Just curious as to what everyone thought about the 1911 as a carry gun. I've always wanted a 1911 but am turned off by the sa only aspect of the gun carrying cocked scares me even if you have the saftey on, just one more step if the $%it hits the fan and you need to use it just wondering everyone's thoughts:banghead:
1911 as a carry
- Thread starter jay43
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GreenFurniture
Member
The 1911 is hard to beat as a carry weapon.
Cocked & locked takes some time to get used to, but once you do you'll never be able to go back to a "standard" DA carry pistol.
Cocked & locked takes some time to get used to, but once you do you'll never be able to go back to a "standard" DA carry pistol.
Welcome jay43.
I carry small and light in general for my CC needs. Small S&W revolvers or medium to small semi-autos in alloy or synthetic materials.
However, I did carry a full size all steel Colt 1911 for an afternoon one day and other than the cheap way that I carried it (belt clip) it was suprising easy to carry for the short time I had it.
I'm sure that you will get plenty of input about this topic. 1911's always bring out opinions.
I carry small and light in general for my CC needs. Small S&W revolvers or medium to small semi-autos in alloy or synthetic materials.
However, I did carry a full size all steel Colt 1911 for an afternoon one day and other than the cheap way that I carried it (belt clip) it was suprising easy to carry for the short time I had it.
I'm sure that you will get plenty of input about this topic. 1911's always bring out opinions.
MCgunner
Member
I gave up on the idea way before I actually got a carry permit. I've owned two and neither was reliable with hollow points. I could have carried a 200 grain SWC the Hardballer liked, but nah. The gun is WAY too heavy for me to carry IWB. 35 ounces unloaded is about my absolute limit and I really prefer a gun to be 30 or under in IWB. Lighter the better for all day carry. I'm no masochist and I know other guns and calibers will work fine to defend myself with.
I do really prefer DA or DAO for CCW, especially for pocket carry, but IWB a 1911 is quite safe, just require dedicated practice and familiarization. I carry DA revolvers a lot and prefer to keep my practice simple, draw, fire DA. Works for my autos and my revolvers. Most 1911 guys seem to like nothing else but 1911s and don't shoot revolvers or DA anyway so their practice is dedicated to single action 1911. It works better that way, I think. I won't give up my revolvers, though. There's just somethin' about carryin' a .357 MAGNUM
I do really prefer DA or DAO for CCW, especially for pocket carry, but IWB a 1911 is quite safe, just require dedicated practice and familiarization. I carry DA revolvers a lot and prefer to keep my practice simple, draw, fire DA. Works for my autos and my revolvers. Most 1911 guys seem to like nothing else but 1911s and don't shoot revolvers or DA anyway so their practice is dedicated to single action 1911. It works better that way, I think. I won't give up my revolvers, though. There's just somethin' about carryin' a .357 MAGNUM
browningguy
Member
Well if you are scared then you shouldn't carry one. If you can't learn to take a safety off when pulling the gun from a holster then you also shouldn't carry one. Even an old fart like me has the safety off as soon as the pistol is out of the holster. My view is that SA semi's are the best SD weapon going for someone that trains with them. Yes, I know Jerry M can shoot 12 rounds through a 6 shot DA revolver faster than I can out of a 16 shot semi, but you ain't Jerry. And watch Jerry run a semi, he's even faster without a reload.
DA has the (alleged) disadvantage of a long heavy first shot, then short SA follow ups, some people complain about the difference. DAO is even worse, long heavy trigger pulls for every shot. Sure, you can send it off to a gunsmith, or start changing out parts yourself, but then you are making it even less safe. Now there is no external safety and a shorter lighter trigger pull. Seems to me that is just looking for an opportunity for a AD/ND.
I did just pick up a Springfield XD9, and I'm sure I'll get used to the long trigger pull quickly, but it still won't be my carry gun. BHP's in .40 S&W are the platform I decided on. Cocked and locked, the way Mr. Browning intended.
DA has the (alleged) disadvantage of a long heavy first shot, then short SA follow ups, some people complain about the difference. DAO is even worse, long heavy trigger pulls for every shot. Sure, you can send it off to a gunsmith, or start changing out parts yourself, but then you are making it even less safe. Now there is no external safety and a shorter lighter trigger pull. Seems to me that is just looking for an opportunity for a AD/ND.
