How comfortable are you carrying a 1911?

[harrygunner]

My regular carry gun is a 1911. Very comfortable with it.

Should note it's in 10mm and holds 9+1. However, my backup rig in .45 ACP with 8+1 is also comforting.

I always have at least one additional magazine (usually two) and practice reloading.

 

[4thPointOfContact]

At 21, a Government model was my first handgun. I had few problems carrying it, especially after upgrading to an amib-safety (sinister handed). I was overjoyed once I discovered the merits of the Commander platform and wish I'd never gone away sometimes.

 

[tarosean]

Obviously a whole lot of people are comfortable with lower capacity guns.. Just look at the micro/pocket pistols that are all the rage right now.

I am just as comfortable with a J Frame as I am with my 1911 or a G19, etc.
I personally don't dwell on scenarios or what ifs.

 

[mljdeckard]

If my 'threat level' increases, I don't wear a bigger gun, I remove myself from the situation that has elevated the threat level.

My normal carry gun is a standard 1911, I use a Crossbreed Supertuck, and I can carry it in 100 plus degree weather.

I do also have a Para with 14+1 capacity, and I carry it in the colder months when I use longer clothing, and I can carry it OWB in a Serpa holster. But it's because I can dress around a bulkier gun, not because I don't think 8+1 plus a reload on a standard 1911 isn't enough. We do not live in MelGibsonLand where you are going to crank through 15 straight rounds with no chance to reload. If something happens to you where you DO need that kind of capacity, you are probably WAY out gunned with ANY handgun. You should be fighting your way back to the rifle you never should have put down in the first place.

 

[ku4hx]

I've never had a problem carrying a 1911 but I'm a big guy at 275 lbs. or so. Proper holster and clothing helps.

As far as awareness of a "raised threat level" is concerned, I either don't go there or beat a hasty retreat if I feel a threat is developing. But if an anticipated threat level is "high" enough, I can't retreat and I have a choice as you seem to be allowing, I'd get a rifle. Likely an AR-15 or AR-10. Maybe my Garand. But dang, I truly hope that never happens.

 

[mgmorden]

I'm not very good as carrying larger sized pistols so the 1911 is out, but my primary reason for avoiding a revolver isn't the capacity - its the trigger. I just don't like long DA triggers, so even if they had identical capacity I'd prefer the 1911. As it is with an 8-round mag you still have a 50% capacity advantage over MOST revolvers.

 

[skt239]

I don't have different threat levels that correspond or affect the fire arm I carry. My philosophy is to have one carry gun and being as proficent with it as possible. As to my so called "threat level", when it is raised, so is my heart rate, adrenaline and any other physical / mental reaction that can impede my motor skills. The last thing I want to be doing in that situation is readjusting to whatever gun I might be carrying that day.

 

[Onmilo]

"How comfortable are you carrying a 1911?"

Very.
Nuff Said.

 

[legelegel]

Star PD (25 oz. and no grip safety) 6rd, 7rd (Pro-Mag) and 10rd (Triple K) magazines

 

[Old Dog]

1911 with 7 shot magazine does not give you much more edge on revolver when it comes to capacity.

7+1 or 8+1 absolutely gives one more of an edge on a revolver ... And the huge issue is that a 1911 is easier, and faster, to reload (for those of us who are not Jerry Miculek). Flatter, easier to conceal, typically great trigger, more ergonomic than the revolver for sure, points more naturally ...

That said, what is your threat level where you carry a 1911 in routine, and if your threat level increases does your decision to carry a 1911 change in favor of larger capacity pistol or does it/would it remain the same?

As most here have noted, if there's a perceived increase in the threat level, it's time to stay home. I normally carry two spare mags when I carry a 1911, so I typically feel very comfortable with that ...

 

[righteoushoot]

Elevated threat level? Is that like when I have to go to a crappy part of Cleveland to pick up a sample from a processor to run it over to the testing lab, in an equally crappy area?

Yep, I sometimes choose to carry the G31 on those days rather than the 1911. I don't let down my guard though, but it would suck if I got a flat in the wrong part of town (knock on wood).

Hard to get one's hands on a belt fed these days...

I'm sure the VBOB is enough though.

 

[Blacksmoke]

Sounds like you ought to carry a Mossberg product over the shoulder. Just saying....

 

[oldbear]

I carried a Commander in .45 caliber for years along with a spare magazine. As time went on I got older and started to slow down some, I was not totally at ease carrying it. I also realized, that the chances, of finding myself in a position where the Colt would be a BIG plus were very slim. So I was happy to return to a revolver.

