Are expensive 1911's range toys or serious CCW guns?

tarosean said:

Ever try a 2011?
Dimensionally they are almost identical to a 1911 w standard grips. (Fore to aft/side to side) but they do fill the hand a little more.

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People don't realize how much of the grip width of a standard 1911 is "optional" width from the thick, rounded profile of the standard 1911 grip panels (or stocks as some call them). So there's a good deal of "slack" that can be turned to the purpose of adding internal magazine space. But the frontstrap and backstrap do get quite a bit wider.

Some people (myself included) actually like that, since it spreads the recoil force over a wider area at the rear.

In the unlikely event I am ever forced to discharge my carry gun, I want to be damn sure I hit what I need to hit and do it fast. If that day ever comes, I'm sure I'd be willing to pay $1k per bullet hole in the person trying to kill me or my family (which is the only reason I'm going to be shooting someone).

I can understand not wanting to spend a bunch of money on a carry gun that you reasonably think is extremely unlikely to ever be used. That makes sense. Having such a gun and then not wanting to carry it because you are scared it will be abused or lost in the evidence locker? I don't get that at all. That's crazy.

I've carried various LW commander sized 1911 pistols all of my adult life. Coming up on 39 years. My current one is a S&W 1911 PD. It shows the wear of being carried for the past 10 or so years.

If I had the money I'd get a Wilson CBQ Compact and carry it. My most expensive 1911 pistols are a couple of Dan Wessons. One is a PM7 in 10mm and the other is a CBOB in 10mm. My Springfield TRP Operator was also in the same price range.

I'm old, fat, crippled, and have chronic lower back problems. I could still carry a full size 1911 if I wanted, however they do ride up a bit when I get in the car.

I have an EDCx9 being built at Wilson right now. I sold a gun, saved, and worked OT for a year to be able to buy it. Once I have it in hand and have shot it and proven its reliability (which I don't expect to be a problem) I'm gonna carry the ever living crap out of it. Everyone seems to agree that getting involved in a SD shooting is a pretty low likelihood event, so I won't sweat it. If I get in a SD shooting and the cops take it, so what? I'm still alive (hopefully), so I consider it money well spent. I'll be patient and wait for it to be returned. If it isn't? I'll save, and work extra some more and buy another one, because I'm still around to do it.

I have an Ed Brown, I've carried it quite a bit.


I also have Glocks.
Which I carry depends on where on my belt its positioned.
AIWB = Glock
Strong Side IWB = 1911 (feels just right)

dores893 said:

Again though, there is no getting around that it is more difficult to carry a full sized 1911

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I've always felt they were easier to carry than a G19 because they are thinner. That matters in IWB not so much OWB. That said I carry a CCO sized T3 most of the time. Barrel length is about the same as a 19 but the grip is about 3/8ish longer. (On the other side of the pond so I cannot do a side by side for you.)

The only time I carry a 5" is typically OWB when I am headed to the range.

ColtPythonElite said:

That question doesn't fit here. His less expensive gun is a fine defensive weapon.

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Only if he shoots it as well; which he said he does not. Bullet placement trumps capacity if you can't hit squat with the higher capacity gun.

I really recommend people consider a good gun belt if they think carrying a full sized 1911 is hard. A good steel core belt like one from Bigfoot Gun Belts really makes a big difference in keeping a gun from dragging your drawers down. Combine it with a high quality holster and it's not that hard to pull off.

Concealment might be a little harder, and warrants some consideration, but it can, and is done every day by people. 1911's are thinner than a lot of polymer double stacks and fit IWB better. Yes they are heavier...………….. but gun belt.

Also, if you wear your pants at your waist, rather than your hips, "pants falling down" isn't nearly as much of thing you have to fight against.

I personally would not carry an expensive gun because if I ever have to shoot someone in self defense, that gun will immediately be confiscated by law enforcement and held as evidence for as long as law enforcement needs/wants it. In other words, I don't want to be upset because law enforcement has my $3k pistol and I'm not going to be getting it back anytime soon.

As for my Glock, I've made it extremely accurate by putting a KKM barrel in it and I have an EXTREMELY GOOD TRIGGER IN IT, also, an aftermarket add on. That said, there's nothing about my Glock that I can't replace, should said gun be confiscated by law enforcement because I had to use it for self defense.

Edit: I also put the best ammo money can buy in the magazines.

JDGray said:

The most important thing about a carry gun is 100% reliability, can you hit what your pointing at, and will you carry it. Who cares about the rest....

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This

I've been shooting 1911's for 40 years. I like them a lot, but they are all range toys. There are better options for serous work and have been for a long time.

Concealed carry is all about compromises... whether that is size, weight, capacity or platform. I'm not going to tell what to carry, but I'll say the G19 is no peashooter, it's a decent size gun and when you first started carrying it, it was probably as much as a pain as you think the 1911 is now....

Maybe give the 1911 a full hearted, concerted effort to carry daily for a month and see it levels out. It's a more than viable platform for self defense, competition, or anything else that requires lead to fly.

