeed pay over 6 for it at some shops near by.

link for view: http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.budspolicesupply.com/catalog/images/PW9801LP.gif&imgrefurl=http://forum.pafoa.org/classifieds-archive-146/83952-springfield-1911-micro-compact-45-a.html&h=500&w=960&sz=112&tbnid=NBrqnR9rIxDj_M:&tbnh=77&tbnw=148&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dspringfield%2Bmil%2Bspec%2Bmicro%2Bco mpact&zoom=1&q=springfield+mil+spec+micro+compact&hl=en&usg=__6D3oDTQ6FdOXSF8f9XYkIRAuRBo=&sa=X&ei=BxyETIXQJIOnnAftyez9Aw&ved=0CCgQ9QEwBA

[Blacksmith]

Carried in one of these, a Beltster.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y4/Randomluck/gums/Beltster.jpg
Now that’s innovation right there!
That’s the first time I’ve heard of a Beltster, but I will be ordering one for my Beretta :thumbsup:

[El Jefe]

Now that’s innovation right there!
That’s the first time I’ve heard of a Beltster, but I will be ordering one for my Beretta :thumbsup:

It is cool, but uh, not exactly what you'd call deep cover.:wink:

[El Jefe]

The one good thing I can say about the Kimber CDP series is their aluminum slide cut down the weight immensely.

Lysander, I've been meaning to ask you what your carrying these days. Can I assume it's a Glock? Caliber?

[Krupski]

Yeah Roger posted a pick of his and stated he was pretty pleased with his AMT. To be honest I'm not very familiar with them and I'm pretty sure no one here locally carries the brand.

AMT (Arcadia Machine Tool) is out of business. They were bought out by High Standard Manufacturing. Check this link (about 1/2 way down the page): http://www.highstandard.com/amt_automag.html

I don't know who sells them nowadays. I got mine as new-old stock at the local gun store.

I went in there looking for a pocket pistol and was resigned to it being a .380 caliber. I told the guy that I thought .380 was wimpy and asked if he had anything small in 9mm or maybe even .40 cal.

He went in back and brought out an old looking box with the AMT 45 in it. 45 acp! All stainless steel... no plastic! Tiny! It was exactly what I was looking for. I bought it on the spot.

The ONLY problem I had with it was the grip screws got loose first time out at the range. Loctite Blue solved that problem.

I read that Blacksmith's pistol hammer spring got weak... I wonder if that was a manufacturing defect? A spring should last longer than that, and the spring on my AMT has so much power it could probably fire a cannon primer. The trigger is so hard to pull that my wife can't pull in unless she uses both index fingers.

Frankly, I like the stiff trigger pull. It makes carrying the pistol with a round in the tube pretty safe. It's not going to go off by accident.

[Krupski]

No, my anus has not been relocated upward for easy access like yours.:roflmao::roflmao::roflmao:

[Randomluck]

It is cool, but uh, not exactly what you'd call deep cover.:wink:

Most of us wear a shirt hanging over the waist to cover a gun anyways. Since it's made into your belt it stays close to the body and is alot less bulkier than a pancake or an IWB holster and very comfortable. It's a little bit pokey when you're driving, but shit, what isn't? I find it less a problem for the quick hops than some other holsters tho.

http://banderagunleather.com/

I bought the Strong Side Crossdraw model so I can carry either or, or both. :) I've been known to even wear it as a belt :cool1:

[nfa1934]

One of my two main carry guns is the Para Ordnance C6.45. The updated model is either the Para Carry or the PDA .45 depending on what options you want on it. Mine performs flawlessly as long as you don't use the factory mags. The magazines for the Wilson Sentinel just happen to fit (with very minor fitting, you have to shave down the front of the baseplate, only a few passes with a file are necessary). It's a great pistol paired with the Wilson mags.

http://www.para-usa.com/new/images/product_large/CWX645Sphoto_big.jpg

http://www.para-usa.com/new/images/product_large/CWX645Rphoto_big.jpg

[weevil]

Most of us wear a shirt hanging over the waist to cover a gun anyways. Since it's made into your belt it stays close to the body and is alot less bulkier than a pancake or an IWB holster and very comfortable. It's a little bit pokey when you're driving, but shit, what isn't? I find it less a problem for the quick hops than some other holsters tho.