I still believe that the 1911 platform is the Ferrari of handguns. It's about the best there is but it's not for everyone.

 

[TarDevil]

I'd be fine with it, but this old back would preclude carrying any 1911, as much as I'd love to.

Next week my wife and I will be going to my ex-wife's house to pick up my lawn mower. That would be a "raised threat level" environment. What do you advise?

 

[Jim Watson]

A Commander is about my maximum for wearing comfort.
7+1 is enough for feeling confident in defense.

M. Ayoob once wrote that more than 6 rounds on tap appeared to be an advantage, but that more than 10 did not; aimed fire seemed to go out the window with a double column magazine.

 

[righteoushoot]

I'd be fine with it, but this old back would preclude carrying any 1911, as much as I'd love to.

Next week my wife and I will be going to my ex-wife's house to pick up my lawn mower. That would be a "raised threat level" environment. What do you advise?

Bear spray....

 

[PistolPete45]

Real happy with my 1911 Higher threat level expected?? would have to have a real good reason to walk into something expecting a GF I do own a F&P 45> 3 15 round mags 3 14 round and a AK with a 50 round drum .

 

[Hangingrock]

I have 1911 series pistols and yes previously carried them concealed. That was in the past. I've transitioned to the S&W MP9 and MP9c for concealed carry. Would I go back to the 1911 series pistol for concealed carry most likely not. That said I still utilize them at the firing range. Will I rid myself of them probably not.

 

[Teachu2]

My Sunday best is a 1911. It is the most accurate handgun I own, and church is one of the few places I can imagine needing to take a long shot to defend another.....

 

[peacemaker45]

A six shot revolver is the lower limit of my comfort zone, round count wise. No five shooters here. A gun that cannot do an El Presidente gives me the heebie jeebies.

However, I far prefer a 1911. DA revolvers are challenging to shoot, AND either don't or barely hold enough ammunition, AND bulge in all the wrong places. 1911s fix that. The weight and the trigger make it pretty easy to put great big holes exactly where you want them, at very high speed.

On the other hand while I like Glocks, I like 1911s more. Because I like them I tend to pick shooting games that use them. USPSA Single Stack and Bullseye, at the moment. All that experience means that all my muscle memory is geared toward an 18° grip angle, a manual safety, and a straight pull single action trigger. That means that without a lot of retraining, I don't shoot Glocks especially, but even most other pistols as well. I'm too lazy to put in the cross training needed.

So, even though modern hi capacity guns are usually cheaper both to buy and operate, I still pick the 1911s.

 

[JDR]

I would only carry a gun that is reliable and accurate; size, weight, form factor, caliber, and mag capacity are irrelevant if I don't shoot it well. Right now my carry gun of choice is a Sig P228, but I have carried a Kimber Pro Carry 9mm in the past, and regardless of what anybody else thinks of a Kimber 1911, this one was a gem,

 

[stchman]

I know I will get flamed, but the 1911 IMO is not the best option for CCW.

My reasons are:

SAO with that light trigger
Too many safeties (grip, thumb) to deal with in a stressful situation
Too large
Capacity is limited for its size
Many 1911s can have issues with hollow point defense ammo

I know people are going to say I "just don't understand" blah, blah.

 

[Old Dog]

And here I thought the question was "how comfortable are you carrying a 1911?" If you can't keep your finger off that light trigger until your sights are on target and you're ready to fire, if you can't devote enough practice to easily manipulate under stress one of the simplest weapons platforms ever, if you don't understand that full size pistols are easier to shoot quickly and accurately, if you can't shoot well enough to feel confident in resolving a situation in 9 shots or less, if you can't figure out how to find ammo that works in your chosen weapon ... than the 1911 IMO is not the best option for CCW for you ...

 

[BlindJustice]

Milt Sparks Summer SPecial 2 IWB on an MS 1 1/2" belt & MS IWB single
mag Holder. It's comfortable. & although made for the 4.25"
Commander my full size 1911 works with it as well. 8+1 in the gun and
the spare is a 10 shot Wilson Combat mag. Also have a MS #Axiom
pancake style which gets use dpends more on clothing options.

I've also got a CZ 75B in 9x19 14+1 and a 5 shot J-frame but need
holsters for them.

Shot placement

 

[short barrel]

I love my 1911, but as for protecting my exceedingly wonderful self, I want a high capacity nine with premium ammo. I have a horror of running out of ammo. And a 9mm is plenty powerful for human assailants, although some think differently.