qustions to all the 1911 carriers out there...

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kir_kenix

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I was just wondering how many full time carriers of 1911's out there carry full size 5" guns? then, how many of those carriers carry all steel 40+oz (unloaded) guns?
im trying to get some input because i plan on getting my ccw (along w/ a new gift for myself:)) when i return from iraq (hopefully right before my 21st birthday). i know i want to go w/ the 1911 platform, as i already own a couple and really enjoy the platform. i already have a beater RAI 5", Taurus 5" and a springfield gi 5", plus access to my fathers safe. As you can see all i currently own are low-to-mid priced, full sized 1911's and this will be quite a step in an opposite direction for me.

so far i have been looking at the S&W Model SW1911PD Tactical Rail Series,
Sig's REVOLUTION NITRON RAIL, Springfields loaded full-size MC Operator, and Kimbers Custom Covert. The only ones i have actually been able to fire is the SA, as my friend has the SA, and my dad has a very similar Sig. I would like to have a rail if possible, but the holster selection might be limiting so ive been looking in to the crimson trace laser grips (as on the Kimber). i would not prbly carry w/ light attatched, but it would be nice for bedside use.

anyway, i guess what i am asking is how much of a difference does that .75" in getting a commander size gun actually help when carrying? what about the 10-12 oz (unloaded) difference by getting an alluminum/scadium/whatever frame make? what finishes have held up really well over the long run? I have always been partial to Parkerized finishes, but i realize that we have come along way w/ ceramics/tennifer/etc. Does the light rail interfere w/ holster selection? am i missing a manufacturer/model that i really should be looking in to as well?

i know that everyone has a person preference, but i was hoping to learn from the years of experience that others might have gained from carrying concealed.
 
I carried either a modified Sistema 1911, or a Colt Compact 1911 for quite a while. They have recently been supplemented by a SW1911PD.

The decision between a Government Model and a Compact 1911 was made by me based on whether I would carry it on my hip either IWB or OWB, or down my pants in a SmartCarry holster. I work in scrubs, so I often carry with no belt, ie SmartCarry. Sitting down with a full sized 1911 between your legs makes for an uncomfortable pants fit, and potential unholstering of the gun. If you are going to carry on your hip, good leather is more important than shaving off a few ounces of gun. Get a good belt and a mediocre holster, or a good belt and a good holster, but get a good belt if you plan to carry a 1911 on your hip. That is the key. A Wal-Mart Dickie's belt won't cut it.

Having carried a 1911 on my hip or down my britches for a while, I can say that the lighter SW1911PD is a help. The weight reduction is appreciated by me, but was not a necessity. The SW1911PD only needs a few changes to be an absolutely superb carry gun. First, ditch the FLGR. That's strange ranger stuff. Then a trigger job if you like, and grips of your preference. I prefer Wilson magazines with low profile base pads, although the Novak mags that come with the SW1911PD are adequate.

I found, surprisingly, the SW1911PD is actually easier to shoot for extended periods than a full weight 1911. See my range report linked above for details.
 
thanks for the response x. i forgot to mention that i plan on carrying owb (i usually wear a flannel shirt, and ive been looking at good leather as well. the benefit of the scadium commander size/weight gun is that it might be a viable iwb carry on occasions where i couldnt owb.
 
I've been carrying a 5" barrel all steel 1911" with 8 rounds in the mag and 1 in the chamber (however little difference the ammo makes to weight). Been using a cheapo IWB holster at the 3 o'clock position, till the Don Hume leather I have ordered shows up. As long as I have a halfways decent belt on, I don't notice the weight of the gun any more than my previous carry -- a P3AT. I put my firearm on when I get dressed in the morning, around 7 and don't take it off till I go to bed, around 9:30 pm. As said in an earlier post, the belt is the key.
 
I prefer a Commander length 1911 even though I carry mostly IWB. For me it works best and is the most comfortable. I have carried a all steel commander just about every time I have carried a 1911 and I am going on year 3 of carrying one. I use the wilderness belts because with the way my weight is up and down it works best.
 
