I am looking to buy a new carry pistol. I have narrowed it downed to a Kahr CW 45 or Taurus Pro 140. They are with $15 in price. I know the .40 and .45 are very close in power. Couple more rounds in the .40 than then .45.
Looking for some input from personal experience.
Thanks,
I personally would never use a .45 as a carry pistol. The bigger the round the more accuracy you loose. With the way bullet technology is, more and more SWAT teams are going back to the 9. Very close to the .40 balistic wise, you can carry more rounds and accuracy is way up. 
DT
I recommend you shoot both if possible to see which one works better for you. Self defense gunfights are close range and accuracy isn’t as important as knockdown power when you are shooting at 10 feet. Some people can handle large caliber handguns and some can’t.
Sorry but if an attacker is going to come at you from 10 feet you will not get your gun out anyways.
DT
Double Barrel .45
I had a beautiful Springfield .45 that I shot a bullseye with on my first shot at 15 feet. Nice looking with the stainless slide and I loved the compact size.
If I recall it held 12 rounds with one in the chamber.
There wasn’t any way I could carry that everyday. It was just too heavy with all that lead.
Who says you don’t already have your handgun out and in ready position? Slightly more than half of police shootings are at less than 15 feet and the remainder at less than 21 feet. It still boils down to personal preference and that individual’s proficiency.
Really like my Ruger 9mm
Just saying…
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I personally would never use a .45 as a carry pistol. The bigger the round the more accuracy you loose. With the way bullet technology is, more and more SWAT teams are going back to the 9. Very close to the .40 balistic wise, you can carry more rounds and accuracy is way up.
DT
There are quite a few LE instructors in the metro that will highly disagree with you on that one. 1911 models like the PARA ord. hog in .45 are great for concealed carry.
That gun just bumped up the price to $800.+
I think the OP had his mind made up on the two guns he was looking at.
On a side note, I have a friend that’s a 1911 lover and he gives me crap all the time about my little pocket friend the Keltec 380.
He says they should come with a string attached so after it’s drawn, while at the doctors office it’s easier for them to pull out of your butt. 
This is true, but while he’s going back to his truck to get his (full size) 1911, my little guys is getting ready to flash at the bad guy.
Moral to the story…. I don’t know how your build is, but just make sure whatever weapon you choose, it’s comfortable if you plan on wearing it full time. If it’s not comfortable, it won’t be worn and that will do you as much good as going to a gun fight with a knife. 
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The bigger the round the more accuracy you loose.
Why is that? Worse ballistic coefficient?
Rootski
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There are quite a few LE instructors in the metro that will highly disagree with you on that one. 1911 models like the PARA ord. hog in .45 are great for concealed carry.
I won’t disagree with what certain instructions may say. But there has been a big push back to the 9mm for law enforcement. The new ammo has really helped this push. But in the end it’s personal preference and you will choose what works best for you.
Ironically, St Paul PD just switched back to the 9mm. They went to the Glock 9mm from revolvers in the 80’s. They then went to 40’s and now back to the 9mm’s. My father was part of bringing the semi auto’s in during the 80’s. I still have the 9mm that Glock gave him with his name and rank engraved in the gun.
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That gun just bumped up the price to $800.+
I think the OP had his mind made up on the two guns he was looking at.
On a side note, I have a friend that’s a 1911 lover and he gives me crap all the time about my little pocket friend the Keltec 380.
He says they should come with a string attached so after it’s drawn, while at the doctors office it’s easier for them to pull out of your butt.
This is true, but while he’s going back to his truck to get his (full size) 1911, my little guys is getting ready to flash at the bad guy.
Moral to the story…. I don’t know how your build is, but just make sure whatever weapon you choose, it’s comfortable if you plan on wearing it full time. If it’s not comfortable, it won’t be worn and that will do you as much good as going to a gun fight with a knife.
Wasn’t suggesting it for the OP. Way more expensive. Was just stating that there are really good compact 1911 pistols that are great Conceal carry.
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The bigger the round the more accuracy you loose.
Why is that? Worse ballistic coefficient?
