Talk 45s, shoot nines and carry 38s

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18DAI

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I don't recall who originally said that phrase when describing gun owners/enthusiasts. But based on my observations of customers in the gunshop, it no longer rings true. Most are carrying small 9mms or 380s - BUT, they still like to talk about 45s.

So, I'm curious. Who here is still carrying AND shooting 45s? What make and model? How do you carry it - leather or kydex - IWB or OWB? What are you stoking it with - hardball or JHP - what weight, 185 or 230?

I carry a CS45 most often. Sometimes a 457. Both carried either in a Don Hume JIT slide or a DeSantis Nemesis worn IWB. I prefer Winchester Ranger RA45T. It was our duty round and it kills bugs dead. But my little CS45 balks at using it. So it gets Speer Gold Dot 230 grain. Eats it like a champ.

So, those of you carrying 45s. Lets hear it. ;) Regards 18DAI
 
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Until fairly recently, I carried an XD45 SC.
But as I work from home and usually don't venture out much, it's been a 38 in the pocket.

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95% of the time, I carry a G-19 or G-48, but every now and then, I'll carry my 30s. I carry everything appendix in kydex holsters, and carry mostly 230 hardball in it.

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5 inch 1911 .45acp Wilson Combat CQB loaded with Winchester Ranger T standard pressure 230gr jhp.

I use a tuckable Raven Concealment Phantom kydex IWB for daily carry during the work week and a Milt Sparks leather Versa Max 2 IWB or a Raven Concealment Phantom kydex OWB depending on how I'm dressed other times.
 
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My first carry gun was a 4 inch barrel compact grip XD in 45 ACP. Sold it a long time ago Had (and still have) some 1911s but eventually moved over to 9mm (G19s and G43). Never interested in .40 and my only involvement with .38 is occasionally shooting some through my .357 Python.
 
Most often I carry Kimber Ultra Raptor in D.M. Bullard Combat W/ Bodyguard, for Bar-B-Que it's Wilson Combat Supergrade in Wilson Combat Elephant Hide leather. Winchester SXZ 230gr HP or Wilson 160gr TAC-XP +P
 
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Depends where I'm going...

Someplace I probably shouldn't be:
Springfield Compact LW Range Officer w/ Speer 230 gold Dots in Aliengear IWB &
2 spare mags

Most days: Sig 365 w/ Hornady 147 in Kydex Appendix & 1 spare mag
 
Carry rotation mostly consists of a G32, G29, Colt Defender 1911, 4566TSW, 4516, and 4513TSW (early model no rail and flush magazine). There are others that make it out sometimes, but it's mostly those. All are carried iwb above my wallet about 4 o'clock. I'm either carring a 357 sig, 10mm or a 45. I don't really own anything in 9mm. I have 2 just for range work or new shooters to enjoy. The 357 is loaded with Speer Gold dot 125gr, the 10mm is loaded with 180gr Speer gold dots, and the 45s get Winchester Ranger T-series bonded 230gr.
 
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G21 w/threaded barrel. OWB leather. Spare mag in a leather OWB pouch.

ETA: 185gr Hornady Critical Defense
 
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I carry a Glock 30s every day. When I'm in between home and office, it's in the small of my back. When I'm at work, it's hiding somewhere in reach. It's loaded with Gold Dot HPs.
 
.45 is my favorite caliber.

1911’s are my favorite pistol.

That said, I carry a CZ P07 daily. Only once in a blue moon a SW 442 when I need something smaller.

Just because it’s a favorite doesn’t mean it is the most practical.


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Coltdefender1911 the early version 4513TSW is my all time favorite handgun. I carried it in plainclothes and off duty for almost 20 years. I also carried a 4516 for many years.

And lately have been watching for a clean early production 4516. For carry and competition use. Regards 18DAI
 
lowspeed said:
n between home and office, it's in the small of my back
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I am trying to figure a way to do the same thing. What are you using to keep the trigger covered and the pistol secure? I carried a LW Commander stuck in my britches for many years without any worries. I not comfortable doing that with the Glock. Hepmeout!?
 
I have all 3 and carry all 3 on occasion. The .45 is a Colt defender, the 9mm is a P320C, and the 38 is a 637-2. All 3 are JHP throwers. HST in .45 is a flying ashtray, and GDHPs make the 9mm and 38 adequate for most self defense at bad breath ranges
 
BatteryOaksBilly said:
I am trying to figure a way to do the same thing. What are you using to keep the trigger covered and the pistol secure? I carried a LW Commander stuck in my britches for many years without any worries. I not comfortable doing that with the Glock. Hepmeout!?
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Are you ok with the pistol itself (no holster) in that position? And just worried about the trigger?

