August 22, 2015, 08:31 AM | #1 |
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1911 for concealed carry
I have been thinking about going to my 1991A1 Colt Commander .45 acp for concealed carry on a daily basis. I would like to know from those folks that carry a 1911 as their EDC gun, why they chose the 1911? What advantages or pitfalls you may have encountered. Thanks.
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August 22, 2015, 09:11 AM | #2 |
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If you are thinking about a full size all steel 1911 in 45acp,I would advise trying to carry one all day before buying one.
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August 22, 2015, 09:55 AM | #3 |
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I find my steel framed commander bobtail to be a little heavy for edc unless im wearing jeans, and even then, I prefer my much lighter defender. the defender sacrifices one round for being so much lighter that I forget its there, even with shorts. an lightweight commander might be a good compromise. I am seriously considering changing my cbob for an alloy guardian for this reason.
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August 22, 2015, 12:41 PM | #4 |
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1911 as EDC:
I don't carry any one of my handguns as an EDC. I'll carry whichever suits my mood at that moment. Usually, it's either one of several Glocks or one of three 1911 pistols I own. Regarding a 1911, in no particular order, -perhaps I'm a bit more accurate from drawing; -for me, relatively easy to maintain; -nice, flat profile as I typically carry inside-the-waistband; -I'm very comfortable with the ergonomics, manipulation, and function after getting my 1st 1911 ~27 years ago. -it's heavy. I carry steel-framed, 45ACP, 5" models. With a spare mag, I'm at ~4 lbs. of hardware, added onto another 10 lbs. of clothing and stuff I'm normally carrying; -relatively low capacity. With one spare mag I've only got 8+(8+1)=17 rounds. -more bullet set-back should I end up chambering and unchambering the loaded round a few times compared to not-much set-back with my Glocks; -if shot a lot, more things seem to break or need adjustment compared to my Glocks; -higher cost for initial purchase, mags, and parts vs. my Glocks. My least expensive 1911 started at ~$1200, my most expensive 1911 at ~$2800. My Glocks are ~$500 each (at my "blue label" pricing). -a broken slide stop for my 1911 =~$50; my Glock's slide-stop ~$8; I'll wear out extractor and recoil springs more often with my 1911's too, but I shoot a lot. -any particular gun can have problems when new, out of the box. I never plan on a new 1911 to be perfect and plan on the chance it may even need to be sent back to the factory for warranty work. I usually don't feel comfortable until I've shot ~1,000 rounds through a 1911 (add the cost of ammo) to ensure 100% reliability of at least 100 rounds in a row (even though the most I'd likely to be carrying is 25 rounds (3mags x 8 +1). As I said earlier, I'm usually carrying one spare mag, but I do have a two mag carrier which I'll sometimes use. There are four mag carriers, but I don't own one. Once you decide (& buy), let us know what you decide. |
August 22, 2015, 01:02 PM | #5 |
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A good belt/holster is the key to carrying a 1911 I think. I"m a fairly skinny guy but carry a full size ruger in a N82 tactical holster and a 5.11 belt and I know its there but its never uncomfortable to me. I also just wear a t shirt and never have anyone (including gun store employees) pick up on the fact that I have a full sized 1911, two mags, and a ontario rat 3 knife.
I carry it just because I like the platform and I don't like the drawbacks of little guns. If I'm going to get into a defensive shooting or god forbid an all out gunfight/active shooter situation Id rather have the extra weight, sight radius etc of my 1911 that I shoot very well to begin with. Weight is about the only pitfall I can think of but like i said a good holster/belt combo will help mitigate that. |
August 22, 2015, 01:13 PM | #6 |
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I carry mainly a LTW Commander in 45 or 9mm . Or A Defender . I sometimes switch to my DW Bobtail. But I can tell by end of day the difference. Need a good holster (I carry IWB) and belt.
I have other pistols I carry but this my main carry . My dress Jeans and tee shirts . Been in a suit one time in last 30 years.
