natedog
Member
For IWB carry, are the smaller Commander and Officers Model 1911s any easier to conceal than a Government Model?
IWB Carry: 5", 4", and 3" 1911s...?
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Wildalaska
member
Nate, dude, they all suck.
All of them.
Some just hide better than others, but all of them are a pain.
If you want to go through life hikin up yer pants and carrying enough metal on yer belt to make a magnometer have an orgasm, thats OK. If you want to lead a relatively normal lifetsyle, when ya get yer carry permit buy a pocket pistol. If you are caliber challenged, by a Rohrbaugh or a scandium.
PS..I can conceal a full size 1911 as easy as a Defender
WildheeeeeeeeeerewegoAlaska
All of them.
Some just hide better than others, but all of them are a pain.
If you want to go through life hikin up yer pants and carrying enough metal on yer belt to make a magnometer have an orgasm, thats OK. If you want to lead a relatively normal lifetsyle, when ya get yer carry permit buy a pocket pistol. If you are caliber challenged, by a Rohrbaugh or a scandium.
PS..I can conceal a full size 1911 as easy as a Defender
WildheeeeeeeeeerewegoAlaska
Jammer Six
member
No.
The secret is a good holster on a good belt. I use a Milt Sparks VM II.
The magic is in how thin a 1911 is, not in how short or how short the grip is.
sm
member
The Grip ... Gun Being FLAT
Full size 5" and 4" , only difference is the bbl length- grip is the same, and they are FLAT.
IF the 4" is a LT WT version ( alloy and steel) Concealment is the same - The savings in weight is what makes it comfortable to some folks.
Most folks, even ladies carry a full size ( 5") all steel 1911 with NO problem.
Folks do have other factors that play in - Anatomy , and I'm not just speaking of the differences b/t men and women. Other factors such as back, hip, or any other problems or surgeries.
The KEY is a good belt and holster to fit the individual proper. Makes no never mind really id 5" or 4"....other than the weight ...you gotta stick a mag in the gun somewhere and they are the same size on both length guns. They all have the ame width.
Me - personally - I am not real keen on 1911 styles less that 4 1/4 " . This is related to reliablity of 1911 platform. I also have another "quirk". All my mags fit the full size 1911, I don't want to have to buy new mags that won't fit a full size gun. Toss in the dealie about Mr Murphy sticking the wrong mag in the gun, or rd count being different than I train with, or the mags themselves being onery or...
I also subscribe to the theory of having multples of same gun. Redundencey allows the use of same mags, same holters, same belts, and everything works the same. Even a Commander Size wil work in a full size IWB holster
Honest - I can do a 5" just as easy as any of the variations of the 1911. 1911's are known to conceal better than many , if not most other platforms.
Full size 5" and 4" , only difference is the bbl length- grip is the same, and they are FLAT.
IF the 4" is a LT WT version ( alloy and steel) Concealment is the same - The savings in weight is what makes it comfortable to some folks.
Most folks, even ladies carry a full size ( 5") all steel 1911 with NO problem.
Folks do have other factors that play in - Anatomy , and I'm not just speaking of the differences b/t men and women. Other factors such as back, hip, or any other problems or surgeries.
The KEY is a good belt and holster to fit the individual proper. Makes no never mind really id 5" or 4"....other than the weight ...you gotta stick a mag in the gun somewhere and they are the same size on both length guns. They all have the ame width.
Me - personally - I am not real keen on 1911 styles less that 4 1/4 " . This is related to reliablity of 1911 platform. I also have another "quirk". All my mags fit the full size 1911, I don't want to have to buy new mags that won't fit a full size gun. Toss in the dealie about Mr Murphy sticking the wrong mag in the gun, or rd count being different than I train with, or the mags themselves being onery or...
I also subscribe to the theory of having multples of same gun. Redundencey allows the use of same mags, same holters, same belts, and everything works the same. Even a Commander Size wil work in a full size IWB holster
Honest - I can do a 5" just as easy as any of the variations of the 1911. 1911's are known to conceal better than many , if not most other platforms.
stans
Member
The most reliable, yet still easily concealable 1911 was Colt's CCO. This consisted of the shorter gripped Officers ACP receiver mated to a Commander top end. So you got the sight radius and reliability of the Commander and the short butt of the Officers ACP. The butt is usually the hardest part to conceal when carrying IWB.
trapperjohn
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Icancarrymy1911comfortableyallday
I carry a kimber compact, officer sized grip with commander sized slide. I use a MS Vm2 on a MS belt. I carried it shopping and around the house and driving for over 12 hours saturday, about 3-4 of those hours were driving. I have never had to hike my pants up but that would probably depend on a persons build.
