Compact 1911s -- does 7oz. matter?

[DDGator]

I am looking at a 3" or 3.5" compact 1911. I am debating between spending the additional money on a lightweight frame.

Advantages of the lightweight frame are -- its lightweight. About 25 to 28 oz.

Advantages of the steel frame are -- potentially more durable, easier to shoot because of the additional weight, cheaper.

This will be my first regular IWB carry gun -- I have carried for years, but always in the pocket or smart carry or other methods.

My question is -- am I going to notice the 7oz. weight difference in a good IWB holster? I want something tuckable, so I am thinking about a VM2 or maybe a Comp Tac C-TAC.

 

[MoNsTeR]

You will notice. 7oz is a massive amount of weight in a handgun.

 

[Sean Smith]

As a guy whose current 1911 is a true pig of a gun (all steel 5" bull barrel ), I'd agree that the steel vs. aluminum weight savings feels like ALOT.

And I'd suggest that you don't get a 1911 with a sub-4" barrel if you want to improve your odds of it actually working out of the box.

 

[Longbow]

As above!
To my experience, any 1911 with a barrel lenght <4" is a DOG!

 

[Johnny Guest]

Seven ounces makes a very noticible difference, IMO

For the life of me, I cannot understand the fascination with very small, very heavy pistols. To me, they feel like holding half a brick, and are about equally easy to holster.

During the late 1960s, I fell prey to the malady of wanting an "All steel Commander." Once I got one, I admired the LOOKS - - It was a very nice-appearing item - - All satin nickel, wooden stocks, fairly accurate - - and best of all, it had the genuine COLT markings on it. Over the course of the next several months, though, I realized it was just very nearly as heavy as a Government Model, and had shorter sight radius. The handle was just as long, and it was really no easier to holster than the full size pistol.

In time, I went back to true Commander - - A full ten ounces lighter than the all-steel. At least I was getting something for giving up the 3/4 inch of sight radius.

I am fortunate to have gotten a reliable Colt Officers ACP lightweight. I have spoken with too many people who have had reliability issues with the too-short pistols, though, and the 4.25 inch barrel of a Commander or 4 inch on a Kimber is plenty short enough for me.

YM, of course, MV.
Johnny

 

[VG]

 

[Zak Smith]

For comparison, 16 rounds of 124gr 9mm 124gr or 9 rounds of 230gr .45ACP weigh about 7oz.

-z

 

[Daniel T]

To my experience, any 1911 with a barrel lenght <4" is a DOG!

I swear, I must have a true mutant of a 1911: a 1991A1 Compact (3.5" barrel) that goes bang each and every time I pull the trigger.

 

[rock jock]

I have a Kimber Compact Lightweight (w/ Al frame) and the weight savings is very noticeable and makes the gun a lot more comfortable than steel-framed 1911's of similar size. Of course, it also packs more of a punch and makes control more of an issue, but that just means you need to practice, practice, practice.

 

[DDGator]

Thanks guys.

I am aware of all the issues with sub-4 inch guns. But, there are plenty who have no problems with them. I think that Internet forums and their lore sometimes blow problems way out of proportion.

I am willing to take my chances. That being said, I will buy new and I will take it up with Springfield (or whoever) if the gun doesn't function properly.

 

[Ford]

I would say get the aluminum frame if this is going to be your carry gun. If you are worried about recoil get a Wilson shok-buff and put in it. I could really tell a difference after I put one in my Kimber Compact CDP.

 

[Stasher1]

If you decide to use a Shok-Buff on a 4" (or shorter) Kimber, make sure you put several rounds thru it before you trust your life to it. I tried one in my Stainless Pro Carry II and it caused the slide to "short-stroke" and not feed properly.

 

[stans]

7 ounces is a lot when you carry on a daily basis. For a while I carried a six inch 357 Magnum, then switched to a S&W model 39-2 (aluminum frame), the difference was like night and day! I now look closely at weight before choosing a carry gun. Current piece is a S&W 640-1, if I change to another weapon it will have to smaller, lighter, and equally reliable.

 

[JimC]

My question is -- am I going to notice the 7oz. weight difference in a good IWB holster?

Simply put, yes.

By the end of a long day, it will feel even heavier than it's 7 oz. difference.