*Full disclosure for the great Glock vs 1911 debate: I like both and think people should carry what they like best and are most proficient with*

Lycidas Janwor said:

I personally would not carry an expensive gun because if I ever have to shoot someone in self defense, that gun will immediately be confiscated by law enforcement and held as evidence for as long as law enforcement needs/wants it. In other words, I don't want to be upset because law enforcement has my $3k pistol and I'm not going to be getting it back anytime soon.

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64 posts before this was said. Must be some kind of record for THR … Hmm, what's the life of one of your family members worth?

I submit that if one is involved in a defensive shooting, the fact that law enforcement takes the gun one used will be the least of one's worries.

As for myself, I tend to carry handguns that I shoot the best. As I've been using 1911s for over 40 years, I am still appreciably faster and more accurate with this type of pistol than any other, including my favorite DA/SA autos (SIGs, CZs and Berettas).

At any rate, if the expensive Ed Brown or Les Baer has done its job, protecting my family and me, I'll not worry about it sitting in some evidence locker somewhere, in fact, if I never got it back, I'd move on … it's just an object. And don't most of you have a replacement handgun handy if this were to occur?

Are we going to be done with the Glock 19 threads anytime soon, by the way? Or if we are to consider this a 1911 thread, when are we going to be done with "are 1911s still relevant/obsolete" threads anytime soon?

GEM said:

You could get a lighter weight SW 1911Sc. That's the Scandium gun. The recoil is quite manageable. I'm not a big guy and I can shoot 90 WWB 230 gr at a match without problems. Yes, I would rather carry my Glock but the 1911 is viable with the right choice of clothes. 9 shots and a couple of extra mags would be my 1911 EDC. I shoot the gun decently. While a slow old toot, I came in with only 3 points down in a recent match. My time is slow, slow as I am nowadays.

The gun was $739 when I got it. Put on an ambi safety. Now they are $1449 MSRP.
The Sc guns are 28 oz as compared to 38 ish for the steel guns.

Glocks are 23 to 24 oz for the 19s and 17s. Of course, more rounds. However, if you were in a 10 round ban state (more coming soon to your neighborhood), what do you think?

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The only 1911 I own is a S&W Sc Commander. I really do like it. While it is lightweight as 1911s go I am having difficulty carrying it all day. I have a few good custom made leather holsters for it and can carry it a few hours comfortably but that is about it now. I am an older guy so now the P365 and Shield 45 is what is on me now when I go out the door. There is always one more handgun within arms reach of me at any given time ( those details intentionally not included) 99% of the time. I think I also paid about the same for mine as well. It really is an excellent 1911. I do not think I would ever sell it.

460Shooter said:

I really recommend people consider a good gun belt if they think carrying a full sized 1911 is hard. A good steel core belt like one from Bigfoot Gun Belts really makes a big difference in keeping a gun from dragging your drawers down. Combine it with a high quality holster and it's not that hard to pull off.

Concealment might be a little harder, and warrants some consideration, but it can, and is done every day by people. 1911's are thinner than a lot of polymer double stacks and fit IWB better. Yes they are heavier...………….. but gun belt.

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You know it. A well built belt and holster add to the comfort level.

Are expensive 1911's range toys or serious CCW guns?

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You Betcha!

Lycidas Janwor said:

I personally would not carry an expensive gun because if I ever have to shoot someone in self defense, that gun will immediately be confiscated by law enforcement and held as evidence for as long as law enforcement needs/wants it. In other words, I don't want to be upset because law enforcement has my $3k pistol and I'm not going to be getting it back anytime soon.

As for my Glock, I've made it extremely accurate by putting a KKM barrel in it and I have an EXTREMELY GOOD TRIGGER IN IT, also, an aftermarket add on. That said, there's nothing about my Glock that I can't replace, should said gun be confiscated by law enforcement because I had to use it for self defense.

Edit: I also put the best ammo money can buy in the magazines.

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So, you would rather risk your chance of survival to save a few bucks?

tarosean said:

Not sure what you're trying to say??

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Sorry I meant to say “ Shown “. My phone was being stupid. I wanted to see what you was carrying.

460Shooter said:

Concealment might be a little harder, and warrants some consideration, but it can, and is done every day by people. 1911's are thinner than a lot of polymer double stacks and fit IWB better. Yes they are heavier...………….. but gun belt.

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Honestly, the weight complaint that people hold the 1911 was one that went over my head. Their not that heavy to me and others, and as you say. A good strong belt helps, and if they were too heavy to carry concealed. Then I doubt they still would be for a 100 years.

It's the Indian not the arrow
It's the cowboy not the bullet
It's the knight not the sword

Carry what the hell you want to. We lose to much time and sleep worrying about what the other guy is carrying. Capacity and shot placement and caliber will be debated til the end of time. We all know the same old adage regardless of what platform we are carrying, "if I knew what trouble I'd be getting into whats on my belt is not as important as what's over my shoulder."