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KBCraig wrote:I went to the Taurus website and compared the 745 to the 145. I'm a little confused about this "compact" version of an already compact pistol...

The grip is narrower by a little due to the single stack magazine. It's lighter by 2 oz but more than that when both are fully loaded. Loaded weight is a big factor to me. I plan on using this for pocket carry too when I'm wearing cargo pants/shorts or winter jackets. Like you, I went back and forth on both for a long time but since I have "muffin top" (spare tire around the mid-section just above my belt line), I favored the more narrow pistol. A wider grip would also mean the end of the grip would stick out more. I don't care much to wear a second shirt or a vest so I wanted something that would lay flat against my fat roll. I was set on a Bersa .380 until I saw that this was narrower than the Bersa. It is one round less than the Bersa but I went from .380 to .45. I figured it was still a step up overall. I plan to carry an extra magazine in my car. If I go to a place where I might need extra ammo, then the extra magazine will be in my other pocket. Otherwise, I'm happy with seven rounds. In that respect, I felt it was more flexible. I can carry 6+1 plus another 6. Or just the basic 6+1. I could go light or I could go loaded. With the PT-145, I would carry 10+1 all the time without much flexibility.

As of yesterday, I can now post in this thread. Woohoo!

For now, Taurus 745. That's 7 rounds of .45ACP in under 6 inches overall length. Size was the main thing. I was set on a Bersa 380 which would give me 8 rounds of .380ACP. The Taurus 745 was a hair smaller in size for 7 rounds of .45ACP.