If so, get a kydex trigger guard. @rantingredneck has made me several. I use them for HD pistol in a drawer, or when I drop a Glock in my cargo shorts pocket.

For SoB, you could even loop it around your belt so when you draw it the guard pops off.

I had these first...still use one on the G23 when needed:

210FA357-E81B-4AFA-8B54-D634714CB3E4.jpeg

But I added a light to the G22 and had him make this one instead:

C889A82E-8C93-4C7F-BBA8-9000754A903E.jpeg
 
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BatteryOaksBilly said:
I am trying to figure a way to do the same thing. What are you using to keep the trigger covered and the pistol secure? I carried a LW Commander stuck in my britches for many years without any worries. I not comfortable doing that with the Glock. Hepmeout!?
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I'm a big ole boy, and I wear a heavy belt. I just carry it tucked in my britches. I've never had a problem with that type of carry. Good luck!
 
Modified New Agent in 45 in OWB leather holster except at work in the summer, then it's 642 or LCP in Desantis Nemesis in the back pocket. If I wasn't wearing just a T-shirt and absolutely drenched in sweat by 10:00 AM, I would carry the New Agent this time of year. Maybe I should try wearing a wife beater.
 
BatteryOaksBilly said:
Currently inside the Gate I am carrying a Ruger LW Commander with 230 Ball in a DeSantis Nemesis holster. Right front pocket.
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Are you a fan of the Ruger 1911's, or is this a test drive?

I almost bought a full-size one from Jerek a while back, but ran into a decent deal on a DW RZ-45. Spent more, but couldn't pass it up.

I'm thinking about Ruger's lightweight officer's model.
 
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Carry 9’s unless I am up in the mountains. If I am not on the deck with a small caliber rifle I’m likely carrying an HK45c OWB in a Chief Jason’s leather rig. I really like the 1911 45’s but my stubby little thumbs and manual dexterity make me pretty slow with a safety. Maybe with enough work it would get better, but until there’s time I like my DA/SA guns.
 
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18DAI said:
... Who here is still carrying AND shooting 45s? What make and model? How do you carry it - leather or kydex - IWB or OWB? What are you stoking it with - hardball or JHP - what weight, 185 or 230? ...
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  1. I do, and I have for 50 years.
  2. I carried a 1911 in the military (assisted the command armorer),
    a Colt Combat Commander in later years (still regret letting it go),
    a Glock 21 until concealing it became a pita,
    and a Glock 30sf from 2014 until now.
  3. JHP, 230 gr, almost exclusively (hardball in the early years)
Full disclosure: I bought a 9mm compact not too long ago, and am currently engaged in a long term comparison of it to the .45 compact. But that's a whole different thread. :)
 
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Stobie said:
Are you a fan of the Ruger 1911's, or is this a test drive?

I almost bought a full-size one from Jerek a while back, but ran into a decent deal on a DW RZ-45. Spent more, but couldn't pass it up.

I'm thinking about Ruger's lightweight officer's model.
Click to expand...

I came into this gun along the way. I can say with about 200+ rounds through it, so far 100%. It's two toned with some sort of bone grips with Ruger meds. When I look on GB they seem high in price to me but they sell?????
 
There is a lot of information here. So much to digest when one is trying to figure out what works for them.

Why do I carry a 45 acp round? It's the best semi automatic round I've ever used.

I felt compelled to comment on this section because I've been carrying the M&P 45 handgun exclusively for ten years. Do I ever carry an ankle gun? Yes. I have a Smith and Wesson 357 magnum scandium revolver that I occasionally carry. I don't rotate guns through, I have found what works for ME and I've stuck with it.

I was fortunate enough to be involved with the test and evaluation process for Raleigh PD when they were testing and evaluating new guns and calibers to replace the 4500 series Smith and Wesson. They realized that when the female officers and male officers that had trouble qualifying they could qualify with confidence they were really interested in this gun. This gun was the M&P. They opted for a shorter version of the gun and it was a perfect fit. Qualification scores on test people went through the roof, this was unusual for a 45 acp, which is what the chief wanted.

I was carrying a Sig P229 357sig with my department and I loved it. I tried to get RPD to really take a look at the P229 and they tried it. But, the low scores were raised by substantial margins by the Smith and Wesson M&P. They weren't interested. I was soon to be converted.

I have been carrying the Smith and Wesson M&P for over ten years, I have modified my gun with an extended magazine release, Big Dot 24/7 sights (as I put on everything) a better trigger and I have replaced the springs in my magazines, both regular and extended. I have shot the 185 grain, 160 grain and 230 grain in the gun and liked them all. I tend to follow what LEO uses in their guns so I carry 230 grain Speer Gold Dot.
 
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