Okay...which 1911 should I get

Which size to get?

  • Compact 3.5" / Officers

    Votes: 9 9.0%

  • Compact Tactical

    Votes: 7 7.0%

  • Commander 4"

    Votes: 37 37.0%

  • efF it, just get the full size (tactical)

    Votes: 47 47.0%
  • Total voters
    100
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C

chupacabrah

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Feb 13, 2008
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Location
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Mainly debating size. This is my FIRST 1911, and will be primarily for concealed carry.

To make it more general, lets poll it on size only. My personal brand of choice for this one will be Rock Island Armory (RIA)

Notes:
my current CC lineup consists of a full size 9mm M&P...which I think is a little too big for carry. I also have a S&W Mdl. 36 I pocket carry.
I'm leaning mostly between the compact or commander

1. Full Size Tactical http://www.centerfiresystems.com/AC-RI1911TAC.aspx
2. Commander 4" : http://www.centerfiresystems.com/AC-RI1911-MS.aspx
3. Compact : http://www.centerfiresystems.com/AC-RI1911-CS.aspx
4. Compact Tactical : http://www.centerfiresystems.com/AC-RI1911-CSP.aspx
 
i am a fan of the compact tactical model, as a matter of fact i am thinking about picking one up as soon as i can. it has the few features that are must haves. recently having shot a RIA for the first time i was impressed with the compact's accuracy and reliability.
 
I CC a 5" occasionally and it can be a P.I.T.A. sometimes because of the length.
If you can find an accurate 3" that would be best for CC. IMO
Otherwise go with the 4" and never look back.
 
I've carried everything from a full size 1911, a full size M&P, a Keltec PF9 and a Taurus PT140 Mill Pro. Two months ago I bought a S&W 1911PD commander size (4.25) lightweight and I can tell you I will never carry anything else. I just absolutely love this weapon. I carried a full size Springer...once...it weighed a ton and the barrel length made it feel like I was trying to conceal a baseball bat, really uncomfortable. I really didn't expect the commander size to make that much difference but...I was really wrong. The PD is lightweight and the gun is really comfortable to carry...I had her Bobtailed a month ago and it just doesn't print or stick out...its the perfect ccw weapon now. The Andrew's holster is extremely well made. I really don't expect to ever carry anything else, and I've never felt that way before. Here's a pic or two:

PDBobtailholstered.jpg
PDLeft.jpg
 
I agree, I think the 5" would be a bit tough just for carry (I'll get one later for range time/HD).

The 4" are nice, but if the 3.5" one w/ the shorter grip would make a big difference (RELIABLY), I definitely think that'd be the way to go.

Does anyone know how much shorter the grip on the officer's model size is, versus the commander or fullsize? is it even worth losing a round, concealabilty wise, or comfort-wise?

PS. I love the bobtail...how much did that cost to get done?
 
I would go with a Commander sized 1911.

That's what I carry and I have a 5" to compare. Difference in accuracy and recoil is negligible.

dw1.jpg


msbob.jpg
 
The Ed Brown bobtail mainspring housing is about $65 and installation was about another sixty or so. You should take a good look at the Dan Wesson (CZ USA) bobtail. But the S&W is lightweight. If you are considering this specifically for ccw then you really should consider the bobtail. I've found it to be a MAJOR plus in concealing a 1911.
 
if you don't want a 5" gun, you really don't want to go below a Commander's 4.25" barrel.

reliability below that lenght starts falling due to the way that action is designed to function...that doesn't mean that aren't dependable guns with barrels shorter than that, only that they are more reliable at that lenght and above
 
If you are worried about concealability, first think about the difference in length between a commander size pistol and a full size 1911. 3/4 of and inch. That is shorter than the length of your index finger from the tip to the first knuckle.

Secondly think about weight. You will most likely not be saving that much weight. Maybe a couple of ounces. You will not even notice five or six ounces while carrying in a good rig.

Third, think about the fact that concealability has nothing to do with length unless you are using the appendix carry method. If you are planning on carrying on your hip, the length will not matter. It is the thickness that matters.

I prefer a 5" 1911 because I shoot a 5" 1911 better than I shoot any other size 1911. I feel more comfortable shooting that particular size and when breaking it down you can better understand that the differences between one size and the next one down is not that big of a difference.


It all depends on what your priorities are. If you are not willing to change your wardrobe a little and dress around the gun, go with the smallest gun you feel comfortable carrying. If you do not mind working a tiny bit to get the gun to conceal, go with the full size.

With that said, I carry a full size 1911 every day and not once have i had to actually work to conceal it. Took a few weeks to find a good holster and belt combo but I can conceal under a single t-shirt or polo and the gun literally melts into my hip.
 
If you are worried about concealability, first think about the difference in length between a commander size pistol and a full size 1911. 3/4 of and inch. That is shorter than the length of your index finger from the tip to the first knuckle.

Secondly think about weight. You will most likely not be saving that much weight. Maybe a couple of ounces. You will not even notice five or six ounces while carrying in a good rig.

Third, think about the fact that concealability has nothing to do with length unless you are using the appendix carry method. If you are planning on carrying on your hip, the length will not matter. It is the thickness that matters.

I prefer a 5" 1911 because I shoot a 5" 1911 better than I shoot any other size 1911. I feel more comfortable shooting that particular size and when breaking it down you can better understand that the differences between one size and the next one down is not that big of a difference.


It all depends on what your priorities are. If you are not willing to change your wardrobe a little and dress around the gun, go with the smallest gun you feel comfortable carrying. If you do not mind working a tiny bit to get the gun to conceal, go with the full size.

With that said, I carry a full size 1911 every day and not once have i had to actually work to conceal it. Took a few weeks to find a good holster and belt combo but I can conceal under a single t-shirt or polo and the gun literally melts into my hip.
Click to expand...


I see what you're saying, but my main point of discomfort is when sitting... my M&P will dig into my thigh... generally It's the barrel doing the digging.

I imagine with 1911's being thinner it would be better, but I don't really want to risk going bigger at which point I wouldnt even be able to carry (comfortably).

Then again I guess it could go either way...I need to borrow my buddy's fullsize and see how I like it
 
I see what you're saying, but my main point of discomfort is when sitting... my M&P will dig into my thigh... generally It's the barrel doing the digging.
Click to expand...

That's a holster problem, not a gun problem.

Find a high rise holster for the 1911 and it's very nice. I carry a full size 1911 often and it's really easy to conceal. The thinness is what does it for me, the length is easy to deal with in a proper holster.
 
TexasRifleman hit that particular nail on the head. You have a holster or holster position problem.

Infact, if you are carrying at the 3:00 position or farther back, the extra length will cause the front of the slide to sit on the side of your thigh, not on top of it. Try a holster with FBI cant and see if that helps.

Try out your buddies full size. I believe you will be pleasantly surprised.
 
I voted 5" cause that is what I carry.

A Commander is a good idea as well.

I am going to agree with the people above that suggest you may currenly have a holster issue.

Good decision on a 1911, please get some training.
 
hmm that's interesting, never really thought of that. My holster for the M&P does have a cant, its a UBG Canute holster.

have any good suggestions for a high rise?


and weisse, I train every chance my wife lets me out of the house w/ some ammo :D

and I got tired of drooling over all of you guys' pictures of 1911s....figured i had to get my own. :p

thanks for all the help/opinions so far
 
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