YAGT: Single stack compact 45?

[lokiju]

I've been saving for awhile again and with my birthday coming up next month I was thinking of taking the fun money I've put aside plus having others that want to get me something for my birthday put money towards a new gun purchase. I currently have a Ruger LCP 380 for my concealed carry and use it as pocket carry. I've been using it a bit more often in recent months at the range as I've been going with more frequency since getting my AR15. While it does still feel like it'll server it's purpose as a "get off me" gun, it's pretty damn hard to accurately fire while trying to do so and gives me pause that if I actually needed it in a life threatening situation that I'd be even harder pressed to stay on target.

All that said, I've been kind of itching to get a single stack compact 45. I saw the announcement from the SHOT show about Springfield's new XD-s 45 single stack and so far from what little I've found people seemed to be pretty impressed with how it handles and its fairly accurate for being a more compact 45. http://xdspistol.com/

I was wondering if others here have a single stack compact 45 of any brand however and what your take on the options out there these days would be?

Budget wise of course less money is preferred but I expect to spend anywhere from $300 to $600.

EDIT: Doh, posted link to wrong model! Fixed. It's this one http://xdspistol.com/

 

[Kelvrick]

You can pick up a used kahr p45 in your price range. I carry a p9. The trigger is a little long for some people, but smooth. Polish it up and it feels so much better.

 

[twinrider1]

I think you need to hold a gun to know if it will work for you.
Since you already have your carry gun*, I would go for a full size .45.
Your budget is at least $100 too low.
Beyond that, what floats your boat? Classic Colt 1911 style or modern plastic gun? Which style makes your pulse race?



*At the range, you're probably shooting at a longer distance than you would be in a real world situation. I imagine the Ruger will be plenty accurate if you ever need it.

 

[lokiju]

I think you need to hold a gun to know if it will work for you.
Since you already have your carry gun*, I would go for a full size .45.
Your budget is at least $100 too low.
Beyond that, what floats your boat? Classic Colt 1911 style or modern plastic gun? Which style makes your pulse race?



*At the range, you're probably shooting at a longer distance than you would be in a real world situation. I imagine the Ruger will be plenty accurate if you ever need it.

Nah, I make a point to use the Ruger at close range and even practice with single handed fire as that's more likely how it'd be used in a real life situation. It's just a hard gun to have precision with due to it's size vs my hand size (big hands small gun).

Why is the budget to low? The Kahr looks to be $350ish.

 

[Kyle]

The xd(m) 45 compact is the gun I'm saving for as well...I've not shot that particular model yet (can't find anywhere that rents it yet), but have shot similar guns from the xd family.

 

[twinrider1]

Nah, I make a point to use the Ruger at close range and even practice with single handed fire as that's more likely how it'd be used in a real life situation. It's just a hard gun to have precision with due to it's size vs my hand size (big hands small gun).

Why is the budget to low? The Kahr looks to be $350ish.

It's good that you're practicing like that. Still, probably not a lot of fun as a range gun. I was thinking the bottom of your budget was too low. $350ish include the transfer fee, shipping or tax?

 

[Mutilator]

I'm wondering if some of you guys are confusing the XDm 45 Compact with the new XD-S 3.8?

That being said if you're looking for handgun that's fun to shoot at the range you're not really going to like any of these really small guns. I hate shooting my PF9 at the range. The full size XD9 and 1911 are fun though because you can shoot hundreds of rounds without any discomfort.

 

[QuantumPion]

I've been saving for awhile again and with my birthday coming up next month I was thinking of taking the fun money I've put aside plus having others that want to get me something for my birthday put money towards a new gun purchase. I currently have a Ruger LCP 380 for my concealed carry and use it as pocket carry. I've been using it a bit more often in recent months at the range as I've been going with more frequency since getting my AR15. While it does still feel like it'll server it's purpose as a "get off me" gun, it's pretty damn hard to accurately fire while trying to do so and gives me pause that if I actually needed it in a life threatening situation that I'd be even harder pressed to stay on target.

All that said, I've been kind of itching to get a single stack compact 45. I saw the announcement from the SHOT show about Springfield's new XD(m) ACP 45 single stack and so far from what little I've found people seemed to be pretty impressed with how it handles and its fairly accurate for being a more compact 45. http://www.the-m-factor.com/html/home.html

I was wondering if others here have a single stack compact 45 of any brand however and what your take on the options out there these days would be?

Budget wise of course less money is preferred but I expect to spend anywhere from $300 to $600.

Funny, I was in exactly the same situation as you. Was carrying an LCP, but decided I didn't feel confident enough with it to use it effectively in a defensive situation. I ended up getting a G26. The double stack frame makes the lightweight sub-compact comfortable to shoot compared to single stack micro-9's (PM9/PF9/PPS, etc) but it still conceals well. That combined with cheap 9mm ammo means I can afford to shoot and practice more, which was my other concern with the LCP. 45 ammo is even more expensive. And modern 9mm hollowpoints have proven to work fine for defense. I'd rather be well-trained and practiced with 9mm then carry a more powerful round that I can't shoot as well.