I've actually become quite the sports fan when it comes to fashion since I started to CCW.


The first year or two it was a real trick to find any of my clothes that worked well with a decent sized handgun.


So I started buying baggy clothes but those made me look kinda dumpy and sloppy.


Then I discoverd why the gangbangers are so fond of sports jerseys, they're great for concealing a pistol, even big ones won't print under a nice big jersey that's a couple sizes bigger.



My wife sometimes complains that I look like a 12 year old but hey for CCW with a large pistol they work great.

[Randomluck]

That'd work too. I became a devotee of Hawaiian shirts for similar reason's. Big, bulky and hide things quite well. The patterns camouflage any extra lumps or bumps that may happen.

Around here it's a quite common way to know if someone's carrying by their shirts. If they're wearing an undershirt and an untucked Hawaiian they're toting. Sorta like fannypacks. Any grown man wearing shorts and a fannypack is carrying.

During the winter here where coats aren't a daily necessity you can get by with a vest. The Tropic Vest from http://concealedcarry.com/ are some nice ones, I have several of them and there's no reason to think any of the others wouldn't be also.

[hazmat]

I' say +2 on the RIA/HS officers models. My mom has a RIA officers model (http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=188071998) and my wife has a HS Crusader Compact (http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=188634897). Personnall, I have a Kimber Ultra Raptor (http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=188262599)that I carry almost exclusively.

Springfield has the V10 (http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=188385565), and Para has there little job with the LDA trigger system (http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=188791533). I stay as far away from the Warthawg (http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=189118116) as much as possible. Yeah, it's smaller than your normal officers model and it has a 10 rd capacity, but the grip frame is sooo short it's almost uncomfortable to handle, let alone shoot. Hits me about halfway up the palm of my hand, without the mag extension.

Colt has the New Agent (http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/SearchResults.aspx) in 9mm and .45, so there's another option. Downside is there's no sights. Just a groove in the top of hte slide ala the old SA revolvers.

Them's the compact 1911's I'm aware of. What I said above is purely my opinion. Others have theirs, I have mine. Choose wisely, Grasshopper!

[HDR]

I' say +2 on the RIA/HS officers models. My mom has a RIA officers model (http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=188071998) and my wife has a HS Crusader Compact (http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=188634897). Personnall, I have a Kimber Ultra Raptor (http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=188262599)that I carry almost exclusively.

If you shoot together have you ever swapped pistols just for the fun of it?

[hazmat]

Haven't had a chance to get the wife and my mom together to shoot. Wife's ready to drop twins and isn't really in the going to the range mood right now.

Appearance wise, you can't tell the difference between the RIA and the HS until you get up close. They're identical pistols, just with a different roll mark on the slide.

As to swapping out the RIA/HS with my Kimber? I'd know the difference without even looking.

[HDR]

Wife's ready to drop twins and isn't really in the going to the range mood right now.

Congratulations!


As to swapping out the RIA/HS with my Kimber? I'd know the difference without even looking.

Quite often one's group size grows after swapping pistols.

[Crash]

+1
I have to laugh at some with the fanny packs but most have the safari vest or the leather vest on. At times I want to ask what they're carrying but figure thats not wise. I have to carry a Ruger LCP (380) because I can't hide anything bigger without it being obvious in Florida. In the winter when it's cold enough for a jacket I can break out my Colt Officers model 45 ACP.


That'd work too. I became a devotee of Hawaiian shirts for similar reason's. Big, bulky and hide things quite well. The patterns camouflage any extra lumps or bumps that may happen.

Around here it's a quite common way to know if someone's carrying by their shirts. If they're wearing an undershirt and an untucked Hawaiian they're toting. Sorta like fannypacks. Any grown man wearing shorts and a fannypack is carrying.

During the winter here where coats aren't a daily necessity you can get by with a vest. The Tropic Vest from http://concealedcarry.com/ are some nice ones, I have several of them and there's no reason to think any of the others wouldn't be also.