chaim
Member
If you like 1911s but want something smaller/lighter for carry, have you thought about a smaller, alloy 1911? Until I stopped using SA guns for self defense (I prefer not having to worry about a manual safety on a home defense or carry gun), I would often carry a Commander sized S&W 1911Sc or Officer sized RIA 1911 (steel) when I could carry (i.e. when out of state). With a good belt and holster, it would probably work for you most of the time. Like others have mentioned, be careful of any 1911 under 4", it will need a lot more practice time before you rely on it as they do tend to be less reliable than a 1911 with a longer slide and barrel.
If you want something smaller and/or lighter, in .45 I'd be most interested in a S&W M&P variant (the Shield if you want to be as small as possible) or a Glock. If you want to try something different (and also prefer your defensive guns to not have a manual safety), I think a SIG P220 would also be interesting, though it isn't really any smaller or lighter than an alloy 1911 Commander.
If you want something smaller and/or lighter, in .45 I'd be most interested in a S&W M&P variant (the Shield if you want to be as small as possible) or a Glock. If you want to try something different (and also prefer your defensive guns to not have a manual safety), I think a SIG P220 would also be interesting, though it isn't really any smaller or lighter than an alloy 1911 Commander.