 

[deadlyapp]

Take a look at the M&Pc 45. I picked up the 9mm version recently and its a great size and excellent to shoot. I have a kimber ultra carry that I daily carry but the M&P gives it a run for its money.

 

[Linflas]

Geezer moment, read the thread title and assumed it was something to do with 45 RPM records.

 

[shortylickens]

I love my LCP and carry it daily. Even though it has a heavy trigger I like everything else. No BS on the body, extremely easy to use, accurate (provided you get in plenty of practice), reliable (provided you maintain in properly), and was also easy to find plenty of holsters.
Later I got a P238 which is a nicer overall gun except its a pain to draw cuz of all the stuff on the body, and you gotta worry about it being cocked and having the safety on or off. LCP is easier, so I carry it.
The P238 is technically a 1911 but obviously only 380.
Since you specified a single stack 45 you have limited options. I think Springfield is probably the best quality for what you want.

 

[boomhower]

Glock 36, new XD mentioned, Kahr CW45.

 

[lokiju]

I'm wondering if some of you guys are confusing the XDm 45 Compact with the new XD-S 3.8?

That being said if you're looking for handgun that's fun to shoot at the range you're not really going to like any of these really small guns. I hate shooting my PF9 at the range. The full size XD9 and 1911 are fun though because you can shoot hundreds of rounds without any discomfort.

I absolutely am/was actually and came back here to update my OP.

 

[TheVrolok]

I already have an XDm 45 3.8 Compact... but that XDs 45 3.3 is giving me a tingling feeling.

An XDm for nightstand, and a XDs for carry?

 

[alkemyst]

i'd save more and get a better 1911. The LCP is a great daily carry.

A gun range should have both mediocre and good 1911's for rent. IMHO at least $600 is a fair entry price. I was looking in the $1200-1500 range recently....I have decided to go with a CZ P01 for both carry-ability and self-defence.

I want to get a nice 1911 though after it.

 

[sourceninja]

I carry a walther PPS daily, The XD-s looks right up my ally.

 

[alkemyst]

I carry a walther PPS daily, The XD-s looks right up my ally.

I'd not recommend going with a premium 9mm compact and then a so-so 1911.

 

[shortylickens]

http://www.gunsamerica.com/blog/springfield-armory-xds/

 

[sourceninja]

I'd not recommend going with a premium 9mm compact and then a so-so 1911.

I bought the walther for a summer carry. I typically carry a Walther P99QA in the winter (in 40). I've wanted a tiny 45 for a while, mostly because I really like the round from a shooting stand point (I find it easier to shoot 45 than I do 40). On top of that I love my XD9 and XD45 (both 4 inch). So I think the XD-S is a great fit for me.

On top of that, it's about time to start looking for a replacement gun. After daily carry for a few years and constant target practice, my carry weapons are starting to look a bit worse for wear. Another consideration is popularity, the walther PPS never really "took off" as a carry weapon, because of this it's hard to find retailers that sell good equipment for them and getting anything custom made is 6+ months. In contrast the local retailers sell hundreds of items for every single thing glock, springfield, and S&W make. The IWB holster I wear now is wearing thing and need replacement, but I can't find anywhere has it and the company that made it doesn't make it anymore.

Overall, I guess what I'm saying is I'm excited to shoot one and make up my own mind.

 

[alkemyst]

I bought the walther for a summer carry. I typically carry a Walther P99QA in the winter (in 40). I've wanted a tiny 45 for a while, mostly because I really like the round from a shooting stand point (I find it easier to shoot 45 than I do 40). On top of that I love my XD9 and XD45 (both 4 inch). So I think the XD-S is a great fit for me.

On top of that, it's about time to start looking for a replacement gun. After daily carry for a few years and constant target practice, my carry weapons are starting to look a bit worse for wear. Another consideration is popularity, the walther PPS never really "took off" as a carry weapon, because of this it's hard to find retailers that sell good equipment for them and getting anything custom made is 6+ months. In contrast the local retailers sell hundreds of items for every single thing glock, springfield, and S&W make. The IWB holster I wear now is wearing thing and need replacement, but I can't find anywhere has it and the company that made it doesn't make it anymore.

Overall, I guess what I'm saying is I'm excited to shoot one and make up my own mind.

The LCP took the wind from their sails .

 

[0roo0roo]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3SB1NMxSzhc

 

[sourceninja]

The LCP took the wind from their sails .

My wife loves her LCP. I personally can't stand the trigger on it and I think it's just too small. The LC9 is pretty nice as well.