Concealed Carry Question

[King Red]

Thanks for all the suggestions guys!

I'd just like to clarify one point though...Several people have suggested that I need to get a "good" belt and holster setup for my 1911. As I mentioned, I have the custom-made Bulman gunleather "Urban Gun Belt" and his "TSA2 Secret Agent Holster" along with a matching mag carrier. This is some very high quality stuff (it should be for the price I paid and a 4 month wait).

So the problem's not the holster or the belt (it's so thick and wide you can hardly roll it up). The problem is just that the weight of the whole rig digs into my hips. I've tried carrying with the belt looser...it's more comfortable but the gun is not as tight to my body. I've tried carrying with the belt tighter...the gun is nice and snug but it's painful not to mention it very uncomfortable on my "package" with my pants up to my belly button.

So, here's what I'm going to do: order a speed strip and speed loader for the 642 and try them both out AND sink myself another $500 in debt to buy a Springfield XD 45 Compact. I ordered one from Bud's Gun Shop today. I know it's wider, but it weighs less and can hold more rounds. I also ordered a Concealco IWB for it (yeah! another 3 month wait!!!)

What do y'all think?

 

[peacemaker45]

I think I'd swap you an XD .45 tactical for your 1911.

 

[45crittergitter]

Please forgive me for ignoring your request for no 1911 ideas. However, in the interest of hopefully providing helpful information, I will offer that I am almost exactly your size, and comfortably carry a 5" 1911 daily. I have found that only an IWB works well for me, preferably one with an adjustable carry angle. I also eventually went to a custom 1911, also a 5", but with an aluminum frame.

 

[Mortech]

I would also look into getting something along of the lines of a S&W 3913 , its small flat and light . I recently traded off a CZ75B for one to use as my summer CCW when carrying my M&P isn't practical . I am curious why you settled on the 1911 as your initial CCW weapon ? From the way you went all out on it and your carry rig I figured you had some experience with carry a 1911 and would be prepared for its weight .

 

[ronto]

Just the act of drawing a gun on 99% of the street punks will send them running...With the remaining 1%, shoot one and the rest will run...Just make sure you can hit what you're aiming at...I feel well protected with 5 rounds of 357 Magnum...If I need more than that, there's a farm I'd more than likely be buying, even if I had a speed loader/strip.

 

[kingpin008]

Just the act of drawing a gun on 99% of the street punks will send them running...With the remaining 1%, shoot one and the rest will run...

Not to be rude, but can you provide a cite for that little gem? I don't understand where people get off saying stuff like this, in regards to self-defense situations. It's like the old saying "just racking a shotgun is enough to make a badguy dirty his drawers and fall over dead." It's not true, and it's dangerous for people to hear over and over because it causes them to rely less on training and reality and more on silly catch-phrases.

/rant.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

Originally posted by King Red:
...Several people have suggested that I need to get a "good" belt and holster setup for my 1911. As I mentioned, I have the custom-made Bulman gunleather "Urban Gun Belt" and his "TSA2 Secret Agent Holster" along with a matching mag carrier.

Bulman leather is top notch, for anyone not familiar with his work. Website

I've tried carrying with the belt tighter...the gun is nice and snug but it's painful not to mention it very uncomfortable on my "package" with my pants up to my belly button.

Part of this problem (besides pulling them up that high) is that your pants might be too tight. I've found, when carrying IWB, that pants that would stay up without the aid of a belt are much too tight (including pressure on my "package") when adding a holstered gun, and went up an inch in waist size. Also, in what position are you carrying? Think of your belly button as 12:00. If you wear at 3:00 (directly on the point of your hip bone) it is likely to gouge you. Move it back to about 4:00 so the center of the gun is pressing more against the fleshy part of your backside.

I think, before dropping another boatload of cash into a whole 'nother carry gun and rig, that you ought to give your current rig more time. In time you may find that it is not so bad.

 

[King Red]

I do carry at 4 o'clock, it's just that I have to cinch the belt extra tight to accomadate the weight of the 1911, hence the discomfort.

I will continue to carry my 1911 on occasion, but I just picked up the XD Compact I ordered from Bud's and my Concealco IWB is on the way.

As far as size comparison between the two, they are similar in height and length, but the XD is much wider. The XD seems very promising though because it carries more rounds (in 45), is lighter weight, and only has passive safeties (no safety lever to disengage).

That being said, I still believe the 1911 is a far superior gun.

Hopefully I'll get everything worked out soon enough.

