For Those Who Carry A 1911, Does Size Matter?

[DogBonz]

I was just reading an article in a gun rag about choosing the correct size CCW piece. It was pretty well laid out with pocket guns, sub compact, compact, mid, etc... but when they got to large, or duty size guns, the author stated that "despite the existence of smaller options in 1911's almost everyone who carries a 1911 concealed on a daily basis carries a Government model."

So if you carry a 1911 (any caliber) what barrel length do you carry?

 

[boomer1911a1]

When I did carry a 1911 (I'll get another one soon!) it was the full-size. JMB designed the thing that big and it works well in that configuration, plus I'm big enough to conceal it.

The wife has a Kimber Pro Carry Eclipse II, which I think is a 4", but it's been a while since I looked at the specs. I've never seen it malfunction, but I'd still prefer my Government 5". (Springfield for those of you who keep track... but my next will be an STI of some variation...)

 

[USMC - Retired]

Full sized Kimber Classic Stainless Series 1 with CrimsonTrace grips.

I normally open carry but was visiting Florida last week and had to conceal as per thier laws. Did so all week in my normal OWB Blackhawk Serpa by simply wearing my golf shirts untucked. Either no one noticed or no one gave a dang. Who says you can't cc a real gun?

 

[CWL]

Yes size does matter, fullsize Govt. model for operational reliability and performance of 230gr fat & slow bullets. If you go for a Officer's size, they either work or they don't depending on temperament.

If you plan on shooting from a short barrel, make sure that the JHP bullet is designed to function properly.

 

[fletcher]

I carry a fullsize (5") without any problems. I find the width and grip length of the gun to be the biggest factors for concealability.

 

[Geno]

I carry both of the following:

Colt 5"
and
Colt 3"

Since I could not vote for both, I voted for other.

Doc2005

 

[HM2PAC]

I voted the same as Doc, for much the same reasons. I vacillate between my SA Champion and a full-size RIA.

 

[jmorris]

I’ve carried just about every different configuration of 1911 at one point or another. You, can conceal a Para p16 with an ICE mag well and Dawson +4 base pads under certain circumstances. Others might demand a smaller “package”, even smaller than a micro 1911. I find the two most important factors are weight and the quality of your belt. A good “instructors” belt can make a full size 1911 feel like a Glock 26 over a common “dress” belt. If I’m in the mood for something lighter an alloy frame single stack or an SVI/STI double stack frame fills the bill.

 

[mljdeckard]

I often growl at the industry and the magazines for trying to convince everyone they MUST carry a compact. If it's in your waistband, you are going to know it's there no matter how big it is. A full-size auto has a better sight radius, balance and recoil. I want to use the gun I shoot best to defend my life.

 

[Rexster]

I always had better reliablity with the 5" 1911 pistols, and it is not more difficult to conceal the larger weapon.

 

[DogBonz]

Wow, this guy may be right

so far over 59% of you carry the full size Gub'ment. I am very interested to see how this plays out with more votes.

When I carried a 1911, I carried a Commander, a S&W 1911PD. I carried it because it was lighter, a lot lighter, than my full size 1911's, not because it was easier to conceal. I did also like that my pants fell down less.

For the record, I do feel, in general, that the Government size is the most reliable. That said, I never had a problem with my Commander.

 

[Mainsail]

The reason I would vote for the full size (the poll’s wording doesn’t give me the option of making a choice without the added silliness) is that the longer barrel is necessary to achieve the proper velocity. If a 230 gr bullet is traveling at ~850fps from a 5” barrel, shooting it from a 3” barrel might make it too slow to penetrate.

 

[Constantine-p89]

I like the ''Goberment'' 5.

 

[B. Adams]

I've been carrying a 4 1/4" for a while, which suits me just fine. I have no doubt that I could conceal a 5" just as easily, and have considered doing so. But I don't have an IWB holster for a 5", so for the time being I'll stick with my commander.

I have very little interest in Officer's or other compact 1911's.

 

[GaryP]

When I carry a semi auto for CCW it is usually a Colt Combat Commander!

