• We are now running on a new, and hopefully much-improved, server. In addition we are also on new forum software. Any move entails a lot of technical details and I suspect we will encounter a few issues as the new server goes live. Please be patient with us. It will be worth it! :) Please help by posting all issues here.
  • The forum will be down for about an hour this weekend for maintenance. I apologize for the inconvenience.
  • If you are having trouble seeing the forum then you may need to clear your browser's DNS cache. Click here for instructions on how to do that
  • Please review the Forum Rules frequently as we are constantly trying to improve the forum for our members and visitors.

Good Quality .45 acp Pistol For Concealed Carry?

kd6sxa

Regular Member
Joined
May 10, 2010
Messages
91
Location
Quad Cities, Iowa, USA
Who makes a good .45 acp pistol? I want one for the future of CC in Wisconsin and to OC now. I want good quality but low price. Any ideas will be appreciated.
 

hardballer

Regular Member
Joined
Jul 16, 2009
Messages
925
Location
West Coast of Wisconsin
What I would consider good quality in a 1911 chambered for the .45ACP; as do many others, are Ed Brown, Les Baer, Wilson Combat, NightHawk and there are a slew of other custom makers. You should have around $2-3000.00 in your pocket.

A consumer pistol with lots of value for the buck would be Colt, Kimber, Springfield, Taurus, Smith & Wesson, Remington, STI/SVI, and others. These should have a fit and finish that is a cut above. $600 to $1500 or so.

Norinco, Rock Island, Thompson etc. good budget guns. These guns may vary in finish but will cost around $350 to 650.

The used market is a great place to look and your local dealer should be very helpful. Search Google for '1911 Manufacturers'.

Hope this helps,

Hardballer out.
 

goforlow

Regular Member
Joined
Aug 22, 2009
Messages
201
Location
Eau Claire, Wisconsin, USA
Something you will also need to consider is which size 1911 you can conceal. I have both a standard 5" barreled one and a 3" barreled one. Both can be concealed, but have to be carried differently based on your body type.
 

AdamXD

Regular Member
Joined
May 4, 2010
Messages
71
Location
Milwaukee, WI
Springfield Armory XD and XDM both come in .45acp calibers. New they run about 600 dollars. Used, maybe 475+ depending on the previous owners degree of care. They are super easy* to clean (both field strip and complete teardown) and can eat thousands upon thousands of rounds without any problems.

*XDs are so easy to clean that I learned how to fix/modify my own gun on par with a professional gunsmith. I've never had any previous gun-smithing experience.
 
Last edited:

OCmyXD

Regular Member
Joined
Mar 29, 2010
Messages
32
Location
Pewaukee, Wisconsin, USA
Something you will also need to consider is which size 1911 you can conceal. I have both a standard 5" barreled one and a 3" barreled one. Both can be concealed, but have to be carried differently based on your body type.

+1

While not a 1911, I have a 4" XD-45 with tactical grip and a 3(ish) Taurus PT145. My PT145 would comfortably fit in most front pants pockets, while the XD certainly needs a holster of some sort. Right now my XD is my favorite to both carry and shoot.
 

zekester

Regular Member
Joined
Mar 28, 2010
Messages
664
Location
Uvalde, Texas
I know I will get the haters

I carry a G36...very compact, and with a bit of practice, very accurate....just my .02
 

Captain Nemo

Regular Member
Joined
Apr 11, 2010
Messages
1,029
Location
Somewhere, Wisconsin, USA
For decent quality and moderate cost you might consider the Taurus 845. 12 + 1 in .45AP with Novak sights. Should be able to find one for around $450. Jerry's Sport Center wholesale price is $349.90 blue. Unlimited transferrable lifetime warranty (lifetime of the firearm, not the person). Only things not covered are grips, sights, accessories, cosmetic defects(after one year) and customer abuse.
 

rscottie

Regular Member
Joined
Jun 29, 2008
Messages
608
Location
Ashland, Kentucky, USA
I have no trouble concealing a Third Generation Taurus Millenium Pro PT145. It holds 10+1. And, I got it for a steal at $350 + Tax new!

I really like it as it fits my big hand with stubby fingers and so far have not had any problems.
 

jpm84092

Regular Member
Joined
Mar 5, 2010
Messages
1,066
Location
Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
Price is not the only issue

Since you are contemplating making an investment in your future safety and that of your family, price is not the only issue. You want a handgun that fits comfortably in your hand, that has a smooth trigger on the press, and that "feels right". And, when WI comes of age and begins allowing concealed carry, you want a handgun that can be concealed - and quickly retrieved.

Many gun shops offer rentals. Once you have a few candidates, take them for a "test drive". No matter what your level of marksmanship, the one that gives you the most consistent grouping is the one that "fits" you.

Many posters have recommended XD or XD clones. These are good handguns and break down easily for cleaning. Having said that, there is a reason that so many shooters are die-hard 1911 fans and have been for 100 years. I own both styles.

