More Easy to Conceal: 4" 1911 or Sub-Compact double stack???

[JLStorm]

I am having a dilemma deciding my next carry gun. I am considering either going with something that has the dimensions of the ingle stack 1911 commander, or a sub compact double stack such as a Glock subcompact or HK p2000sk. I am trying to decide which would be easier to conceal a longer and slimmer single stack, or the shorter and fatter sub-compact double stack.

My question regards over all concealability only, not accuracy or caliber, etc. I will be buying this gun when I need something very concealable and my double stack full size just isnt a good option. I have carried a 5" 1911 and a compact Glock 30, but nothing in between and I found the Glock harder to conceal than the 1911 due to its width even though it was considered a compact and the 1911 was not, which is why I ask this question before buying my next gun.

 

[silversport]

tough question...I was carrying a GLOCK 27 and it was easy to carry concealed outside the waistband...but it is thick...I carry a full sized
Government Model 1911A1 type pistol...nice and flat...BUT...it is longer for outside the waistband (my preference) so...I prefer the 1911A1 BUT the GLOCK is sweet as well...good luck,
Bill

 

[pax]

I didn't answer the poll.

On my body, using my preferred carry methods, the Glock 26 is easy to conceal. Using those same methods, the 4" 1911 would be impossible.

Using my best friend's methods, and given her body shape, the 1911 is easy to conceal, but the Glock would be considerably more difficult.

So I guess my point is that it doesn't really matter what a buncha people online say. Everyone could overwhelmingly pick one choice over the other, and it wouldn't make a bit of difference to you unless your body and your carry methods happened to match up with the majority of the respondents' bodies & carry methods.

pax

 

[Coyote3855]

I vote for the 1911....

I suppose it depends on your body configuration and usual clothing. My regular carry gun is smaller than either of your choices, a Kahr P9 carried IWB in a nylon Maverick holster from Dillon. I have to be very discrete to carry at work, and the rig conceals well under a vest or light jacket, even an untucked shirt or loose sweater.

When not on the job I sometimes carry a Springfield Champion (4" bbl 1911), also IWB or a Glock 23 OWB in a kydex paddle holster, or even a full size Government Model. I frankly don't see much difference in concealability among the three, although at my size (5'7", 155 lbs, athletic build) the Government is occasionally uncomfortable. That could be because I don't have as good a holster for it as for the other two. I know from my own experience and from reading on this Forum that a proper gun belt and a good holster are very important not only for concealment but also for comfort.

I also have a Glock 26 that was appropriated by my wife. She found it uncomfortable to carry and difficult to conceal. She's 5'9" and about 115 pounds. She now also carries a Kahr P9 and the 26 is the house gun in the TV room.

Would be nice if you could try various guns in various holsters. Again, the rig may be more important than what's in it, in terms of comfor and concealability.

 

[Zundfolge]

For concealment I'd say grip length is more important than thickness and thickness is more important than slide length.

The 1911 is thin, but unless its got an Officers or Detonics sized frame the double stack is likely to be slightly more concealable (especially if the sub compact double stack has a real short grip).

But guns are like underwear ... what works for one may not work for another.


My two CCW pieces are a Steyr S40 and a Kahr MK9 ... the MK9 conceals much better than the Steyr (however they weigh almost exactly the same and the Steyr is smoother and "curvier" so its more comfortable ... and it packs 10+1 rounds of .40S&W vs the 6+1 rounds of 9x19mm so its more comforting too ).

 

[10-Ring]

On a belt, I like the flatness of the 1911 - on an ankle, I like the sub. IMO, it really depends on the mode of carry

 

[JLStorm]

mostly IWB

 

[silversport]

I am going to guess that based on that answer..."mostly IWB" the 1911 should be easier to conceal...flatter and longer barelled (for balance) than the sweet GLOCK 26...
Bill

 

[pax]

JLStorm ~

My friend and I both carry IWB.

I carry appendix position (between belly button & hip) and she carries in the flat spot just behind the hip.

Appendix carry really requires a short barrel, while there's a significant benefit to a slimmer gun when carrying on or around the hip.

pax

 

[Zundfolge]

I still think one of the best designed pistols for CCW was the STI Ranger (wish they still made it).

Commander length slide over a Detonics size frame.
(if I could find one in 10mm I'd sell whatever guns necessary to buy it)

The CCO is another good choice (Commander length slide over an Officer sized frame).

(still never understood why all the Colt sub compacts have those HUGE Hogue grips on 'em ... seems to defeat the purpose of a smaller-than-government-model 1911 if you ask me)


Get a short grip on a 1911 and the advantages of the baby Glock, XD and other sub compact double stack pistols disapears (well, the double stacks still have the capacity advantage).

 

[JLStorm]

To elaborate on your replies, my main problem has been that the compact double stack Gock 30 was just damn hard to conceal and to damn uncomfortable against my body, while the 5" 1911 was comfortable as hell and I forgot it was there, but the grip was just way to long to conceal effectively in more sensitive situations.

