1911 experts: How comfortable is a full size 1911 for IWB?

[leadcounsel]

Compared to even smaller framed pistols, like compact and subcompact 9mm or .40 caliber pistols (Glock, XD, CZ, etc.) of 3" or 4" barrels, how comfortable and concealable is the 1911 full size? Or is there a noticable difference in a full size vs. a 4" or 3" 1911? For the thin 1911, is the barrel length or the handle the more difficult/uncomfortable part to carry?

 

[EddieNFL]

Been doing it so long I don't even think about it. Of course, I started carry a Government Model before I was smart enough to know it was too big, too heavy or uncomfortable.

 

[Old Fuff]

"Confortable" is sometimes hard to define, as it depends on the individual.

In the case of a full-sized 1911 platform pistol, you need a belt that will support the weight, and pants that are one size larger then you usually wear. Some hosters better position the pistol, but you may have to experiment to see what works best for you. Another problem is the length and square shape of the handle, which tends to print if your body bends. For this reason give some thought to what kind of covering garment you will use.

In terms of concealment, slide/barrel length will present fewer issues than the handle length - which tends to "stick out." On the other hand if you have to use it, the full-length pistol is usually more reliable and a more effective weapon then one with a much shorter length.

 

[earlthegoat2]

The right holster can dictate comfort. I have tried concealing a 5" 1911 and I dont like it one bit. I spent a year carrying a Browning Hi Power though and that was quite easy generally speaking. You still have the same grip problems but the BHP is lighter by about 8 ounces and it is noticeable.

From my experience with the Hi Power I think I could just as easily conceal a CCO type 1911. (officers model short frame and commander slide ICYW)

The Hi Power and 1911 were both carried with Milt Sparks VMII holsters and Belt Man belts. The belt is more important than the holster but the holster is what will define how comfortable it is and the belt is what will support the holster and the weight of the gun.

 

[Carl N. Brown]

More comfortable than a full sized H&K USP.

 

[Deanimator]

I carry one all of the time, first in a Don Hume 715M, now in one of my own handmade tuckable IWBs.

The M1911 is VERY easy to carry that way.

 

[Jayme]

fullsze for winter compact for summer

I've found that my full size 45acp 1911 in the winter is a good chioce for me I live in Vermont and winter is well winter extra clothing helps pad you and helps with ccw part ,as for sitting in a car very uncomfortable , so I have a 45 1911 sub-compact for summer . With the sub compact you trade a little on the accracy (sp) ,but face it if you have to go to your weapon and I hope you never have to it'll be in close range and subs are pretty acurate .So go for a sub compact and practice .For comfort sub is the way to go ,but I have a soft spot in my heart for my fullsize, so I carry it most of the time anyway's in the winter.

 

[BADUNAME37]

I don't have a 1911, but I do have a full-size comparable 45 Auto.
I have an IWB from Big Jim at C5 Leather in Kansas City, KS. I can attest to his workmanship and his work ethic to get it right for the customer. I had several magazine holders made up with the IWB and, due to my older body being a bit fatter in places I would rather not be, the magazine holders were not secured using the heavy belt that I also ordered from him.

Both the IWB and magazine carriers fit the gun and magazines PERFECTLY, with just enough snug-fit to allow me to stand on my head if I wanted to without anything falling out of place!

He went out of his way to re-make the magazine holders to the way I explained I thought they would stay put, and they came within two weeks or less and work PERFECTLY! I just sent the other ones back to him, one I had tried to "fix" with some small Pop-Rivets to no avail.

He may not be fast, but he is good and his products are excellent!

 

[QUICK_DRAW_McGRAW]

my main carry switches between a S&W Sigma .40 and a Taurus 1911 5inch IWB for both. its all about the holster. i wear jeans and a T-shirt mainly and never have a problem keeping them covered up with what i wear.

 

[swinokur]

The 1911 is much thinner than my double stack Glocks. That is the biggest factor for me. I cant my holster forward so the grip usually doesn't print. Barrel length is also irrelevant as far I am concerned..

My full size 1911 is more comfortable to carry than my G29 or G30 because of the above reasons.

I carry my Glocks in a Supertuck IWB and my Kimber in either a Tucker The Answer or a Sparks VMII

 

[dcmdon]

Here are a couple of thoughts re carrying a 1911.

I've been carrying for years but just started carrying a 1911 last year. It has been a learning experience so maybe you can benefit from some of my mistakes.

First, you should realize that the 1911 is slimmer than 9mm M&Ps, Glocks, or Ruger Pxx or SRx. It is MUCH slimmer than the .45 glock and M&P. Its probably also much slimmer than a .45 XD but I don't have any personal experience with that)

So now you have 3 other things to think about. 1) bbl length 2) grip length 3) weight.

I started with a government model. I found the bbl too long. It wasn't a problem standing, it was a problem driving. It was also a bit heavy. I didn't care because I bought the gun for range use and only carried it a little.

Next I went with a commander sized (4.25" bbl with full sized grip) gun and found that it carried and shot well.

About the time I got a deal on a used Colt Officers ACP. This has a 3" (about) bbl and a shortened grip. The gun I got was an alloy framed "lightweight" version.

It carried well, but I preferred the longer grip and longer bbl of the Commander.

Then I came across MY perfect 1911 on 1911forum.com.