Whatever your choice, the internet is full of video streams dealing with the proper procedures for breaking down each type of handgun for cleaning and oiling. Like your automobile, proper lubrication after cleaning insures trouble fee use.
 

jpm84092

Regular Member
Joined
Mar 5, 2010
Messages
1,066
Location
Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
I have no trouble concealing a Third Generation Taurus Millenium Pro PT145. It holds 10+1. And, I got it for a steal at $350 + Tax new!

I really like it as it fits my big hand with stubby fingers and so far have not had any problems.

I too own a Taurus Millennium Pro PT-145 (10+1) and have just recently added the Taurus Millennium Pro PT-111 chambered in 9mm (12+1). They easily interchange in a Fobus SP11B paddle holster. The PT-145 was $379 + tax new at Cabela's and the PT-111 was a private sale ($300).
 
Last edited:

Archangel

Regular Member
Joined
Aug 4, 2008
Messages
232
Location
OTP, Georgia, USA
Another vote for the Springfield XD.

My XDc 45 is my EDC. Built like a tank, scary accurate, and reliable as a Swiss watch.

f_15maibl6um_d58d1fa.jpg
 

BROKENSPROKET

Regular Member
Joined
Jan 5, 2010
Messages
2,199
Location
Trempealeau County
Taurus PT145 gets my vote.

I have been shopping for a .45acp CC hangun. I plan to pick up a Taurus Millenium Pro PT145 with my next pay check. I will let you know what I think after I put a thousand rounds thru it.
 

Gunslinger

Regular Member
Joined
Mar 6, 2008
Messages
3,853
Location
Free, Colorado, USA
In 1911s, SIG, Springfield--US made, or Para would be my first choices--$900-1200. In striker fired or DA/SA, FN, M&P or Taurus 24/7 OSS are all good values and cost significantly less than the 1911s I mentioned. 1911s are harder to shoot well and generally lower capacity. Once mastered, they are the finest defensive pistols made. Glock and SA XD/M are also good guns, but lack features I like in striker fired pistols. See what feels best to you, shoot them if you can, and make what is at bottom a personal decision. And have fun doing it!
 

jpm84092

Regular Member
Joined
Mar 5, 2010
Messages
1,066
Location
Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
Taurus PT-145 Failure To Feed

I have been shopping for a .45acp CC hangun. I plan to pick up a Taurus Millenium Pro PT145 with my next pay check. I will let you know what I think after I put a thousand rounds thru it.

Taurus had a problem for a while with their .45 ACP Magazines sold with the Millennium Pro PT-145. The problem manifests itself as failure to feed with the round jamming against the feed ramp portion of the barrel assembly . The first 2 - 5 rounds jam if the magazine is full. There is generally nothing wrong with the handgun, it is the magazine that is at fault. If you encounter a defective magazine, DO NOT use the many internet "fixes" that others propose. Taurus has a lifetime defect warranty. Pack up the offending Magazine and ship to to them. Give the S/N of the handgun in your cover letter. They will send a new one by return mail. It is my understanding that the problem is clearing up since Taurus detected and fixed it. But it is possible that some defective magazines remain in the pipeline.

The problem is sporadic but Taurus is aware of it. One of my two factory supplied Magazines had this defect and they sent the replacement magazine promptly. The Taurus lifetime warranty applies to the product and follows the gun with each owner. Rossi (now owned by Taurus) has the same Warranty. The Warranty does not apply to defects in cosmetics after one year or to any damage sustained through owner misuse (such as firing HOT rounds).

The Taurus website has an unusual feature. Under the "Find My Gun" link, you enter the serial number and get the full model number, a link to the technical data sheet, and date of manufacture.
 

rcawdor57

Campaign Veteran
Joined
May 18, 2009
Messages
1,643
Location
Wisconsin, USA
Glock 36 Is My Choice For Concealed Carry

Carried my G36 in .45 ACP for four years concealed in Florida. Tried several guns such as the XD in .45 with a 4 inch barrel as well as an XD in 9mm with a 3 inch barrel. Too thick and too large for comfortable carry with summer attire. Carried a Sig P226 many years ago. Also too large for concealed carry. Finally settled on the G36 with single stack magazine. I added a Pierce grip extension for one more round so I have a total of 7 in the magazine or 8 if carrying with a chambered round.
 

hardballer

Regular Member
Joined
Jul 16, 2009
Messages
925
Location
West Coast of Wisconsin
Now we're cookin'.

Though I am a die hard 1911 fan, I would be just as comfortable with an XD or Taurus as well as the proven Glock.

These are all fine handguns.

Still, for me the choice for the 1911 was about the caliber when I first got one and then the history (cool factor) as well as the fact that many spec ops or black ops unit in the world carry one by choice if given that option. Hmmmmm. I can see why. Besides, my shootin' buddy at the time was a retired Army Ranger Armorer. Guess what he tuned and modified for his unit.

Yes I know there are others carried too but the 1911 is at the top of the pile. Still for our purposes, many of the sidearms mentioned above would perform an admirable job.
 
Last edited:
Top