Steve CT
Member
In CT magazine capacity is now limited to 10 rounds for carry, so my new choice is an older SA LW Commander that my son and I spent a lot of time customizing
Calling all of you who carry a 1911.
- Thread starter Hometeached1
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1911 guy
Member
It's thin, handles well, fits my hands very well, chambered in a good caliber and isn't actually very heavy if you wear a decent belt and find a holster that works for you. Wear a reload or two on the off side and stroll with comfort and ease.
Old Dog
Member
Best trigger of any pistol out there.
Thin.
Accurate.
Superior ergonomics.
Powerful cartridge.
Classic.
Thin.
Accurate.
Superior ergonomics.
Powerful cartridge.
Classic.
ohioshooter
Member
Heavy depends on the person. I'm 6'1 and 250 so that's not a heavy gun to me. I also switch off between a Kimber Crimson Custom Carry and a Coonan .357 mag and with the right belt neither of them have felt heavy to me. Plus if you practice enough 9 rounds is plenty for me in the .45 and 8 in the Coonan.
I carry a Lwt. Colt Commander in .38 Lapua SC. The gun has some custom work, lowered, flaired, and moved forward ejection port, long ejector, change of small parts like safety, hammer, sear, extractor, Bobtail, edges "broken", VZ grips, etc. I like it a lot. I carry it because I shoot it well. Holds 10 rounds, doesn't weight that much with a good belt and holster, and it's just cool.
If 7 or 8 rounds of .45 ACP are not enough to solve your problem then a lighter smaller gun with more rounds isn't going to solve it either. People have been brainwashed into believing they "need" a 15 round magazine. Sure, you may find yourself in a confrontation with more than one bad guy, but in that situation your skill and reaction is going to be far more decisive than what type of weapon you're carrying. If you cannot connect with the first 2 or 3 rounds then 10 or 12 more probably is not going to solve that problem. The gun does not decide the outcome. You do. Practice.
BlindJustice
Member
I carry a full size 1911, w/Milt Sparks, Holster/Belt & Mag carrier
Why? my lizard brain is used to it after decades
I'm getting a commander for my next handgun probably
Bobtail it.
Heck the 1911 is lighter and smaller than my S&W 625
R-
Why? my lizard brain is used to it after decades
I'm getting a commander for my next handgun probably
Bobtail it.
Heck the 1911 is lighter and smaller than my S&W 625
R-
In order of appearance, in the above-quoted paragraph, sentence-by-sentence:
1) I carry my 1911 when I feel like it, because I like how it fits, it is 100% reliable thus far, and I am confident in my ability to quickly place accurate shots. My first pistol, in 1982 or 1983, was an off-brand 1911, that was not very reliable, but it planted the seed that has not died.
2) A 5" 1911 feels weightless in my hands. I learned to reload very quickly, with my dominant left hand, while letting my clumsier right hand perform the caveman-simple task of shooting, and I carry spare magazines. I do not see what the fuss is about.
3) Yes, for comfortable carry, a good belt and holster are essential, whether carrying an all-steel 1911 or modern combat plasticware. Once, again, I carry spare magazines, and learned to reload quickly.
4) I carry a 1911 when I feel like it; when it suits me. If I anticipate needing extraordinary accuracy, that is an additional reason, as my Les Baer Thunder Ranch Special is the most accurate handgun I have owned.
5) Curiosity is good!
6) You're quite welcome.
Additional thoughts:
I am known for loving magnum revolvers, too, but they beat-up my aging hands. I will probably never again fire another .357 Mag full-pressure cartridge right-handed, and precious few with my left hand. Most of my future sixgun shooting will likely be left-handed, with mild .45 Colt.
Snappy .40 S&W recoil has transformed my SIG P229R duty pistol into a torture device that makes my quals painful. Yet, an all-steel 1911 is still reasoably comfortable with .45 ACP, at least if I keep the range sessions short, and a Ceiner .22 LR conversion unit allows painless training.
My other recent posts in this forum mention my 9mm Glocks becoming my usual concealed carry guns, and this is true. I find no conflict between the 1911 and Glock systems; totally compatible, at least in my hands. They even "point" the same for me, regardless of the differing grip angle.
smalls
Member
You ever buy a new pair of slippers that fit perfect, and felt like clouds on your feet? Somewhat akin to the first time I picked up a 1911.
