Cooler weather carry recommendations?

[2ndAmendmentNut]

I know it is summer, but just thinking ahead...

I have the want/need to add an autoloader to my collection, but I am really more a revolver person so my knowledge of autos is rather limited. I already have an LCP as a no excuse not to have a gun, and a j-frame 357 which gets carried 75% of the time. This next autoloader will be for cooler carry weather. (110% reliability and reasonably accurate goes without saying.) While I am whiling to compromise I would prefer if it had the following features from most to least important.

1) 45auto or 40S&W. The gun has to be chambered in one of these two, no ifs ands or buts.

2) As slim as possible, preferably a single stack magazine to help accomplish this.

3) A DA/SA or DAO trigger. As stated above I am familiar with revolvers, so a trigger assembly along the same lines seems to make sense. Main thing is I want a gun that is ready to go once it is in my hand without having to think about a safety.

4) Able to handle plenty of range sessions without worrying about wearing it out.

5) 32oz or less empty.

I am looking for advice and recommendations on a handgun with all of, or most of the listed features.

[Roundnoser]

OK... Here's what I carry in colder conditions: A Glock 27 (Sub-compact) in 40 S&W. The good points = No external safeties...Carry in Condition One...Accurate...Reliable...Good magazine capacity (10 + 1). Bad Points = Moderately bulky, but still fairly easy to conceal under a jacket or coat.

[Mooseman]

Well I live in Alaska and I carry a Colt Mk IV series 70 1911 in .45ACP. I Lube it with "Dog Oil" that is tested to -50 and it has never failed me yet.
It May not meet all your criteria but It does it for me...

Rich

[MtGun44]

Lightweight SS Commander 1911 in IWB holster.

Bill

[Artful]

Sig Sauer makes guns that fit your list.

.45 acp
220 compact
http://www.sigsauer.com/CatalogProductDetails/p220-compact-sas-gen-2.aspx
250 compact / subcompact
http://www.sigsauer.com/CatalogProductDetails/p250-compact.aspx

40 cal
239
http://www.sigsauer.com/CatalogProductDetails/p239-dak.aspx
even offered in rainbow - probably for the San Francisco shooters.
http://www.sigsauer.com/upFiles/catalog/product/P239-Rainbow-detail-bty-Dwn.jpg

Reasonable sale/buy on Used Glock 22 - 40 S&W
Glock 22 40S&W 3rd Gen pistol w/ night sights, very good plus condition.
25-2514xq
Reg: $399.95 NOW $349.95
We have a large batch of these guns from police trade in. These are Glock Model 22 semi auto pistols in 40S&W cal. They have a polymer 3nd Gen frame. They feature night sights that still have some glow left, a state of the art ergonomic design for a great hold, one 15rd LE mag. Additional LE magazines are available for $14.95 each, part (4-725). Very good plus condition, will show some minor wear.
http://www.jgsales.com/glock-22-40s-w-3rd-gen-pistol-w-night-sights,-very-good-plus-condition.-p-6698.html

[220swiftfn]

Take a look at Kahr arms......



Dan

[saz]

You cant get much slimmer than a 1911, and the safety is a non issue because your thumb stays on TOP of the safety in a firing grip anyways.

[Lloyd Smale]

when the summer heat is gone and i can put on some clothes i will usually be carrrying a comander sized 1911

[2ndAmendmentNut]

Thank you all for the advice. That Sig 220 in 45 looks perfect.

[FergusonTO35]

How about a Ruger SR40c? Its perfectly safe to carry with the safety off and you'll never be in danger of wearing it out. It costs alot less than many of the other choices too.

[H.Callahan]

i will usually be carrrying a comander sized 1911
MY idea of the perfect CCW. Make it in stainless (I ruined a bunch of finishes on guns (I sweat like a pig) when I was in LE -- before stainless became ubiquitous) and I am good to go. Now if the PRI would let me carry one again...

[subsonic]

Another vote for SIG 220 for what you want.

[TheDoctor]

Wear a trench coat, carry anything you want!

[220swiftfn]

when the summer heat is gone and i can put on some clothes i will usually be carrrying a comander sized 1911

That just sounded wrong................



Dan

[Moonie]

I carry either my full size 1911 or officers model 1911, usually OC but sometimes CC. Full size is Cerakoted, officers will be soon, don't like stainless auto's personally.

[prangr51]

Id have to say a compact 1911, i carry full size but the weight exceeds what you want

[palmettosunshine]

OK... Here's what I carry in colder conditions: A Glock 27 (Sub-compact) in 40 S&W. The good points = No external safeties...Carry in Condition One...Accurate...Reliable...Good magazine capacity (10 + 1). Bad Points = Moderately bulky, but still fairly easy to conceal under a jacket or coat.

I just checked my G27 and it's 9+1 but 10 rounds of .40 should get you out of trouble!

