Turning 21! First carry-1911! With a somewhat unique caveat.

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LkWinnipesaukee

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Well, I guess it's about time to start researching carry 1911s...

About me:

I live in Massachusetts. Yes, living here does suck as much as everyone think it does. Case in point: if I buy a handgun from an FFL, it MUST be one of the handguns on THIS LIST. Either that, or (this is simplified) I can buy whatever I want in a legal private sale. But I haven't seen anything special for sale here...

I'm also a scrawny individual unable to conceal a cell phone. :rolleyes: About 5'8", 130 or so. So a 5" 1911 is probably out of the question. I've tried on the family's 5" and it just doesn't work.

I will also only carry the 1911 platform. It has been the gun I've shot almost since the day I picked up a gun, and I have thousands of rounds in. It's just what I'm comfortable with.

Now, the gun:

-I've been saving up for this for awhile, so the cost won't be an issue, within reason.
-I want to go as small as light as possible, but I am NOT willing to sacrifice reliability for "concealibility". I understand that 3" barrels tend to be less reliable, but I'll leave the minimum length up to the experts here. Maybe a 4"?
-I want the gun, when well-maintained, to properly expel a .45 caliber bullet and chamber a new round every single time I want it to. Doubt that this is an issue with today's guns, but it is worth mentioning: I NEVER want it to fire unless I want it to. I'm mostly referring to an accidental drop.
-I am not concerned about this being a tack driver. I just want reliability.
-I am willing to pay a bit extra for "nice" "features," e.g., night sights, checkering/serrations in all the right places, nice wood grips, etc.

I would appreciate any comments or suggestions anyone has for me.
 
Do you have to buy from that (short) list? Not many 1911's in there. Colt, Springfield and Kimber are not even on the roster?

Armscor's RIA CS should fit the bill. Otherwise, maybe you should look into a Glock?
 
DAAAyum. I'm glad I don't live in Kennedy country. Even the PRK ain't that bad compared to MA. I agree with JTQ, but I'd ad the SIG 1911 to the list.

The only listed 4" is the S&W 1911 Compact ES . It may not be a bad choice--it's an external extractor gun. I'd look for a private sale of a CCO or Colt (Lwt) Commander.

SIG's C3 is an external-extractor version of the CCO and it's a fine choice with excellent features and craftsmanship. There was a time when the entire SIG 1911 line was suspect because of production values, but the newer guns are no problem. A SIG "CPO"--Certified Previously Owned would work, too. The CPO's have been back to the factory for inspection and service. Or you could do what I did--buy a used SIG and have them RMA it for warranty work. (SIG's customer service is outstanding--they got into trouble with the 1911s because they outsourced the parts from different OEMs and those parts didn't always work well together. SIG has chosen to produce their own parts now, and the early guns are warrantied w/o question.) This is long-winded, but I don't know of another CCO that is as well-made, now--hence, the details.

http://forums.1911forum.com/showthread.php?p=2370648

I actually accidentally hit the wrong bookmark and found this vendor. Curiosity searched me to this:

http://www.thegunsource.com/item/9214_Smith__Wesson_Hand_Guns_Pistols_SW_108283_SW1911PD_Auto_.aspx

'way cheaper than the common GunBroker price. I've never owned an S&W semi-auto though...and there're no night sights.
 
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It's unfortunate that Massachusetts limits your choice of auto-loaders but I have to ask you, does it HAVE to be a 1911? It just seems you're limiting yourself from some fine firearms.
 
That's it?! No Kimbers, Colts, Springfields, Dan Wessons, etc? That is just too sad for words. You have my most heart felt sympathy.

Of those listed I'd have to agree with JTQ - look at the commander sized S&Ws. I have a 5" 1911PD that has been a flawless performer and I really like it.

I'd stay away from Para as they seem to be going through a rough patch at the current time and their quality and customer service has suffered. They still put out some good guns but the odds of getting a lemon are higher now.
 
This is your answer, Winni.

