A 1911 for CCW?

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The Unknown User

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I'm only a few months away from being legal to apply for my CCW license, and I want to start focusing on my choices.

I've always been attracted to the idea of carrying a 1911, but more specifically, the 4" model instead of the 5".

However, I'm concerned: can you even really get an "genuine" 1911 from the original makers (Colt)? I find their websites incredibly difficult to navigate for some reason, so maybe someone can help me out there.

Aside from Colt, are there any makers of 1911s at cheap prices (less than $500)? I'm a college student, and I'd prefer to not spend a ton of money. It's not that I want to skip out on quality; I know I don't need a SWAT team 1911 with rails, lasers, sights, etc.

I just want a decent, durable, well-made, quality 4" 1911 that I could rely on if I needed it.

Oh, and notice my location: "MA, USA." No Springfields.
 
Rob87,

One can purchase a new Taurus 1911 for right around the $500 mark. Two of my friends have them and love them.

The issue of concealing a 5" 1911 as opposed to a 4" 1911 is moot. It is the length of the grip frame that is hardest to conceal, not the barrel length.

In other words, it is no harder to conceal a Government (5") sized pistol than it is to conceal a Commander (4") sized pistol; the frame size is the same. Bobtail the frame and it is somewhat easier to conceal.

A CCO pistol on the other hand, i.e. Officer's sized frame and Commander length barrel is a little easier to conceal as the frame is shorter.

I don't know of any new Commanders, CCO's, or Officer's pistol for $500. Of course, if you're willing to go "pre-owned" you should be able to find something to suit your needs.

What you WILL find, is that a quality gunbelt and holster will make a world of difference in carrying a concealed pistol. I strongly recommend the Milt Sparks Versa-Max II and one of their gunbelts.

Regards,
Sam
 
I have also heard a Taurus has had a few issues.
The rollmark is the lettering on the slide.
Colts web site is not too hard to navigate. I would suggest looking at the 1991 line of Colt pistols. They use forged slides and receivers and the pistols are hand fitted at the factory.
http://www.coltsmfg.com/cmci/home.asp
 
In the strictest correctness of the term there has not been a 1911 made since 1923. The term 1911 has become a generic term just like all reciprocating saws are sawzalls. The 1991 is where Colt has picked up from the 1911A1 using the Series 80 parts.
 
So the 1991s are the "modern" 1911s?

Aside from Taurus, what manufacturers are known for making great 1911s? I ask before there might be other models I haven't yet considered.
 
get a glock!

you can get one in .45 that is super reliable.
for your first carry piece you want something that goes bang when you pull the trigger.
You whip out that 1911 in a firefight and forget to move the safety lever and bang, bad guy wins.
After a few months of practice you can carry the 1911.
 
I really would not mess around with any ones 1911 execpt for the STI Spartan. StI is a leading brand of 1911 for competition shooters and have an excellent reputation. STI and allot of money go hand in hand but the Spartan is made out of country if you look on gunbroker they run just over 500. They come stock with all the bells and wistles that most charge more money for. Just take a look if you dont like it then pass it by.
 
The STI Spartan is made by Rock Island Armory in the Phillipines.They are imported by Armscor. The RIA's are also developing quite a following, and you can get a basic GI model or a "tactical" model for a bit less than the STI.

For more info on what many 1911 owners of all varieties have to say:http://forum.m1911.org/index.php?

Companies that I have had good experiences with are :

Para Ordnance
Armscor
Springfield Armory (Why aren't these OK in Mass?)
 
Not sure what you've heard bad about the Taurus-both of my friends rave about theirs. Keep in mind that ANY pistol can have problems. For example, I have a Kimber, the 1st gun I ever paid over $1000 for, and its extractor broke in less than 300 rounds.

Sam
 
If you're in Mass., you should take advantage of Smith and Wesson's "Try a Gun" program, where you can try any of a wide range of their guns, at their range, with their ammo, with their targets, for a low price.....I think it's $25. Even if you spend $100 trying out four guns, you'll still end up ahead of where you would be if you lose your shirt buying and selling a handful of guns to settle on the one you really like.

http://shootingsports.smith-wesson.com/

The 1911 is included in the "Try" program.

Range rentals are a good thing.....you are lucky one of the best range rental programs is right in your backyard.
 
"Cheap" Or Less Expensive Prices Of 1911's

Greeting's My Friends-

I don't like to use the word "cheap" when referring to firearms; so for this
report we shall refer to some 1911 makes as "less expensive", please. ;)

You know, the ole' saying "You Get What You Pay For", right? Well, its
no different in the firearms business. Yeah, its possible to get a knock off
copy of a 1911 such as a Llama (just used as an example), or other brands
for 'bout $300 (less on the used market) or so; but look at what you are
getting~! And, ask yourself- "what kind'a value do I place on my life, or
the lives of loved ones"; then you will find (as most people do), that a
persons life is more important than the costliest of firearms including a
1911.