I did just pick up a Springfield XD9, and I'm sure I'll get used to the long trigger pull quickly, but it still won't be my carry gun. BHP's in .40 S&W are the platform I decided on. Cocked and locked, the way Mr. Browning intended.
DMK
Member
I carry either a full size Govt. Model, or a Colt CCO. The 1911 actually requires two safeties to be disengaged before it will fire. I feel a lot safer with it than my other guns.
Heck, my S&W J frame has *no* safety. That one makes me a little nervous when I stick it in my pocket.
MCgunner
Member
It has a hammer block (may be a transfer bar, don't know the new ones) safety that requires the trigger be pulled all the way to the rear or the gun cannot go off. It is eminently safer than ANY striker fired or otherwise single action especially in a pocket. The hammer is down, the firing pin is blocked, and it takes a 10 or 12 lb pull through a pretty good trigger throw to get it to go off.
The 1911 series 80 actually has THREE safeties, a manual one, a grip safety, and a firing pin block safety that will not let the firing pin move unless the trigger is pulled which cannot happen unless the manual safety is off and the grip safety is depressed.
The one gun I CANNOT get excited about safe carry wise is the oxymoronic "safe action" of the Glock. It's a 4 lbs (that's Very light) almost single action stroke relying on a doo hicky in the trigger for its only safety and the fact that the striker is only half loaded. IWB in a good stiff holster that completely covers the trigger, okay, but I still am rather nervous about the design. I would NOT pocket carry a Glock even if they made a pocket sized one and if I carried one IWB I'd want an 8 lb trigger spring and that little plastic thing that goes behind the trigger. No thanks, I'll stick with true DA/DAO revolver or automatic that came out in revolvers when JMB was still working with lever guns. Danged hard to beat for civilian CCW, especially in a pocket.
Black Majik
Member
It all depends on what you train with. I still don't understand why that manual safety scares a lot of people, or the cocked hammer. I have much more reservations about carrying a DAO gun than a SAO w/ manual safety gun.
The majority of my training was with the 1911 platform. I instinctively click that safety off as I'm about to draw. If you're willing to take the time and practice clicking off the safety on the draw, it really isn't that bad. Even better is to shoot high thumb (thumb on manual safety) so the safety automatically clicks off as you draw.
I'm so used to a clicking a safety off that my first time shooting my SIG P226 in USPSA was a disaster. First stage, I drew and took a second to realize that I was shooting a different platform, with a *** look on my face. My thumb was depressing on the slidestop on my P226 waiting for a "safety" to click off.
Completely different platform, different action, different feel.
What I'm getting at is; if you're going to carry a 1911, train heavily on it and stick with one platform. Once you carry something else you're going hesitate when the time comes when you need to defend yourself.
As for the cocked hammer. It has a manual safety, and a grip safety. You have to grasp the gun with the safety off for the hammer to fall. It's not going to fall on it's own. Also, with a 1911 that works, the hammer should catch on the half cock notch if the hammer does ever fall (which it shouldn't ever).
Carry the gun around the house cocked and locked with an empty chamber for a while, you'll realize that Condition 1 carry is perfectly safe.
There's nothing wrong with carrying a 1911 coked and locked. It's a very capable platform, but it does take some practice to get used to it. Drawing and dryfiring is key here, or take a handgun course with your carry 1911.
Good luck
The majority of my training was with the 1911 platform. I instinctively click that safety off as I'm about to draw. If you're willing to take the time and practice clicking off the safety on the draw, it really isn't that bad. Even better is to shoot high thumb (thumb on manual safety) so the safety automatically clicks off as you draw.
I'm so used to a clicking a safety off that my first time shooting my SIG P226 in USPSA was a disaster. First stage, I drew and took a second to realize that I was shooting a different platform, with a *** look on my face. My thumb was depressing on the slidestop on my P226 waiting for a "safety" to click off.
Completely different platform, different action, different feel.
What I'm getting at is; if you're going to carry a 1911, train heavily on it and stick with one platform. Once you carry something else you're going hesitate when the time comes when you need to defend yourself.
