I am looking for an easily concealable .45acp. I currently carry a sig 220 super match with no problems, but summer is here and I need something a little smaller. I am leaning toward a springfield xd compact just because with the extended mag it will hold 13 rounds, but with the smaller mag it is small and concealable. I like the small 1911's but am not sure how the recoil would be with them. What am I missing? I know taurus makes a small .45. What else do I need to look at?

I carry a Kimber Ultra CDP II. I think 9 rounds of 230 grain GDHP short barrel should do me well off duty.

Kudu40

There's the Kahr CW 45.

Easily concealable and .45acp usually don't go together. Ever thought about one of the 38 snubbies? I carry a Taurus Ultra-light and it just disappears in a jeans pocket.

I used to carry a Taurus 605 in .357 mag, but I didnt like shooting it as I have a large fram body and my large fingers were beaten up by the trigger guard. I prefer autos to revolvers ever since. I forgot about the Kahr, I like how slim they are.

The advise above about .45s not being particularly good daily concealed carry guns is pretty accurate, I'm afraid. But I also think this is something you'll have to prove or disprove on your own. The Kahr does look interesting. Sig and Glock also make some high quality guns you should consider. Take a look at the guns from CZ. They are very high quality designs that are also well made of excellent materials and affordable enough to make many afraid that there's something wrong with them. Nothing wrong with them. Just low labor costs in the old Czech Republic.

Yup, listen to Bob. The non-steel snubbies (titanium, scandium, and who knows what else these days) are extremely handy, and don't rust. Both are serious considerations for summer carry.

Do what you want.... good luck.

Now that it is warm to hot weather, I carry a S&W 637 38 Spl + P it just flat out is gone until you need it.

It's all shot placement.

Check out a Ruger 345....

1911 in the barrel lenght of your choice. Carried in the small of the back they are comfortable and concellable for me.

An option in 45 and somewhat compact is the Springfield XD compact;

http://www.springfield-armory.com/xd.php?version=117

or in a more traditional platform, the 1911 "Champion" model. This is the one I personally own, the Lightweight, with a Green T and black T finish on it to protect from rust and humidity.

Accuracy is awsome, function flawless.
http://www.springfield-armory.com/armory.php?version=8

Here's my personal one:
http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL1600/682422/1127617/304455617.jpg

As you said you have a large frame, this commander sized gun would probably hide well.

I am large framed too, and find this pistol hides well with a simple kidex holster carried just behind the hip strongside.

I usually carry a S&W 360PD in my front right pocket, small, light. powerful, this is not a fun gun to shoot but I am sure I can depend on its simplicity if I ever need to

A 1911 "NOT" being a excellent carry weapon is extremely debateable.

Remember : auto=flat,revo=fat

Depending on your dress,your weapon,your WX,your daily activities,etc,a small auto might be easier to conceal than a revo(any revo). Especially carried in the "right" holster,held up with the "right" belt.

Remember also the reload advantage.

Not trying to start a "what's right for CC" war here. Make sure to give carefull consideration to something that is so very important.

For me it's a Kimber UC CDP II. Has been for four years and 2000 rds.

For those of you that are contemplateing a 3", 45 auto,don't let people try to convince you that they are not reliable. They are .....with a good helpin' of common sense. -----pruhdlr

pruhdlr brings up a very valid point, simple as it is....


a good belt

It can surely make a difference in carry, AND comfort.

To para-phrase, "What's good for the goose is not necessarily good for the gander!"
When I carry it is often a Colt Officer's Model in .45ACP. It holds only seven rounds but my holster holds an extra mag and I have had it for 23 yrs. I'm familiar and comfortable with it. I hit what I shoot at and I can get off a round just as fast as with any other weapon. Although I usually carry it in an old pancake holster that fits high and tight to my body, I can also shove it in my belt and my spare tire holds it well but it makes me a bit nervous to carry a fully ready SA Auto without a safety strap. Even with ball ammo the .45 ACP has all the stopping power I could imagine needing. Short of encountering fully armed terroist I can't see needing more than a round or two. I hope I never need to fire a weapon in anger again anyway.

A good belt and holster make all the difference in the world. I carry a Para P-12 daily, summer and winter. Typical S Texas weather is 95-100 F during the summer. IWB holster and a pullover shirt and I'm fine. Never been made.

I agree I can conceal my full frame 1911 much easier than my Glock 22. The slimmess of the 1911s seem very easy to hide in a good pancake holster held high on the belt. I prefer 511's tactical rigger style belt. Its nice and wide and just stiff enough.

yes indeed,
I find the wilderness instructors belt or Spectra operators belt both plenty still enuff, yet comfortable.

As much as IWB is surely concealed, I cannot get past the comfort factor....and perhaps that is due to the fact my IWB holster is a not-so-good one; a cheap Don hume. I do prefer OWB or belt carry for my taste, and have found a few kydex models that print really soft, and stay close to the body. Belt slides that I have for a BHP & another for a Sig 228 stay close to the body, but really do not offer any grab resistance. Another consideration is will you carry another mag?

As of late I've been looking at the sub-compact XD9 and the new Walther PPS. Both small but yet controllable, they both seen to offer relialbe platforms for defense that are super concealable.

Everyone sure seems intrigued by the new Ruger LCP.

I find Ican conceal the 45 auto kimber in the small of my back or to the strong side behind the hip... with a shirt out of the pants and loosely worn to avoid printing... for different clothing I usually use a different gun little autos and little revolvers in pockets, IWB or ankle holsters...
I like to use a shoulder holster almost vertical under the offside armpit, but it is not that easy to coneal or get to in some clothes... a high ride strong side slider is also fine with most vests or shirts and is the name of the game sitting and without a coat or vest (along with ankle holsters)
I have not tried a small 45 auto in an ankle holster...
I have carried tiny autos like the ruger mentioned in just bout any pocket any where the weight size and grip is so little it is almost ideal for disappearing... I am sometimes tempted to carry a few of them for low tech reload and low tech jam clearing technique simplicity LOL
get what you will use and be prepared to adapt to different activities and clothing... and get a ccw so you are not busted legally if you are made by a knowlegeable person like LEOfficers.. etc.
JMHO.
dk