Which 1911 for Everyday Carry?

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ScottSaint

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I've decided to carry consistently now and am looking for a gun with two things that seem to be in opposition to each others. I want something with a smaller frame (a 1911?) but also need to have a gun with a larger/longer grip given my large hand size. Most "conceal carry" guns that I've held I can only get three fingers on.

Can anyone offer a suggestion?
 
Try a full size or commander with a bobbed mainspring housing. This removes a lot of extra bulk from the butt.
 
What do you mean by a smaller frame? What dimension are you worried about? Thickness? Grip length? Slide length?

The first 1911 that I started carrying was a Kimber Compact, which has a 4" barrel but an officer's length grip. I replaced that with an aluminum-framed Kimber Compact. Now I carry a full-size, stainless steel 1911 -- I've found that I can carry the full-size gun just as easily now that I have a better holster (Kramer Leather IWB). The length of the slide doesn't much matter for concealment, as that is in your pants, and the longer slide gives a longer sight radius.
 
Now known as the PD.
1911sc1.jpg
 
Hard to beat a S&W 1911PD, 8 round mags and 4 1/4 barrel. MrsTwigg carries one and shoots it well.
Its one of the best 1911's I shot: meaning I shoot it very well.

Me ? I prefer my Colt 1991A1 Govt. because I shoot this one better.

Which one for you ? The one you shoot best. Solution - go green, come to any of the NES shoots. Most NES'rs I've met will let you shoot anything they have when asked.

Bring ammo. [wink]
 
How about this little guy. I want one but not for carry just because my wife thinks it's cute

para_hawg_night.jpg

Wow!! After looking at the photo I posted the build quality looks like stink! If I do get one I'll have to get it cheap and rebuild it to my personal spec's
 
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radioman said:
How about this little guy. I want one but not for carry just because my wife thinks it's cute

View attachment 19495

Wow!! After looking at the photo I posted the build quality looks like stink! If I do get one I'll have to get it cheap and rebuild it to my personal spec's
Click to expand...
No, you don't want one of those. 1911s aren't the most reliable of guns, but ParaOrdnance Warthogs are just about the worst - complete POS. I'm not a big fan of Officer's model 1911s to begin with -- there are no easier to carry than a Kimber Compact sized gun and you give up much needed sight radius.
 
M1911 said:
I'm not a big fan of Officer's model 1911s to begin with -- there are no easier to carry than a Kimber Compact sized gun and you give up much needed sight radius.
Click to expand...

There's really no reason to give up any slide length that you don't have to (for IWB carry, anyway). The big concern will be grip dimensions.

I never had a problem concealing my gov't model when I had it, and I'm not exactly built for concealment.
 
radioman said:
How about this little guy. I want one but not for carry just because my wife thinks it's cute

View attachment 19495

Wow!! After looking at the photo I posted the build quality looks like stink! If I do get one I'll have to get it cheap and rebuild it to my personal spec's
Click to expand...


You just posted the most hated gun on NES. [rofl]

Run, don't walk... away from even thinking about possibly maybe buying one. You'll thank us all later.

-Mike
 
atmay said:
There's really no reason to give up any slide length that you don't have to (for IWB carry, anyway).
Click to expand...
Exactly. I'm not a very big guy, but I can conceal a government model under an untucked shirt with a good IWB holster.
 
I have been carrying my G30 lately but when I do carry a 1911 it's a full sized S&W. Holster is key. in terms of not having the grip poke out some internal organs when you move around.
 
JRyan said:
I have been carrying my G30 lately but when I do carry a 1911 it's a full sized S&W. Holster is key. in terms of not having the grip poke out some internal organs when you move around.
Click to expand...


Make sure you get one with a good sized body shield, as well. The hammer on my Colt was f--king SHARP.
 
CC gun other than a 1911 ?

Thanks to all for the suggestions. I hand't thought about the "cocked and locked" status of the gun. That would be new to me. Any thoughts on a gun outside of the 1911's.
 
I prefer to carry a revolver... how does that fit into your question not really :)
There are many that prefer a glock - plenty of options for something like that... maybe an MP with a trigger job...
 
ScottSaint said:
Thanks to all for the suggestions. I hand't thought about the "cocked and locked" status of the gun. That would be new to me. Any thoughts on a gun outside of the 1911's.
Click to expand...

If you really want to carry a 1911, training for this isn't a big deal. It's pretty easy to master.

-Mike
 
you might find an S&W 4513 a nice fit for what you need. Its a 45 in

a 1911 style, very nice grip, and is easily carried.. it has a decocking

feature, the first pull is double action, the second and so on are single

action.. there are no safeties, none needed..... similar to a P226 Sig.
 
Don't fear the cocked and locked carry of the 1911. Once you get the hang of it you will feel right at home. It is absolutely safe in the informed persons hand/holster.

I always looked at the 1911 as a standard/stick shift car. My father made me learn on a stick before I could drive the automatic. His reasoning was that if I could drive a stick well, I could handle any automatic car. I learned to shoot with revovlers and encourage my freinds who shoot or have an interest in it to learn how to run a 1911 with proficiency. It is also a peice of American history and just cool to shoot. If you end up not liking it, well, at least now you know. I find the full size conceals well, but am very please with the commander sized models too. Seated, they are more comfortable for me. You may be built different and not mind the full size at all. The S&W ES is something I have been looking at for a while and think it is a great peice. It has a commander slide and an officers grip. Very suitable to carry.

Having said all that, my personal advice is: find a gun you shoot well and figure out a way to carry it. Put some rounds down range with different models, decide the one you shoot best and then find a way to tuck that sucker away. There are alot of great holsters out there and if you find the right one for you, the gun will melt away under the right clothes. Unfortunately, there is no one-size-fits-all: guns or holsters.

If you get a 1911, you might as well get it this year during it's 100th anniversary.

Best of luck.
 

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