My ideal EDC 1911

[velocette]

My opinion only for me. Might not suit you or anyone else.
I have a long familiarity with 1911 pistols, from years of Bullseye competition, more years of banging away at club events and just plain fun banging away at innocent steel and paper targets. Arthritis in my hands makes the .45acp difficult and painful, so the 9mm it is. For every day carry, an aluminum compact frame and 4" barrel fits my needs. Springfield Armory offers their 1911 Compact that fills the bill.
Fitted with Tritium night sights and a Crimson Trace grip laser, day or night, indoors or out aiming is well taken care of.
Originally, the pistol came with ambidextrous safety which was replaced with a left side only. This so that the right sided safety cannot be wiped or brushed off while holstered. Slightly extended slide release fitted to allow easy thumb release. (small hands)
Magazines for carry are Wilson Combat 8 rd flush base and two 9 rd as back up.
So I wind up with a fairly light accurate pistol with a clean crisp 4 lb trigger (untouched from factory) easily concealed and reliable. Suits me just fine.

 

[roque5]

I used to carry my 1911 Gold Cup as a EDC but have since went to the 9mm H&K, however , during these no small pistol primer times , I took it out of safe and ,because I have large pistol primers, I reloaded a bunch of .45 rounds and went shooting. Darn it still is a fine shooting weapon and fun to shoot. So enjoy yours, it is a fine looking EDC.

 

[Armored farmer]

I agree.
My 1911 .45acp commander is my most trusted carry gun. I wish it was lighter. The aluminum frame like yours would be nice.

 

[JR24]

That does look about perfect. As I age I really find 4" to be the ideal barrel length for my eyes.

Only thing I'd do different is use the 9 round Wilson mag since that conceals just as well on me, like a bobtail, but smaller and two 10 round mags as backup (and sometimes a 8 round in the pocket because it's so easy to carry). Did a similar thing with a Valkyrie CCO 9mm and did wish it was a 4" over the commander from time to time.

 

[CDW4ME]

That is a good EDC.


Note the OP is in FL - he carries a "decent" gun even though its hot.

 

[bannockburn]

velocette

An excellent choice for EDC. I also feel the effects of growing old and have been shooting more 9mm. than .45 ACP lately. I occasionally will carry my Colt Commander in .38 Super or 9mm. when the weather calls for a jacket or a coat.

 

[ApacheCoTodd]

I spent longer than some unfortunate individuals' whole lifetimes eschewing the concept and application of the *Commander* sized 1911.

I always thought - "What the hell, I'm not getting much for what I'm giving up."

Then, a couple years back, I backed into owning an aluminum-framed, not-Colt's *Commander* in 9mm.

The scales have fallen from my eyes.

Now, I try to NOT think of all the 9, .38 Super and 9x23 *Commanders* that I wouldn't even slow down for.

I congratulate you on coming around to such a good example of a great platform - at an age surely to be earlier than mine.

Now, I want to try the same pistol with a rounded-butt for carry.

Todd.

 

[ApacheCoTodd]

As I age I really find 4" to be the ideal barrel length for my eyes.

I don't yet need to capitalize upon that but it's an interesting point.

Todd.

 

[JR24]

I don't yet need to capitalize upon that but it's an interesting point.

Todd.

I think my issue is compounded by my colorblindness and needing high contrast to really get focus.

 

[sparkyfender]

Looks like a worthy EDC.

 

[Gordon]

15 years ago I started transitioning from a Commander EDC to a Colt Lt. wt. Officers. About 5 years ago started going down to the Para P12 .45 LDA , it took a couple years to get it 100% reliable but I did get to "know" it
Now it looks like I am transitioning to a Walther 9mm PPS . I would have done this new Hellcat, but not around and no mags this last year so I will stick to a 9 round fully loaded PPS. BTW I carried a Glock 26 for a decade as a authorized off duty gun as a reservist LEO, a little too chubby !
The Commander was my favorite sized fighting pistol from 1972-2010 or so. Today when I want to I put on the S&W 1911PD Gunsite SC Version I bought at GS in 2010 in a Mad Dog Kydex Taylor Thunderbolt holster .

