Anyone comfortably CCW a 5" 1911?

[Agent-J]

I thought I was dead set on a glock 30 until today when I actually shot one and I just didn't like it. Granted i'm a terrible shot , but I picked up a 5" 1911 and relatively speaking, I was a much much better shot with it. The G30 was also the "still fat" model. The 1911 was much thinner, which I think would be good for CCW.

Everything I read says the grip is the hardest part to conceal, not the barrel length, but all of the 4"/4.25" 1911's have the full size grip... so why not just get the 5" 1911?

I have a horsehide belt with stiffening insert from the Beltman and I will be pairing that with an Mtac IWB holster once I figure out what pistol I will be buying.

Thanks!

 

[Eightball]

For IWB? I have no idea. Insofar as OWB goes, I'll find out in about 2 weeks.

 

[hankdatank1362]

Dude, great choice on the carry rig. Beltman/M-TAC combo... you can't go wrong.

 

[Girodin]

For me concealment is really matter of dress. In the cold weather months a 5" full size is doable with a jacket. In the summer it is not really concealable with the cloths I wear. Then there is the matter of comfort. Again much depends on your method of carry and activities. I know the weight of a full size bothers some people. Some don't mind it.

Overall I personally feel that some of the smaller pistols are easier to conceal and carry comfortable. If I were to choose only one carry gun I do not think I would get a full size 5" 1911 despite it being my favorite pistol platform and one that I feel I shoot relatively well. At times a full size is no problem at others a pocket pistol is really all that I could practically conceal.

 

[Kind of Blued]

Beltman. M-Tac. 5" Steel Gov't 1911.

Bingo.

I wouldn't think it would be possible, but after installing some smooth grips on my 1911 the other day, I actually FORGOT that I had a 3lb. gun on my hip.

A lot of uncommon practices make a lot of sense. I'm not sure why there aren't more 5" steel bobtailed 1911s. I'm also not sure why there aren't more guns like the XD 45 Compact 5". A five-inch barrel on a "compact" seems weird, but the barrel is stuffed in your pants, and the grip is as short as possible without neglecting your grip.

It LOOKS weird too, but it's an ugly black plastic tool and I think it'll get the job done.

 

[samh323]

I can do a 5 inch comfortably with summer wear using a Wilson snakeskin belt and IWB holster. Certain makers do make a 4 inch barreled gun with a shorter frame.

 

[tlen]

Smaller is better as far as barrel length and weight for conclealed carry. I'd suggest you look, and pick up, a SW1911PD [#108283] before you consider a standard 5" 1911. The 5" standard 5" 1911 is a great range piece because the heavier weight tames recoil.

 

[bannockburn]

Agent-J

Not a bad choice but probably not my first choice. I would opt for a Commander sized pistol, or better yet, an Officers sized model. Both can be had either with an alloy frame (my preference for CCW), or a steel frame if used more as a range gun than CCW. If you still want the longer 5" Government sized M1911, then there are several manufacturers who offer this model with an alloy frame as well.

 

[Ethereal]

Don't get caught up in the idea that you need a smaller gun for CCW. The government model 1911 does just fine. The right clothing, holster and belt are what make it so easy to conceal and be comfortable with all day.
ETA: I use a Kramer IWB#3 holster

 

[BlindJustice]

First off, several manufacturers offer the
"Commander" 4.25" Slide/Barrel on an 'Officers'
frame.

\ COlt has periodically, not currently, offered
the CCO. Concealed Carry Officers
SIg ARms offers their Compact in this confibg.
with 3 models with a steel frame and the C3 with
an alloy frame. However some are put off with
SIg Arms 1911s which have the Firing Pin Block
& External extractor.

Kimber, Wilson Combat and Para offer variants
with the 4" bbl/slide STI model is the STinger.

Second, I carry a full size 1911
Rig: Milt Sparks #Axiom OWB at 3:30
with a 1 1/2" Milt Sparks belt,
& Milt Sparks IWB single mag belt holder
at 8"30 Summer: fishing vest, Spring
and fall a pacific trails windbreaker, or sport
coat. The #Axiom isn't that high a riding
OWB so the vest just covers it & I need a
flush mag. the extension on the Wilson Combat
ETM mags, is more of a 'print.'

I would like to get the < $400 RIA
Officers model for CCW It's less in weight
and easier to conceal.

Randall

 

[Agent-J]

However some are put off with
SIg Arms 1911s which have the Firing Pin Block
& External extractor.

what does this mean? those sig 1911's look really nice!

 

[Japle]

Here's my 5" 1911:


This is a LW Commander I built in 1975. Note the custom serial number - my initials and the year. I carried it for several years after Florida passed the model CCW law.

I fit a 5" Colt barrel to an aftermarket slide and fit them to an aftermarket aluminum frame. It's an accurate gun that'll feed anything. Hard chrome by Accurate Plating & Weaponry. Grips by me. That's Hawaiian Koa wood.

If you're looking for a 1911 and want the velocity advantage of a 5" barrel in a lightweight gun, you might consider something like this. Several companies make LW Commander clones and will fit a 5" barrel for you.

 

[PCRit]

As some have said, it's the grip length which matters most. I carried an SA Lwt Champion (4.25" barrel, wt=30 ozs) until the XD45 Compact came out. Now I carry an XD45 Compact Tactical. It weighs about the same as the Champion-32 ozs, but I like the XD ergonomics, simple take down/cleaning, extra rounds.

