My 21 year old son (Marine) is looking for a compact 45 to carry.

He is planning on purchasing it himself.

(I have not yet decided whether to surprise him with a gift nor have I come to grips with parting with my 1st series HK)

So , I thought I would solicit input from the "committee" here--

Ideas guys on make and models to consider??

What is the Budget?

If the budget will allow it, I'd opt for the Colt Commander of Kimber Pro Carry.

quote:

Originally posted by daniel77:
What is the Budget?

If the budget will allow it, I'd opt for the Colt Commander of Kimber Pro Carry.

colt defender or springfiel xd subcompact

Agree that if budget will allow, a Kimber Pro Carry in SS would be good. I have one in 38 Super. If budget is lower, Charles Daly makes a Commander style gun that is very functional. I have one of those too!
Peter.

Springfield Armory XD series is rated "Gun of the Year" by several magazines. If you want a high-capacity, polymer gun. They come in all sorts of configs, from extended mag full size, to compact.

In the 1911 stuff it's like buying a custom hot rod. I have a couple Springfield, Mil Spec and Ultra Compact "loaded" w/ all the bells, whistles.

I like them. Lifetime warranty, reliable, and no arm and leg to buy one.

Wilson Combat is nice, Les Baer, but these are high end. I think Kimber is over blown hype. But that's just me.

If he buys on his own $600.

Thanks for the input.
Any other thoughts are welcome.

If it was me,i would just buy him "what he wanted & liked"That way he will be happy...ask him what his favorites are& go from there?some folks like glocks some like colts,etc.....lots of good ones....also you could add $$ to his 600 and change the game as to the choices....H&K & Sig have some nice units too.... good luck!

i like my springfield micro, but if i was to get another i'd opt for a para lda. i have the para in 9mm and it is just great. problem being they are both over a grand

I can get the latest HK discounted to a little over 800 + tax.

I'm just checking on what others prefer.

I carried a Detonics "back in the Day" (78-82)

and I like 1911 style guns--

just looking toward lighter, DA, types-

( besides,I already gave him a great 1911)

Here's one at a good price:
http://www.gunbroker.com/Aucti....aspx?Item=154639053

S&W 4553

Kahr P45.
Best,
jpj3

Colt Defender or Springfield Micro

X2 for the Kahr P45. I have a few Kahrs and they are great, not a day goes by I don't have one on me every where I go.

I realize it's a long way from the indicated budget, but the S&W 1911 in the Commander size with the Scandium frame is a very nice pistol.

http://www.smith-wesson.com/we...nt_category_rn=15709

My personal favorite is the Star PD. Accurate, reliable, and 7 shots in a 25-oz pistol. They don't make them any more, but you can get a NIB on Gunbroker for $600.

If your son is "fixed" on the 1911 style/type, that small Kimber w/ laser grip is nice, but retails over 1,000.00
For pure funtional purposes, the Glock 36 is like an anvil and believe it or not, someone, Magpul??, is offering a 30rnd. clip for the pistol in 45ACP.
That set up would definitely qualify as "sustained fire."

Picked up a barely broken in Kahr P-45 @ a good price.

Shoots accurately.

Mixed numerous loads in the mag, fired them all without a hiccup.

So far so good.
More testing to come.

Guys, thanks for the input.

Will check out some of the others as well.

quote:

Originally posted by DuggaBoye:
Picked up a barely broken in Kahr P-45 @ a good price.

I have a Kahr MK9 Elite. Smallest 9mm on the market when I got it a decade ago. It's on the top of the "carry" list -- that and a S&W Mod. 60 snubby in .357.

quote:

Originally posted by DuggaBoye:
Picked up a barely broken in Kahr P-45 @ a good price.

I have a Kahr MK9 Elite. Smallest 9mm on the market when I got it a decade ago. It's on the top of the "carry" list -- that and a S&W Mod. 60 snubby in .357.

Kahr makes some nice hardware, but not what I'd call inexpensive.

quote:

Originally posted by carlos111:
My personal favorite is the Star PD. Accurate, reliable, and 7 shots in a 25-oz pistol. They don't make them any more, but you can get a NIB on Gunbroker for $600.

Yes, they are good pistols, have owned (and sold) 3 over the years.

You may of already bought something, but do you have the HK-45c on your list? The standard 'variant 1'(DA/SA) trigger is fine. They cost a fair amount but there's no way he wouldn't love it.

quote:

Originally posted by sourdough44:
You may of already bought something, but do you have the HK-45c on your list? The standard 'variant 1'(DA/SA) trigger is fine. They cost a fair amount but there's no way he wouldn't love it.

Top of my list--he wants mine

We'll see how he likes the Kahr I found--
If not --He may get what he wants.

A great deal depends on the type of action and fittings he likes. I am dedicated to the 1911. I had a Kahr and sold it. It was an excellent pistol but I did not like the trigger. The same is my feeling for my Glock 27. Excellent pistol, but just not for me. For my next carry pistol it will be one of the smaller 1911's. One that I recently shot and enjoyed was the Para PDA with the LDA trigger and in 9mm. For the "pure" 1911 style, their Hawg 9 would be hard to beat. With the current quality of ammunition the 9mm with its reduced recoil in a small framed gun is well worthwhile.

Detonics Mk I - Mk VI, unless he has big hands, then I would recommend the Colt Commander (but you gotta polish the feed ramp).

quote:

Originally posted by carlos111:
My personal favorite is the Star PD. Accurate, reliable, and 7 shots in a 25-oz pistol. They don't make them any more, but you can get a NIB on Gunbroker for $600.

I too have Star PD. Do you have a source for recoil lugs and springs? Mine is getting a little weak and since I love the gun, I'd rather upgrade that buy anything new.

A 1911 Commander is a wise choice.

If he is going to shoot it a lot I would recommend a steel frame..

If he is already trained in a 1911 and he wants a handy carry gun, then a Light Weight Commander would be a good choice.

I would look at the Kimber and Springfield Armory offerings...

He should pack a spare parts kit as well.

I'd take a look at an STI Ranger II