It’s the wussification of America. .45 too big for widdle boys and girls to heft and shoot accurately. (BTW I use my 1911 as a break from the pounding of my .44 mag Redhawk or my hot loaded .45 Colt Vaquero....it helps keep the flinching down)
I would suggest a good compromise between size and capacity would be a double stack in .40 S&W or .357 sig.
.44 Win Mag Desert Eagle
Anyone can get used to anything. People get used to lighter weight guns, but there isn’t that much difference between, say a Glock 17 and a smaller 1911. IIRC, the Glock 17 is around 22 ounces without the magazine.
My go-to carry is my 1911, and it is perfect. I’m a petite woman just over 5 feet tall. Unloaded, mine weighs 25 ounces, stock. With my grips and the magazine (7+1), I’m guessing a bit over two pounds (32 ounces).
It feels fine concealed - not too heavy. I normally carry an extra magazine, too.
I occasionally carry a full sized Kimber 1911. The weight is fine, but I find it harder to conceal naturally because I’m short.
I was in the Corps when we switched from the 1911 to the Baretta 9mm. I think the .45 I was issued landed at Iwo...it was old, the slide rattled and wasn’t very accurate. I shot expert first time out with the 9mm. I had read somewhere that the Sig was in competition with Baretta for that contract. I love my P226 .40 S&W...drive tacks with it at 25 yards...not sure why the Corps chose Baretta...the Sig is a far superior weapon, IMHO.
Exactly what I carry Sig P226 .40 cal
When I am not carrying my .45 Kimber 1911