.45 ACP or .357 Magnum Small Carry Guns

[Luvs.357]

I am looking at options in small carry guns:

1)Used or New AMT Backup(I figure $300-525) .45 ACP
2)New Bersa Thunder (I figure $300-$520) .45 ACP
3)New EAA Windicator 2" snubby(I figure $275-290).357 Magnum

What do you good folks think?

Anymore as good or better options?

[Capt Cook]

Well. just my opinion but those small, lightweight, high caliber guns will really beat up your hands.
My brother in law shot his Glock 36(?) which is a small .45 & he told me it broke his hand shooting it the first time.
He hasn't even shot it since then & there in lies the problem. You just won't want to shoot it much if at all.
If you are going to get a .45 or .357 then just get the slightly bigger & heavier version. It will help keep the recoil down so your hand doesn't get beat up.

[Phillip Gain]

I agree with the good Captain. But I'd like to add this: With the shorter barrel, you get a lot of blowoff / muzzle flash. This means that instead of the burning powder pushing your bullet up to a higher velocity through a 4-5 inch barrel...it pushes up to a lower velocity through a shorter barrel and the rest "burns off" outside the barrel.

So - if you want a smaller carry gun, you might as well get a smaller caliber. Lots of sites out there that have ballistics info that can help you make your choice.

[Bighouse Doc]

I agree with the Capt.

It took a little while to get used to the Glock 30.

I have finally got 500+ rounds thru it.

Using two hands, I can now manage the recoil enough to do 100-150 rounds a practice session.

-Doc

[jelo45110]

For a 357 I prefer my Ruger SP101. It does weigh quite a bit more than the one you mentioned, but it does tame the recoil considerably. If I were going to go with a small light weight semi auto I would look at a 9mm. The Ruger SR9C I have shot and it is a very compact pistol. If you are looking to go as inexpensive as possible look at the Keltech pistols. New prices for their compact 9mm's are very reasonable.

[Stevenas]

Really??
Broke his hand shooting a 45 ACP???

With all due respect, he is either a liar or a *****.

[eXGee11]

Really??
Broke his hand shooting a 45 ACP???

With all due respect, he is either a liar or a *****.

Hahahaha. (Sorry, but that's funny right there and your a liar if you claim otherwise)

[grousetrapper]

I am in agreement that 9mm is a much better choice for small concealable weapon. There are a lot of choices from pocket pistols to medium sized pistols, and ammo is cheap and easy to find.

[jtg452]

I am looking at options in small carry guns:

1)Used or New AMT Backup(I figure $300-525) .45 ACP
2)New Bersa Thunder (I figure $300-$520) .45 ACP
3)New EAA Windicator 2" snubby(I figure $275-290).357 Magnum

What do you good folks think?

Anymore as good or better options?

I don't know about the other 2 but I'd ALMOST rather carry a half a brick than a AMT Backup in .45. I sold one at the shop I worked at when they first came out and the trigger pull was about 20 pounds. From what the owner said, it was horribly inaccurate (small grip+super heavy trigger pull= bad accuracy) and kicked like a mule. It would work for a So Close They Get Powder Burns "Get up off me NOW" gun but I don't know about at a distance.

[Luvs.357]

No disrespect meant to any of the above posters.
I absolutely HATE 9MM without +P or +P+ it has no hope of matching a 185 grain JHP .45 ACP or a 158 grain JHP .357 Magnum(standard pressure).

I had an AMT Backup and yes it kicks like a Bank Mule and had a hard/tough trigger pull.

I have heard good reports about the Bersa .45s and I enjoy shooting my EAA Windicator in .38 Special/.38 Special +P, .357 Magnum is more challenging but 2-3 speed loaders full is fun but not something I want to burn 200-250 rounds of.

The only complaint I have with the EAA is it's incredible weight for only a 2" snubby.

I need a small .45 ACP or .357 Magnum to ride in my shoulder bag( I plan to carry the Windicator in a Day Planner or kidney carry holster OWB and a PT-1911 in a Tactical Briefcase.)

Don't get me wrong I do appreciate all of your responces, Thank You.