HOW DO YOU CARRY YOUR "1911" WITH A 5" BARREL?

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jsmosby

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I would like to know the various methods that are being used to carry and conceal (CCW) a 1911 with a 5" barrel.

I am particularly interested in hearing from people in the Southwest, where I live, since the climate limits the amount of clothing that can be worn.

For those who are carrying it IWB:

1) Are you carrying it "cocked and locked"?
2) Did you get stainless or blued?
3) Is it awkward drawing a 5" as opposed to a 4" from the waist?
 
I have both IWB and OWB holsters. I carry 5" gov or my LWT Commander So Blue or stainless . Of course you carry Cocked and locked. and I can tell no difference on drawing .
I perfer the balance of the Commander myself and stainless a little easlier to maintain.
 
Yes, Cock'd n' Locked

Mine are DLC'd (Diamond Black) and Parkerized

really didn't notice the different between a 5" and a 4 1/4" on the draw. Now I'm sure some people might, but not I.

Get a quality belt and holster, it makes all the difference in the world. Granted, cheaper ones work, but they don't hug and support as well as quality ones will.
 
I live in the southeast, so my information may be of help to you. I recommend a good IWB holster, especially the Sparks HR-LTD with the built in moisture barrier.

1) Are you carrying it "cocked and locked"? Yes
2) Did you get stainless or blued? I carry stainless guns but prefer E-Treat or hard chrome. I have seen surface corrosion on a stainless gun after only one day in the holster.
3) Is it awkward drawing a 5" as opposed to a 4" from the waist? Not for me
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With difficulty....:) You notice the light sport coat for a full-size 1911 for 9 months of the year...But when it's really hot with no cover garment; I must admit downsizing to "pocket pistols"...
I look at it this way...In the summer, you are not facing the barrier of the "perps" heavy clothes....:rolleyes:
ConcealedColt003.gif
 
When I carried my 4" 1911 in AZ I used this:
galco_royal.jpg


Talk about hot climate...add to that I was 6'1" @ almost 290lbs. Wore a t-shirt and jeans a lot, no one ever noticed when I had it.
 
Milt Sparks Summer Special. The SS designs seem to work well for the government 1911. I personally don't carry mine often anymore, though, I have switched to lighter alloy/poly guns for the most part. When I was carrying 1911's I carried my Colt Defender most often, preferring to leave the Gov't models at home.

Always cocked and locked.

Summer_Spec.htm
 
IWB, about 4:30-4:45. Milt Sparks Supper Special. Untucked T-shirt or golf shirt. I get them a little on the long side. I always carry 1911s cocked and locked.

I've pretty much gone to the 4" barreled Colt CCO because it's lighter and has a shorter grip length. It has an aluminum frame and an SS slide. However, my Govt. model has night sights and my CCO doesn't, so the 5" is preferred at night or really dark days. The Govt. model is all steel and satin hard chromed.

I don't notice any difference in the draw.
 
How I carry mine.

I carry 5" Gov't Models only, here's my experience.

Yes, carry in Condition One. The only reason not to is if you have one of those Para Ordnance things that look like a 1911.

Both of my carry guns are blued. Stainless is more foregiving in the sweat department, but a carry gun should be cleaned and lubed at least once a week anyway.

If you execute a proper drawstroke, it won't matter if the barrel is 2" or 12". Bring the pistol (or revolver) straight up from the holster until you can rotate your wrist to point it at the target. Push the pistol straight out, your left hand meeting your right on the way to sight alignment.
 
I carry "Chocked and Locked". I carry both stainless and blue carbon. Hard Chrome is the best, but adds cost to the pistol. I guess if a holster carried high enough like the Desantis model for the FBI, 4 1/4 might make a difference.
 
IWB, about 4:30-4:45. Milt Sparks Supper Special.
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That's one tasty pistol ya got there, DMK. Nothing tastier than a 1911 in a supper special. :neener:

Just funnin' ya. That's my setup, too, although I carry closer to 3.
 