 

[velocette]

ApacheCotodd;
Agree on the rounded butt. Problem is with the shorter Officers frame, the mainspring housing is shorter thus making rounding it quite difficult. I have rounded the corner of the housing on mine about as much as I thought I could safely. The 1/2" shorter butt on the Officers frame does help with concealment.

 

[Gordon]

Here is a built Combat Commander and my lt weight officers EDC

 

[gyp_c2]

Now, I want to try the same pistol with a rounded-butt for carry.

Same here...
Steel frame 5" has been killin' my back...
Grabbed a 43x just fer the 'tween time.

 

[bikerdoc]

Mine is an Officers model

Or
CZ 75 compact

 

[bullseye308]

View media item 53I have been carrying this Springfield Range Officer a lot lately, just because it shoots so darn well and if I ever have to use it the extra precision is a plus. It is big and heave, and loaded with 10 rounds of 124 grain it balances well. I could step down to my daughters Range Officer Champion, but there isn’t much difference in weight. I’d like to find a full size like mine in a lightweight with a rail, that would be ideal.

 

[Riomouse911]

I shot my Ruger Commander size SR1911 .45 on Friday for the first time in many months. Other than a few self-inflicted flinches dropping a few low I forgot just how well this size gun shoots for me.
One of these days I think a Ronin 9mm 4.25” may just follow me home.

For EDC I think the Commander and Officer sized 1911’s are fantastic choices for almost any situation.

Stay safe.

 

[Old Dog]

Big fan of Commander-sized pistols, but I still prefer .45 ACP if I'm gonna restrict myself to eight or nine rounds. I used to favor the LW, but now I'm liking a bobtail steel-frame as the heavier pistol just seems to shooter better, more often, for me...

 

[nettlle]

This is my carry. Dan Wesson Vigil 9mm Commander

 

[bannockburn]

Back when they first came out I decided that since I liked my Colt Commanders so much then a Lightweight Officer's Model .45 ACP would be just the ticket for EDC. Alas I never found one and went with the all steel version instead. I must admit that while it's a bit heavy that extra weight helps soak up some of the felt recoil and keep muzzle flip to a minimum, especially when I run 185 gr. Silvertips through it.


Now if I'm in the mood for something a tad bit different I go with my Colt Lightweight Government Model. The aluminum frame together with the longer slide just have the right feel and balance in my hand. I felt that way about it as soon as I picked it up. It too has a certain preference for lighter weight bullets.

 

[CDW4ME]

I have a 9mm lightweight CMD, but my lightweight 45 still get preference for carry.


1911 easily concealed under a shirt:

 

[Iggy]

Colt Defender 45ACP Changed from Duck Bill to Beaver tail.

 

[shenck]

my officers model, and the holsters I use most

 

[Phydeaux642]

I like SA firearms but I do prefer my "Commander" sized 1911s to have a barrel bushing, so, I like 'em with the 4.25" barrel. YMMV.

 

[Gordon]

Found a picture of the Combat Commander I bought in 1972 that got my love for the Commander format .45 acp going. I was very experienced in 1911a1 for almost a decade before that purchase, the last 4 years being issued one 2 tours in Combat duty . I chose a new series 70 in the new Satin Nickle as a civilian (to be reservist and brief other fed Agent duty) I carried this one in a Peruvian Shoulder bag in Big Sur Ca. a few years and 6 months in a shoulder holster on East Coast. I then put King sights on it and called it good and occasionally carried it in my "plain clothes" reservist duty in Army till 1986 It never failed. My son has it now, he doesn't carry it but thinks of me and fondles it. It indeed got me going on the 1911 .45 bandwagon 1972-2012 ish.