Like any intelligent person should, you favor the venerable 1911. But based upon your 130 pound frame, a full size 1911 is probably out of the question. So go ahead and get a miniature 1911 ... the Colt Mustang 380. Same feel, same controls, nice single action trigger group.

The Mustang is the BEST concealable pocket pistol ever made in terms of quality materials, fit and finish and reliability.
 

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Ive heard a rumor that it is possible to get a Mass compliany Ed Brown kobra carry or special forces carry. If that is true, get that one.
 
Thank you for everyone's replies so far.

That's it. No Kimbers, Springfields. Told you it sucks here. :(

That Colt Mustang looks nice, but it's not on the list.

What I really want is something like an Ed Brown Executive Carry, but by the time I can afford that (with all the features I want) I'll be out of school, and if a college education works, out of MA.

Looking into those guns, they all seem to be 5" barrels. I know nothing about gunsmithing, but would it be easy for me to retrofit a smaller slide, barrel, and spring onto a full size model?
 
OK, Winni, here's a Colt Officer's Model that will run with Ed Brown's Executive Carry. Its compact package can be concealed nicely, with all the tricks and an eight round magazine ... And it's a Colt.

It just doesn't get any better than this.
 

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My Colt Officers 3 1/2" Defender 3" and new Agent also a 3" have all been reliable . I carry the Defender the most. Colt and Kimber (I don't like Kimber myself ) seem to have the 3 " working fine .
 
well then if ya want a 45 scp and not spencd alot of cash get the armscor Rock island armory 1911 cs with a 3.5 in barrel i carry one everyday and i have had no issues whats so ever with it,nope take that back, needed a extractor tuning, other than that it feeds evrything,, and come with a lifetime warranty
 
It wouldn't be easy to retrofit a commander or officer's frame to a gov't model. The slide stop notch will be in a different location on the receiver because of the difference in the firing cycle.

Given your choices, the Smith and Wesson looks like the best choices for an easy to get 1911 for you.

Another thing to consider when carrying is that you may have to dress around the gun. I started carrying a gov't model 1911 when I was 5-10 150 lbs (Ive gained weight since...the price of a sedentary job in a colder climate) and I was able to conceal a full size 1911. I just wore looser shirts and stopped tucking them in. With a loose shirt, heavier fabric, in a dark color, you'd be surprised how the bumps, bulges, and outline disappear. Also remember, most people will never notice it, as they don't look for it, and even if they did see the bulge, would assume it was a cell phone.
 
That's it?! No Kimbers, Colts, Springfields, Dan Wessons, etc? That is just too sad for words.
Click to expand...

Dear God. I just looked the list over. The lack of 1911 platform guns is bad enough. But how about someone looking for 9mm. There are only 8 manufactures of approved 9mm handguns on there. You can't have a BHP, CZ, XD!

Can you imagine what the roads would look like if they had a list of approved vehicles?
 
I would say move a few miles north into the great state of New Hampshire! Can't even own a Hi Power in Mass, how sad.
 
First - a nice long "approved" gun list
Second - a shortened version due to complications
Third - guns are bad, you don't need them/can't have them
Fourth - Line up, you are being removed from your home and here's your tracking implant.....sucker
That may be overreacting but who are they to decide what you carry?

This post makes me sad some people have to deal with this. Good luck with the "approved" firearm shopping.
 
The Rock Island CS is an excellent choice. Its not the fancy look of the higher end guns nor is it the big name. It's a simple gun that is very affordable, reliable and accurate. Drop under $500 for the gun and you have lots of cash left for ammo.

Q
 
Given those choices I would go with either the Glock 19 or an M&P compact model. There both reliable very durable guns. The M&P ergos are excellent I still prefer Glock overall YMMV.

Evan
 
With those choices, and your physique (which closely resembles mine), I would go with the Kahr P45 in a heartbeat.

An 18.5 oz, 6+1 .45 acp is not to be sneezed at. I am wearing mine as I type this.