I carry a kimber compact, officer sized grip with commander sized slide. I use a MS Vm2 on a MS belt. I carried it shopping and around the house and driving for over 12 hours saturday, about 3-4 of those hours were driving. I have never had to hike my pants up but that would probably depend on a persons build.
My main carry gun is a 4" alloy-frame Kimber ProCarry. If I wear it outside my pants, it would matter if it had another inch of barrel & slide, but in an IWB holster, it matters not.
Someday, I'll own a full-size 1911, and see how it goes. Chances are, it'll be all steel. The 1911 is a really nice carry gun (for me) because, as others have said, it's quite slim, and carries either inside or outside the waist with minimum bulge.
I tote mine in either a SideArmour IWB or a cheapie Uncle Mike's clip-on IWB nylon holster. OWB is a slide-type with no strap.
JB
Someday, I'll own a full-size 1911, and see how it goes. Chances are, it'll be all steel. The 1911 is a really nice carry gun (for me) because, as others have said, it's quite slim, and carries either inside or outside the waist with minimum bulge.
I tote mine in either a SideArmour IWB or a cheapie Uncle Mike's clip-on IWB nylon holster. OWB is a slide-type with no strap.
JB
Andrew Wyatt
Member
Dad's carried his lightweight commander for an eon or three all day every day and reports no problems in concealing it.
of course, he uses a decent belt and a summer special.
of course, he uses a decent belt and a summer special.
cerberus
member
Have both for carry
A 3 inch Kimber Ultra Carry II and 4 inch Kimber Tac Pro II. Both are in MS Versa Max IIs and they both carry well. I also have a 5 inch Kimber Custom TLE II but it's a home defence 1911.
A 3 inch Kimber Ultra Carry II and 4 inch Kimber Tac Pro II. Both are in MS Versa Max IIs and they both carry well. I also have a 5 inch Kimber Custom TLE II but it's a home defence 1911.
I carry 5" or 4.25" every day. They're not as obscenely heavy or bulky as WildadabsurdumAlaska makes them out to be. I can't really tell a difference between them when carrying. I take my gun off if I'm planning on laying under a car or working in a crawlspace or the like (and I'd take pistols out of my pocket for the same activities), but it isn't a problem to carry daily.
No, I don't have to hike my pants up when carrying a full-sized handgun. Some of us lower-48 sorts have discovered belts.
No, I don't have to hike my pants up when carrying a full-sized handgun. Some of us lower-48 sorts have discovered belts.
Wildalaska
member
You forgot nauseum...its ad nauseum, ad absurdum...
No wonder you guys carry big guns, yer latin skills suck...when Im confr9onted by a criminal I just do the Latin scene from Tombstone. dont need a gun at all, they run screaming from me..
WildreductioadabsurdumAlaska
My off-duty gun is a Kimber CDP Ultra Carry II. My holster of choice is a Milt Sparks Versa Max II. I wear it with either a custom dedicated 1 3/4" leather gunbelt or an "instructor's" 5-stitch nylon belt from The Wilderness.
I don't find the combo heavy, hard to conceal, or annoying to wear. It's as reliable as any of my 5" guns and is stoked with Speer Gold Dot 200gr +P HP's.
My old S&W 642 is a bit easier to carry and conceal but it doesn't hit nearly as hard and is MUCH harder to shoot accurately at ranges beyond 10'. Also, I'm no slouch at reloading the J-frame, but it's nowhere near my reload speed with the Kimber.
I don't find the combo heavy, hard to conceal, or annoying to wear. It's as reliable as any of my 5" guns and is stoked with Speer Gold Dot 200gr +P HP's.
My old S&W 642 is a bit easier to carry and conceal but it doesn't hit nearly as hard and is MUCH harder to shoot accurately at ranges beyond 10'. Also, I'm no slouch at reloading the J-frame, but it's nowhere near my reload speed with the Kimber.
wally
Member
So could I if I lived in Alaska!
Try any of these down here where its 90+ degrees in the shade with 90+ % humidity 6-8 months of the year!
I like my 3" Kimber Ultrta Carry IWB with CTC Lasergrips as my fist choice, but its out of the question most of the time -- then I make do with a Kahr PM 40 or S&W SC360 Scandium .357 mag.
