Lonestar49
Member
Not much at all..
...
True, only about an 1/8" difference favoring the 1911..
Ls
...
True, only about an 1/8" difference favoring the 1911..
Ls
Bear a couple of things in mind. First, the width of the 1911 grip is increased by the grip panels, which are usually close to a quarter inch thick at their thickest point. You can get thinner, flatter ones that will decrease this. Second, the grip panels have an arched contour, so that thickest point is a very narrow part of the exact center of the grip. The panels arch downward toward the front and back of the grip frame to make a convex surface. The grips of the XD and Glock, however, have to house fat double column magazines, so the sides of the grip are not convex, but flat, and that thickest part of the grip extends almost all the way out to the front and rear edges of the grip. As a result, you may find that while the 1911 with standard grip panels may be thicker in absolute width, it's smaller in overall circumference.According to Sig's site, the stainless Revolution series 1911 is 1.37" in width.
http://www.sigsauer.com/Products/Sho...5&productid=99
I can't find the width specs of the XD, but the Glock G21 is actually only 1.27" in width, per Glock's site.
And the G36 is even smaller in width....1.13".
I understand what you're saying, but when it comes to concealment, it's really about the thickness and not the circumference.As a result, you may find that while the 1911 with standard grip panels may be thicker in absolute width, it's smaller in overall circumference.
I understand what you're saying, but when it comes to concealment, it's really about the thickness and not the circumference.
How much thinner?Depending on the grips on your 1911 they are about the same thickness but the 1911 is more concealable because the slide is considerably thinner.
I'm a j-frame pocket-carrier usually ... but want[] a full-size ....
I've decided (tentatively) that the S&W M&P45 is for me. Thin with great ergonomics like a 1911, optional external safety in the same place as a 1911, reliable as heck, and very light compared to a 1911.
Any takers or bashers of my conclusion?
Quote:
1911s are very concealable because of their thinness but they are also very difficult to carry because of their weight.
I've never understood this complaint. Truly I haven't. For the past eight years I've been a cop, and my department actually requires its personnel to carry off duty at all times. These days I carry a .40 S&W FN Hi-Power with the SFS trigger, because my department refuses to authorize any single action auto, and FN technically considers the SFS a double action (even though it's not), so I got it approved. I'd carry a 1911 if they'd allow it, and I used to do just that when I had a concealed weapons permit before I joined the department.
Both of these guns are steel frame guns, and the weight is not the slightest bit of a bother at all. They're both flat and concealable, and carry very comfortably with the right holster and belt.
Seriously, how heavy is 3-4 pounds total of weapon and ammo? How can that possibly be fatiguing? If it's the weight of the pistol and ammo pulling down your pants, then you almost certainly don't have a proper belt and holster. With the right belt and holster, you'll get minimal sag.
I have a P3AT, but I've only carried on those few occasions when deep concealment was the primary consideration. The rest of the time, it's either my Hi-Power, or in warm weather when minimal clothing is worn, a Kahr TP40 (and you'll note I chose the all steel gun over the polymer framed PM40, which is the same size -- all steel gun is just a tiny bit easier to shoot, and as I said, the weight's not a factor for me; it's only a few extra ounces).But, purely for self defense, the little subcompact 9s and snubby .38s like the Smith 642 are plenty of gun IMHO, at least if you're good enough with them to make them effective. That takes practice, but if you don't practice, you ain't gonna be much with a 1911, either.
I've noticed that most CCW types start out carrying 1911s and 686s and HK USPs and such and after a few years, they wind up with a P3AT in their pockets. ROFL! Such is the reality of life, when you think about it.
I've never looked at it as having a gun that's "good enough", I want the most gun I can have.