"Bobtail" 1911s

[Zundfolge]

I've had a serious jones for a Dan Wesson Bobtail Commander in 10mm but I've wondered how short a grip can you still bobtail?

Would it be possible to do the bobtail treatment on an officer size grip?


I'm thinking a 10mm CCO Bobtail would be about the perfect CCW piece

 

[1911austin]

I don't think so. A full size grip uses an officer's mainspring when bobtailed. It would have to have a very short main spring if you bobtailed an officer's grip. that would be a problem.

 

[Zundfolge]

Thats kind of what I figured ... too bad, such a critter would be indeed a comfy CCW piece.

 

[10-Ring]

That would be really cool to shoot a bobbed officer's 1911....very cool indeed! ...and would round out a collection very nicely

 

[Jim Watson]

No, as said the actual mainspring tunnel in the Bobtail housing is for an OACP spring.

However, you can put a substantial radius cut on the bottom corner of the butt, rounding off the mainspring housing and corners of the frame centered on the MSH pin. I would prefer that anyhow. I must be the only one in the country who has had a Bobtail and sold it because I didn't like it.

 

[1911austin]

I must be the only one in the country who has had a Bobtail and sold it because I didn't like it.

Nope, I got rid of my Ed Brown carry Kobra and bought a full size rock river with and some ammo with the money.

 

[45auto]

I guess the "question" I would like to know is the bobtail really more comfortable to carry than a well rounded frame as Jim Watson described?
No doubt it depends on the individual, so there may be no definitive answer.

Just trying to "eliminate" the "new/different looking factor" of the bobtail as opposed to real function.

 

[Zundfolge]

Its my understanding that the bobtail feature is not about comfort, its about concealability ... cutting that corner off the butt reduces printing (apparently significantly).

 

[asiparks]

I bought my bobtail as a CCW with the idea that it would conceal better, which it does, but it's also more comfortable for me to shoot than any of my other 1911' s as with those the lower edge of the grip tends to dig into the meaty bit where thumb meets palm. Stunted grip pistols are even worse, I sold my compact CDP with both straight and arched MSH's and I've filed a large radius off the back of my Ultra Ten... Of course you hands are not the same nor as lovely as mine, but something to maybe think about...

 

[tegemu]

I think that the Bobtail is a quantum improvement to the 1911. Not only does it conceal much better, (better than my 3" Ultra Carry II) but the improvement in comfort and controlability is amazing. The grip now fits perfectly into the natural curve of my palm (I don't have a square palm.) providing a more positive grip. End result - better and more accurate shooting. I have two of them now, the Dan wesson CBOB and a Smith and Wesson Scandium Commander that I had Jess Gypin www.ontargetcgw.com Bobtail for me.

 

[Chuck R.]

45auto,

I don’t know either, it’s got to be a personal thing. I’ve shot a Bobtail, and to be honest, I prefer the standard flat mainspring housing. I sometimes slip in an arched housing just to see if I like or shoot it better. It seems kind of funny that the 1911 had a flat housing, then the 1911A1 picked up the arch to prevent shooting low, now Bobtails are the rage.

As for concealment, I carry a Baer Stinger with the Officer’s grip. In my sparks holster due to the cant the heal of the grip is pretty much center torso and I haven’t noticed any printing. What I do get is printing of the “toe” of the grip when I bend over. So in my case, I probably wouldn’t get any benefit from a bobtail anyway.

In any case, before I worried about a little printing difference, I’d weigh heavier which version you feel more comfortable with ,or shoot better.

Just my $.02

Chuck

 

[45auto]

Chuck R,

I think you are right. You really have to shoot/carry the different grips to determine...no way around it. I shoot better with the full grip, but the Officers size isn't bad. As a carry gun, I can live it with it.

 

[Rotorflyr]

This thread caught my eye (especialy since I would like a Dan Wesson Bobtail at some point) and is certinly interesting.

Now having said that Im going to have to respectfuly disagree with Jim in that I think you could 'bob' an officers size 1911..................

Would it be a custom job???.....
Obviously it would, maybe even right up to the magazines

Would the smith have to really know his trade and the 1911???.....
I'd say so (either that or be a lucky sob)

Would it be easy to do???.....
No, probably not

Might it make the gun suffer a failures of one sort or another eaiser???.....
Maybe, then again maybe not

Would it be inexpensive???.....
No, I bet it would cost more then it would be worth (especialy the first few that were done)

Would it make a big difference in an officers size???.....
That would be subjective, as seen, some people don't like the commander bob's

Will it ever be done???.....
Depends on if someone wants to throw the time and money into doing it

But Yeah it could be done

 

[sgist]

The bobtail has to be pretty abbreviated, so its effect is not as pronounced as in a full sized grip. This one was done by Robbie Seamons of LoneStar Wholesale in Texas. He did one for me, too. I like it.

 

[Zundfolge]

So how much does it cost to do a bobtail conversion on a 1911?

I think Ed Brown sells the bobtail mainspring housings for like $65 ... so much work is involved (I'm thinking its not somethign one would do in the garage with a Dremel)?

 

[GreenFurniture]

Call Tamara at CCA. She's an expert on the bobtail its cost and advantages.


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