Rootski
No, misled information.
Go take a handgun carry/defensive course first, then pick the gun you can both shoot well and is light enough you’ll actually carry it. imho
Al
My concern with a .45 in a concealable form factor would be the amount of bark. I held several .40’s in small form factor recently. Most just didn’t fit my hand well and I was worried the gun and I would be wildly inaccurate and borderline dangerous.
A similar conversation on the hunting side right now: CC Gun
That’s why it’s best to go to a gun shop where you can test out the pistols you are interested in. When you spend that much money you don’t want something you aren’t comfortable with. I can’t emphasize that enough.
Recoil is not really a factor. I have a S&W model 57 in .41 magnum and a 454 casul that I shoot regularly. Just wanted some feed back from anyone that had and or carried either gun.
There are a lot a variables to consider when deciding which type of firearm to carry. You need to look at how you plan to carry. If you want maximum concealment, you may choose pocket carry or an inside the waistband holster. With a Ruger LCP (.380) and a Crossbreed Mini Tuck holster, I will carry all year with maximum comfort and concealment. This is what I’d recommend as a starting point in your search. If you can’t carry comfortably and are worried about keeping it concealed, you won’t carry much. Both my wife and I have this combination and carry it often.
In the cooler weather months when I wear heavier clothing, I will carry my Glock 26 (sub-compact 9mm) or my Glock 20 (full sized 10mm). For these I will use an good outside the waistband holster and rely on a long jacket or vest for concealment. They key when carrying any heavier gun is a good thick leather belt and a quality holster.
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The bigger the round the more accuracy you loose.
Why is that? Worse ballistic coefficient?
Rootski
I was just talking about recoil. I’m not saying a .45 can’t work it’s just that they are usually heavy. From someone that carries a lot, thats not what I’m looking for in a conceal gun.
DT
I PERSONALY OWN A BURSA THUNDER CC (CONCEAL AND CARRY)380! I HAVE FIRED OVER 500 ROUNDS THROUGH HER AND HAD NO JAMS, OR ISSUES. ITS SMALL BUT NOT TOO SMALL, VERY AFFORDABLE, AND RELIABLE. YOU CAN GET THEM FOR UNDER $300 I THINK. REMEMBER IT HAS TO BE THE CONCEAL AND CARRY MODEL…GOOD LUCK! 
I didn’t intend to pull the thread off topic with my post. I just feel that a smaller .45 could be a lot to shoot accurately under stress. Both guns appear to be close to the size of a full size Glock. I have carried a Glock 23 on my side a lot but it’s harder to conceal in the summer with summer clothes. Before you buy either one make sure you know what holsters are available for both. When I bought my LC9 I struggled to find a left handed ankle holster and ended up buying a universal Uncle Mikes.
DT
I have two CCW. For reliability I prefer the revolver. I have a hammerless 38 Special S&W. I also have an LC9 that is a nice shooting gun and is a 7 plus 1 and very concealable. My non CCW is a 40 Ruger that shoots very well.
I know this isn’t on your list BUT, IMHO a glock 19 in a crossbreed supertuck with a G17 reload is the PERFECT combination.
As long as we’re of track….
Grab your woman that is thinking about arming herself. Certainly different hurdles for the females.
This young lady does a very nice job of going through options…ps the purse is not a good option.
Well, I carried a Glock 36 as a duty weapon, concealed for four years. The Model 36 is a 7 shot, small 45. Then used the same 36 in a duty belt as my part time post retirement job. Now a 21 is on the belt and the 36 rides in a Cross Breed for CCW. With a modest amount of practice the Model 36 in 45 acp is very controllable and concealable. We had to, and still do have to qualify with two hands, one hand strong and weak. The Model 36 is still controllable weak handed unsupported. That has been my experience.
Duke
Cudos to this gal she spent a lot of time making this video with some great ideas for gals.
I found that my Glock 27 (40cal) is easy to concel and with the grip extention holds 10 rounds. I also have the model 23 so if I want to carry 15 round clips, they will also work in the model 27.
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