I love my 1911s, but I carry my P45.

Second choice would be the Scandium (PD) S&W Commander-sized 1911. About 28 oz.
 
I live in Massachusetts.

I'm also a scrawny individual unable to conceal a cell phone. So a 5" 1911 is probably out of the question.
Click to expand...

Are you going to CONCEAL this gun while living in MASSACHUSETTS?

If so, that's great. I've seen ONE CCW permit from there and that guy never carried it. Odd.

Or is this gun just for "all around general purposes?" The answer to these two questions will generate better responses for you.
 
Don't get too caught up in barrel length for concealibility. All that's going to be stuffed into your pants. The real printing problem, especially with skinny people, is the grip length poking out the back of your shirt. If you've tried some quality holsters and found you really can't conceal a full-length grip, then look for an officer's length model mated to a commander-length (4.25" or 4", depending on who makes it) slide. That'll get you a more concealable profile without sacrificing much in the way of velocity, site radius, and the potential reliability problems that come with some three inch guns.

Only a handful of years ago I was in a similar situation, 22, looking for my first carry gun - a 1911. (Would loved to have gotten one at 21, but I had $35 dollars to my name on my 21st birthday) I learned two pretty good lessons from that. They contradict each other, so you'll have to find a happy medium between them. The first: don't buy cheap, save for what you want. If you buy cheap, you'll quickly become unsatisfied with it, but a new gun, and the old one will get neglected, and you end up spending more money. The second lesson is that skillset is more important than toolset. SVI is on the approved list, they could build you an officer frame, 5" single stack 1911, in all titanium that would run like a top, fulfilling your requirements. But you can't forget about ammo. If you blow your budget on that gun you really want, where are you going to get ammo? I know from experience the college students budget is not a rapidly increasing thing. If you get the best gun you can afford and put a few hundred rounds through it a year, you're not going to shoot any better with it than you would hi-point. If you go for something you're satisfied with a more reasonable price, that gives you more ammo to maintain and improve your skills.

I don't have time to go through all the different unfamiliar 1911 models on the list, but its looking like your only choice for an officer-size grip is mated to a 3.5 inch barrel on the Rock Island CS. I've had plenty of experience with RI 1911s full-size and commander, and they're nothing if not reliable. The triggers have a nice crisp break, but its a stiff and gritty journey getting there. Don't know about their short model. But if you look into it, find they work well, and you're comfortable with all the trade-offs of carrying a bitty gun, I'd say get that. RI guns a reasonably accurate for the price, and none of the half dozen or so I've had experience with have any reliability issues or breakages. Spend the rest of your money on ammo. Shoot a lot. As long as the gun works, how nice it is irrelevant, its how well you can shoot it.

If you're interested, PM me and I can give you some tips that allowed me to vastly increase my shooting time and round count while still on a tiny undergrad income, and later on a larger, but still quite small, graduate student income.
 
the MA license process

Have you completed the license process in MA? I saw that they changed their program and now everyone has to drive to Chelsea for an interview. If you dont have the proper firearm permit (A and not B I think) you can't carry concealed.... I was born in MA and fled to NH where life is MUCH better. But I've wanted to get an out-of-state permit since I still have family there. Was curious if you've gone through the new process.

Based on your post and reading the list you provided I have the impression that you should stick to the list and not rely on a private sale. Because if you ever have to use the damn thing in RealLifeSituation the courts there will crawl all over your choice of weapon.

And of course the beauty with 1911 is that you can get it customized to your satisfaction. I think you could send a Rock Island or a S&W off to Springfield Custom and get the cosmetics and the function improved on greatly. And to fit your budget ...do it over time. I have to admit I have a (probably completely offbase) personal bias against external extractors so if the Rock Island has any kind of acceptable metal I would probably send it off to Springer for their Loaded or TRP custom package. I have a Colt commander there now....trying to be patient ....sigh...

Good luck and if you get the chance get the heck out that communist state.
 
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