To Bobtail or Not to Bobtail? That is The Question.

[HMMurdock]

My first post-- pleased to meet all of you.

I own a Stainless Classic Kimber Gold Match (I) 1911-A1 .45ACP as my primary tactical sidearm (I am a fugitive recovery agent). I usually use Revolvers, so this is more of a fun / "tactical" piece. I am at a dilemma, though.

I want to fully customize this piece to my own specs. I want to get the front grip strap snakekinned, the top of the slide snakeskinned, and replace the backstrap with an Ed Brown snakeskin piece. I have the choice of getting one with the magwell attached or to get a bobtail piece and have it machined in.

This is my project, personal piece used for "O.S." situations, so I'm going for style and wow factor as much as I am a good, reliable, accurate tactical sidearm.

What are the advantages to the bobtail over the magwell and vice versa?

Any suggestions?

After that work is done I want to have it re-finished. Perhaps solid black, gray, or a black and green/tan skane scheme. I am leaning towards Gun-kote. Are there any other suggestions?

Thanks for all of the assistance!

TRL

 

[BrennanKG]

Welcome to THR!

I am a big fan of bobtailed 1911s. I'm going to have my Kimber GCS bobtailed, and any other 1911s I buy in the future will likely be bobtailed...so long as they are in intended to be carried.

I think bobtailing a 1911 makes a the handgun print less and carry more comfortably. That said, I see no advantage to bobtailing one if it's not going to be carried. If it's for fun and for drills, you might as well keep the frame intact.


Just my 2 cents,
B.

 

[lunde]

A magwell make the grip longer/larger, but the Bobtail makes the grip smaller. Note that while I find the Bobtail grip to be immenesly comfortable, it is a process that cannot be undone. It involves a permanent modification to the frame. Of my seven 1911s, four are Bobtailed. In addition to being Bobtailed, all four also have slim grip screw bushings instaled, along with slim grips. I find that combination to be ideal, at least for me.

You can see photos of my Bobtailed 1911s here: http://www.praxagora.com/lunde/1911s.html

 

[BrennanKG]

Ken,

How's that PX4 treating you?
My USP9 is gone and I'm starting to shop around for a new 9mm.



B.

 

[HMMurdock]

You cannot add a magwell on a bobtail, correct?

Are there any (other) serious tactical disadvantages to the bobtail?

TRL

 

[BrennanKG]

You cannot add a magwell on a bobtail, correct?

Can it be done?
Sure give a gunsmith with a knack for fabrication enough money and you can have just about anything done to a 1911.
It'll cost you though.
In other words, no, generally you can't have both features. If you're not carrying the 1911 concealed I see little point in bobtailing it.

Are there any (other) serious tactical disadvantages to the bobtail?

Bobtailing a 1911 while it might attract a few extra looks from folks unfamiliar with Ed Brown's concept (I believe he started it) is not particularly high on the "WOW" factor. At the risk of repating myself, you bobtail a 1911 to make it less obtrusive, not more.

Other than the irreversability of the mod which Ken already mentioned, the only disadvantage I can think of is if you shot a lot of 1911s your grip might change a little between the bobtailed and non-bobtailed pistols, depending upon your hands and type of grip.

As for coating or treatment...whatever flavor you like best!


B.

 

[Flame Red]

I very much recommend you contact Dave Helton at D & V Customs (http://www.dvcustom.com/). He just did a Colt Commander Bobtail job for me and his craftsmanship is second to none. Bobtails are best for concealment, so you definately don't want any magwells.

You cannot have a magwell with a bobtail, but you can see if he can taper the edges of the mag port as an alternative.

 

[farscott]

Here is my SA Mil-Spec with a Bobtail while the frame was "in the white". The inside of the magazine opening has been beveled. The gun was finished with EGW's E-Treat, a very hard, corrosion-resistant, black finish. The pistol carries like a dream.













Here is what it looks like finished.

 

[BrennanKG]

Farscott,

Did someone grind down/reprofile your beavertail?
It's perfect.




B.

 

[farscott]

All of the metal work, other than the finish, was done by John Harrison. That is his standard beavertail fit with no wobble, but the shape was of the grip safety is custom. The starting point was the S&A safety for the SA frame tangs, and it has been reshaped to feel like the old Wilson that I have on a Series '70 Colt.

John is much more than a "parts-changer"; his guns run.

 

[BrennanKG]

John is much more than a "parts-changer"; his guns run.

Oh I know!


I'm currently trying to convince my wife I need to be on 2 waiting lists for custom 1911s, rather just the one (N Christiansen).

Aftall, we're talking about heirlooms for my daughter, right?




B.

 

[HMMurdock]

A local gunsmith quoted me $300 to bobtail my 1911. The gentleman with DVCustom.com quoted me at $65, and I have heard of him (positively) on more than one occasion. He said he would also bevel my mag port like it was suggested. All of his services seem very cheap and he seems to be a very polite, knowledgeable guy. I'll have it sent to him in a few weeks to get it snakeskinned, bobtailed, beveled, and gun-koted and I'll let you guys know how it works out!

TRL