Thinking about a compact .45 for concealed carry

[The Annoyed Man]

The XD is a great pistol (and also the newer variant, the XD-m). You could do worse than an XD.

Regarding .40 cal... I also own an H&K USP Compact in .40 cal - a pistol with which I was very frustrated for a very long time before the addition of a lighter hammer spring, new sights, and an ambidextrous safety made it livable for me. It is a good gun, but If Kimbers are outside your price range, then H&K's are probably too expensive also. But, whether or not the gun was expensive or needed so much customization, there is one thing I do regret about it, and that is that I bought in .40 cal. instead of .45 ACP. Knowing what I know today, I would have asked for it in .45.

My reasons have nothing to do with my confidence in the .40 caliber round. It's a perfectly capable round, and I have no doubt that anyone I shot with it would wish that I hadn't. It's just that it kind of falls into a bland middle ground between the 9mm and the .45, and it answers a question that's not really being asked (any more). There's never really been any question of the effectiveness of the .45 ACP round, and modern advances in 9mm bullet design have rendered the .40 cal. almost superfluous. Add to that the fact that the .40 cal, in its commercial offerings, is already operating at maximum pressure for the cartridge, you can't really improve on it, or safely shoot a "+P" load. I already own pistols in .22 LR, .380, .38 Special, 9mm, .45, and .44 magnum, and the .40 is just one more caliber I have to buy now, which doesn't really distinguish itself so much that it is any kind of huge improvement on carrying either a 9mm or a .45.

But that's just me, and to each his own. Now that I've got the H&K configured to where I actually like the gun and enjoy shooting it, I don't want to sell it. But my life would be simpler if I didn't have to buy a separate caliber for it. That's all. Maybe I'm being too picky, and if .40 cal is what floats your boat, by all means get one.

[ronzorelli]

Annoyed,

The more info I read on the .40, the more I am seeing what you have talked about in your post above regarding the round. I'm leaning away from .40... and sticking to the .45 idea.


Heading to the range with a buddy of mine today (I hope), and will be looking to see if they have the XD or the PT for rent.

[LostInAustin]

Ronzorelli,

FWIW I agree with TAM. 9mm and 45.

[mr surveyor]

I love my 40.... and my 45...my 9....38 spl.....and the 32.....the 22's...the 25....oh heck, I love em all!

I don't see anything at all wrong with the 40S&W, and actually appreciate the increase in fps over the 45...but, given a choice of only one (and sufficient ammo availability) I would take the 45 hands down, particularly in a 1911 frame.

surv

[surprise_i'm_armed]

ronzorelli:
So what did they have to shoot at the range Sunday?

Although I have a Taurus that gets the job done and goes bang reliably,
I believe that if you have the extra $$ to spend, an XD .45 would be the ticket,
rather than a PT145. You can get XD's with longer barrels than the PT145.

I have shot an XD .40 subcompact and it was sweet.

With my Taurus PT-111, I always feel like I have to aim high to get a shot where
I want it, whereas the XD put holes where I was aiming. Just my experience.

SIA

[RiverRat]

I going to have to +1 for the XD45 compact given your money constrants. I have some, carry them regularly and very satisfied. They run all ammo accurate, have adequate safety systems (4) and shoot everything without a failure. Very easy to break down and clean, and have a LIFETIME warranty.........no matter what. besides, the selling point to me was the grip and natural point of aim with my eyes closed. I have small hands.

I have a couple of xd40 subs and they are a lighter carry, but they aren't a .45.

Get one and never look back. Personally, I rotate between an XD45 compact and a Colt Defender (I have some of those as well, but not in your $ range). Never had a failure with any, which is the most critical consideration. I have several other brands that I would not trust my life to. Good luck with your choice.

[The Annoyed Man]

I love my 40.... and my 45...my 9....38 spl.....and the 32.....the 22's...the 25....oh heck, I love em all!

I don't see anything at all wrong with the 40S&W, and actually appreciate the increase in fps over the 45...but, given a choice of only one (and sufficient ammo availability) I would take the 45 hands down, particularly in a 1911 frame.

surv

Here's the thing... I don't really see anything wrong with the .40, it's just that it seems kind of limited compared to the .45. You can't load the .40 up any hotter than it already is, and there's no good reason to load it down. It may have a more brisk velocity than a .45, but then it's also only a 180 grain bullet, so the energy on target is comparable. OTH, I've got some 185 grain +P .45 ammo from Corbon with a muzzle velocity of 1150 fps - definitely faster and a just a tad heavier than the .40 cal load. And when you match the 200 grain .40 to a 200 grain +P .45, there is no doubt as to which is the superior cartridge in terms of energy delivered. It's not that the .40 is a bad cartridge. It's not. It just doesn't seem as versatile to me, that's all.

[ronzorelli]

ronzorelli:
So what did they have to shoot at the range Sunday?

Nothing I felt like spending the money on for the rental fee, honestly. Oh well.


Shot my Sigma 9mm mostly. Did a little plinking with my P22, and my Fiance's .38 special, and my buddy's Ruger .45.

I think I need to get my 9 worked on. My shots were all close together, but they were all low of the center, even though I had the center perfectly in the sites. Might be that I'm still not used to the heavy trigger, not sure.

[calvinbr]

my pick is the Springfield micro compact 45. It is lite and packs a punch. It has the 6 round mags, but I use the 7 rounders.

[ronzorelli]

my pick is the Springfield micro compact 45. It is lite and packs a punch. It has the 6 round mags, but I use the 7 rounders.

Oh.... She's a perddy little thang ain't she?!

Saving to pay for a wedding, so this little beauty has to take a back seat for now, but I will definitely revisit at a later date.

[calvinbr]

ronzorelli,

I love it here is a before and after photo.

Before.



After new grips.

[joe817]

That is one beautiful gun calvinbr.

[Pete92FS]

ronzorelli,

I love it here is a before and after photo.

Before.



After new grips.

Really nice. It's something how just a nice set of grips will dress up a gun. I took the cheap looking black plastic grips off my new Para GI Expert and replaced them with a set of cococola rosewood grips (half smooth/half checkered) and what a difference!

[calvinbr]

True very true. I am thinking of starting in the comp shooting. I can not make up my mine if I will use it or my full frame 38 super 1911. Just do not know.

[heliguy972]

I've had the PT145 for a year now and absolutely love it. 3 yrs ago I wanted a compact .45 with minimum 10+1 capacity. I picked the XD45Compact. Great gun but the PT145 shoots as reliably, weighs less and has a major slimmer grip! I love it and would recommend it to anyone. Only issue is that I'm having trouble finding a threaded barrel for my YHM .45 suppressor...