I don't have a problem concealing the Glock even in summer weather under a loose sport shirt or large t-shirt. It conceals nicely under my sport coat or suit coat on a daily basis even in the summer. I carry OWB in a Galco Combat Master and it works well for me. On my days off, it even rides very nicely in the front pocket of my cargo shorts. Oh, for the record, I'm 5' 11" (or at least I used to be, probably 5' 10" now) and 175 so I'm not skinny or large, probably average build.

I'm not a Glock fan boi by any means, but based on your original criteria the G27 would be my suggestion to you. Unless of course you didn't mind the extra weight of the CZ P-06 which is .40 S&W. Hold one, you'll see what I mean.... Oh, and if you do handle a CZ, no need to thank me. You can always curse me later.

[Artful]

Wear a trench coat, carry anything you want!

Yep, and look stylish
http://www.powerlabs.org/images/coatgun.jpg

[pergoman]

Have you checked out the Springfield XD-S in 45? I have XD-M's in 9, 40, and 45 and love them but they are double stacks and a bit bulky. I never carry anything that has manual safeties. i shoot 1911's several days each week but would never carry one. That is just me. Too many cops are found dead with loaded weapons in their hands, fingers on the trigger, and safeties engaged.

[MGySgt]

Too many cops are found dead with loaded weapons in their hands, fingers on the trigger, and safeties engaged.

That is a lack of training - I carry a S&W 3913, I am left handed and it has an amibi saftey on it. I have been carring this same gun for over 10 years.

I practice the same way I carry - from a belt slide saftey on

Course of fire for practice

first stage - draw and fire 2 shots, one DA and one SA. Put the saftey on and holster. Repeat.

Second Stage - Draw and fire double tap 2 targets (4 rounds) Saftey on and holster - Repeat.

Third Stage - Draw and fire double tap 4 targets - reload and double tap same 4 targets - Repeat.

Always start from the holster with the saftey on.

Problem is MOST (if not all) public and club ranges will not permit you to draw and fire from the holster. So start from the low ready with the saftey on.

I have my own range so I can do what I want. Remembering saftey always. Don't sweep saftey until the weapon is pointed at the ground in front of you as you are bringing it up to the target.

I NORMALLY only carry the S&W 3913. However there are times I am only taking a quick trip to the store and I stuff a Ruger LCR in my pocket - I also practice with it similar to the above only less rounds fired and no reloads - I normally don't carry a reload for the revolver - I know I should.

[Roundnoser]

I just checked my G27 and it's 9+1 but 10 rounds of .40 should get you out of trouble!

I don't have a problem concealing the Glock even in summer weather under a loose sport shirt or large t-shirt. It conceals nicely under my sport coat or suit coat on a daily basis even in the summer. I carry OWB in a Galco Combat Master and it works well for me. On my days off, it even rides very nicely in the front pocket of my cargo shorts. Oh, for the record, I'm 5' 11" (or at least I used to be, probably 5' 10" now) and 175 so I'm not skinny or large, probably average build.

I'm not a Glock fan boi by any means, but based on your original criteria the G27 would be my suggestion to you. Unless of course you didn't mind the extra weight of the CZ P-06 which is .40 S&W. Hold one, you'll see what I mean.... Oh, and if you do handle a CZ, no need to thank me. You can always curse me later.

You're right about the mag capacity. If forgot to mention that I have the Pierce grip extension on my mags...gives me room for one more round.

[Roundnoser]

Yep, and look stylish
http://www.powerlabs.org/images/coatgun.jpg

Wow! Looks like a scene from the Matrix!

[Artful]

or Harley Davidson and the Marlboro Man movie

[garym1a2]

G21SF, G22, G23 or better yet all of them!

[bigboredad]

how cool does it really get:kidding: If recall correctly you are in a potentially problem area thanks to your southern neighbors. So if it were me i would also look for a bit more capacity. My personal edc gun and the only one I carry is a compact xd in .45 it has a mag that sits flush and a extended one that has a sleeve to make it feel and look like a full size grip it holds 13. That is just my choice I think very highly of sig and think the P220 in any shape would be a fabulous choice. Either way practice is the key. I've been very lazy and have not followed my own advice this summer but I will usually practice twice a week with my carry option. JMHO

[Shuz]

S&W 329PD with cast 429421HP's of 230g driven at 1050 fps.

[Matthew 25]

I really wanted a 3" Kimber...but I went with the XDs. It is incredibly easy to conceal. My first 5 shots were in one large ragged hole at 21 feet with hardball. I was 1" above POA.

The XDs is easily a summer clothes concealer also. But another plug for the XD subcombact. I have one in 9mm, identical dimensions to the 40cal. It doesn't seem very bulky to me, and I'm only 170#. With a high-ride belt holster it conceals very easily under a flannel shirt, etc.

Hard argument between 10 rounds of 40cal vs 6 rounds of 45. That XDs sure is small and comforting.

[jh45gun]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v454/jh45gun/doingitwrong.png

[Artful]

That's a shoe in for sure.