1911 questions...

[BoneDigger]

I have been looking for the perfect carry gun for quite some time. I have gone through quite a few in recent years looking for that ONE that really stands out for me. I've had many revolvers and autos and most have been good guns, but now I am CONSIDERING a 1911. I would like input on carrying a 1911, and information on what model is best for carrying, with double duty as a nightstand gun. I am primarily interested in .45acp.

At the local Gander Mountain there is a Kimber CDP II that looked intriguing, but some here have complained that Kimber QC has gone down hill in recent years. I don't want to drop $1000 on a new pistol only to have QC issues. The thing I liked about the CDP was the feel, weight, and it seemd fairly tricked out (night sights, wooden grips, etc.). But, I have always wanted a Colt, just not sure what they offer and how their CS and QC are. What does SA offer that's good for CCW? I also want something that holsters will be easy to find, unlike the last few guns I've owned.

1) What is the best length barrel 1911 for carry? What brands offer a 1911 in this configuration?
2) What maker is offering the best bang for the buck these days in terms of QC and CS?
3) Any recommendations for a good CCW?

Todd

 

[M203Sniper]

1) 4.25 inch. All of them offer a "Commander" Size pistol.
2) Dan Wesson CBOB
3) Dan Wesson CBOB if you want a 1911.

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http://www.dmbullardleather.com/1429711.html

 

[kcshooter]

1) 4.25 inch. All of them offer a "Commander" Size pistol.
2) Dan Wesson CBOB
3) Dan Wesson CBOB if you want a 1911.

I completely agree. Commanders, especially lightweight ones, will be the most reliable, accurate, and comfortable 1911's to carry. The CBOB is an outstanding value. There are other good ones out there, Colt, Springfield, Baer are all great, and I would recommend those as great 1911's for the money too, but they are not the only ones. Kimber and S&W are viable options too. I carry a S&W Gunsite commander regularly, some don't like the external extractor (I didn't think I would either, but this gun just shoots!), some don't like firing pin safeties, but it's all subjective.

 

[pogo2]

Kimber CDP

You mentioned the Kimber CDP in your post. I own the Pro (4 inch barrel) version of that gun, and it has performed very well for me. The gun has an aluminum frame and weighs 28 ounces empty, so it is a good weight for carry. It is also thin (0.90 inches slide width) and conceals well.

I have modified it slightly by replacing the ambi safety with a single side safety, adding thin Alumagrips, Wilson 8 round magazines and a steel mainspring housing to replace the stock plastic. The gun has a good feel and balance in my hand and is quite accurate. I would recommend it as a good CCW, range and home defense gun.

 

[farscott]

1) What is the best length barrel 1911 for carry? What brands offer a 1911 in this configuration?
2) What maker is offering the best bang for the buck these days in terms of QC and CS?
3) Any recommendations for a good CCW?

1) Depends on how you want to carry it, your willingness to invest in quality holsters and belts, and how you feel. I have been carrying a 1911 for some time (closer to twenty years than I want to think), and I prefer to carry a five-inch gun in a Sparks IWB holster, specifically a VM-2 or an HR-LTD. If I have to carry OWB, I prefer a 4.25" barreled gun. If I carry in a shoulder holster, which I hate to and sometimes must do, I carry a 3" gun.

For IWB carry, the five-inch gun is as easy to carry as a shorter gun. My gun is frequently in my holster for upwards of sixteen hours a day. Get a spare holster so you can swap holsters each day. This allows the leather to dry between usage, especially important on hot, humid summer days.

Pretty much everybody who makes a quality 1911 offers a good five-inch 1911 suitable for carry. Personally I have had good luck with Colt, Springfield Armory, Les Baer, and Wilson Combat. My preference is the Colt. I have used SA guns for the custom builds and have been very happy with the results.

The only good 4.25" guns I have ever had are marked Colt. Every other one I have tried has needed some work before being reliable.

2) Best bang for the buck is SA. The warranty follows the gun so a used one is a great value. I also like the old Colt 1991s with the large roll marks. They are ugly and go for less due to that fact. Any gun other than Kimber needs the sharp edges broken before stuffing it into a holster.

3) Get a Sparks holster and any good gun belt. The wait for a Sparks holster is 20+ weeks, but the product is worth the wait.

 

[AZGlock13]

pogo2, I really like the looks of your Pro CDP. I like the two-tone and melted smooth look of it. The Alumagrips finish it off nicely. I might have to get one someday to complement my all stainless DW CBOB.

 

[pogo2]

Thanks

AZGlock13 said:

pogo2, I really like the looks of your Pro CDP. I like the two-tone and melted smooth look of it. The Alumagrips finish it off nicely. I might have to get one someday to complement my all stainless DW CBOB.

Thank you. I like two tone guns and have a number of them.

 

[CWL]

I have a Kimber Ultra CDP and I own the DW CBOB. Get the Dan Wesson.

In terms of fit & finish, the DW beats Kimber on everything. My Kimber rattles because of badly fit parts, did I mention the bad sear that had my Kimber going full-auto on me the first time I took it out of the box?

Get a Dan Wesson CBOB and be amazed.

 

[mtngunr]

Personally feel a full-size basic 1911 is the most reliable platform while remaining snag free....extended doo-dads are great for competition, and reduced slide-mass/stronger-springs of shorter guns compromise reliability from the original design....here's my carry gun (again).....


If you compare the gun to more modern "improved" versions, you'll note most of the newer guns have more projections, sharp edges, etc....

 

[dogngun]

I have 2 Charles Daly 1911's made by Armscor. They both work perfectly and I have carried both with no reservations. I have been shooting 1911's for 40 years, and own no other brands at this time.

mark

 

[MICHAEL T]

Dan Wesson bobtail and good leather Colt Commander good 2nd choice DW on my hip at present

 

[GDW]

I own full size 1911's and a Colt New Agent. In the past I have owned a Kimber Compact (4 inch) and a Colt Officers (3.5 inch). I carry the Colt New Agent approximately 90 percent of the time and a S&W 442 10 percent of the time. The full size 1911 is not bad to carry but I don't really have the best holster for set up for summer CCW use. My New Agent is excellent. It is light, and extremely small but handles great. Never has jammed. Matter of fact all of my compact 1911's have been as reliable as my full size models. I don't know where the "sub-compact 1911's are unreliable" notion comes from. Unreliability in a sub-compact has not been the case with me and good smiths have said the same thing (CT Brian - one of the best - being one). For carry use I would consider a sub 1911. The Kimber and Colt are expensive but you get a pretty nice set up with one of the Springfields (but I have not shot a sub-compact Springfield). JMO.

 

[Hunter0924]

The Colt New Agent is a great carry pistol.
If it were me I would go with a Colt and I like a full size.
The Commander, Defender, and New Agents are very popular though.