Continuation of the ol "how big of a 1911 can I carry?" conversation

[johndoe1027]

I started this just to avoid further hijacking of another thread. Some background without quoting the whole thread.

me

I'm not dead set on Kimber (wasn't even considering one actually) but they are the only company currently offering officer frames with a 4" barrel. I can't conceal a full size grip. Then I found this ultra at a smoking price so I ended up with the 3".

ak103

Just curious, but why not? I've carried them all, and there is really very little difference between them.

me

Mainly because I carry at 3:00 IWB and I am 180 lbs @ 5'11". Either the bottom of the grip or the rear sight is poking out of the shirt. The officers grip just barely hides enough. I carry with a cant.

ak103

The difference in grip length is basically nothing, maybe 1/2". I'm 5-6, 160 and I have carried IWB at about 4 o'clock daily for over 30 years now, most of that with 1911's. Never had any issues hiding any size 1911, or any other full size handgun for that matter. I now carry SIG's, mostly a P229, but also a P220 or P226 on occasion. I think your either worrying to much about it, dont have a proper holster and belt, are not dressing around the gun, or all of the above. I've always found it just as easy to carry a full size gun as a smaller one, and the full size guns are easier to shoot well with and a lot more reliable.

All of the above. I'm not buying new clothes (have too many already), still need to get a new belt, and definitely worrying about it too much.

I could hide a Desert Eagle at 4:00 but I ride in the car a lot and 4:00 is just horrendous for my back while sitting. 3:00 makes sitting nice and comfy, standing is nice and comfy, drawing is nice and comfy....

Now all of that said, I got my government sized gun in the mail yesterday (woohoo). I came with 3 holsters. Two are high ride OWB and one Hume IWB (no cant). The IWB is useless without cant unless it's used for 1:00 cross draw maybe.

The high ride holsters make the full size's added one pound much more comfortable than I thought. With a loose enough shirt (polo or button up) I could hide the 5" very easily (even at 3:00) but many of my T shirts print with the full size grip under there. It looks like I'll stick with the 3" during the summer and go to the full size in the winter. I'm still going to get a Colt CCO one day when I find one with a stainless slide for a good price. Best of both worlds there. Then I can finally join the ranks of proud Colt 1911 owners even if mine is a bastardo version of it.

 

[AK103K]

Hey, everyone is different and you do have to do what works for you. I was just pointing out that you can carry a full sized gun a lot easier than many seem to think.

I know what you mean about the clothes. If you look through what you have, especially with an eye for carrying and perhaps wearing them differently than you usually do, you'll probably find you dont need to buy any more. I actually buy my pants my normal size, even though I use an IWB holster. I find the holster also stays put better with less movement, and I havent found them to be to tight with the gun on. I know a lot of people insist you have to buy larger, but I havent found that to be the case. Its nice if you decide not to wear a IWB holster to have your pants still fit right. If you think you might want a larger size, I'd suggest you only buy one pair until your sure.

Wear what you usually wear or start slowly to change what you wear. I always wear a tee shirt, its a lot more comfortable, and a dark one aids in hiding the gun. I usually wear a loose shirt over them in the summer, sweatshirts/fleece in the winter. I work outside and learned to dress in layers a long time ago, so I usually wear something light enough to keep on inside when I take my heavy fleece/coat or windbreaker off. Makes it look a lot less obvious than leaving your heavy coat on and sweating like a pig once inside.

Also keep in mind, anything you wear on a regular basis while carrying will start to show wear from the gun. Watch out for holes at wear points, and wear spots from the holster, etc. My one buddy always has his Walther TPH in his front pocket in a leather pocket holster. Most of his pants have a "TPH ring" at that pocket, with a pretty clear outline of the TPH if your looking.


Definitely get a good belt.

I also like my IWB's with a cant. Actually, I like all my belt holsters with a cant. The straight drop would be good for appendix carry though. While I do have a couple of OWB holsters, I rarely wear them as they dont conceal nearly as well. They are comfy though.

 

[Mikeo]

I carried a Combat Commander for years. I loved it. The Star PD carried a bit easier, but not enough to notice.

 

[Wayne G.]

Proper holster and belt is where it's all at. I carry a Springer XD45 IWB with t shirt and shorts and it doesn't print. Invest in a quality holster and belt. It makes all the difference in the world. As mentioned already, having such makes concealing full size pistols such as govmint models or full size XD's disappear--and somewhat comfortable too.

 

[Morglan]

I'm 6'0" & 190 lbs., and I carry a full sized Government in a Sparks Watch Six in the 3:00 position all the time (even w/ cargo shorts).

Never have a problem.

I will admit, though, that due to the slightly shorter grip, carrying my BHP in the same holster is a bit easier...

 

[Kevin108]

5'10" 250 lbs, an 1½" Aker belt w/ polymer insert (excellent belt), CompTAC CTAC with full forward cant (top hole @ rear, bottom hole @ front), full size SA GI @ 3:30 is comfortable all day and doing anything.

 

[Tom Fury]

I wasn't worried about printing as much as unless wearing a Hi-ride my Commander peeked under most jackets. I hear no new clothes, but surely T shirts a size larger wouldn't be a problem (cooler anyway in summer). I also noticed that tall sizes sometimes give a bit more coverage. Cheers, TF

 

[BullfrogKen]

johndoe1027 said: I'm not buying new clothes (have too many already), still need to get a new belt, and definitely worrying about it too much.

Walking about society armed at all times necessitates a system. That includes our clothing. If you are unwilling to change how you dress, then you handicap your options.

 

[johndoe1027]

Also keep in mind, anything you wear on a regular basis while carrying will start to show wear from the gun. Watch out for holes at wear points, and wear spots from the holster, etc. My one buddy always has his Walther TPH in his front pocket in a leather pocket holster. Most of his pants have a "TPH ring" at that pocket, with a pretty clear outline of the TPH if your looking.

Hadn't thought about that (only been carrying since Nov). Thanks for the tip.

Tom, I've noticed that my large T's print and for the most part my XL T's don't. I'm just going to start weeding the Large's out of the pile and keeping the XL's. That helps a lot. It's darn near impossible to hide anything under a tight shirt. Also, I have a few very thin button ups that are nice to throw on when the T is a bit too tight.

Ken, I think I just need to make a pile of shirts that print worse than the others. Once that pile gets in the way, donate it to the Kiwanis thrift store down the street. Two stones with one bird. Making room in the closet and concealing better. I've started that mission already.

Oh, and my buddy found a nice belt for a good price in town (double nylon with some sort of insert for $22). All I have to do is get over there and pick one up. I've been trying out the leather OWB high ride a little more (with both 1911's) and I like the comfort and retention very much. My old holster had zero retention and no strap. This one has decent retention and a strap so it makes me a lot more comfortable mentally as well as physically. Now I just have to practice not giving myself a wedgie every time I draw.

Thanks for the advice all.

 

[Mad Magyar]

When you have some choices with a variety of calibers & holsters, I found what suits me the best is the 1911 .45 in the Officer's model in a shoulder rig or cross-draw holster...This means winter-time apparel & usage...I tried to carry a full-size 1911 with a larger shirt to cover it; but it wasn't for me....
Hell, with 101 degrees outside I'm sticking one of my "pocket-rockets" in my pants...No fuss....