 

[Ala Dan]

Well, quite frankly I carry both a 3" Kimber Stainless Ultra Carry; or a 5"
Government model size 1911, as it just depends on the occassion and my
attire for the day~!

 

[jonboynumba1]

A picture being worth 1K words...


(shirt was pulled behind for pic of course...you can see the holes I guess my gun has worn-LOL I wear a company T-shirt half the time...this one is Holy now it must be enshrined with the rest for weekend duty I guess ) Wilderness frequent flyer belt (also like the instructor belt in 1.5" the FF is what I usually wear with shorts in warm weather...just haven't swapped back yet. Blade is the same beat up Benchmade 943 Osborne I've been using for 3-4 years. Great knife great belt pretty decent holster to (biachi with auto-retention...sporting 19-20 months of EDC as is the customized springfield in it (over 4K rounds on it to date).

I'm told we (1911 guys) don't really carry them everyday...we just say that and then carry keltec 32's or S&W airweights. I decided I'd better check... fwew! it's still there (like it is everyday)



It was there with me a little over a week ago (this time with a .460 Rowland kit in place) to drop this 205 pound deer (one shot...no tracking involved) The same weekend a buddy shot an 8 point while squirrel hunting (didn't have a rifle or buckshot or slugs with him) with his comander and 230gr hydrashock...it also dropped where he shot it. He totes his everywhere but work (where he actually does carry a keltec -as opposed to nothing) Pocket rockets are handy when the other option to anything that may print is nothing. The rest of the time I guess us Bubbas just carry real guns -LOL (actually I have several buds that carry 9mm and am just poking fun...I like my 1911 in .45 better than anything else...a G17/19 is a close second) I've carried the 17 MANY a day in the woods and it's killed a lot of camp varmints. I guess I just like all my guns full sized...I got big hands and plenty of room to hide one. A decent belt and holster makes it just slightly heavier in feel than a GLOCK but slimmer and more comfy for trade-off. Though in this holster they are about the same. With the 1.5" instructors belt and jeans the difference is almost undetectable.

 

[MICHAEL T]

I carry a Colt Agent Colt Defender. 3" covered. Then I also carry a Colt Officer 3 1/2" covered or LTW Colt Commander 4 1/4" See no reason for the 5" I have never liked the balance.

 

[scubie02]

These days I tend to carry one of my commander's most frequently, but I don't feel a 5" is THAT much harder to conceal. For the record, I haven't really felt commander's to be less reliable

 

[DogBonz]

Ahhh...

I see that the Commander is gaining some ground. I hope this stays alive for a while so that we have a larger sample.

 

[AndyC]

Never owned anything other than full-size. I think the issue is more a matter of how you dress on a daily basis and can you - or are you willing to - dress around the gun?

 

[Walter]

I toted a Colt 5" Gov. around for years, back before "concealed carry" was available in Texas. Most of the time it rode behind the seat of the pick-up.
Once in a while I'd stick it in my waistband and cover it with a shirt-tail.

Since "concealed-carry" became "shall issue" law, I've gone with several
types of smaller pistols, because I like to carry in an OTW holster, when
possible. I tried the PPK, (which I still carry sometimes) the CZ RAMI,
I sometimes carry it, too, but my main "carry" handgun now is the
Springfield Loaded Micro-Compact.

I know a lot of people won't carry a micro because of perceived
reliability issues. Mine has been 100% out of the box, so I have no
fear trusting it. And the size of it makes it easy to carry OTW.

Walter

 

[HisSoldier]

I can't say I've carried it yet, but I just bought a Bobtail commander for carry. Have carried either a Kel-Tec .380 or NAA Guardian up to now, wanting more knockdown power though.

 

[HisSoldier]

I can't say I've carried it yet, but I bought a Bobtail commander for carry. Have carried either a Kel-Tec .380 or NAA Guardian up to now, wanting more knockdown power though.
This one isn't mine but is identical;

 

[DogBonz]

Hissoldier

That's a nice Dan Weson you have there. I was looking at one of those my self. I have heard good things about them. You have to give us a range report on the bad boy.