Looking for 45 recommendations

[Stripes Dude]

New to the forum, but not the wonderful world of concealed carry.

Looking for any recommendations for a good 45 acp with the following:

External hammer
Compact or sub compact
3.5 inch or less barrel
Manual safety

I'm considering the Taurus 24/7 G2, but it doesn't have an external hammer. It has a decocker that allows you to go to DA, which gives me a sense of comfort.

I already have a 1911, so I am looking for something lighter. Oh, and not looking to remortgage the house - trying to stay under $600.

Thanks in advance for recommendations.

[C-dub]

Oh, and not looking to remortgage the house - trying to stay under $600.

Thanks in advance for recommendations.

That will be very difficult without going to Glock or one of the XD's and neither of them have external hammers and the subcompact G30 has a 3.78" barrel.

[APynckel]

You're pretty much stuck with a taurus or rock island for that price.

Don't expect quality though.

[The Annoyed Man]

If you're familiar with the 1911 platform, why not see if you can pick up a used alloy-framed 3" 1911? It would seem to meet all of your requirements.

I will say this: I love the 1911 platform, and I used to carry nothing but a 1911, including a 3" Kimber. But I have since started spending my money on polymer-framed striker-fired .45s. My two regular carry guns these days are a Kahr CW45, and a Springfield XDm Compact 45 3.8. I still own a couple of 1911s, but I carry the polymer guns. So far, the only gun I can think of that meets your requirements is a HK USP Compact .45, which has an external hammer, can be configured with an external thumb safety/decocker lever, and has a 3.5" barrel. But you'll be hard pressed to find even a used one for under $600.

[CC Italian]

What about something like a used 3rd gen smith. 4516 or CS45? Sig 220 Compact is a 3.9 inch barrel but not for under 600. Stoeger Cougar in .45acp is a very good gun. It is just a Turkish Beretta. My future father in law has a G2 in 45acp and he likes it. I didn't think it was anything special. I have shot the Stoeger Cougar in 9mm and that gun is a bargain imo.

I would look at these two for a new gun in your price range.http://www.ableammo.com/catalog/stoeger ... 16589.html

http://www.ableammo.com/catalog/bersa-t ... 08467.html

Just some ideas.

[CC Italian]

The Bersa is 27oz unloaded and the Cougar is 32oz. Needless to say the Cougar is a heavy little beast but like the 92fs it is a high quality but heavier gun. I owned a Bersa .380cc a while back and sold it. It was a lot of gun for the money but nothing fancy and would jam from time to time. I would say Bersa is as good as Taurus imo but the Cougar is a Beretta and worth every penny.

Impact guns out of Utah has the Bersa with the Duotone finish for 399. That is pretty good!

[Stripes Dude]

Thanks for the replies, even the one that said I will not get quality for under $600....by the way, once had a RIA Tactical, and the fit, finish was similar to my Sig 1911. Had more FTFs with the Sig too.

Love the idea of carrying my 1911, but afraid it would pull my pants completely off given the weight. Currently carry nothing but polymer frames.

Anyone have experience with Para Ordnance or Iver Johnson 1911s? Can find 3" barrels for near my price range.

[iom]

I'm thinking H&K USP compact 45
You can find used ones close to your price range on gunbroker or hkpro.com

I've got one and like it a lot.

[C-dub]

Love the idea of carrying my 1911, but afraid it would pull my pants completely off given the weight.

A decent holster and a real gun belt will take care of that for you. Many folks carry full size guns, but you gotta have the right equipment. I normally carry a Glock 30SF on the right and two spare full size mags on the left, but sometimes will carry the full size 21SF. They may be tupperware frames, but load those double stacks all the way and they get up therein weight.

[urnoodle]

....Anyone have experience with Para Ordnance or Iver Johnson 1911s? Can find 3" barrels for near my price range.

I have a Para Hawg 9. I really like it. The only issue I had was when it was new. The slide would lock open prematurely with a round still in the magazine. I called Para they sent me a new slide stop and it's been smooth sailing since. I would buy another Para but I'd buy one that has a single stack mag. I haven't had an issue yet but I have heard the springs wear out quickly in the staggerd stacks. Some of the fullsize Para's are right around the $600 range but the 3" barrels are higher.

[troglodyte]

Love the idea of carrying my 1911, but afraid it would pull my pants completely off given the weight.

A decent holster and a real gun belt will take care of that for you. Many folks carry full size guns, but you gotta have the right equipment. I normally carry a Glock 30SF on the right and two spare full size mags on the left, but sometimes will carry the full size 21SF. They may be tupperware frames, but load those double stacks all the way and they get up therein weight.

Yep!

I love carrying my Colt Defender. The Tucker Texas Heritage IWB does a good job holding it. I don't have a real gun belt...yet, but my Carhartt work belt does a good job of keeping everything in place. I've even carried it, with no problems, in cargo shorts and a inch nylon webbing belt. I've found that balance is what makes it work for me. If I just carry my Defender or XDSC9 on my hip it they just don't sit right and is less than comfortable. If I have the mag carrier on the other hip everything rides just fine.

Can't give much of a recommendation for a .45 with your requirements. The Defender works for me but I'd be surprised if you could find even a used one for less than $600.

[SigM4]

CDNN had a Sig 220 Compact SAO w/manual safety advertised for $589 in their last catalog. I realize the barrel is 3.9", but beyond that it sounds like it checks all of the boxes.

[Stripes Dude]

Thanks to those who responded.

I went way off the reservation on this one. Wanted a 45, but started researching different guns, and came across the Sig Sauer SP 2022 in 40 cal. Not a 45, not a 3.5" barrel, but has external hammer (one item on my checklist) and decocker. So I went for it - best $400 I have ever spent on a gun.

Looks like these are common standard issue to many European police forces.

So looks like I'll be shopping for two holsters - one for my 1911 that won't pull my pants down, and one for my new toy.

[C-dub]

Thanks to those who responded.

I went way off the reservation on this one. Wanted a 45, but started researching different guns, and came across the Sig Sauer SP 2022 in 40 cal. Not a 45, not a 3.5" barrel, but has external hammer (one item on my checklist) and decocker. So I went for it - best $400 I have ever spent on a gun.

Looks like these are common standard issue to many European police forces.

So looks like I'll be shopping for two holsters - one for my 1911 that won't pull my pants down, and one for my new toy.

If you're happy, we're happy. Let us know how the first visit to the range goes.

[SigM4]

Thanks to those who responded.
...and came across the Sig Sauer SP 2022 ...

Probably one of the most under-rated pistols on the market, and a steal at $400. I've been shooting the snot out of mine in .40 and loving every minute of it. So much so that I'm contemplating picking one up in 9mm.

Congrats and enjoy.