As for the cocked hammer. It has a manual safety, and a grip safety. You have to grasp the gun with the safety off for the hammer to fall. It's not going to fall on it's own. Also, with a 1911 that works, the hammer should catch on the half cock notch if the hammer does ever fall (which it shouldn't ever).
Carry the gun around the house cocked and locked with an empty chamber for a while, you'll realize that Condition 1 carry is perfectly safe.
There's nothing wrong with carrying a 1911 coked and locked. It's a very capable platform, but it does take some practice to get used to it. Drawing and dryfiring is key here, or take a handgun course with your carry 1911.
Good luck
XavierBreath
Member
A cocked and locked 1911 is my preferred carry gun. I also carry a pocketed J frame when the 1911 is not suitable due to concealment issues.
Here is an article on this issue.
Here is another one.
Cocked and locked carry is not for everyone. If it gives you the willies, there are other choices.
Welcome to the forum.
Here is an article on this issue.
Here is another one.
Cocked and locked carry is not for everyone. If it gives you the willies, there are other choices.
Welcome to the forum.
vanilla_gorilla
Member
- Joined
- Jun 10, 2006
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- 360
The 1911 is not for those who half-assedly decide to carry a gun. The commitment has to be there, to practice and train and work with the gun. Somebody who just woke up yesterday and decides he wants a gun does not need to be sporting a SA auto.
On the other hand, for somebody who is willing to devote time and training to the defense of themselves, the 1911 can be very rewarding. Scared of seeing a cocked hammer? Get over it. Safety too complicated? Train. Afraid you can't manage the grip safety? Learn how to hold a gun. All of these arguments are not actual problems with the gun, but problems with the mindset or training of the user.
On the other hand, for somebody who is willing to devote time and training to the defense of themselves, the 1911 can be very rewarding. Scared of seeing a cocked hammer? Get over it. Safety too complicated? Train. Afraid you can't manage the grip safety? Learn how to hold a gun. All of these arguments are not actual problems with the gun, but problems with the mindset or training of the user.
420Stainless
Member
I carry a combat commander during the cooler months of the year when cover garments are not a problem. Most of the year I opt for pocket carry with a much smaller weapon.
Ala Dan
Member in memoriam
Once you master the "cocked and locked" carry of a 1911; nothing else
feels quite the same. Its a known fact, that a fully loaded 1911 carried
"cocked and locked" is the fastest handgun to swing into action with
returned fire. The only problem is, make sure the 1911 of YOUR choice
is absolutely reliable with all types of ammo before arming yourself with
one. Some are real finicky, while others run straight from the box~!
feels quite the same. Its a known fact, that a fully loaded 1911 carried
"cocked and locked" is the fastest handgun to swing into action with
returned fire. The only problem is, make sure the 1911 of YOUR choice
is absolutely reliable with all types of ammo before arming yourself with
one. Some are real finicky, while others run straight from the box~!
1911 guy
Member
Guess what I carry?
Screen name kinda says it all, eh? I've carried a 1911 for several years now and won't carry anything else. Understanding the workings of a 1911, maybe a quick demo of the grip safeties, etc. by your gunshop owner/storekeeper will help you. As for the thumb safety and "one more thing to remember", that's not the case at all. If you draw a handgun properly, your thumb is already in position to move it to the "off" position. Training goes a long way.
Scroll back up and read Vanilla_Gorilla again.
Screen name kinda says it all, eh? I've carried a 1911 for several years now and won't carry anything else. Understanding the workings of a 1911, maybe a quick demo of the grip safeties, etc. by your gunshop owner/storekeeper will help you. As for the thumb safety and "one more thing to remember", that's not the case at all. If you draw a handgun properly, your thumb is already in position to move it to the "off" position. Training goes a long way.
Scroll back up and read Vanilla_Gorilla again.
tegemu
Member
A cocked and locked 1911 has been the preferred gun for carry, for THOUSANDS of folks, for almost 100 years. There is very little anecdotal data to indicate that it is unsafe, to the contraray there is such data that it is safe. I am always armed with a Cocked & Locked 1911!!!!
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