What you want, is a solid performer regarless of make or model. One that
you have tested extensively, knowing that it is going to perform well when
the chips are down; in a life or death situation, when confronted by a bad
guy. Sure, its a fact a $329 RIA (Rock Island Armory 1911) will kill a perp
as dead as a $3,000 Ed Brown or Nighthawk- so long as it performs as it
should; but are you willing too take that chance~? Also, take into account
there are those persons who advocate that all 1911's with a barrel less
than 5" in lenght are unreliable, and have more issues than the standard
length 5" barrels. Issues, yes sometimes but not with all guns; unreliable
(all of the time) NO, an absolute myth. I for example, own a 3" Kimber
Stainless Ultra Carry 1911 in .45 ACP, that has proven as reliable as my
$2,000 Les Baer Thunder Ranch Special 1911; and currently serves as
my daily CCW piece. Would I carry it if it proved to be unreliable 100%
of the time? No sir, I would not; as I have an old West German SIG-
SAUER .45 ACP P220A that has never failed that I would favor over
the 3" Kimber if that were the case~! :cool:

So my point is, I know where you are coming from and what you are
saying 'bout being a college lad on a budget. But my friend, don't ever
second guess how much your life (or the lives of loved ones are worth);
try as many different makes and models as you would like, and see what
is best for both you and your budget. I will refrain from making suggestions,
as I'm quite sure others will be along shortly to fill you in on how great
their .500 caliber BEOWUFF is the greatest CCW piece ever invented. :eek:
 
+1 on Ala Dan's thoughts.

You have the rest of your life to pay for the equipment you need today.
 
In a .45, if I could afford a decent Colt LTW Commander, that would be my choice...For now, I'm settling on the Officer's model which is nice; but a tad heavy. Because of this, mostly carried in a shoulder rig...:)
 
I will have to disagree with those that say you might as well carry a 5" 1911 as a 4 " 1911. I have carried both extensively, and find a 4" much easier to carry (both in Sparks Summer Specials IWB holsters carried at 3:30). I am of normal build (183 pounds and 6'1") and while I feel both guns 'conceal' equally, the 5" guns can have a tendancy to pinch one's 'butt' when seated (especially when seated in contoured car/truck seats). My lightweight SW1911PD with it's 4.25 barrel is just enough shorter that this never happens. This may be just a particular issue with my build and holster/gun combinations, but the comfort difference is huge. BTW, the length of a full size grip shouldn't be an issue with a properly canted IWB holster.
 
Ala Dan brings up a number of good points. The weapon is only worth the price paid if it is reliable. If a weapon proves itself to be reliable, then use it. If a weapon has failures that can not be remedied, get rid of it.

Ala Dan wrote:
Sure, its a fact a $329 RIA (Rock Island Armory 1911) will kill a perp
as dead as a $3,000 Ed Brown or Nighthawk- so long as it performs as it
should; but are you willing too take that chance~?
Click to expand...
This is what a break in period is for in my estimation. I do not rely anymore on the old saw of 500 rds to "break-in" a 1911 and iron out rough spots. In my experience if it doesn't run correctly out of the box, wasting another 500-750 rds of ammo is just that, a waste.
For me the break-in is to ensure that the pistol does not fail, and that I trust the weapon.
If a weapon makes it 500-1000 rds and proves itself as reliable, it is nothing more than haughtiness to believe that the lower price tag weapon may magically fail in a time of need.

Do not equate a high dollar price tag with quality. Sometimes you get what you pay for, and sometimes you get a whole lot more/less. There are stories everywhere of pricey pistols failing, and of inexpensive pistols failing. The common denominator is human.

As anyone will tell you, make the weapon prove itself.
 
I love 1911's but ...

In the price range you are looking at, you can pick up a Glock 23 - one of the best carry pieces on the market. It'll give you 12+1 of .40 in a size that is concealable. Shop around used and you might even get night sights.

glock_23.gif


You might want to ask around on http://www.m1911.org or http://www.1911forum.com as great places to get 1911 info.
 
I really would not mess around with any ones 1911 execpt for the STI Spartan.
Click to expand...
they are nice but there ain't nothing wrong with sa 1911's.

In the price range you are looking at, you can pick up a Glock 23
Click to expand...
where in his thread does it say anything about a glock, strikerfired pistol, .40 cal, or any of the things associated with the glocks that ya'll are talking about. can we stay on topic. i love these knee jerk answers.

poster " i want a revolver......"
reply 1 "get a glock"
reply 2" yeah that is the route i would go"

come on guys this gets old. help the guy out if you have nothing to add that benifits the thread starter or the others that might visit the thread than stop wasting everyones time.
 
I carry a S&W SW1911SC Commander every day, winter and summer. My wife who is just waiting for her card to come in the mail has a Kimber Tactical Pro II she will carry. We both love the 1911. BUT in Tennessee we dont have to worry if it prints or shows. I even carry open sometimes when I dont feel lik untucking my shirt.

J
 
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