It's 1940, what's your CCW?

[jrmiddleton425]

Were there even civilian sales of the 1911 in the US prior to the end of WWII?

https://www.sightm1911.com/1911Production.htm

Colt has sold 1911 pistols to civilians literally since the beginning of production. The first commercial 1911, serial number C1, was produced in 1912.

http://www.coolgunsite.com/pistols/colt production.htm#Colt Commercial Production Serial Numbers

Commercial production ended in 1942 at serial number C215018, and resumed in 1946 at serial number C220001.

 

[ApacheCoTodd]

What it be and what it might have been.
In fact, I have carried the Colt shown overseas and to gratifying effect too.

Todd.

 

[TRX]

> 1940

I'd carry something similar to what I carry in 2018:

S&W Safety Hammerless in .38 S&W or Colt Detective Special in .38 Special in a Brown Shoe Company shoulder holster for summer wear, 1911 in a shoulder holster when it's cool enough for an overgarment.

I'd carry a Safety Hammerless today, except the collectors have run the prices past what I'm willing to pay.

 

[Zendude]

Colt Detective Special

 

[the Black Spot]

short barrelled triple-lock in .44 special or sb colt new service in 45 colt

 

[Jim NE]

It's 1940, what's your CCW?

I don't know, but I love those old movies where guys pull a 5 inch revolver out of their coat. People don't wear good coats anymore. (Or hats.)

 

[Deltaboy1984]

dont even have to think about this much; mine would be a colt 1903 pocket hammerless. ive always thought the size/weight/feel was just perfect. if we could have a modern replica in 9mm i would be all over it.

Colt 1908 or a Colt 1903, in the order.

I agree 03 or 06 and a 1911 cause back then they had great tailors to fit your suit to the gun!

 

[roo_ster]

Several options I would find more than suitable. As I do now, I like to have options ranging from service size down to pocket size. I also fancy that I might have read the gun writers of the day, especially Elmer Keith, and could hand load & cast.

LARGE/SERVICE SIZE
Colt 1911 GM .45ACP target sights 230gr hardball
S&W M1917 .45ACP 230gr hardball or 250gr LSWC handloads in half-moon clips
S&W .44 Hand Ejector .44 Special target sights 4" bbl 240gr LSWC handload (~1000fps)
Webley MK VI shaved cylinder.45ACP 250gr LSWC handload appropriate for MK VI

MIDDLING SIZE
S&W .38 Hand Ejector / M&P target sights .38Special 4" bbl 158gr LSWC handloads
S&W M1917 2.5" bbl

SMALL SIZE
S&W Terrier 2" bbl .38S&W 200gr LSWC handloads
S&W .38 Hand Ejector / M&P fixed sights .38Special 2" bbl 158gr LSWC handloads

 

[roo_ster]

I think a lot of the people saying they would conceal carry a 1911 or a 1917 revolver are forgetting that concealed carry was illegal in most places so unless you wear a buttoned trench coat everyday, its not really that realistic to fully conceal something that size. That's why the little pocket pistols and revolvers were so popular back in the day. They could just be put in a pocket.

I pack 1911s OWB and IWB with no concealment problems today, with no suitcoat, blazer, or overcoat. It is not that hard. If I lived farther north where it was not so darned hot, a blazer would make it even easier.

 

[Carl N. Brown]

NIGHTLORD40K asked what would I carry in 1940?

Hummm. Savage 1907 in .32 ACP.

Just to be noir and old school.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

NIGHTLORD40K asked what would I carry in 1940?

Hummm. Savage 1907 in .32 ACP.

Just to be noir and old school.

"10 Shots Fast!" was their marketing slogan. Great little pistol. Mine has yet to jam on me with 300+ rounds down the pipe.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

Colt Detective Special

Whaaaaatttt???? Not a Remington 51? Lol

 

[Zendude]

Whaaaaatttt???? Not a Remington 51? Lol

Good point!

 

[wickedsprint]

Definitely a 1911.

 

[1MoreFord]

I skimmed to the end since I didn't think I'd make it through eleven pages tonight.

I'd probably have a 4" K Frame .38spl or maybe a similar N Frame .357. I'd Not have a 1911 or Browning HP as before the days of beavertails those pistols would hammer bite me too much.

 

[Blue Feather]

1911 Guhmit Model of course

 

[Deltaboy1984]

Model 10 M&P in 38 special.

1911 in 38 Super!

 

[CZF]

I grew up in Oregon. everyone carried a revovler, moslty S&W but a few Colts, esp. in SAA trim.

None of the Veterans ever talked good about the .45 Automatic, other than it could stop a Jap
or Kraut (their words) dead in his tracks. for the most part, they said it kicked too hard..
and only if you were an officer or machine gunner, would you even shoot one in combat.

Other autos were Lugers and P38s, but they were War Trophys and nobody shot them.
Same with the Nambus.

Most carried a revolver, just like most cops and troopers did back then,
nd .38 Special and .357 magnum ruled the roost.


I can agree with the comment about 9mm Luger not being very abundant
here in the states in the 30-40s.

It really didn't start showing up until the 80s and the WonderNine era...
and most that I knew didn't trust the reliabilty or stopper power of the
lowly 9mm.


I could probably be fine with a M&P .38, and registered Magnum in 1940.
Same guns as my Grandfather had until his death. He was a devout
S&W sixgun fan.

In the 40s, Bill Ruger was still learning gathering information on how to improve
guns.

 

[Springfeld]

Model 1873 45 colt or a 1911 45 acp, varies on if I'm a poor farmer or not.

 

[gulogulo1970]

My vote would be for a Colt Detective Special. You get an extra round compared to a J-frame Smith and don't have to use FMJ that the early autos could only feed, back then. A sharp shouldered wadcutter bullet would be better than ball, IMO.

 

[Dr.Rob]

Lugers were common war trophies from ww1 and stoeger, among others sold them commercially between the wars.

They were one of the most common surplus pistols post ww2.

 

[Rexster]

Realistically, I would not be wealthy, so an S&W Registered Magnum, a very expensive, special-order weapon, would be out of the question. This would evolve into what we call the Model 27, in the Fifties.

I do not know what a commercial 1911 would cost, in 1940 dollars, but that would be a goal. According to Elmer Keith’s writing, the SAA was quite affordable at the time, so, if one could be found, that would be a logical alternative.

 

[stonecutter2]

.38 snubby

 

[JR24]

With jackets and vests so much more common it would be even easier to carry a 1911 than it is for me today, I'd wager.

 

[franco45]

Colt Detective Special or a Colt 1903 Pocket hammerless.