1911 for CC

Why not carry your Range Officer?

I'm with EddieNFL. Get a holster for the Range Officer and see if you mind carrying around a pistol of that weight. An all steel Commander will weigh basically the same amount and is only 3/4" shorter barrel-wise. Even a custom leather holster in the $100 range is a whole lot cheaper than $1,000 on a new pistol that may not give you anything your current 1911 offers.

I also wouldn't pick an adjustable sight pistol for concealed carry, but if you already have it, you may want to give it a try.

Colt XSE Commander and Lightweight Commander models or the Springfield Loaded Champion would be good ones to look at. I'm not a fan of the very small 1911-style pistols. The sub-4in guns in .45ACP have a reputation for being troublesome; the 9mm versions seem more reliable.

I carry a 1911 platform gun, but its a lightweight version. I carry at all times other than at work since it is prohibited. The gun I carry is a ultra carry which has a light weight frame but metal slide. It is much lighter than all my larger 1911's. I use a crossbreed and as long as I use a good sturdy belt it carries very nicely. I would go to a good gun store and test the weight of all the small 1911's. Some of the all metal versions can still weigh quite a bit.

Be warned, you will have to approach shooting these differently than your full size ones. With the reduced mass they will have more recoil and will also require a stronger grip. I can't count the number of times people have asked to shoot mine and had it not operate for them. It has always functioned fine for me but then again I change how grip it.

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Colt xse lightweight.

full size, mil spec with low profile sights. perfect for carry

Sure, aluminum will wear out before steel. But you're not likely to wear out an aluminum frame on a primarily carry gun (non-competition).

I carried a Colt Combat Commander for a lot of years on and off duty. Never had a problem.

A good holster, and a reenforced gun belt will help with the weight. After that, if you decide to make your RO to a full time carry piece and want a fixed rear sight there is at least one semi-drop-in option.

No matter what you decide on carry a good belt will make a huge difference with even the poly frame guns. Springfield Armory and several other manufacturers also offer full size 1911s with aluminum frames if the weight, but nor the bbl length, remains an issue. These full size LW frame pistols can also share holsters with the RO.

jacob2745 said:

Anybody have an officer sized gun they have had good luck with? You hear about alot of reliability issues with them.

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Yes, I have three very reliable 3" 1911s, all in .45. Shorter 1911s require more frequent spring changes, although the RecoilMasters in my STIs have extended lives compared to a traditional setup. Maintenace is even more mandatory with the shorter 1911s (spring changes, lube, cleanings, good magazines, maintaining proper extractor tension, etc). You may need a firmer hold than you do with other 1911s.

STI Shadow (my EDC)


STI Escort


Colt Defender

I like to shoot my 1911s and my Glocks. However, carrying a G26 daily, in favor of a 3# behemoth 1911 is a no-brainer. On-the-other-hand, if I'm ever attacked by a guy with a bullseye target on his chest from 50 yds away, I bet I'd really wish I'd carried the 1911 instead!

ugaarguy said:

A good holster, and a reenforced gun belt will help with the weight. After that, if you decide to make your RO to a full time carry piece and want a fixed rear sight there is at least one semi-drop-in option.

No matter what you decide on carry a good belt will make a huge difference with even the poly frame guns. Springfield Armory and several other manufacturers also offer full size 1911s with aluminum frames if the weight, but nor the bbl length, remains an issue. These full size LW frame pistols can also share holsters with the RO.

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If you get a fixed replacement for an RO, you need to make sure you get the LPA cut, NOT the Bomar cut in the link or it won't fit.

I have the Harrison LPA cut on mine and it is very good if you don't mind losing the adjustability. The sfter contours are much easier on clothing and your hands. I posted a review of it on here some time back.

If the only thing you don't like about your Range Officer is the adjustable rear sight.....

Fit one of these:
http://shop.harrisoncustom.com/products/90-hd-002-extreme-service-rear-sight.aspx

It's a lot less than $1000. And you can get it with tritium bulbs too, if you so desire.

I love my 1911s, but I also have an M&P in 45 that I can shoot just as well, requires much less preventative maintenance, does not care what bullet nose profile I feed it, and I don't worry about sweating all over it during the Summer months. If you are already used to the M&P since you're carrying a 9c, might I recommend the M&P 45 compact model. Holds 8+1 rounds (same as a Commander/Gov't), durable finish, good sights, eats anything you put in it, easy to shoot. It's pretty much the same size as a Commander, maybe with a little shorter grip. You can upgrade to the Apex fire control parts (or just the sear) and have a much improved trigger over factory.

Just something to think about.

hentown said:

I like to shoot my 1911s and my Glocks. However, carrying a G26 daily, in favor of a 3# behemoth 1911 is a no-brainer. On-the-other-hand, if I'm ever attacked by a guy with a bullseye target on his chest from 50 yds away, I bet I'd really wish I'd carried the 1911 instead!

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Or you could go with a short 1911. The Shadow I carry is 23oz (about the same as a 27) and easier for me to conceal IWB due to its thinner width than my 27. But, use whatever works best for you.