New to forum, looking for protection

[joe]

Hey guys, great looking forum. I'm looking for a 45 in a smaller package to be used mainly for personal protection. I have a full sized Colt MK IV Series 80 that feels great and shoots well that I plan on keeping for my house gun. I was looking for another 45 with a shorter barrel similar to the Glock 30. I mention this brand only because it close to the size I am looking for. What do you guys recommend as far as manufacturers and models? I know I should do a search and read more, but I am kind of in a hurry (bad I know) due to my son recently being shot by drug dealers and I am now fearful of him and his "friends" knowing they know of other guns I have in the house and that my job takes me away from home for days at a time. I plan on going back and reading thoroughly all forum entries as far as security for me and my house, but I could really use some quick answers now. I know that I am coming off sounding just like the paranoid armed homeowner that we all don't want to be and maybe I am. I've had guns in the house for 30 years but up until now, they were only for a little hunting and target practice - fun gunning as opposed to personal protection. I plan on renewing my membership to the local gun club, getting the instruction I need,and maybe even getting a concealed carry permit. If it sounds like I am running a little nervous, I guess I am. I don't really care about the cost. Quality, dependability and accuracy are my main concerns. Hopefully when my son gets his head on straight and this is all over, we can continue to enjoy target shooting again and this newly acquired pistol can be used for happier times. Thanks for letting me ramble on and for any info. Joe

PS That spell check is really nice! I belong to a few other forums that could really use this easy method! Thanks again.

[TA]

Just a quick thought; have you thought about carrying the Colt and get a short barrel 12 gauge shotgun for the house? The 1911 carries and conceals very well.

[joe]

Yeah, but I'd just as soon leave that one at home.

[TMan]

If you are determined to stick with 45 ACP, my choice would be one of the small Kimbers.

www.kimberamerica.com/ultra.php

However, if two shots would work, you might want to consider a Derringer. I have a Bond Arms and it can shoot 45 Long Colt or 410 out of the same barrel. They have different models and some take 2 & 1/2" 410s and the others the 3" 410s. Either one will shoot the 45 Long Colt. I carry 000 shot in mine, which gives me 5 balls flying out of it They have other barrels that are interchangable too. I have a 357 Magnum and a 9mm.

[joe]

45 ACP for sure, but thanks for that derringer idea. I'm open to all suggestions. Joe

["DoubleAction"]

Joe; Welcome to our Forum. Since you are already all too familiar with the 1911; Kimber offers a compact version with a four inch barrel, shorter grip/ magazine well, and alloy frame. For the money, this is one I would would recommend for the ease of carry. In short; It has the combined features of the Lightweight Commander and shorter grip of the Officer's acp. This pistol has a very fast cycle rate, with minimal muzzle flip, and high visible low mounted tritium sights; not to mention, a very good trigger found on similar designs of the 1911.

[joe]

This sounds like just what I am after. Small to conceal, high quality and something I am familiar with. I like that. Shot a Glock 45 and didn't like the feel at all. Seemed too bulky and too square. My Colt fits my hand perfectly and I was after something similar, yet smaller. And I am after quality and dependability. Will look into the Kimber. Thanks, Joe

[vito]

I can't argue with the Kimber Pro Carry, with the 4 inch barrel, but you might also want to consider the Ultra Carry II. I have one in stainless, with Mepro night sights. Although I had some problem with it when I first bought it, after one trip to Kimber it now works perfectly. It is a very comfortable gun to carry, to hold and to shoot. Its a little smaller than the Pro Carry. You should go to a Kimber dealer and get the feel of both guns. If you are not totally committed to 45 acp, you might consider 357 mag in a great pocket pistol like the S&W 640. With an internal hammer there is nothing to snag on when pulling it out; it has enough weight to make the recoil tolerable, and for close in defense it is an excellent choice. The barrel is 2 inches and this gun is very easy to conceal, especially if you don't want to wear a holster and just stick it in a coat pocket. And, as I've said before on this and other forums, even the most reliable semi auto is not, in my opinion, as totally trustworthy as a good DA revolver. Plus, this is a gun that you could fire right from inside the pocket, something you can't do with a semi-auto.

["DoubleAction"]

Very Good Advice Vito; The internal hammers of the 640 is also one of my own favorites for a hideout carry gun. I call this type of revolver a no snag, no drag, gun that leaves nothing in the way of deploying for a defensive situation. The use of boot grips also contributes to the 640's concealability.

[joe]

vito said:

...might also want to consider the Ultra Carry II. I have one in stainless, with Mepro night sights. Although I had some problem with it when I first bought it, after one trip to Kimber it now works perfectly...

Just curious. What was the "problem"? Ran a list of dealers in area and I'm heading out for some hands on shopping this week. Thanks, Joe

[TMan]

I can't believe I'm saying this, but I think I would go with the 340PD vs the 640. 12oz vs 23oz means just about twice the amount of recoil. However, for a high carry vs firing ratio the weight advantage would be worth it to me. It is not a gun that you would want to take to the range and shoot except to ensure the ammo was compatible with the gun (the bullets can walk out of their cases during recoil).

I don't have the faith in revolvers in general that Vito has. I've had S&W revolvers lock up on me. It doesn't take much oil or dirt under the ejector and suddenly you can't rotate the cylinder. I've never had a problem with a semi-auto that racking the slide didn't clear.

I nearly always have my Seecamp with me, but in particularly dangerous situations I have the Snake Slayer (Bond Arms). I'm sure one of the Bond Arms's guns could break, but if it does fail, it will be a back to the factory type failure, not just a clean and lube job. I just think it is one of the reliable overall designs of any concealed carry weapon out there, but it isn't all that small or light - therefore, the Seecamp.

[5ontarget]

something else to consider, the para warthog, it is a double stack (10+1) single action .45acp in a compact format.
www.paraord.com/product/product.html?id=7

[MLB]

I'm glad someone mentioned the Warthog. I was going to bring it up, but never even having handled it, thought better of it. It certainly is tiny.

[TBT]

I'll just throw in my two cents on my favorite gun ... the Kimber Ultra Carry STS II. I've had only mag issues (one Kimber and one Wilson) and a learning experience that taught me that the Kimber won't feed cheap hollow points (WWB). Myself though, and I'm in the minority, I don't carry JHP's in my defensive gun. For me, 45 ball is more than enough to get the job done and the added possiblity of a missfeed with JHP in ANY semi-auto just isn't worth it for me. First and foremost I'm about the gun going bang ...

The Kimber is exceptional though, I don't think you could go wrong with them or Springfield Armory. My UCIISTS has been reliable as well as a looker. Very easy to conceal, very nice fit in the hand etc.

Go check these out and keep what DA said in mind too. If all things being equal as far as what you like and what you can carry comfortably, the 4" ProCarry might be a better option. If only for the fact that historically they have been better performers.