1911: Double Stacks Shoot Like Single Stacks?

[rhubarb]

I'm looking to buy a .45 ACP soon. I want a full size gun with a full capacity magazine. That means double digit capacity. I like some of the modern whiz-bang pistols with almost every feature but a cupholder and high capacity to boot.

However, I have never shot any handgun as well as a single stack 1911. I've never shot a double stack 1911.

The question is, therefore, do you shoot your double stack 1911 as well as a single stack 1911? Is there a noticeable difference due to the wider grip?

 

[Black Majik]

Yes, there is a difference in feel between a double stack 1911 and a single stack 1911. I prefer the feel of a single stack 1911, and the trigger reach may vary between a s/s and d/s 1911.

 

[wally]

Is there a noticeable difference due to the wider grip?

I'm afraid there is no way to tell without trying -- depends on your specific hand. I tend to like the "fatter" grips of the double stacks -- I usually put on the thicker Hogue or Pachmyer finger groove grips on my range favorite 1911s. The net result is I see negligible difference. YMMV.

OTOH the CZ97 and Glock 21 are too thick and long in the trigger reach for me to shoot well -- do much better with the CZ97 than the Glock but better still with the EAA Witness .45. The Glock is 13 shots, the CZ97 and Witness are 10 rounds. 1911 is still my overall favorite.

But my experience (Para P14, P13, P10, SA P12 clone, Kimber BP 5", 4" & 3", and Armscor P14 clone) with the double stacks based on Para mag tubes (STI/STV tube based guns might be different, I've no experiencewith them) leaves me not really recommending them for carry as the mags are prone to feed problems when dirty and mag spring life tends to be short which is another cause of feed failures. They are among my range favorites however.

--wally.

 

[orionengnr]

My experience with the double stack Paras is that they shoot very well and don't feel much different than a single-stack 1911 (weight of the extra cartridges excepted).

My own personal opinion is that they make better range or HD pistols than they do carry pistols. A Tac-Four sleeps next to me each night.

Then again, consider the source... I prefer a single stack 3" alloy framed 1911 for carry--anything larger/wider/heavier is too big for me.

 

[Zak Smith]

I've got short fingers, but haven't had a problem going to an SV/STI double-stack. It's hard to go back to a SS...

 

[Hawk]

I slapped the calipers on my STI and was surprised to find the grip width to be slightly under my Dan Wesson single stack with the factory standard grip panels. I got curious and called STI - front to rear and width are reportedly the same as a standard 1911 single stack. Total girth is over by 50/1000s due to the radius.

Presumably, this would be identical to SVI, I don't know where the KZ-45 or Paras land as far as exterior grip dimensions go.

To me, the 50/1000s is a "Princess and the pea" sort of thing - I can't discern it. YMMV, of course. I tend to shoot the STI better than any single stack I have but that could be for any number of reasons - the grip has been a non-issue.

 

[CWL]

I own both a Wilson Combat KZ45 and Para P13. Have used both of them at various 2-4 day training sessions over the years. I have returned to singlestacks because they fit me better and are slimmer.

Yes, the size of the grip is noticeably different and will affect your trigger finger placement if you have small or medium hands.

On a singlestack M1911, the grip is oval and is easier for your fingers to comfortably wrap around at the middle knuckle while doublestacks have squared grips that may prevent your knuckles from comfortably wrapping around them. On my KZ45, I am only able to get the pads of my fingertips around the wide grip while I can keep a 'deathlock' on a singlestack.

Does it affect accuracy? Sometimes after long strings of fire, it is a little bit harder to keep a proper grip on my doublestacks v. my singles so my bullet placement loosens a bit. Shooting them one-handed gets tiring faster.

This is just me, you need to hold them in your hands to see how confortable they work for you. Having an extra 3+ rounds won't mean anything if your accuracy goes down the tubes.

 

[crankshop1000]

I have both... a 1911A1 RIA and a Springfield 1911 hi cap loaded. The Springfield has more bells and whistles than the RIA, but in general they are quite similar in actual feel. The Hi Cap has a wider fraqme to accomadate the double stack and feels heavier with the additional capacity. That gives a slight recoil reduction when the mag is full. After that they are about the same. My Springfield is a 2001 model and I don't believe they make it as a loaded any more.
springfield Hi cap loaded


RIA 1911 single stack

 

[Deer Hunter]

Couple of pictures I took comparing my CZ 75 to my CZ 97. Double stack .45s are not as large as people tend to believe. Yes, the 97 is a very large gun (I prefer the term "robust"), but it's easy to shoot with. I have medium sized hands and I have no problems with it.

 

[1KPerDay]

I didn't know CZ made a double-stack. Lovely gun.

I shoot my Para doublestack about as well as my combat commander... if not better (the para has "limited" upgrades). The grip is blocky though. Some guys remove the grips entirely and just put grip tape on the side panels.

 

[Deer Hunter]

I didn't know CZ made a double-stack. Lovely gun.

http://thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=298532

 

[LoadedDrum]

I have a P1445 and Colt 70 series. The P1445 is harder to shoot one handed than a single stack. Shooting with both hands, I notice no difference other than the recoil feels less because it is distributed over a larger area of the hand.

 

[1KPerDay]

Deer hunter... I should have said a double stack .45. I knew they made double stacks in other calibers. I've never shot a CZ but it seems those who have them love them.

 

[DoubleTapDrew]

It depends on your hand size. My double stack experience with a 1911 is limited to a para P-14 and I hated it. Felt like I was holding something with a 2x4 for a grip. Some of the newer double stack .45's aren't too bad.

 

[DoubleTapDrew]

It depends on your hand size. My double stack experience with a 1911 is limited to a para P-14 and I hated it. Felt like I was holding something with a 2x4 for a grip. Some of the newer double stack .45's aren't too bad.