 

[MM]

For comfortable carry of any "service" type weapon, it's hard to beat a quality shoulder rig. I can carry either a 5" government model Colt or my FN Hi-power in a G & G shoulder holster w/ 2 spare mags, all day, comfortably hidden but handy.
MM

 

[MT GUNNY]

It is a little unorthodox, but I use a modified Ross IWB holster. I removed the belt loop from the holster, so all thats left is just the holster. A single piece of leather folded and sown for a medium frame semi auto. Its very comfortable, my belt or waistband of pants keep it tight against me

 

[Kevinch]

For me concealment is really matter of dress.

+1

If you wear a full length leather trench coat, you can CCW a 12g shotgun.

Under a jacket fitted correctly, a 5" 1911 shouldn't be an issue. I find I cannot carry a 5" comfortably in warm weather.

 

[mavracer]

did it all day today Bianchi B26 professional belt Don Hume PCCH iwb holster.
BTW if you want to know about activity level I went phesant hunting.

 

[mljdeckard]

Every day.

I go on a rant in here every couple of weeks about people who say they 'can't' carry a full-size auto when what they really mean is; "I have been told by gun manufacturers and magazines SELLING for manufacturers that I must buy at least two separate guns, because it's impossible to conceal big ones comfortably. Furthermore, I am unwilling to adjust my wardrobe and lifestyle to accommodate my most important piece of equipment. I am willing to carry a gun and kill someone if I need to, but I'm not willing to throw on a longer shirt to cover it."

And you are correct, if you put a full-size 1911 in your waistband and then compare it with say, a compact, what you will find is, it's not really the barrel length that is uncomfortable so much as the bulk of the GRIP. In the waistband, you will need to wear a shirt or jacket to conceal it regardless of size. Same in a shoulder holster. To make your clothes loose enough to reduce the chance of printing, there is little difference if any between various sizes. And if you use a fanny pack, (to me at least,) it matters least of all, since it's on your body, and you aren't relying on your clothes to conceal it.

You are doing good homework, you have already dome something most people who come in here asking for advice haven't done. You have actually found a gun you shoot better than another gun. This doesn't mean you are never allowed to keep trying more guns and change your mind later, but you have made a decision. Most people shoot full-size guns better than compacts. The longer slide gives you more distance between the sights, which makes it easier to aim. A larger gun has more weight, which soaks up more recoil. Carry what you shoot best. This makes it obvious to me.

 

[f4t9r]

Winter time is easy. Warm weather for me is to keep my shirts in tall

 

[boomcrash]

I used to, with an IWB. No trouble at all.

 

[mainmech48]

There are several manufacturers offering models incorporating a 4" or slightly longer barrel with an "Officer's Model" frame. IME, it's usually the butt that is the hardest to keep from 'printing', especially with light clothing.

I'm a fair-sized individual and have no particular problem concealing any of the "service" sized semiauto pistols I own.

Much of it involves selecting the right holster and a purpose-made belt. Precisely which holster rig will work best with your particular build and weapon is, unfortunately, something which usually needs some trial and error to determine for sure.

IMO, adapting the selection of one's wardrobe can make a bigger difference in both relative comfort and discrete concealment than about any other single factor, especially when an IWB rig is concerned. In my own case, going up one size in the waistband for trousers made a huge difference in the comfort factor without affecting the all-around appearance or utility of the garments to any great degree.

Selecting casual shirts and outerwear styles with both effective concealment and relative ease of rapid access in mind will also help a great deal. IMO, it's quite possible to find clothing that does both while still satisfying one's lifestyle and fashion requirements given some care and effort.

Where I find the most "comfort" is in carrying the weapon(s) in which I have the most confidence in my skill sets. For me, these are nearly all service/full-sized weapons. I'll do whatever I find is necessary to make that as "comfortable" as possible.

P.S.: Japle, your pistol reminds me a good deal of what we used to refer to as an "Ayoob Special" back in the day. He had a .45 Commander built with a GM barrel fitted and Mag-Na-Ported in the area past the bushing. It delivered full GM .45 ballistics in a lightweight package with recoil levels similar to a BHP. Still a very viable and useful concept, IMO.

 

[Maelstrom]

I carry a full-size Kimber OWB in a Fobus or a Blackhawk Serpa. A t-shirt is all I need to conceal it.

 

[jhco]

iwb at 5 o clock no prob

 

[Kind of Blued]

P.S.: Japle, your pistol reminds me a good deal of what we used to refer to as an "Ayoob Special" back in the day. He had a .45 Commander built with a GM barrel fitted and Mag-Na-Ported in the area past the bushing. It delivered full GM .45 ballistics in a lightweight package with recoil levels similar to a BHP. Still a very viable and useful concept, IMO.

S&W also made a couple models which were normal full-sized 1911s with Scandium (lightweight) frames. The only one still in production is the "Tactical" one with the rail, but if it still fits in normal Government holsters, it's pretty alluring (to me). I don't mind a rail, as long as I have at least one "BBQ 1911" lying around.

 

[BornAgainBullseye]

all day every day. Im 6 foot 165lbs. I have it IWB in a Stoner holster. Hides under my teeshirt.