EDC comfort - K frame vs. 1911

[Brian Williams]

A K frame and a 1911 are quite similar in size, there are differences to be dealt with, like the fat cylinder and the larger grip in a 1911.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

I've worn a M1911 in an IWB holster for more than 50 years. One trick is to start with a pancake holster which is good for OWB in the woods, etc, then make "reverse J hooks" out of heavy Kydex and attach them to the toe of the holster with Chicago screws (post screws.) When wearing IWB, the reverse J hooks slide over the belt and click in place, You can tuck your shirt between the trousers and the holster, then "blouse" your shirt a bit for perfect concealment.

 

[DR505]

This setup works well for me...a Combat Commander in a Milt Sparks Versa-Max II:

 

[.38 Special]

A K frame and a 1911 are quite similar in size, there are differences to be dealt with, like the fat cylinder and the larger grip in a 1911.View attachment 1094695

Very helpful. Thank you!

 

[Riomouse911]

I carried a 2.5” Model 19, and then a Browning Hi Power, in shoulder rigs for quite a while. I always carried them under a cover garment like a button down shirt or light jackets so concealing the gun was easier than with just a t shirt or on my waist.
Just an idea.

Stay safe.

 

[Old Dog]

As much as I love my Model 19s, even a 5" 1911 is far more comfortable to carry -- and holds three more rounds. (Okay, it is a Colt in the pic below, but roughly the size of an M19).

 

[Vern Humphrey]

The M1911, because tens of thousands of Moros, Mexicans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, El Salvadorians, Germans, Russians, Japanese, Italians, North Koreans, North Viet Namese, Viet Cong and Arabs can't be wrong.

 

[gunsrfun1]

Wow. If I carried either I would walk with a limp! Glad you folks can get away with those two. I leave them for the range. A G19, J-frame, or compact semi-auto is plenty for me.

 

[JR24]

Between the two, I’ve always found the thinner profile of the 1911 easier to conceal and just feel better to carry, for me.

That said both are too heavy for me these days.

I carry a 1911. An Ed Brown Executive Carry, but soon will be switching to a Wilson CQB Compact.

If the weight of a 1911 is a problem, it could actually be your belt and holster choice that's the issue, rather than the gun. How much weight do those extra rounds in the mag of a Glock add?

And I have never thought of a Glock as less bulky than a 1911.

Belt can only do so much, and a wide holster does help, but that presents further concealment issues with a large footprint gun. Leather is nice but gets wet if you get hot and sweaty like I do, got tired of needing two IWB leather holsters to rotate in the summer.

For reference in weight, fully loaded according to my scale.

Dan Wesson VBob is 43.4 oz (2 lb 11.2 oz)
Glock 19, with Holosun is 32 oz (2 lb)

That’s nearly a pound lighter on the belt, which is significant to me and especially my back at the end of the day carrying IWB.

If one needs a .45, something like the Glock 30 or HK45C are about the same weight and still hold 8-10 .45.

The Glock 21 is about the same size as the commander 1911 (with a thicker grip) but holds 13 and weighs 40 oz, heavy for me but still almost a quarter pound lighter than a commander 1911 and shoots, IMO, much softer.

When I had aluminum framed 1911s they typically were around 36oz loaded, and that’s nice in 9mm for sure, but I never liked their recoil in .45, too slow on follow up shots.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

Leather is nice but gets wet if you get hot and sweaty like I do, got tired of needing two IWB leather holsters to rotate in the summer.

Try rubbing melted Sno-Seal into the leather.

 

[JR24]

Try rubbing melted Sno-Seal into the leather.

Ill keep that in mind, but I’m pretty much fully converted to kydex at this point

 

[trackskippy]

Sno Seal was one of the first things I tried way back when, as it was what we used on our boots at the time. Didnt work with either of them either. Wet feet and rusty guns.

If you sweat a lot, kydex is the only way to go.

Oh, and so is Goretex for your boots.