Recently I was in the market for a sub compact CCW gun for the weather here in CA. I grew up shooting and building 1911s and currently that is mostly what I own. Anyways always heard that I don't want my carry gun in a .45 because of the recoil and weight. All of my LE friend all carry small .40s or 9mm as their 2nd gun or weekend carry. I went to the local range and dropped about $150 and rented just about every sub compact gun they had. I didn't want to be the guy that had to have the .45 carry to be a "real man". But to be honest the *only* sub compacts I liked were .45acp. I ended up buying the Glock 30 (my first and only glock). I wanted a 1911 based sub compact but I liked the benefits of being able to sweat on and toss the glock around and it still going "bang" when I need it to. I personally felt that the Glock 30 felt better and had least recoil than all the .40s I shot. I was more accurate with the Glock 30 (all on a business card from 7yrds=decent) than I was with the XD sub .40. So here is one guys opinion on the carry gun caliber debate. .45acp all the way! My girl carries a 9mm and to be honest its more "snappy" than my glock 30.

In truth, a compact .45 is no marshmellow. The larger/heavier the pistol the more friendly to shoot, so I can understand some hesitation on the part of those you spoke to. Of course, those with practical experience with large caliber weapons don't exactly have a hell of a time making a transition from "service grade" to CCW/compact. I carried a P14 and dropped down to an officer's-sized 1911. That was significant, but I got used to it soon enough. Now I carry a 4" Wilson Combat.

If you are unwilling to put in the practice time or somehow unable to place with a .45 then it makes sense to scale down on a compact. If on the other hand you can place properly with .45 .40 9mm, etc, then the .45 is a no-brainer. Particularly so in CA where the the capacity of the 9mm has been neutered thus completely defeating the utility of a 9mm (except in a super subcompact for ultra deep ccw).

I just got a stainless Springfield Champion 4" 1911 as my carry gun. Nothing bad about the recoil and with a good holster and belt the weight is not bad.

I carry my Taurus PT145 most of the time IWB
10 rounds and easily managed recoil. Grip isn't stubby like the Glocks and very reliable.
Only malfuntion was a FTE induced by a intentional limp wristing.

My girl carries a 9mm and to be honest its more "snappy" than my glock 30.

 Do you personally testify to this, you've fired both?  I ask because I'm thinking of a .45, but my G27 is already a handful.  How could a 30 have less recoil than a 26?  Any opinion on the 36?  Thanks you.

I am not a tupperware fan, but that aside....

The 45 kicks less than the 40.

The 30 is bigger than the 27. A beefier heavier gun.

The 30 is not much smaller than my full size carry gun. It isn't that small.

I hated the 27....the 30 wasn't bad to shoot, in comparison.

The 26 and 30 were fairly close....maybe a lil' more push with the 30, but no comparison to either .40 models.

i carried the 36, which im sure you know, is the 30s little brother. great gun, ran it through 4 3-day/1000rnd calsses with little to no trouble.

The 30 is the way to go - from what i hear, they handle MUCH better than the 36s do.

congrats on the new buy - i too carry 45 when i can. then comes .38 and .380. but, thats when the USPc is just too big.

Quoted: My girl carries a 9mm and to be honest its more "snappy" than my glock 30.  Do you personally testify to this, you've fired both?  I ask because I'm thinking of a .45, but my G27 is already a handful.  How could a 30 have less recoil than a 26?  Any opinion on the 36?  Thanks you.

Yes I testify to this, but she doesn't care a glock. So I can't compare.

I've always thought .40 had more recoil than a .45 hands down!

Go .45

Quoted: I am not a tupperware fan, but that aside.... The 45 kicks less than the 40. The 30 is bigger than the 27. A beefier heavier gun. The 30 is not much smaller than my full size carry gun. It isn't that small. I hated the 27....the 30 wasn't bad to shoot, in comparison. The 26 and 30 were fairly close....maybe a lil' more push with the 30, but no comparison to either .40 models.

I'm not a tupperware fan either, but it was *practical*. I'm not a small guy (6'2'' 210) so a Glock 30 is quite small for me. The other two on my ccw are full size 1911s. So the 30 is the baby.

I have carried a Springfield Ultra-Compact in 45. acp as well as a Kimber Ultra Carry 2 in 45. acp. I have had no problems with rust from sweat or concealment with these 1911's. A friend of mine carries a Springfield XD 40. He complains of always getting rust on it just from touching it. I prefer 45. acp but the 40 cal does have comparible ballistics. I do not know much about the Glock 45acp, but the 40 cal Glock has an unsupported chamber. So be careful with heavy grain bullets. Check them and make sure that the bullet itself does not get pushed down into the brass case from repeated chambering. It will drive the pressures up and blow the bottom of your Glock out. I have seen this happen. But I must admit I prefer 45. acp to all others. The bottom line though is go with what works for you and what you are comfortable with. GOOD LUCK.  

9mm or .45acp for me

The usual CCW piece is a Officer size 1911, subjective recoil is certainly less than most 40s or 9mm.
One of these days I'd like to put together a Commander slide on a Lightweight Officers frame.  To me that would be the ideal carry piece.

Notes.
Just curious as to what it takes to get a CCW in CA?
I thought it was virtually impossible to get one. At least for civilians that is.

Quoted: Notes. Just curious as to what it takes to get a CCW in CA? I thought it was virtually impossible to get one. At least for civilians that is.

Depends entirely on the county.

To clarify California CCW is issued at the discresion of the Sherrif or local Chief LEO.  Thus in the northern conservative counties it's easy.  I understand that in LA county all you need is a $50,000 donation to the reelection fund.

It is VERY difficult. I don't officially have my card yet, but I'm a business owner with an actual need (bank slips of deposits late at night, etc), some LE friends and buddies with the CCW instructor and I still have my fingers crossed. Sad sad state we have here!

Quoted: Notes. Just curious as to what it takes to get a CCW in CA? I thought it was virtually impossible to get one. At least for civilians that is.

Criminal intent.

Quoted: I carry my Taurus PT145 most of the time IWB 10 rounds and easily managed recoil. Grip isn't stubby like the Glocks and very reliable. Only malfuntion was a FTE induced by a intentional limp wristing. img.photobucket.com/albums/v475/twonami/104_0454.jpg

Nice pistol  twonami.
What brand  holster is that?
Is that pistol small enough for a pants/jacket pocket?

Quoted: Quoted: I carry my Taurus PT145 most of the time IWB 10 rounds and easily managed recoil. Grip isn't stubby like the Glocks and very reliable. Only malfuntion was a FTE induced by a intentional limp wristing. img.photobucket.com/albums/v475/twonami/104_0454.jpg Nice pistol  twonami. What brand  holster is that? Is that pistol small enough for a pants/jacket pocket?

Bianchi 100 Professional Holster Right Hand Glock 26, 27
It will fit in the pocket

If you want to carry a .45, it's hard to beat a GLOCK 30 or 36.

Thanks twonami.

Quoted: If you want to carry a .45, it's hard to beat a GLOCK 30 or 36.

I had a G30, loved it. But I came on hard times and needed cash, so i sold to a friend.
Now I want it back and he won't sell it back to me.

I carry a Glock 30 daily. My carry piece of choice!

Quoted: I carry a Glock 30 daily. My carry piece of choice!

What holster?

C-TAC and sidearmor are my top two choices.