+1 on the Commander sized (or 4" barrel models that Kimber and Springfield do instead of a true 4.25"). I've carried my full size Kimber some, and it isn't too bad, but the slightly shorter Commander format works better for me in terms of comfort (IWB doesn't dig as deep into my hip when seated, etc).

That said, for a full size service pistol, I think the 5" 1911 conceals pretty well.
 
When I'm not carrying a M29 .44MAG,

I carry a full-sized Norinco. The single most reliable autoloader I've ever come across. (Except a Garand, but it doesn't count)
Steve
 
I carry an all steel 4" Springfield Champion. The weight savings is marginal. The comfort savings when getting in and out of chairs all day and not having that additional inch of steel digging into me in an IWB rig is priceless.
 
Remember...ANY full size or Commander length 1911 can have a tactical rail retrofitted. Dawson Precision makes an add-on tactical rail for 1911 pistols that was used on the new MED (Marine Expeditionary Division) Kimber-sourced pistols before the intergrated (Caspian) frames were available. The frame's dustcover must be precision drilled & tapped for the installation but the intalled rail has a lower profile than some of the intergrated rails so it fits in a larger number of "conventional" 1911 holsters.

Also consider the Bobtail Conversation Mainspring Housing available for 1911 installation from Ed Brown. It makes concealment MUCH easier with no downside in shootability.
 
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I carry a full size 5" 1911, but not a steel framed gun. It's the Springfield Loaded Lightweight Fullsize.
http://springfield-armory.com/armory.php?version=21
It wasn't really my first choice for carry per say, so much as it was that I got it for the right price. I hadn't initially even intended to carry the gun, but I found myself liking it so much that I switched out my Ruger P345 in favor of it for carry. Optimally I may eventually switch to a commander sized gun if and when the opportunity arises for me to get one, but for now I have no problems carrying the fullsize.

I don't personally think the light rail is useful or necessary on a concealed carry gun. As you said, you're not likely to carry it that way. It will limit your holster selection. And it adds unnecessary bulk and weight. As far as its usefulness as a nightstand gun.. I somewhat agree, but first of all are you willing to interchange the tac light every night/morning for years to come ? Besides that, and perhaps more importantly, I think it's far better to learn the dynamics and operation of your primary defensive weapons in a single configuration, as you will rely more on muscle memory and training in a defensive situation.
 
I carry a springfield 1911 milspec often. It's best during the winter, doesn't work very good during the summer when I don't want to wear a belt. that's when I switch over to the xd 9mm.
 
I occasionally carry my Springfield GI w/ 8 rounds in a CompTAC CTAC on an Aker polymer-lined belt at about 3:30 with no problems at all. I did swap out the factory walnut grips from some smooth bocote grips because the checkering was filing down my right love handle. Heh heh.
 
You asked for full time, full size 1911 carriers, which I was until I got my Kel Tec P11. Now I still prefer the 1911 and carry it when clothing permits. When it's a trip out in shorts, light belt, t-shirt, etc., the P11 goes in the pocket. I much prefer the 1911 but sure like having the flexibility of both when dress dictates otherwise.
Don't know if that helps, but it's what works for me in sweaty Florida.:D
 
oh yeh, the 1911 is a Springer Loaded. All steel, 38 ounces empty, and no problem OWB at 9:00 (lefty) for me, even at 5'5" and 135lbs. Jeans, good belt/holster, tucked in t-shirt, loose shirt over it. Ready to Roll!
 
I used to carry a Springfield Loaded in a Milt Sparks Summer Special

I have been carrying a Kimber Pro carry (4 in. Al frame) for a few years now (In a Summer Special)

As soon as my Summer Special 2 comes in for my Kimber Warrior...
I'm going back to a 5 inch.
 
Everywhere... openly

I carry a Springfield Armory 1911-A1 5" parkerized no frills .45acp loaded 'n two spare mags. This is done in the cross draw position so there's no seat belt interference or holster 'tug' when withdrawing. . I use a military type nylon web gun belt belt w/ Bianchi UM-84 mil-spec nylon holster minus the top flap... with a thumb break addition. Not required here... but it keeps the wapon in place. I carry with a round chambered on 1/4 cock notch. Ist shot will be single action.

I've used all sorts of 'gunleather' and found the Bianchi to be the most satisfactory when worn in that position.