 

[Zen21Tao]

King Red,

Being that you are used to having a 1911 on your hip, you may have a comfort problem with the Springfield XD's double stack design. As a double stack, the Springfield's added thickness may even give you 'printing' problems. As for being a lighter weight, remember that the lighter weight will be off-set somewhat by the extra number of rounds that fit in the magazine.

If you do have comfort problems with your Springfield you might want to consider replacing it with a Sig or some other single stack auto. As for Sig, they have a P245 or P220 compact that is a concealable .45acp. I have found it to be a very comfortable IWB .45acp.

Also, if you are not averse to going down to the .40S&W round you could try the Sig P239 or even a Kahr PM40/MK40 (both of which are also single stack pistols). I have found both to be excellent carry gun. As for the Kahr, it is so small and light weight that I often forget I take it. Plus, you can use the Kahr as a pocket gun as well as an IWB gun.

I hope the Sprinfield works out for you, but if it doesn't, keep the Sigs and Kahr in mind.

 

[orionengnr]

--Kahr makes a P45 which weighs 18.5 oz and holds 6+1 of 45 acp. (My winter carry.)

--If you are a 1911 fan ( I thought so) there are any number of 3" alloy framed 1911s out there. Mine is a Kimber Ultra Carry Stainless, about $600 used. 23 oz.

--If you want small, a Kahr PM9 is 14.8 oz (about the same as your 642) but holds 6+1 of 9mm, and reloads as quick as you please. I've had one for going on two years, and I am seldom without it. It is very accurate and 100% reliable. (My summer carry.)

--The Scandium Commander-sized S&W is 28 oz. I want one

 

[wqbang]

I have noticed that my Kahr P9 fits in 1911 3" holsters. It is so light you almost forget it's there compared to my Kimber 4" Compact Stainless.

 

[crebralfix]

Get a better belt. That is the key to the whole experience.

 

[lanternlad1]

You might try getting a cheap little keltec p11. About 250.00 11+1 rnds of 9mm, light. Trigger sucks, but in a SHTF situation, you'll never notice that.

I'm in Houston too, and my carry varies from a CZ PO1 9mm which is harder for me to conceal, to a Ruger SP101 .357 mag which carries like a dream but only has 5 rounds available at ant one moment. Both weigh about 27oz. I understand your predicament completely. In a "spray and pray" situation, I hope I have the 15 rounds of 9mm in the CZ with me. Otherwise I feel just fine carrying my 357. I carry based on what part of town I'm going to, what I'll be doing, and what I have to wear while doing it.

 

[gezzer]

Sell 100 year old technology 1911 and accessories the are hot sale items and you may make a profit.

Buy a Glock 26, 27, 36 what ever caliber floats your boat.

 

[peacemaker45]

Spelling and Grammar Nazis are pests, with no life giving no useful input to discussion

That may be true, but consider: if a person cannot string six words together in such a way as to form a coherent statement, how credible are they in terms of facts?

I had to re-read gezzer's post about six times to figure out what he meant. My present interpretive theory is that he's saying: "1911s are outdated, and should be sold. However, they are also popular enough that you shouldn't lose much money in doing so."

At first I thought it was a general attack on people who make 1911s and their accessories, as profiteers or some such.

