Carry 1911 bobbed grip

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Jeff H

Jeff H

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I want to add a 1911 to my carry rotation. Either a 3 or 4" barrel. The barrel length doesn't matter to me much, but the pointed grip sure does. I know there are a few makers of bobbed grips but the ones I've seen are all pretty pricey. More pricey than I want for a carry gun anyway. Anyone have one that you like in particular that is say $800 or less?

I shoot my carry guns a lot, so I'm thinking I might prefer a 4" barrel. Anyone who has a 3" one, how does it shoot?
 
To add to your options, do an Internet search on "Ed Brown bobtail jig".

A gunsmith can bobtail a standard 1911 grip. The cost would include the new mainspring housing, mainspring and labor.

I specified a bobtail for my custom 1911. Here's the "after" of a standard Springfield frame:
10mm_commander_back.jpg
 
A little bit of Google-research will show a lot of opinions that 3" 1911's are hard to get running correctly and finicky about what you feed them, so I would suggest sticking to 4" versions.
 
harrygunner said:
To add to your options, do an Internet search on "Ed Brown bobtail jig".

A gunsmith can bobtail a standard 1911 grip. The cost would include the new mainspring housing, mainspring and labor.

I specified a bobtail for my custom 1911. Here's the "after" of a standard Springfield frame:
10mm_commander_back.jpg
Click to expand...

That is a good thought. That brings the SR1911s to the table since they would be simple enough to modify. IIRC, Brownells sells a bobbed mainspring housing.
 
I don't think anybody's making a bobtail 1911 in that price range, but the first manufacturer who does will sell a truckload of them.
 
I like the rounded bobtail on the S&W Sc 1911's. Low price may not be in the picture for a reliable bobtailed 1911.....

Check 10-8 performance archived review of S&W. Hilton Yam reported good thing about S&W with only a few spring changes.
 
Last edited:
I have a 3.5" (Colt Compact) and a 3.3" (Sig Ultra), both of which are trouble-free. Neither are bobbed, though. Moving to the Officer's-sized grip reduces the need for the rounded corner, as they're shorter by one round and thus easier to conceal.
 
Jeff H

The one thing I would say is be sure you like the Bobtail configuration before you buy. I thought they it would be great until I tried a couple of them and found that they just didn't feel right in my hand. I'm very comfortable with the flat mainspring housing on my 1911s.
 
AZAndy said:
Moving to the Officer's-sized grip reduces the need for the rounded corner, as they're shorter by one round and thus easier to conceal.
Click to expand...
Aside from the "need", I'm not sure you can bob an Officer size grip due to space available for the mainspring, etc. However, there are a couple of companies that make shorter than 4" guns on a Government size grip.

Kimber Ultra+ guns come to mind http://www.kimberamerica.com/super-carry-ultra-plus
 
Just a thought, but the Springfield Armory Range Officer Compact could be a good start point and then have a gunsmith install a Wilson Combat Round Butt Mainspring Housing. It'll come in a little bit over the price you want to pay, but it's something that you could do in stages as funds free up.

http://www.federalfirearm.com/product.springfield-armory-45acp-compact-range-officer-4-6rd

http://shopwilsoncombat.com/Mainspring-Housing-Flat-Compact-Round-Butt-Blue/productinfo/92BRBO/

P.S. I frequently carry a Wilson Combat CQB Compact with the Round Butt Mainspring Housing and it carries beautifully but doesn't feel as awkward as a bobtail grip.
 
My main 1911 carry is a 1996 Colt Officer 3 1/2" and a 2005 Colt Defender 3" I get tired hearing about how these short barrel are unreliable. I have never had a problem from either one in all the years I have owned them The officer on hip at present Guess COLT got it right. My Old Seattle Detonic Still spits them out fine. I think lot is owner not pistol. I also have a DW CBOB I like the bobbed tail But not really sure if worth the money . I still carry the little Colts more.
 
Get an arched MSH and save a bit of money. It accomplishes the same thing and ususally makes the gun more shootable as well. get a 4 1/4" barrel, especially for your first 1911. Colt Commander. Learn to run the gun first.

tipoc
 
I've no axe to grind against 3 or 3.5 inch 1911s, having owned wonderful, reliable and totally cool SA Micro-Compacts, Kimber Ultras and Colt's Officers Models.

I am just to the point where it's become clear that a 4" or 4.25" barreled 1911 -- even without a bobtail -- offers totally effective concealment; if you can't conceal one of these under any type of clothing, you're just not getting it. It's not that extra inch of barrel length that affects concealability. It's pretty much the length and shape of the butt coupled with HOW the pistol is canted in the holster and WHERE on the belt it's worn.

A bobtail does, in my estimation, aid concealment just a bit.

These days, if I were currently in the market, I'd be looking for a Dan Wesson CBOB ... You're just not going to find a decent bobtailed 1911, either in Officer's or Commander length, for $800 or less. I'd say unless you can find a screaming deal on a used pistol, you're looking at $1300 - $1500 for what you want (assuming you want a reputable maker and a reliable gun).
 
The Colt Defender is also a useful option for a sub 4" piece.

tipoc
 
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