I now carry a USP 45 full size either OWB or in a shoulder rig quite comfortably, but I would like something other than my .38 snubbie for more deep concealment. So that brings me to my dilemma, I have had much better luck with the 1911 style guns, but I am not willing to go smaller than the commander due to fear of reliability issues (personal experience, please dont try to convince me otherwise). On the flip side, I do trust the sub compact HK P2000sk and other double stacks which give me both capacity and short grip, but I fear I'll run into the same issues I had with the Glock 30 on the HKp2000sk.

I know I should try both, but the fact is no gun store I know of will let me shove a gun I havent bought in my pants lol! and even if they would, I wouldnt have a good holster, which is why Im asking for help.

 

[GreenFurniture]

Full sized 1911 is as easy to conceal as anything else out there.

 

[pax]

JLStorm ~

Chances are that if you were unhappy with one doublestack Glock, you won't be any happier with a different one.

That said: a good, solid belt and a quality holster make absolutely all the difference in the world when it comes to the concealability of different firearms. Even a tiny little gun is hard to hide on a flimsy belt. So whatever you go with, be sure to save room in the budget for quality gear to go with it.

pax

 

[wooderson]

I happen to know of a shop that has a Ranger I in .45ACP if anyone finds that particular gun interesting.

 

[murphyslaw84]

While I have only concealed a 1911, the other day I was at the gun store and I compared the grip thickness on the Glock 19 to a 1911. They looked very close in thickness to me, but I didn't have a set of dial calipers to check though I did notice that the Glock has a wider more squarier slide than the 1911, so that may affect carry comfort.

 

[Intune]

I carry a G27 in a Kramer IWB just behind my right hip. Very comfy. Good belt, holster and oversized pants are a must. For me, in that IWB position, the grip is what might print. Colt DE Officer sometimes does. The 27's grip doesn't. I still want to check out the Slimline G36. Now THAT may be a winner! .45, light & thin. Mmmm...

 

[Still 2 Many Choices!?]

Glock 23 and Colt's Commander Series 80...

Both disappear equally well IWB under an untucked shirt... The 1911 hammer does bite into my hip a little though... I figure carrying is supposed to be comforting, not comfortable !

 

[Lonestar.45]

I vote Sub-compact single stack! Seriously, I have a PM9 and it's so easy to carry/conceal IWB it's not even funny. But, now I'm looking at the Glock G36 and thinking, a single stack Glock 45 might not be so bad either....surely it would be more reliable than one of the micro 1911's I've wanted at times in the past.

I've got a Springfield Champion, VMII, and Beltman belt, but I still don't like that setup a whole lot. The grip is hard to keep from printing, and the weight wears on me after a short time. The thin frame of the 1911 does make it a nice carry, but again, the grip and weight are what kill me. I probably should go to a Kimber Compact CDP for the best of both worlds, but I don't want to spend $1,000 on a Kimber that may or may not work. So, the PM9 gets a lot of duty, as does the Keltec 3AT.

I know this has been said a million times, but Glock needs to come out with a small single stack 9mm.

 

[skidooman]

i carried a Kimber 5" TLE/RL, IWB for about a month when i first got my ccw, im not a vary big guy, about 5'10" 155lbs. and the 1911 was just too big and heavy, since then ive gone to a S&W J-frame, only due to lack of funds for a glock, now the tax money should be here very soon and the Glock 27 is going to be my new primary carry. but ive been thinking i think i am going to carry the 27 IWB small of the back, and get an ankle rig for the S&W. a buddy of mine has a 27 and im qualified to carry that and have on occasion, and liked it. really really liked it.

 

[DoubleTapDrew]

It may be different for other people but grip length and angle makes all the difference for me. I carry my 4" commander or G23 OWB just fine but when it's time for IWB it's the g26 or springfield XDSC all the way. Carry both IWB at 3 or 4 o' clock, stand sideways to a mirror and bend over and you'll see what I mean. I don't notice the thickness difference, it's what, like two tenths of an inch? I do notice the extra 1/2-1" of grip length.
It's a catch 22 though because the subcompact's shorter grip makes it slightly slower to get a good handle on and draw than a larger one.

 

[bb21]

I think that it depends on your lifestyle and your clothing choice. I find my Mill Pro works pretty well IWB, either Appendix or SOB. But because I am at a desk quite a lot I am much more comfortable at say 4:30ish. I can do the same with my full size Baby Eagle but you do have some trade offs. It is really dependent upon what you do while you are carrying, how you carry and what you wear. I never thought I'd carry my BE, due to the size but it has its advantages, mostly when it comes to the shooting part, and it would be difficult for the average Joe to "make" me, because of what I wear.
Go with what you are comfortable with and make some adjustments.
Do both if you can, I think your situation can change and you can make anything work if you really want to.
Good Luck and Be Safe!

 

[wrc]

1911 Commander

As long as you use the stock 7rd magazines that fit flush, the Commander-length 1911 and a good holster work great.

 

[JCF]

I'm 5'6" 170lbs and have no problem concealing either. I carry a G26 in a Galco UDC and find the short grip profile a benefit under light clothing.