1911 Size/Weight questions

[Z_Infidel]

I have a S&W 1911SC commander-size pistol that I really like for the most part. The Scandium frame makes it light and easy to carry, and it handles recoil pretty well. It has also been flawlessly reliable from day one.

However, I am starting to wonder whether I should replace it with a full-size all steel model. I can shoot accurately with the 1911SC if I am careful and really concentrate on trigger control and proper grip. I understand these things are always important no matter which gun is being used, but I think the light weight of the Scandium pistol makes it even less forgiving than a heavier gun. The .45ACP produces some torque when fired (it seems to me) that would probably be handled better by a heavier gun.

Does anyone else have an opinion on this? I seem to shoot more accurately with my .45ACP N frame revolvers than my 1911. I like the gun and the platform, but am wondering if others have found it easier to shoot well with a regular size and weight 1911 than a lightweight model.

 

[Walkalong]

It is, of course, a bit easier to shoot well with a heavier gun. Most use lightwieght framed guns for carry and shoot them at the range as well. If the recoil is uncomfortable to you with the scandium framed Smith, an all steel gun will be better, but it is not a night and day difference.

 

[GunNut]

Yes, the heavier gun will be easier to shoot than the lighter one.

Light is great for a carry gun, but a little weight is much nicer at the range.

A couple choices could be just to get a full steel commander length gun or just get the 5" steel governemnt length gun.

Steve

 

[Z_Infidel]

Thanks for the replies.

The recoil of the Scandium gun isn't uncomfortable at all, I just think I have to concentrate much more in order to shoot well than I do with a heavier gun. I guess I need to decide just how accurately I need to shoot a carry gun. I can get good, consistent hits at 10 yards with the 1911SC but I have to take my time with follow-up shots and concentrate on the fundamentals as I'm shooting. With heavier guns it has been easier for me to allow frequent practice to develop muscle memory and shooting becomes more automatic. Practical accuracy is much more important to me than target accuracy, so I don't have any guns that I consider "range only".

 

[Sniper X]

I carry and shoot in three gun a full Govt. size Kimber Tactical Pro II. It shoots as well as any full steel gun but is a bit lighter and at 5'8" it eve hides well in a forward canted paddle holster.

 

[51Cards]

I have three 1911s: (2) Government models, and (1) Colt Defender Lightweight.

I shoot the little Defender the best, but that may be because it requires even more "user input," or because the sights are much better --- or because the little beast won't let me get rid of it.

For the heck of it, I put an aluminum Kimber .22 conversion on top of the Defender frame. Together, they weigh about what a full .40 mag does.

Shoots like a charm, weighs about a third what my MkIII does.

I think it's a whole combination of things. Hand fit, weight distribution, sight radius --- how the thing fits you. Conventional wisdom says that a heavy gun will keep you tighter, but I don't think that always applies, or applies to every type of shooting.

 

[tegemu]

I have a Bobtailed Smith & Wesson Scandium Commander and shoot it just as well, if not better than my 5" 1911's.

 

[45crittergitter]

I have a couple of 5" lightweight 1911s as carry guns, and I'm pretty darn happy with them.

 

[Ala Dan]

I shoot these two really well~!

Top weapon is a new 5" Les Baer Thunder Ranch Special 1911 .45ACP;
while the bottom weapon is a brand new stainless S&W 5" 1911 .45
ACP. Both shoot equally well~!

 

[longeyes]

I have two full-size steel 1911s, a Kimber and a Sistema, and the S&W 1911PD Scandium Commander. I don't notice a whole lot of difference at the range. True, the heavier guns are a tad more stable because of their weight, but I think the lightweight PD actually feels better in my hand, better balanced, faster to get on target. It's not so light that it's difficult to shoot--and shoot well it does. I think the PD is every bit as accurate as the Kimber, which previously was my most accurate handgun. I bought the PD to use, eventually, as an another carry pistol to alternate with (probably) a Glock 30 (another favorite of mine).

 

[treebeard]

I have the S&W 1911SC and a Dan Wesson CBOB and there is definetely a difference in how both guns handle the same load. With that said, my Kimber CDP Pro II actually handles 230gr. bullets easier than the 1911SC? Go figure that one?