I'm looking for a compact or semi-compact .45ACP that has a safety, good-handling, for concealed carry. Suggestions? Thanks.

You don't mention the type of firing system you are looking for. Striker? DA/SA? DAO? SAO?

Off the top of my head I would say for a current production pistol you might want to look for a S&W Shield 45.

-Any number of commander sized 1911’s from Ruger to Nighthawk) pretty much one in every price point.

-Shield .45 with the safety.

-HK USP compact .45 V1 trigger group

-HK45c V1 trigger group

Those are what leap to mind. Pretty sure there WAS a P220 compact single action only at some point.

quote:

Originally posted by sigarms229:
You don't mention the type of firing system you are looking for. Striker? DA/SA? DAO? SAO?

Off the top of my head I would say for a current production pistol you might want to look for a S&W Shield 45.

Would prefer DA/SA like my favorite Sigs. SAO O.K., though.

4516

I'd suggest shooting 60 - 80 rounds of .45 acp through the gun of your choosing prior to purchasing.

Swing by the shooting range and shoot two or three of their guns.

Yes it will cost you some money.
But it will give you the knowledge you need to make an informed decision.

My favorite is the HK-45c, trigger of Your choosing. I have ‘lite’ LEM, DA/SA works, or standard LEM.

OBTW, standard 10 round HK-45 mags work also, just stick out a little.

S&W 457 would work.

I have a Kimber Ultra Carry II. I've had no issues with it so must be one of the Kimber Pre-Problem ones.

I also have a 70 Series Colt Combat Commander. I trust both equally.

I had purchased a Sig P245, which turned out to be stolen. I got my money back.

OK, DA/SA with safety. Here's what comes to mind.

S&W 457 (I own one, would be my 1st choice) Alloy frame makes it lightweight yet doesn't kick too bad)
S&W Chief Special 45 (kicks like a mule though)
HK USP Compact 45
HK 45c


SAO is easy.
Any Commander Sized 1911 (I would avoid the subcompact 1911's)

I really like the S&W Shield 45. Small enough to carry comfortably and shoots like a big gun

P245. See the thread that 4MUL8R linked for the reasons why. It has lots of safeties, and they're all the best kind: passive.

Colt Defender. Bought mine used. Appeared to been carried at lot, but, very low round count. Ran perfectly. I'm nearly as fast and accurate with it as I am my full-size .45 ACP 1911.

S&W Shield in 45acp is what you seek..

If I have to carry a compact pistol I carry my Kahr 45CM. I find the longer, light, and smooth trigger pull perfect for a CCW.

Detonics or similar sized 1911,

or a Glock 30

Glock 30 or a CCO sized 1911.

The 30 is a chunky gun and you'll want to carry it with the 10 round magazine inserted. G21 13 round magazines are the ideal spares and there is no shortage of aftermarket for it.

The CCO is an excellent 1911 format with a commander slide and officers frame. I prefer steel frame. I carried one for several years. Wilson makes an 8 round magazine with an over-insertion preventing baseplate. Any holster intended for a commander should work.

Love my Sig P220 Compact (no tail/no rail). That and the P220ST are the two Sig's I'll have till the end.

Pro Tip: buy good quality, name brand .45acp ammo whenever you find it under $0.50 a round.

Think OP wanted a safety. That limits stuff like Glocks, P245 etc.

Really currently produced it’s a fairly small subset.