on the other hand, the DW is twice the pistol
1911 ccw quandry.
- Thread starter DasFriek
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Lucky Derby
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My thoughts are that you for some reason want a different 1911 than the one that you have. None of my business why.
I would say, based on the above, sell the PT and get the 1911 that your heart desires.
Keep the XD because you seem unsure as to whether you should keep it. A second gun is always a good thing. What if you sold both and bought only one replacement? Something bad happens and your one gun is not available. (IE needs warranty/gunsmithing or even just send it in to get different sites) God forbid you have to use it and the police take it. Now you are unarmed with a family pissed at you because you shot there innocent little Johnny, who was only trying to beat you with a club to take your money so he could get something to eat.
I would say, based on the above, sell the PT and get the 1911 that your heart desires.
Keep the XD because you seem unsure as to whether you should keep it. A second gun is always a good thing. What if you sold both and bought only one replacement? Something bad happens and your one gun is not available. (IE needs warranty/gunsmithing or even just send it in to get different sites) God forbid you have to use it and the police take it. Now you are unarmed with a family pissed at you because you shot there innocent little Johnny, who was only trying to beat you with a club to take your money so he could get something to eat.
SSN Vet
Member
Several years ago I was shopping around for my first dedicated CCW piece and was being helped by a clerk at KTP. The guy was very helpful and knowledgeable and let me handle a lot of guns.
As we discussed options, I told him I wasn't interested in pocket carry.
He said politely, yet confidently, "give it time, you will be"
He was right.
Point?
the easiest way to solve the summer (shorts and a t-shirt) carry problem is to pocket carry.
As we discussed options, I told him I wasn't interested in pocket carry.
He said politely, yet confidently, "give it time, you will be"
He was right.
Point?
the easiest way to solve the summer (shorts and a t-shirt) carry problem is to pocket carry.
BADUNAME37
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Whether you get the 5" or 3" is up to you.
Myself, if it is a .45, it will be a FULL-SIZE 45, no "small stuff" for me!
If I want small, I will carry my small semi-auto or small revolver in my pocket holsters in a front pocket.
I have an excellent IWB holster and heavy belt for my full-size 45 auto. Now that I am used to it, it doesn't bother me wearing it. Having two pocket guns DOES tend to 'spoil' a person!
Myself, if it is a .45, it will be a FULL-SIZE 45, no "small stuff" for me!
If I want small, I will carry my small semi-auto or small revolver in my pocket holsters in a front pocket.
I have an excellent IWB holster and heavy belt for my full-size 45 auto. Now that I am used to it, it doesn't bother me wearing it. Having two pocket guns DOES tend to 'spoil' a person!
After reading the entire thread, I'm still not sure what motivates you to consider moving from 5" to 3"...If the motivation is to reduce weight, an alloy-framed 5" (or even a 4 1/4" Lwt Commander) would really reduce the burden. Extrapolated, a Lwt 3" would really carry well, but shooting it well would require consistent and constant practice. A Lwt 3" gun will have the three worst features inherent in short guns--short sight radius, low muzzle energy, and the severest recoil available in the platform. If concealability under sparse clothing is the main issue, the shorter frame on a 3" won't help that much.
It doesn't seem to me that your objection is weight--you carry a 5" the rest of the year. With that in mind, I'm in the group that would suggest a lightweight CCO--4" frame on an alloyed Officer-sized frame. The alloy frame coupled with a chopped slide should reduce the weight to ~29 ounces without giving up a lot of sight radius. A steel 3" will weigh as much. If grip shape is an issue, you could get the grip rounded; from personal experience, I can testify that that feature alone really helps hide the CCW. (I carry with shorts and a T-shirt all summer long.) I'm in Mississippi--for 2 1/2 months of the year, it's 90* and >80% humidity. "Feels like" 105* is the 'term' here.
There's not so much difference in recoil between a 5" and 3" gun--if you're used to a 5" 1911, I certainly wouldn't describe a 3"s recoil as 'intimidating'--most 3" guns have a dual-spring system that really soaks up recoil surprisingly well. The main differences between the two are sight radius and muzzle velocity. For self-defense inside ~5yd, that 3" won't lose much worth mentioning, but I wouldn't want a 3" much beyond that distance. Fast "point and shoot"ing really suffers at 'long' distances with a 3".
Lastly, if you intend to shoot for recreation (be it bullseye or IPSC-type shooting), a 4" or 4 1/4" isn't too much of a step down from a Govt 1911. I know you stated that currently, ammo prices are prohibiting you from 'play', but that situation might change someday, and in that case, you might enjoy a bigger gun than a 3".
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