Hometeached1
Member
Do those of you that have a CCO styled 1911 like it, or is it better to just have the commander with a bob tail or just go with the officer? Thank you for all of the advice and replies.
I love my Colt CCO, which I found by accident when I was looking for a regular Colt Commander at a gunshow. The slightly shorter grip helps keep it from printing yet I can still get my whole hand on it, and the barrel length isn't too long or too short (I find a 5" harder to conceal and a 3" harder to shoot). The CCO package is "just right" as far as 1911s go for concealed carry IMHO.
CCO vs bobtail is personal preference I guess, I don't have any experience with bobtails other than holding a few S&W bobtailed 1911s in gunshops.
CCO vs bobtail is personal preference I guess, I don't have any experience with bobtails other than holding a few S&W bobtailed 1911s in gunshops.
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Hometeached1
Member
Thanks 2wheels. I think they are one of the best looking 1911s.
You are in some good company. I didn't initially like the feel of a bobtail, just handling one in the store. After sending thousands of rounds downrange through my V-Bob, I grew accustomed to the feel, so I bobtailed my Colt just to get rid of that pointy grip that prints when I carry OWB with my spare tire.
wojownik
Member
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I occasionallly carry a 1911 Commander. It's not that much heavier than my other EDC pieces (just two or three ounces over my Sigs). The 1911 has the same magazine capacity as my Sig p220 Carry, but is slimmer and conceals even better.
I've carried a full size 1911 also, and that conceals surprisingly well (though I've found sitting for long stretches with a full size 1911 to be a bit uncomfortable).
In a Milt Sparks VM2, you'll be surprised how comfy a 1911 can be.
I've carried a full size 1911 also, and that conceals surprisingly well (though I've found sitting for long stretches with a full size 1911 to be a bit uncomfortable).
In a Milt Sparks VM2, you'll be surprised how comfy a 1911 can be.
Vern Humphrey
Member
Fixed it for you.
JR24
Member
I prefer .45 ACP for carry. The 1911 platform (especially a Commander length with aluminum frame) carries just as well as anything else in that caliber that I've found. Round difference between a 1911's 8 and most other option's 10 or 12 isn't really something I'm going to worry over.
Ergonomics and trigger are superior on the 1911 vs anything else I've tried.
I'm still holding out hope that the Ruger SR45c (if it ever comes out) will change my mind and offer nearly the same number of .45 in a smaller package with a good trigger.
Ergonomics and trigger are superior on the 1911 vs anything else I've tried.
I'm still holding out hope that the Ruger SR45c (if it ever comes out) will change my mind and offer nearly the same number of .45 in a smaller package with a good trigger.
Phaedrus/69
Member
I love shooting 1911's but I probably won't ever carry one again in this lifetime. I can't ever say "never", though...if I happened up an STI in .38 Super or 9x23 I would maybe consider it. Years ago I had a Colt Commander in Super and really loved the gun but foolishly traded it.
The 1911 is a tad heavy for the capacity IMO, and there are guns I like better for CCW. But I certainly wouldn't consider myself poorly armed if a 1911 in .45 ACP was all I had.
The 1911 is a tad heavy for the capacity IMO, and there are guns I like better for CCW. But I certainly wouldn't consider myself poorly armed if a 1911 in .45 ACP was all I had.
bigfatdave
Member
Pretty much those reasons
I carry a CCO-sized 1911 built as a custom job by Armscor/Rock Island Armory.
There's nothing wrong with an Officer frame, either - a shorter frame does make carry more comfortable.
I don't know why Officer frame + 4" barrel isn't a standard size, it's about perfect for IWB carry.
In over four decades of handgun experience, seems I've tried em' all.
I prefer a Lightweight Commander for CCW.
Awesome trigger and safety design.
Relatively slim, light and compact.
Eight rounds (Or more) of .45 ACP on tap.
I can have it my way, AFA grips, sights, etc.,.
Works for me. YMMV.
I prefer a Lightweight Commander for CCW.
Awesome trigger and safety design.
Relatively slim, light and compact.
Eight rounds (Or more) of .45 ACP on tap.
I can have it my way, AFA grips, sights, etc.,.
Works for me. YMMV.
The Lone Haranguer
Member
I don't own one at this time but have shot and carried them. They are not necessarily heavy if you choose an aluminum-framed version. They are very slender, flat and rounded. But most importantly, when carried "cocked and locked," they have a combination of speed into action and accuracy that is difficult to beat.
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