--wally.
browningguy
Member
I find myself between 1911's right now but I usually carry a full size Browning Hi Power in 40 S&W, occasionally a hi cap Tanfoglio 9MM, and when I absolutely can't conceal anything else a Bersa 380 in a pocket holster. I have a "tuckable" holster for the Browning and it works extremely well when dressed up.
spacemanspiff
Senior Member
i carry a kimber tle, iwb, no real problems. with properly fitted pants, and a strong belt/holster, you will forget you have 9 inches of machined parts on your hip.
AndABeer
Member
I carry a 5" 1911 in a Milt Sparks Versa Max 2. I find it very comfortable with a good belt. I plan on ordering one of these holsters for my 5" Smith as well.
Yes......
you can conceal a Government model with the right rig and clothing without too much trouble.
However the officer's grip, being a tad shorter...prints alittle less.
The Alloy frame makes it alittle more comfortable for all day carry.
I do like the 4 to 4.25 inch barrels though....so my vote goes to the
Colt CCO, which I carry everyday on duty and off. I also like the VM2H for an IWB...but I carry Open most of the time(working Hotel security...I want the handgun and my badge visible when I am on property).
The Kimber Compact is a nice one too, especially the CDP.
The Officer's I have had(3) all worked fine...and my friends Ultra Carry has been a good performer too.
It comes down to personal preference and naturally...reliability testing, especially for the shorter barreled guns!
Jercamp45
you can conceal a Government model with the right rig and clothing without too much trouble.
However the officer's grip, being a tad shorter...prints alittle less.
The Alloy frame makes it alittle more comfortable for all day carry.
I do like the 4 to 4.25 inch barrels though....so my vote goes to the
Colt CCO, which I carry everyday on duty and off. I also like the VM2H for an IWB...but I carry Open most of the time(working Hotel security...I want the handgun and my badge visible when I am on property).
The Kimber Compact is a nice one too, especially the CDP.
The Officer's I have had(3) all worked fine...and my friends Ultra Carry has been a good performer too.
It comes down to personal preference and naturally...reliability testing, especially for the shorter barreled guns!
Jercamp45
Jim PHL
Member
I still think the old "bad rap" the short barreled 1911's got came from trying to simply shorten the standard recoil set-up. The Springfield Micro-compact (and I believe the Kimber Ultra?) use a modified "captured dual recoil spring assembly" rather than just shortening the standard spring. I have a Micro-Compact. Mine works.
I realize that many, many people carry a full-size government model all day, every day without trouble. That's fine, I'm sure they love them. I have a full size and love it, too. But no one will ever convince me that a 40 ounce gov't model with a five inch barrel and full-size grip can be carried as easily as my 24 oz with a 3" barrel and a shortened grip. (Relatively easily, sure, but not AS easily) I'm not knocking it. To each their own. But it HAS to be more difficult (not necessarily TOO difficult, but definitely MORE difficult) to carry. (SHORTER length, SHORTER height, LIGHTER weight... how can it not be easier to carry?!) As long as it works every time, as far as I'm concerned, all you're giving up is one round of capacity and, depending on the load, 50-100 f.p.s. of velocity. I'm OK with that.
Jim
I realize that many, many people carry a full-size government model all day, every day without trouble. That's fine, I'm sure they love them. I have a full size and love it, too. But no one will ever convince me that a 40 ounce gov't model with a five inch barrel and full-size grip can be carried as easily as my 24 oz with a 3" barrel and a shortened grip. (Relatively easily, sure, but not AS easily) I'm not knocking it. To each their own. But it HAS to be more difficult (not necessarily TOO difficult, but definitely MORE difficult) to carry. (SHORTER length, SHORTER height, LIGHTER weight... how can it not be easier to carry?!) As long as it works every time, as far as I'm concerned, all you're giving up is one round of capacity and, depending on the load, 50-100 f.p.s. of velocity. I'm OK with that.
Jim
Jammer Six
member
It's worse.
Mine disintegrated, and vanished downrange. The springs then kinked in on themselves, and had to be pried open.
Back to Springfield.
Came back with a brand new recoil mechanism. (Had to, of course. No one knew where the pieces of the old mechanism were.)
Same thing happened.
I'm not impressed. The main difference I see between the standard recoil mechanism in a government model and Springfield's new design is that the old design works, and doesn't fly apart without warning.
You can read all about it here and here.
Even if you thought the Micro had some advantages, (and I don't) the new recoil system isn't one of them.
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