5" for ccw??

[mister_wilburn]

Is a 5" barrel too large for conceled carry? Thinking of taking the ccw class here in texas, and wondering if I would need something smaller than the xd40 with the 5" barrel. I realize its a matter of comfort, concealability, and other individual dynamics, that said...do many people carry this type of weapon concealed, or am I better off picking up a P2000, a shorter 1911 or Kahr, something more easily concealed. Additionally, what would be a good place to look for concealed holsters, preferably leather. thanks.

 

[DMK]

I carry a 4.25" barreled alloy frame Colt CCO 1911 most often.

Once in a while I carry my 5" barreled steel frame Govt. model. Since I carry IWB, it's the weight and grip length that gets bothersome, not the barrel length.

 

[chris in va]

5" is a tad long IMO. Just from an everyday use standpoint it would get in the way of things, especially when sitting on hard chairs, etc.

To me, combat/CC pistols really don't need extreme accuracy. SD action usually takes place within 20' and a 4" version works just fine for that.

 

[Sylvilagus Aquaticus]

A lot depends on how large your physical build is, how you dress, and your choice of carry method/holster. A large man can find more hip room to carry a high-rise holster such as Galco's FLETCH than a short man, who might find that XD digs into his armpit with the same holster. I'm fairly small-framed but long in the flank, and although I usually carry a P229 or P220, which are roughly Commander-sized, I do find comfort in a BHP occasionally.

My philosophy on that is that if you can make it work for you, go for it. If you can adapt to it, then it's right for you.

Regards,
Rabbit.

 

[hexidismal]

Well, I carry a full size (lightweight frame) 1911 every day, and it doesn't bother me at all, or get in the way for that matter. That kind of question is hard to answer because it will be very specific to your height, body shape/weight, style of dress, etc. You have to take other people's replies with a grain of salt, because they aren't you.

As far as holsters .. that's a big list. It really depends on what you want to pay and how long you want to wait for it. There are plenty of good production holsters though. I sometimes carry using don hume holsters. They aren't the very best, but they are the right price and do the job just fine for me. Here's a list of just SOME of the places to start looking.

http://www.5shotleather.com/
http://www.akerleather.com/
http://www.alessileather.com/
http://www.andrewsleather.com/
http://www.bearclawholsters.com/
http://www.bellcharteroakholsters.com/
http://www.bianchi-intl.com/
http://www.blackhawk.com
http://www.blackhillsleather.com/main.html
http://blade-tech.com/
http://www.brigadegunleather.com/
http://www.brommelandgunleather.com/
http://www.bulmangunleather.com/
http://www.c-rusty.com/pages/home.html
http://www.comp-tac.com/
http://www.crossbreedholsters.com/index.html
http://www.delfatti.com/
http://www.desantisholster.com/
http://www.donhume.com/
http://www.eagleindustries.com/
http://www.epsaddlery.com
http://www.fist-inc.com/
http://www.fobusholster.com/
http://garritysgunleather.com/
http://www.ghostholster.com/
http://www.gouldusa.com/
http://www.grahamholsters.com/
http://www.grandfatheroak.com./
http://www.gun-holsters.com/holsters.html
http://www.haugenhandgunleather.com/
http://www.highnoonholsters.com/
http://www.hillsmanholster.com/
http://www.hoffners.com/products.htm
http://www.holsters.org/index.htm
http://www.intercomm.com/hersey4way/
http://www.jagwear.com/
http://www.kdholsters.com
http://www.kirkpatrickleather.com/
http://www.klnullholsters.com/
http://www.kramerleather.com/
http://www.kytac.com/
http://www.lightningarms.com/
http://www.littlefeatherleather.com/
http://www.m2tactical.com/c-2-holsters-mag-pouches.aspx
http://www.michaels-oregon.com/
http://www.miltsparks.com/
http://www.mitchrosen.com/
http://www.pagerpal.com/
http://www.protechoutdoors.com/holsters.htm
http://www.raftersgunleather.com/
http://www.rfholsters.com/rfholsters/default.asp?
http://www.rmholsters.com/
http://www.safariland.com/
http://www.shado.com/products.html
http://sidearmor.net/
http://www.simplyrugged.com/
http://www.smartcarry.com/
http://www.sportshooter.com/
http://www.sunriseleather.com/
http://www.tacticalholsters.com/
http://www.thebeltman.net/
http://www.taurisholsters.com/index.cfm
http://www.threatsolutions.com/
http://www.tidepoolwebdesigns.com/kangaroo/
http://www.tuckergunleather.com/
http://www.usgalco.com/Default.asp

 

[Dgindlesperger]

5 is a little long for IWB, I have a alessi IWB holster for my full size 1911, but never carry. 4.25 should be comfy, I like my 3" .45 but I like recoil too

 

[Steve C]

Is a 5" barrel too large for conceled carry?

The answer isn't a simple yes or no as the factors are too variable.

A 5" semi auto conceals easily with the right holster and the right clothing. If you wear a jacket, sport coat etc. most of the time a large government model 1911 or other pistol will conceal well with a shoulder holster. With lighter clothing inside the waistband carry you may have some of the problems others have listed. A large person can usually conceal a larger handgun while a small or thin person would likely have more difficulty.

 

[peacemaker45]

I carry a 5" 1911. To me, it's a gun's width, not bbl length that determines carryability. My 1911 just sort of disappears into my side, but the XD .45 Tactical that i had stood out like a tumor, in the exact same kind of holster.

YMMV

~~~Mat

 

[Mortech]

Sheesh for the first 3 years here in WA I used to ccw a full size 1911 with no problem just get a good holster , Hexi list covers it all , Mat is right about how the slide deminsions are a bigger factor than slide length .

 

[mister_wilburn]

hexidismal: Thanks for that extensive list of websites. I will start looking very soon.

 

[hexidismal]

You're quite welcome, mister_wilburn. Actually it was a good excuse to update my list. I keep pretty extensive lists of sources for all sorts of gun supplies, but alot of things change. I've been updating that list since posting, taking away companies no longer in business, and adding some that weren't on it.

 

[Avenger]

I carry a XD45 Tactical in a Crossbreed IWB holster with only minor problems. It doesn't show much, and since I usually carry a phone and my PDA on the same side, everybody sees all those bulges in my shirt and thinks I'm an Uber-geek. I've only been "made" once, and that was was by somebody who already knew I owned guns.
The only real problem is with really over-stuffed chairs, or the driver side seatbelts in my Dad's F-350. Those put the release right on the lower part of the grip, and it tugs at the holster.

 

[Wedge]

I carry a Glock 17 in a Lou Alessi PCH. Conceals with jeans and a t-shirt.