1970's era 1911 commander worth carrying?

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Mrae

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so i have inherited a 1970's era 1911. i dont remember all the numbers and everything as im out of state and dont have all the info on this computer.

the main question.. is it worth using for concealed carry? it is a 9mm colt combat commander. all completely factory. ive gone through and cleaned it properly and have fired around 3 magazines of winchester ammo through it with no hiccups whatsoever.. i am flying back to my home state and leaving again and plan on taking either that or my glock 23 gen4 with me on a turnaround trip. purely for concealed carry and personal protection. what do you guys think?

IMAG0227.jpg
 
It is most certainly worth carrying. A very fine gun indeed.

The thing is, one in that condition is worth about two-three times as much as a Glock.

So if I was gonna shoot somebody in self defense?
I'd shoot him with the Glock.

No big loss when the police take the Glock and throw it in an evidence locker to rot & rust uncleaned for months.

Or somebody steals it out of your airline baggage.

rc
 
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As long as you feel comfortable with it being dependable enough to trust your life to then sure why not. I've seen guns made in the 20's I would hesitate to carry as an SD weapon.
 
Why the heck not? It certainly didn't get any less lethal sitting around for all those years. Though if I were traveling, especially on a plane, I'd take the Glock. You won't be nearly as sad if you lose a piece of tupperware.
 
Field tested and proven in the Philippines, Japanese Islands, Korea, Europe, and Viet Nam.

Can't go wrong with it.

Being that it is a single action only, you are going to need to futz around with it if you ever draw it. Means you either need to carry it chamber-empty, or chamber-full and hammer down, or chamber-full and hammer cocked and locked (safety on).

With either of these ready-configurations, you need to do something, either rack the slide with your other hand, or cock the hammer with your thumb, or release the safety with your thumb. You just need to practice whichever way you choose.

The double action triggers or double-and-single actions are faster, to draw and shoot, but that's the only disadvantage to the 1911's single action trigger.
 
you are going to need to futz around with it if you ever draw it.
Click to expand...
Futz around with it??

Maybe after carrying 1911's for 50+ years I got past the futzing stage.

But I don't remember there was a futzing stage.

The thumb safety on a cocked & locked 1911 is as instinctive, ergonomic, and fast out of a holster as it gets.

rc
 
The thumb safety on a cocked & locked 1911 is as instinctive, ergonomic, and fast out of a holster as it gets.
Click to expand...

+1

If you can't handle a cocked and locked 1911 without having to "futz around" with it you might best stay on the porch. :)
 
is there anything i should look into changing out? like springs or any of the like? it is circa 1970 and i would like it to be as reliable as possible. no hiccups yet but better safe then sorry.
 
Fully test it with the ammo you want to carry to make sure it will feed the HP just fine.

Springs do not go bad just setting. But mfg and material is a lot better these days so it would not hurt to change the RS spring.
 
In H.S. I worked at a gas station, the old kind where I filled the gas, checked the tires, oil and radiator while you sat in the car and listened to the radio.
Carried a Korea era 1911 all the while and one in the pipe with the safety on.
Never had an issue.
A 1911 in 9mm like you have, I would be proud to own and carry it. Great gun.
 
Verb phrase

futz (around) with, to handle or deal with, especially idly, reluctantly, or as a time-consuming task: I spent all day futzing with ... that safety lever on the 1911A1.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Word Origin & History

"loaf, waste time," 1932, Amer.Eng., perhaps from Yiddish.
 
Verb phrase - I spent all day futzing with ... that safety lever on the 1911A1.
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I know what it means.

What I don't know is, if you have ever handled or shot a 1911 in your life.
Or at least enough to know it is so instinctively easy a cave man could do it twice while the gun is clearing leather?

rc
 
Well, since that was its intended use, I'd have to say it's "worth" carrying. But if you don't want to, you can send it to me and I'll carry it.
 
I see no point in owing single stack .45ACP-sized 1911 pistol chambered for 9x19 cartridge. I'm not going to join current subcompact single stack 9Para mania either.:rolleyes: I have seen alloy framed compact 45XX series S&W with six-shot mag plus three seven-shot spares not that was reeeeal niiiice, OH YEH!:cool:
 
Check collector value

It might have some value to a collector. Not many 9mm Combat Commanders were around 35 years ago.
I'd sell it and buy a alloy 1911 in 38 Super.
 
The double action triggers or double-and-single actions are faster, to draw and shoot
Click to expand...
I think that several thousand (or tens of thousands of) ISPCA/IDPA/USPA competitors would disagree...somewhat vehemently.

You have a nice weapon. Some would say it is worth too much to carry. Others would say that you acn carry a similar size-and-weight 1911 in .45 acp (or ..38 Super, etc.)

That is a decision you will have to make. If it were me, I would put a good number (200 rounds minimum) of rounds of my intended carry ammo through it before carrying it...but that is not just that pistol. That is standard advice for any carry pistol.
 
it was inherited. my grandfather got it way back when after getting out of the military. no way i could sell it. I just really wasnt sure if being that old it would be ok to carry or if i should just put it in the safe and leave it be.
 
earplug said:
It might have some value to a collector. Not many 9mm Combat Commanders were around 35 years ago.
I'd sell it and buy a alloy 1911 in 38 Super.
Click to expand...

Or . . . you could do what I'd do with it. Have a new 38 Super barrel fit for that gun, get some 38 Super mags, and have fun forever.

The difference between an alloy and steel frame 1911 is four ounces.


You got an extremely nice 1911. I would carry it. And I'd get that barrel fit for it to carry. And I'd shoot a lot of IDPA matches with it. However you inherited it, you're very fortunate
 
As pretty much everyone has said, it is fine to carry.

Personally, considering the fact that it has history to you and you say you wouldn't want to sell it, I say leave it in the safe and bring it out to take to the range with your family to shoot and remember your grandfather.
 
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