I live in the southeast (FL), so more humid than you and probably not as beastly hot. But.....
5 inch 1911 (Springer loaded) carried OWB in a Hume 721OT. (I have a Tucker HF-1 on order.)
Gun finish is Armor Kote (OD green). Very durable, except for 1 idiot mark I made during the 1st take down and assembly:mad:
Condition 1 - absolutely!
Dress - Jeans or docker style shorts, tucked in T-shirt, untucked polo style shirt over that. Is this warm? Yes, with or without the 1911, because it's the deep south:D
 
1911s are awesome for carry. Try putting one inside your waistband, first a 3" then 4" then 5", the 5" really isn't that much larger. I don't understand why people carry these .45acps in 3", talk about losing ballistics. The 1911 is one of the slimmest guns out there, 5" is going to be more accurate and have better ballistics, just go with a 5".
 
My experience is if you want to carry any full sized pistol. You need to invest in a good belt and holster. I have tried carrying a 1911 GM in a cheap holster and it is not fun after a while.

One thing I found out and maybe this is because I was using a cheap holster. The longer the gun the more leverage it has. So the hammer and safety of my 5 in 1911 would dig into my side a lot more the say an officers model. I carry IWB in front of my right hip. I now carry a KT P11 still in a cheap holster. But its a lot lighter and smaller so the junk holster and belt isn't a big of an issue.

I guess what I'm trying to say is if you want to carry a full size pistol, be willing to invest in a quality holster and belt.
 
I guess what I'm trying to say is if you want to carry a full size pistol, be willing to invest in a quality holster and belt.
Click to expand...

Right on.....Same with a shoulder rig....Invest in a good leather set-up & avoid the light mesh/velcro crap....:)
 
I normally carry IWB, strongside, just behind the point of my hip.

With an untucked shirt, I usually use an Milt Sparks summer special.

But normally if I can have an untucked shirt, I carry in a OWB pancake from Mitch Rosen.

If I need my shirt tucked in, then I usually use one of Gunslinger's (R.I.P.) belly bands. Gun in the same position.

Of the 1911s I normally use, one is stainless, one is blued. The blued one is hammered. The finish is pretty much gone, and it has bad discoloration in spots from rust.

But I shoot that one the best, so it gets carried the most. :)
 
Just got my CHL in a few days ago, so I hit up the local gun shop for a set of cheap holsters to hold me over until I can afford something better. Ended up going with some cheap nylon jobs...I got one for my ruger ultralite that works fine, since there really isnt much gun to hold. I figured I'd pick one up for my Springfield GI as well, just in case I wanted to carry it. Big mistake...carried it for one day, and I dont see it happening again, at least not with the nylon holster.

So my question is this...does it make a huge difference if the holster hangs straight up and down or has a backwards cant to it? The hammer tends to dig into my side, and as someone else pointed out earlier in this thread the barrel more or less serves as a lever to jam it in my side...
 
I don't know about cant affecting that, but a good holster will keep the gun from acting like a lever arm. This is why I like the Summer Special; it rides higher than most, to accommodate the long barrel of the 1911 Gov't model. Additionally, a good holster will pull the gun tight to the body, and a good belt will keep it there.

Once you try a good belt and holster, you'll wonder how you ever managed without. I, too, bought a cheapo Uncle Mike's nylon holster to "try out" while Milt Sparks builds a good one for me. One use and I've tossed it in the corner, I'll never use it again. I'm spoiled. :eek:
 
Noticed earlier how everyone in this thread listed a Milt Sparks holster...so I guess my mind is about made up for me on this one. As soon as I have the $100 or so, I guess Ill have to give in and order one.

But yeah...we got the exact same holster. Waste of $15 :)
 
I luckily have only bought ONE junk holster in my life.

Unless you count the Desantis Nemesis (not junk) for the Kahr PM9 I sold. I guess with no boomer to go in it, it's junk :)

KenRocks: I just called to add to my Milt Sparks order this afternoon, and asked about the HR-LTD holster I always forget to ask about. They're only made for 1911's. Another one to consider, I guess (along with the Versa Max II, of which I own too many!)

HRLTD2.jpg
 
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