Anyhow, try one of the lightweight 1911s before you throw over the platform entirely. LW Commander, S&W's Scandium guns, Kimber's "Carry," series, Springfield's lightweight line, all pretty good guns. To borrow a line from John Taffin, "Perfect packin' pistols."

~~~Mat

 

[copaup]

I have no problem carrying a full size 1911 concealed. I'm also used to carrying around a gunbelt 8 hours a day loaded with a sig 229, 2 spare mags, a radio, 2 sets of cuffs, 2 flashlights, a pair of shotgun shells, and 2 different kinds of OC spray. The weight does take some getting used to.
That said, my most commonly carried weapon is my departmentally approved BUG, a 642 carried on and off duty in my support side pants pocket. I carry one safariland speedloader as a reload at work, and usually the speedloader and a speed strip when I carry it off duty as a primary. Its small, light, accurate, and powerful enough to get the job done. Its my belief that you are going to run out of time in a fight before you run out of rounds if there are multiple assailants.

 

[jeepmor]

The problem is money. I'm trying to get through college and the only way to get the money would be to sell the 1911

but you spent $2k on this 1911? Money is tight?

When I was in college, $2K paid for over a year of rent there fella.

 

[LightningJoe]

I think the biggest problem with speedloaders is the danger of dropping all your rounds on the floor. Moonclips would be preferable.


But a speed-strip should do everything you really need. I've heard gunfights often end when one or both parties run out of rounds or have to reload. This implies neither party wanted to continue once shots were fired and were happy to use the lull to break contact.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

King Red,
I don't think you really needed to spend another $500 since you already have 2 good guns. You could have carried the M642 and a speedloader for SD outside the car. In the car and in your home you could use the the 1911 for SD. All you needed was a small safe for the car and you would have been all set up. You might want to forget about another gun and use the $500 for other things, like books lol.

 

[Commander Crusty]

Many revolver shooters carry a Speed Strip. I put my Speed Strip in a "dump pouch" and carry it on the opposite side from my Airweight. If I have one, I have the other. Plenty of us also throw a couple of speedloaders into a pocket or two--just to keep that IDPA vest from blowing up in the wind.

 

[Schwebel]

Well sounds like you made the mistake 90% of CCL holders make (including me). Buying too big of a gun to CC everyday. One thing you are going to notice about the XD, is that it is thicker than a 1911, the compact version is still a rather large gun. I personally would have bought a Micro 1911 GI, for about the same price. 3" 1911's are very easy to CC and they bridge the gap between a 5-shot J-frame and a larger 1911. And if you are already familiar with the workings of a 1911, that makes a big bonus.

 

[MICHAEL T]

I carry a Colt New Agent or a LTW Commander Isee no reason to spend $1000's on a carry gun and 100's on a holster. My Colts are accurate and relieable right from box. My holsters are made for me by http://ubgholsters.com cost about $70 I have worn as along as 20 hours with out a problem. Good guns and good leather does not need to cost arm and leg. You are going way overboard un less you rich or want a Bar-B-Q pistol. People defend them selves every day with a lot less than a $2000 gun. That money could have been spent on range and ammo

 

[Big Boomer]

I carry a Colt New Agent or a LTW Commander Isee no reason to spend $1000's on a carry gun and 100's on a holster. My Colts are accurate and relieable right from box. My holsters are made for me by http://ubgholsters.com cost about $70 I have worn as along as 20 hours with out a problem. Good guns and good leather does not need to cost arm and leg. You are going way overboard un less you rich or want a Bar-B-Q pistol. People defend them selves every day with a lot less than a $2000 gun. That money could have been spent on range and ammo

If you can't then don't. Some of us can and will. $1,000 isn't crap nowadays. A hundred bucks for a holster? Seems to be going price for decent stuff out now. Many rigs go way over that. I don't bitch about my CMC, wilson combat or other mags that make the gun extra reliable.

I know that some are partial to the old stock versions of things and that's fine. I'd like the little extra edge if I can. So if I pay a little extra for a beavertail that fits me better and helps me shoot more accurately, or a polished ramp that ensures proper feeding, or perhaps that hard chrome in my TRP so that it doesn't wear, or the extra cost of the tritium sights to aim better in low light why is that so evil?

No you don't have to spend $1,000 to put a bullet in someone's ass. I don't have to spend $50k on a car to get to work either. Some people don't care if they drive that 1990 geo metro with peeling paint and smoke blowing out the back but spend $9,000 on the home stereo that's their choice.

We all have to make choices. I have my cheap combat gun's and my workable "show" guns, I also have my safe queens. I carry different ones depending on the dress and location. You can't possibly tell me that I am going to show up in my Tux carrying a Glock now can you?!

 

[abrink]

Well whenever i carry a snubby there's always either another snubby with it or a speed loader. I think speed loaders are a lot easier.

 

[jad0110]

Thousands of people have had your same experience with 1911's. Once they put it on, they realized how heavy and cumbersome the pistol is, but in short order they learned to carry it with comfort and ease.

My experience is this same. My only CCW has been a 642 up until this weekend, when I've starting carrying a 5" all steel G'ment in a Brommeland MaxConV IWB on a Beltman bullhide belt. Uncomfortable for the first few hours, but as the belt and holster break it, they seem to conform more to your body. As I sit at my computer typing this, the 1911 is noticeable, but I wouldn't call it annoying. The weight disappears after a while too.

I'll still carry my 642 in the summer and a significant amount of the time in the winter too. I shoot it as well as the 1911, and it is a heck of a lot easier to drop it in my pocket.

Software is more important than hardware. Become proficient in the reloading of your 642 and auto pistols. Semi autos may well be a bit easier to load under stress, but there are still plenty of ways to bungle the reloading of an auto. Id imagine that trying to shove the magazine in backwards is probably pretty easy to do under pressure.