Posted: 3/22/2007 5:14:15 AM EDT
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Current carry is Colt Defender. I started to look at some of the "plastic" guns for a CCW handgun. What would you recommend given the following? 1. .45 ACP 2. Full size grip 3. Primary carry position is on the belt (inside or outside) 4. If possibly would like the ability to carry at ankle. I have been looking at H&K USP 45 Compact and SIG 220 Carry. Recently I saw but have no information about the Springfield XD 45 line. Holster recommendations for the gun would also be helpful. |
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Those are all good guns, but none of them could be carried on the ankle. "Full size" and "ankle carry" don't go together. BTW, the Sig is not a plastic gun, so it will be heavier. They all have very different triggers, so I'd suggest you try to shoot each one before you buy. What's wrong with the Defender? For IWB holsters, I like the Comp-tac CTAC and Milt Sparks Versa Max II. |
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You should shoot as many of them as possible and carry whichever one is the most comfortable and you shoot the best. IMO, training is the key. All the guns you mentioned are fine shooters. What will work best for YOU? Only you can answer that. Get a solid, reliable firearm and so long as you can consistently and reliably put rounds on target safely, then it really doesn't matter what gun you carry. |
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HK really doesn't make a compact 45. The thing is still huge!! You need to go to a gun shop and play with each gun. All the guns are different in grip size and may or may not work for you. That is what the deciding factor should be, not what the internet commandos say is the best gun  As for an ankle carry, you will need to break out the bellbottoms to try and hide the HK, Sig, or XD!!! |
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Why Defenders suck IMO: Reliability is compromised by the design, and shootability is greatly reduced fro the size of the package. If your pistol is PROVEN to reliable and you shoot it well however, then everything I said is meaningless, and you have no good reason to piss money away on another platform (which require new mags). If one of these two things is in play then I suggest you look into a larger 1911. Why? - Depending on the size selected, your magazines might still be usable, and even if not, the larger gun's mags work in the Defender, which now can serve as your BUG. - You are familiar with the way the weapon points and shoots - You instinctively know the controls and procedures for reloading and securing the weapon. There are many popular carry-sized options out there if a full-size or commander is not something you are interested in. There is the "compact" and the "CCO" which have a similar-sized frame, but a little more meat upstairs, so you have virtually all of the concealability of the Defender with the added bonus of a wider reliability margin and a more contollable pistol. that's my $.02 |
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Just another thought to toss at you... I have seen ankle holsters for the Glock G36, It is .45 and is the thinnist glock made. It has a full size grip when the magazine is inserted. It fits my hands well and I would think it would be a great IWB gun. Might be worth checking out. ETA: Fobus definately has an ankle holster for G36, I think Galco or Desantis does as well |