 

[Captain Bligh]

Yes, 7 oz. will make a lot of difference. That being said, I carry a 4 1/4" steel frame. In a good rig it is very tolerable. I opted for durability over weight. I want to put thousands of rounds through my carry gun over the course of my lfe without losing sleep at night about frame failure. I know my 1911 frame will outlive me and I can pass it on to one of my kids.

I own lighter guns that I sometimes carry. It's always a nice feeling if I am wearing something lighter for a day, but the feeling is not enough for me to give up the 1911 steel-frame as a primary carry gun.

RJ

 

[Richard]

I also own, shoot, and on occasion carry a CS45. It is a great pistol with little recoil. If I were to opt for a 1911 I am sure I would go with a Colt Lightweight Commander or Defender. I shot a friend's Defender a lot and I was very impressed. Regards, Richard

 

[mini14jac]

As everyone else says, yes, 7oz. will make a difference.

And there are small .45s that work.
The S&W pictured above is one, but it's not a 1911.
I did a lot of research on the Web, and found that Colt Defenders seem to have very few issues.
I got one.

So far, I've put nearly 300 rounds through it.
The only jam that I have had, happened on round 90-something out of 100 rounds of Wolf ammo.
When shooting Winchester, S&B, or UMC, I've had no problems at all.
It shoots the Winchester "Personal Defense" 230gr jhp with no problem.

Several have said that the Defender recoil feels no different than a full size, all steel 1911.
I haven't done that comparison, but the Defender recoil feels very close to the S&W 457 that I have.
It is a "mid size" gun that weighs about 6 oz. more, and has about 3/4" more barrel.
The Defender also seems to be as accurate as the 457, and it's an excellent shooter.

I have pocket carried for several years, and dressing around the gun is a challenge.
I have a Don Hume pistol belt, and a Watch Six holster on order.
As much of an adjustment as IWB carry of this 22.5 oz gun is, I don't think I could carry a full size gun.
YMMV

Be warned though.
Once I started carrying a .45, I noticed something.
Now, when my mode of dress forces me to pocket-carry something smaller, I don't really feel armed.

 

[DDGator]

Thanks guys. I think I will hold out for the aluminum frame. I have an all steel 5 inch for range use and such.

Already ordered by C-TAC. I am going to try the very stealthy velcro attachments sewn inside the gunbelt. I will let you know how it all works out.

 

[mini14jac]

By the way, if you want a lightweight gun, give the Colt Defender a look.
At the local dealer that stocks many 1911s, the Colt was $200-300 cheaper than the lightweight Kimber, Para, and S.A. guns.

I deal with a Mom-n-Pop shop.
They ordered mine for $629 before tax and bg check.

 

[10-Ring]

7 oz. is a noticeable amount of weight! But remember, especially in a compact or sub compact, you'll notice it most in shootability. Ergo the saying, "Carry more than you shoot!" Definite trade off & something you'll have to decide for yourself.

 

[Climb14er]

I tried a lightweight Kimber 3 inch 1911 for self defense. NOT RELIABLE. Went to five inch 1911 and totally reliable. The opinions say don't go under 4 inches in a 1911. Believe what you read! A good compromise is a Kimber Compact 4 inch barrel with lightweight frame. This is a solid setup for CCW.

 

[Majic]

Alot of short barreled 1911s have ran just fine, till the springs were changed. Correct springing of the slide seems to be a big issue with them. Adding shock-buffs just invites troubles with the abreviated slides. 4 inch and longer barreled pistols have given much less trouble than the shorter ones on the average.

 

[Brass Balls]

The Kimber Custom CDP is 7 ounces lighter than the Baer TRS and it does make a big difference. It's not so bad when you strap it on in the morning, but at the end of a 12+ hour day the difference is huge.

The only drawback I see with the aluminum frame is a shorter life for the frame. Kimber says that their frames will go 20k rounds with no measurable wear. If one did have to replace the frame at that point I figure they have paid 5 times the price of the gun in ammo at that point so a new frame in the grand total of things isn't such a big deal. IMO the felt weight benefits each and every day makes it worth it.

Another thing that can be done is to use a steel gun for the majority of practice and the aluminum for occasional practice then carry the aluminum.

 

[Jammer Six]

Flee in terror!

Must...

Warn...

Others...

Under government size or tighter than milspecs, and 1911's become unreliable.

 

[9x19]

I have several 3" 1911 style pistols, and none are as finicky as some here would have us believe.

When I carry a 1911, it's a 3" model. Usually my Kimber Ultra CDP.

Good luck.