It is a Commander sized Lightweight Nighthawk Custom Tallon II with a bobtailed frame.

The bobtail removes the corner of the butt that causes most 1911 printing problems and leaves the rest full length. So your hand has a full length grip to use and the mags still hold 8 rounds. Empty, this gun weighs 25 ounces, not that much more than what a Glock weighs.

In the interest of weight, stay wasy from full length guide rods and bushingless bull barrels. I've found that weight is a big factor in comfort.
Also, as others have said, get a good belt.

If you wear your shirts untucked get a wilderness concepts instructor belt. Don't even think about it. Just go buy one. It is the standard by which all other "tactical" belts are judged.
I can't stand how they look but it is my daily belt when I'm going to wear an untucked shirt.

http://www.thewilderness.com/storepinnacle/index.php?p=catalog&parent=142&pg=1

For tucked in use any number of good leathersmiths can provide you with a nice belt.
I have a very nice black 1.25" delFatti leatherworks belt. Its 10 years old and going strong because I don't usually wear a tucked in shirt with a belt or IWB holster. (Its usually pocket carry if I'm tucked in, in which case a gunleather quuality belt isn't necessary.

In summary, get a good belt, consider weight and how it affects comfort, consider comfort sitting and think about how much you want to print.

That leads me to another thought. In CT, we are an Open Carry state. This has just come to light in the last couple of years. Before that I used to shoot for 100% concealment. Now that I know tha I am legally entitled to carry openly I am much more casual about concealing. Ill put a Tshirt over a paddle holster. There is a definite bulge, noticeable to anyone who looks. But amazingly nobody looks. I can't tell you how astonished I've been. Most people walk around not noticing anything.

Also, in todays world, geeks wear all kinds of bulky stuff on their belts. There's no knowing if that bulge is a blackberry or a gun. Well except for the fact that half the time I carry, there is an inch or two of bbl sticking out under my shirt. Amazingly, I've never been "made".

Don

The top gun is my Nighthawk lightweight commander sized gun. This one was "just right"

The middle gun is my commander sized all steel Les Baer Concept VIII.

The botom gun is a Colt Lightweight Officers ACP.
All are .45



The Nighthawk is as much art as it is a tool

 

[NMGonzo]

Good quality belt and good quality holster.

Because you are worth it.

 

[NMGonzo]

More comfortable than a full sized H&K USP.

Or a Glock 35.

Boy that thing was like packing a carbine.

But it shot like a carbine.

 

[dcmdon]

I actually carry my G34 (same as a 35, but in 9mm) regularly in a leather OWB holster. Its bulky, but that bulk is outside my pants, so I don't notice it.

The holster is a high ride with a fairly radical FBI cant to it, so it isn't too bad in the car. Even still the bbl hangs out below my shirt.

I usually take it out when I'm with one of my kids, so I'm guessing that if people see it, they just assume I'm some kind of LEO. Either way, you aren't perceived as a threat when you are out with your 3 year old daughter.

I used to carry mainly pocket guns. The impetus for me to carry larger, more effective guns was the birth of my children and my desire to do everything I could to protect them.

I've shot the Glock 34 in IDPA since 1999 so it is the gun that I am best with.

Also, even though its big, its not very heavy at all. So a good holster makes it very workable.

 

[ColdDeadHand]

I've tried it for a while. You will need a good belt. This was a full-size, all-steel Gov't model. My belt is not a gun belt, so there was a lot of flopping up and down when I tried to run, even for short distances.

The holster I was using did not cover the muzzle area and allowed the muzzle to protrude out of the bottom. This was not a problem for me, but it was a problem for my pants. The old G.I. model does not have any kind of "carry melt" so the rough edges sawed through about 3 pairs of jeans over the course of maybe 2 weeks.

If you're going to IWB a 1911, make sure you have a good belt, a good holster and preferably a 1911 that has been dehorned.

That's all I've got.

 

[HorseSoldier]

I personally don't think it's any worse than other IWB, but don't find IWB holsters wildly comfortable in any case. Just make sure your holster covers the beavertail, if your pistol has one, since that thing digging into your side can annoy the hell out of you.

 

[Zerodefect]

My Crossbreed works well. But when sitting down, there is no hiding the length of a 1911. It's like having a bony tail pushing into your seat. It's fine when standing.

I use a Ares belt. It's nice because I can unsnap it quick, and move my holster further rear for alot of standing/walking.

My 5" 1911 is kinda CCW overkill. I'm just as well armed with smaller weapons usually. But there are times/places where only my fullsize 1911 will do.

 

[Deaf Smith]

If by 1911 you mean 5 inch all steel 1911s and one sits alot, yea the 1911 does get UNCOMFORTABLE!

I went to sub-compact glocks cause they conceal better in more minimal concealment, were light enough to carry all day, easy to sit down with in a IWB, and powerful enough to stop a fight.

Does that mean I hate 1911s? Heck no I have several of them! But the all steel ones, when fully loaded, are a might heavy and big for 7/24 concealment wear.

Deaf

 

[kmbrman]

Actually, I can carry a 1911 in the 1 or 2 o'clock position IWB easily because of the thin slide and grip. About the only thing to cover is the grip end so it doesn't print. Easier to conceal than Glocks I own.

 

[derek45]

Milt sparks Summer Special


....and a SOLID belt