Talk to me about these compact .45 autos

[AR-10]

Alright WEVO, I'm in the market for a smaller .45 with a light rail.

I've narrowed it down to these four:

H&K USP45C


SIG P220C


S&W M&P


XD 5" Compact


If you've owned or shot any of these, I'd like to hear your opinions please.

What I'm looking for here is a .45 that is smaller than a 5" 1911, and lighter - I'm not interested in a Commander frame either.
I also don't care for the Glock, so that eliminates both of those.

Trigger type is not a huge deciding factor for me, I've shot SA, DA/SA and DA-only and I don't really have trouble with any of them.

I just want a smaller .45 that feels good in my hand, and has the ability to hold an X300 when I take a class with it.

[Optimus Prime]

I'm personally leaning towards the M&P45c when I have the funds. I've only held the M&P9, but it felt as perfect as I've ever felt for a plastic pistol. (I'm a 1911 shooter FWIW)

One of my buddies has an H&K USP9, and I can't stand the checkering on the front strap, it's huge and more like spikes.

[Paulo_Santos]

The M&P .45 is our duty weapon and I highly recommend it. Reliable, accurate, adaptable to any shooter with the interchangeable grips.

[AR-10]

The M&P is my #1 choice, I held one and it felt great in my hand.

I also held the USPc but it didn't feel much smaller than the full-size USP and I know exactly what you mean about the checkering.

I haven't held a P220C but I've owned a P220 and I believe they are the same size at the grip so it should feel the same - but, I've heard Sig Sauer's quality isn't what it was ten years ago.

As for the XD, I haven't held one of those yet either but I can tell you right now if the trigger feels anything like a factory Glock I won't like it.

[HERRON223]

+ 1

The M&P .45 is our duty weapon and I highly recommend it. Reliable, accurate, adaptable to any shooter with the interchangeable grips.

[Wondering Beard]

I just want a smaller .45 that feels good in my hand, and has the ability to hold an X300 when I take a class with it.

Smaller in which way?

Smaller frame for better concealed carry?
Smaller length?
Thinner in the grip?

It's always a compromise, what you gain in one area is easily lost in another.

For example, the S&W M&P 45C is the smallest in all ways (especially grip as far as I'm concerned) but it most likely is the one with the most muzzle flip (individual hand shape and size can make a difference). The H&K USP45C has, I think, the shortest barrel and the velocity loss may be something that you don't like.

The S&W M&P 45 with a 4 inch barrel but a full size grip is a compromise that a lot of people seem to like but it if a smaller grip is what really drives you, that model won't work for you.

A bit more precision about what you are looking for would help guide you to what you really want.

Until then, like others above, I would tend to go with the M&P simply because I like its trigger better than the others you presented.

[m249saw]

Ive had 2 HK USP 45 compacts. Both were very accurate and a pleasure to shoot. As a carry gun it was just too big, magazines were hard to find for a while and just the cost of .45 during the ammo shortage made me sell my last one.

Currently Im thinking about a Glock 30, mostly because all my pistols are Glock, Im a Glock Armorer (who isnt, lol) and they give a hell of a deal to me as a Firefighter/Paramedic (I get LEO pricing).

[Paulo_Santos]

Currently Im thinking about a Glock 30, mostly because all my pistols are Glock, Im a Glock Armorer (who isnt, lol) and they give a hell of a deal to me as a Firefighter/Paramedic (I get LEO pricing).

Careful with shooting reloads in the Glock. My co-worker just found out the hard way.
He bought an aftermarket barrel so he could shoot reloads.

[Optimus Prime]

...For example, the S&W M&P 45C is the smallest in all ways (especially grip as far as I'm concerned) but it most likely is the one with the most muzzle flip...

I don't know, the M&P's have the lowest bore over grip hight, which should do wonders to cut down on flip.

[Paulo_Santos]

I don't know, the M&P's have the lowest bore over grip hight, which should do wonders to cut down on flip.

Muzzle flip is minimal with the M&P's. My only gripe with them is the 10 round mag capacity with the fullsize .45's. It should at least be 12 rounds.

[m249saw]

Careful with shooting reloads in the Glock. My co-worker just found out the hard way.
He bought an aftermarket barrel so he could shoot reloads.

I only shoot factory. Thanks for the heads up though.

[Wondering Beard]

I don't know, the M&P's have the lowest bore over grip hight, which should do wonders to cut down on flip.

It depends on one's hand and grip.

For me, the grip tang of the M&P is a little too high from the web of my hand (which doesn't happen with the Glocks, again for me) and enhances muzzle flip; not sufficiently to make it a problem but enough to notice the difference. That's why when shooting an M&P, I prefer the ones with the thumb safety as riding the safety enables me to make my hand go higher.

Someone with different hands could have a totally different experience. In general, however, a shorter barrel tends to make for more muzzle flip.

[AR-10]

When I say smaller I mean compact when compared to a 5" 1911 which is what I've been shooting for a while now.

Think "concealable" but that's not it's primary purpose - I wouldn't even attempt to conceal a full-size 1911 with a light rail forged into the frame, a beavertail and an 8-rounder sticking out of the magwell.

It's just too much gun to try and hide when you're wearing minimal clothing.

Optimus just mentioned one of the main reasons why I like the M&P, the slide seems to sit lower in your hand.

I need to find a place that has one with a thumb safety and one without so I can feel them both.

[AR-10]

I'd also like to know what you guys carry in these as far as ammo goes - do they like Winchester 230gr hollowpoints?

Specifically, RA45T and PDX1 which is all I have.

[Paulo_Santos]

We use the Winchester RA45T also. And the Einchester .230 GR ball ammo for practice.