What is the best handgun for me?

Para-Ordnance make a compact 1911 with a 10 round mag in .45 they also make a full sized 1911 with a 14 round mag

found a good link to one

http://www.para-usa.com/new/product_pistol.php?id=...

I carry a 1911 .45 as well. For the times that it isn't practical, I can always find a pocket or boot or IWB for my S&W AirLite .357.

For your budget (and really, almost as light) is the S&W AirWeight series. At less than 15 ounces, it won't weight down any pockets or make you walk with a limp (if in the boot). If you get the Centennial style with the internal hammer, the entire cylinder can be fired from inside a coat pocket. Try that with any automatic. These will run about $450 in .38 +P.

The XD 45 will be thicker than the 1911. The Judge is all about marketing, not performance and will be especially large, especially considering it's less effective than a real revolver.

The BEST handgun is the one that fits your hand well, and the one you will actually carry.

If you like the 1911 features, there are several other manufacturers that make smaller frame, more concealable- .45ACP - Springfield, Kimber, Kahr, and others

Take a look at the Kimber UltraCarry line (a personal favorite of mine...) IT is more than what you want to spend, but it is a GREAT carry arm.

If you are open to other styles (grip safety, features, etc.) Glock, SigSauer, and even Taurus

As the Answerer listed below, the Glock Model 36 and 30 are small, easy to carry choices

(I like the Glock Model 30, .45ACP, as it was less expensive than the Kimber, and more in your price range)

Sounds like you want your cake and to eat it too. Concealability and stopping power are antagonistic to each other, anytime you improve one side of the equation you hurt the other side. If you are going to stay stuck on having a .45ACP then you may as well just stick with the 1911 as any other pistol chambered in .45 is going to have trouble being concealed comfortably as well. The Judge isn't going to be any more concealable than a 1911 either. Unless you are willing to compromise a bit more on stopping power and go to a 9mm with +P hollow point loads, or to a mid-frame revolver in .357 there is not much to be gained.

Stopping power, pocketability, and no jams? What about a .357Mag snubbie like the Ruger SP101 2 1/4"? Even smaller, and thus more likely to be in your pocket instead of the car, would be a S&W Model 60 in .357Mag. Be warned, though, a snubbie .357Mag is not pleasant to shoot, and might deter you from practicing and training as much as you should.

If i were you i would get an s&w mp15 or glock 36. On behalf of the XD45 they have a subcompact version which my Buddy has and it shoots very well and i was impressed when i shot it. It is up to your prefance on what gun you should get,if there is a gun store nearby go there and feel different guns and pick the one you like best.

Is impossible effectively combine small size, stopping pwer, high capacity and reliability, thus you demand impossibility. Concealable handguns must lose power and lose accuracy and have great recoil, many not function reliably either and have tremendous muzzle blast and muzzle jump. I use Smith & Wesson "Bodyguard" .38 Special revolver have 1.8" barrel and integral hammer shroud cannot snag at clothing. If such small revolvers use .357 Magnum cartridge is not good idea, they lose too much power and accuracy, have awful muzzle blast, recoil and muzzle jump, wear out quickly too. If like semi-autos Walther "PPK" is classic, SIG "P232" is somewhat bigger, try both at gunstore before buy either. I think is best forget Taurus "Judge". S&W, Walther and SIG are much better guns.

Para Ordnance Hog. Just save a few extra bucks for a good gun. well worth it.

Perhaps the Kahr Arms CW45. It's light, it's compact, and it fires .45 ACP. Priced at a bit over $400.

http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=kahr+cw45...

maybe the AMT-.45 backup/ uses .45 acp

or if you want something for around $100 id say the raven p25... but it fires .25 cal so its pretty weak but those 2 are extremely small