Carrying a 'Target Model' M1911

[CmdrSlander]

I carry a 1911 that was never intended to be carried, its a 'Target Model' with big high profile sights etc. I'm most comfortable with target sights not to mention its the most reliable and accurate 1911 I have. I've had no problems with this setup yet and there's always the backup Glock 29 that I carry as well (never know when you'll need a little [get it, its a compact gun]10mm firepower). Would you ever consider carrying a gun that wasn't intended for carry?

 

[Walkalong]

I want low profile, less likely to snag sights, but something is better than nothing, if you do not have another option as of yet.

 

[Smokin Gator]

I don't think target style sights are that big of a problem for the average person who is carrying concealed. I would be more concerned with the style of sights if I was in an actual combat environment with daily hard use of the weapon. Mark

 

[USSR]

I don't think target style sights are that big of a problem for the average person who is carrying concealed.

+1. My Series 70 Gold Cup carries quite well.

Don

 

[FlyinBryan]

i used to carry a colt government model, but it was just a little too big and heavy.

i started looking at my options for a pistol that was lighter, and shorter, and was looking for something that had sights a little more carry friendly.

about a year or so later i decided to switch to a kimber pro carry which weighed considerably less, was and inch shorter, and had better sights for carrying.

so which choice in the poll should i select?

 

[mavracer]

I have carried one on occasion. Most of the time I just pocket a snub.

 

[gordy]

A firearm is like a car, you would not take a chevy vega to race a firebird.
And you would not carry a ruger blackhawk with a 8 inch barrel in your pocket.
They are made for different uses. It can be done but I don't know why you would unless you had to.
Target means big sights, heavy and may not work all the time as the thing is made for slow paced action.
You want a high proformance gun made to work all the time.
Don't need to be custom, but needs to be made for the street.
Smooth and fast. Or every body would be carring a desert eagle in 44 mag.

 

[Zerodefect]

If target sights work best for you then I see no reason why you shouldn't use them on your CCW as well.

-my target and comp 1911's have my daytime CCW sights. I don't run adjustabe sights, but have nothing against the low adjustable ones.
-Sure they are more fragile. But you can shoot without sights anyways and if you damage the rear in training, you replace it, big deal.
-as long as they aren't slow I see no problem

 

[SorenityNow]

I feel like that with my 6" gp100. I would need a cross arm holster, and maybe a back brace Ive seen the holster for around $30. Sometime I think of selling my .357, but i got a great deal buying it used. Im sure I would regret it. its a great home defense weapon, especially with the proper ammo.

 

[SwampWolf]

Target means big sights, heavy and may not work all the time as the thing is made for slow paced action.

Why won't adjustable sights "work all the time" and why are they made for "slow paced action"? I carried a revolver with adjustables for decades on duty as a le and never found them to be a disadvantage. Unless you are carrying a pistol in the pocket or in some other "deep cover" place when a snagged sight on the draw might get you killed, adjustable sights from a holstered pistol work just fine.

 

[sm]

I never felt anything but confident when I carried a steel Kimber Series I with target sights. I no longer have the gun, a good friend of mine here on the forum does, and it is my understanding he has carried this gun, and taken some training courses with it.

 

[mavracer]

A firearm is like a car, you would not take a chevy vega to race a firebird.

Yep, but gun guys are sometimes like car guys and a guy that will stuf a big block under the hood of a vega might just know how to make a Goldcup purr

 

[Ankeny]

I carried a Les Baer PII for a time. FWIW, some "target" sights are made for very fast paced, quick target acquisition shooting.

 

[1911NUT]

I would if i had. Though most of the pistols i shoot have low pro sights, a couple have adjustable, never had a problem with them.

 

[Too_Pure]

I voted "only if I had to". While not necessarily a bad thing, I believe there are better choices, even if it's all in my head. I see beautiful Colt GCNM's and drool, then I think of it hiding in my pants, under my shirt, getting perspired on, worn by the holster, banged, dinged. Just seems like they are not made for that even though they can totally handle it. I also seriously doubt that I'll ever need to shoot in self defense at more than 10 yards.

 

[DeepSouth]

Wouldn't bother me, probably wouldn't be my first choice but if I wanted to it I would. Matter of fact I have carried my S&W 25-2 target revolver, mostly in the winter time......AKA hunting season.

 

[armsmaster270]

Target sights are very hard on shirts I had a bunch of shirts with holes worn in them. There is a difference between target sights and a target gun.

 

[LensWork]

I carried a Colt Mark IV Series 70 Gold Cup as a LEO.

 

[jackpinesavages]

I have a vertical Bianchi that works great for both my STI TargetMaster and G24. A "Carry" designation has become a marketing term; lots of the designated "carry" pistols are just as bulky/heavy as "non-carry" pistols. My first carry tool, anyway, is the cell phone.

 

[arthury]

Some people are very worried about the adjustable rear sights that can cause snagging problems. That's about the only thing that comes to mind.

Unless your pistol trigger weight is less than 2.5 lbs, I wouldn't worry about that either. If memory serves me right, the original M1911 has a much lighter trigger than most revolvers of its time.

In terms of accuracy, why would I want to carry a lesser gun than the most accurate gun I have?

 

[Rexster]

I answered with the "only if I had to" option, with the assumption that a target 1911 has high-profile sights. I prefer a fixed rear sight, with rounded corners and edges. I don't mind carrying a "tight" 1911, if it is reliable. My Baer TRS has never malfunctioned.

 

[CZ223]

I have a Kimber Eclipse Pro Target

That I have no problem carrying on occassion. I also have the same gun without Target sights that is more likey to get carried so I answered sometimes.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

In the OP's case, there is nothing wrong with his use of a target gun -- lots of people carry guns with adjustable sights. If your holster accepts it and you can draw smoothly, what's the problem?