What’s the Best .45 Subcompact Pistol on the Market?

[Ed Blown Vert]

Small .45s are nothing new. In fact several manufacturers—Glock and Taurus come to mind—have been offering such pistols for a...»



More...

[2002ssslp]

I'm not a big subcompact guy. I like my Colt .45 1911 for stopping anything I need to stop.

[Zinergy]

Most people prefer to shoot full size guns when shooting but subcompacts have their place. They are for carrying and give you more options as to where they can go and what you can wear without going out unarmed.

[jrbonds]

I love my Springfield 1911 .45.....love it.

[SMWS6TA]

Most people prefer to shoot full size guns when shooting but subcompacts have their place. They are for carrying and give you more options as to where they can go and what you can wear without going out unarmed.

Agree. In summer carrying a full size pistol in shorts & t-shirt can be a PITA to conceal, sometimes impossible.

[Zinergy]

Agree. In summer carrying a full size pistol in shorts & t-shirt can be a PITA to conceal, sometimes impossible.

They fit nicely into pockets in my cargo shorts and with a pocket holster do not look out of place or move around while in the pocket. I have also thought many times about buying a small framed polymer .357mag revolver. It only holds 5 shots but most subcompact semi-autos only hold 5-7 shots and I am more accurate with a SA/DA revolver.

[SMWS6TA]

They fit nicely into pockets in my cargo shorts and with a pocket holster do not look out of place or move around while in the pocket. I have also thought many times about buying a small framed polymer .357mag revolver. It only holds 5 shots but most subcompact semi-autos only hold 5-7 shots and I am more accurate with a SA/DA revolver.

same here, been looking for a while. Some I like the grips but others hated the trigger pull. I grew up on revolvers then when I went on active duty I learned semi's. Love shooting both, but revolvers require more practice & familiarization to master them over semi's. When it comes to quick drawl I know I'm more accurate with a semi then a revolver.

[slims00ls1z28]

My vote would be the Glock 30. If I were in the market for one that's what I would buy.

I'm done with lightweight revolvers. They make great carry weapons but suck for practice/plinking. My wife had a S&W 642 airweight .38. It jarred my hands more with target loads than my 10MM with fairly hot loads. I hate to imagine what .357 in a small lightweight package would feel like. That's why she sold it and got her Glock 27 (subcompact .40 for non glockies) she hated it.

[Zinergy]

I will have to shoot a few ploymer/alum revolvers in .357 mag. I know that in a full size steel frame .357mag barely feels like anything.

[SMWS6TA]

I carry Glock 23 (.40 cal) for the most part it is good for CCW.

[2002ssslp]

Most people prefer to shoot full size guns when shooting but subcompacts have their place. They are for carrying and give you more options as to where they can go and what you can wear without going out unarmed.

I don't have that problem since New Jersey outlawed carry permits. Only police can carry in our state. The rest of us have to transport our handguns in a locked container with the trigger lock on it and the ammo must be in a seperate locked container and they both have to be locked in the trunk of the vehicle out of the reach of drivers or passengers.

[FasstChevys]

1911 by Kimber would be my opinion - but, I guess that may not be a 'subcompact'.

[Zinergy]

It is not outlawed in NJ.... it is just really hard to get one unless you work in a field that they deem a worthy cause to carry a firearm. The may-issue states suck

[Zinergy]

1911 by Kimber would be my opinion - but, I guess that may not be a 'subcompact'.

Kimber makes some smaller 1911s but I do not think they qualify as sub-compact... just compact. Kimber also as of late has had some quality control issues which has a lot of kimber fan bois POed.

[2002ssslp]

It is not outlawed in NJ.... it is just really hard to get one unless you work in a field that they deem a worthy cause to carry a firearm. The may-issue states suck

Wrong ! They are outlawed ! NO CC in NJ. I checked with the Trenton, 1,423 carry permits for 9,000,000 people. Only police and people in the field can get one. Me and you can't get one unless we join the police dept. or FBI

[Zinergy]

Wrong ! They are outlawed ! NO CC in NJ. I checked with the Trenton, 1,423 carry permits for 9,000,000 people. Only police and people in the field can get one. Me and you can't get one unless we join the police dept. or FBI

Yes but they have CCW permits so no they are not outlawed. The state just gets to decide who does and does not get them based on whatever they want. That is why only people who work in law enforcement or certain security fields get to have CCWs. NJ is a shall issue state. IL is the only state that has NO CCW permits.

[Spikito]

the springfield XDS is pretty nice, its a single stack sub compact 45, so its nice and thin

[2002ssslp]

Yes but they have CCW permits so no they are not outlawed. The state just gets to decide who does and does not get them based on whatever they want. That is why only people who work in law enforcement or certain security fields get to have CCWs. NJ is a shall issue state. IL is the only state that has NO CCW permits.

I think we are splitting hairs here. I always thought if only cops could get one then it was against the law for me to have one. Oh well. That still means I will never be able to carry in NJ, ever. This state sucks.

[Spikito]

here in Texas we compare our guns with the cops....

[SMWS6TA]

Same here in AL.