From reading these posts... Don't y'all use gun belts? Not to hold yer britches up... but just to support your weapon (in addition to yer pants belt).
 

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weight

to me, the weight does matter. So i'm going to carry the lightest reliable .45 I can find. Right now, that's a P12 alloy with 7 rounds. I have other 1911's, including a LW Commander, but the little shortbarreled Para is accurate, reliable, and I can pretty well carry it all day w ithout having to "adjust" it. I am not saying my brand is best. What I am saying is that at short distances, a 5" steel handgun is not enough advantage to have to carry around all day. now, open carry for a duty gun would be a different circumstance. I would carry 5" steel.
 
thanks for the input. well i got alot of conflicting (which can only be expected when you ask a group of individuals on the net), but very good feedback. some think that the weight is no problem, others do. some think that commander length are essentially the same comfort others do not. some like all steel, some enjoy lighter. some are advocates of adding a rail, others are not. we also got some advocates for iwb, others for owb... i could pbly go on and on.

i think what this essentially boils down to is i am going to have to buy a holster and tote one of my full size, all steel 1911's around for a while and decide what is right for me. sure i might be out a holster (or who knows, several) before i decide that i want a 19 oz polymer, 9 shot, laser gripped, light railed, super duper 1911 with call waiting.....or more likely ill find a more conventional and easier path that will allow me to get the pistol i want and actually need. hey thanks for all the input and now i can rest easier knowing i am just going to have to wait until im back and carrying to decide what i really want as opposed to me trying to figure it all out now.
 
For me, weight makes a difference if I'm carrying all day. It is of no consequence if I'm only carrying for a couple of hours.

Currently I carry either a Colt Officer's Model Lightweight or a Springfield Loaded Lightweight, either is usually in an IWB Kydex holster from FIST.
 
I carry a fullsize 1911 all day every day. With a Wilderness Tactical Instructor 5-stitch and an HBE Com3, the gun is pretty comfortable.

The heavier the weapon the more support is needed from belt and holster. For a 40oz gun a holster that spreads the weight out helps a ton. Carrying the 1911 in the Com3 is three times better than the same gun in a Summer Special. For OWB, a holster is needed that pulls the butt in tight.

I have carried a steel bobtailed commander for a while and it is easier than a fullsize. How much depends on the user. I personally think that a lightweight bobtailed commander would be the cat's meow, but haven't scrounged up the funds to purchase one.

Anthony
 
I carry a fullsize, all steel 1911.

I carry a steel 5" 1911 in a Galco OWB holster on a Wilderness 5-stitch belt. If I carry just the pistol, I begin to notice it a few hours. If I carry a reload or two on my off side, it balances out and I regularly go for 12-16 hours without it bothering me at all.
 
I carried a full sized steel 1911 for years, using a Milt Sparks 60tk owb holster and found it quite doable--once you get used to it, you hardly know it's there. These days I tend to carry a S&W SC or PD commander. As you get older, weight savings is a good thing haha. But I'll still do the 5" once in awhile just for old times sake.
 
The Commander sized guns are more comfortable for IWB, but I think that it's a non-issue for owb. I carry my Taurus PT1911 w/ S&A slimline mag well every day, OWB. Since I got a real belt, it's as easy as pie. That's about 43 oz unloaded.

I did a comparison of my own, recently, when my dad got a kimber CDP II. That's kimber's idea of a Lightweight Commander. 4.00" BBL, aluminum frame, bushingless bull barrel, etc. The Kimber has a better trigger than the Taurus, and is a heck of a lot lighter. From a rest, it's more accurate than the Taurus, right up until I started shooting off hand. Once it becomes a question of how well I shoot the gun, rather than a question of how well the gun shoots, the Taurus is the hands down winner. Also, when playing with a chronograph, the Kimber gives up A LOT of velocity to the Taurus. An average of 180 fps. Seems like a lot more than an inch of barrel justifies. Though I've heard that most .45 ACP loads are developed wtih a 5" bbl in mind. That might be true. But, if carrying the shorter one, I'd want to maek sure that HPs actually expanded coming out of it.

~~~Mat
 
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