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August 22, 2015, 01:34 PM | #7 | |
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I carried either a Colt GM, or a Combat Commander, with a double reload, IWB daily for over 25 years. Mostly it was a Commander, as I prefer them, but the GM carries just the same. With a good belt and holster, you dont know the gun is even there. The 1911's arent any easier or harder to carry than anything else. Once I stopped carrying a 1911, I carried a number of SIG's (P220, P226, P229), and Glock 17's, all with the same ease. All are very similar in size, and all conceal easily. The only real problem I had with my Colts, was rust. Carrying IWB, working outdoors in all weather, sweating like a pig, and constantly wet leather holsters, are not a good environment for most guns/finishes. Hard chrome and kydex solved most of that problem. I preferred Blade Tech IWB holsters the most, with Milt Sparks VMII's a distant second. I still have the first BT holster I bought, and even after 10+ years of daily use before retirement, its a serviceable today, as it was the day I bought it. This is it here, belt is a 1.75", "5 stitch" Wilderness Instructors Belt.... |
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August 22, 2015, 01:38 PM | #8 |
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1911 for concealed carry
Awesome...a bit bulky...effective with a second magazine...stop power, hard to conceal unless the carrier is also bulky.
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August 22, 2015, 03:57 PM | #9 |
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Old Jarhead;
First, thank you for your service to our country. I carry an aluminum framed Springfield Armory 9mm 1911 pistol. The 9mm is due to arthritis in my hands making the .45acp uncomfortable. The pistol is the shorter Officers frame with a Commander 4" barrel. It is easily concealed and a good bit lighter than an standard 1911 or most other 1911 designs, save the Officers model. 1911, excellent trigger, good accuracy and so far total reliability (as in NO failures) with over 1000 rds down range. You can find the same pistol in .45 acp if you choose. It works for me.
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August 22, 2015, 04:54 PM | #10 |
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I carry 1911s, mostly in the CCO size (command length barrel and officer length grip frame). I have carried all-steel 1911s but prefer the aluminum framed guns. 1911s are very concealable because they are thin. You do need to make sure you practice enough with one that muscle memory takes over and you almost automatically swipe off the safety after it clears the holster.
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August 22, 2015, 05:33 PM | #11 |
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Read
If you are thinking about a full size all steel 1911 in 45acp,I would advise trying to carry one all day before buying one.
runningbear is offline Report Post runningbear View Public Profile Send a private message to runningbear Send email to runningbear Find More Posts by runningbear Add runningbear to Your Contacts He said Colt COMMANDER. |
August 22, 2015, 05:41 PM | #12 |
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I chose it because I know the 1911, and the manual of arms remains the same regardless of size.
Two possible drawbacks:
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August 22, 2015, 08:49 PM | #13 |
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I like the Commander size for concealed carry also. At the beginning of my LE career (1975) I worked for an agency where we had to carry .38 revolvers as a duty gun, but we could carry anything for an off duty gun. So it was a Series '70 Colt Commander .45 that I packed pretty much every day, IWB carry, while off duty. I found it both comfortable to carry, and accurate, reliable and comfortable to shoot. In later years, I worked for a Dept that limited what we could carry off duty, so I got used to my off-duty-authorized S&W 9mm, and it is my Model 6906 that has been my EDC gun for many many years now. But I'd still be comfortable carrying a Colt Commander .45, if it was a Dept authorized off duty gun (sadly, for me, it's not).
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August 22, 2015, 10:14 PM | #14 |
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I carry a RIA 1911 government A2 TCM model. That's 5" barrel and double stack magazine. Price wasn't a problem at $650 for the gun NIB. Capacity isn't a problem at 17+1 of FHP 9mm+P(I hope to #$!! that'd be enough). Weight isn't a problem, at least for me. I can feel it there but nothing digs in, sitting and driving isn't a problem. The holster I'm using is a Galco King Tuk IWB holster. Concealment isn't an issue either, just a t-shirt over it does the trick and I'm only 5'6" and 150lbs. The gun is pretty accurate and has para/clark style ramped barrels. I haven't had a single feeding issue with either the 9mm barrel or the 22TCM barrel.
Disclaimer: What works for me probably won't work for you, results may vary
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August 22, 2015, 10:23 PM | #15 |
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I was raised on a 1911 and have carried them for years as a concealed carry piece and also as a duty gun and compete with them. I'm very comfortable and confident with them. In fact, except for one Hi Power, all the autos I own are 1911s.
Advantages: ergonomics, thin profile, trigger, accuracy Pitfalls: none l usually carry a full size ORM Colt 1991A1, though I have several others and occasionally carry a Commander or 1991A1 Compact. I'll echo the other posters, it's all about the gear, a quality belt and holster make all the difference. I only carry OWB and use Garret's Silent Thunder STX 2.0 and their double mag pouch. My belt is either a leather 1.75" 5.11 with a stiffener or a Wilderness Instructor 5 stitch with a stiffener. This set up is all day comfortable and I use the same gear and guns for IDPA and USPSA.
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August 22, 2015, 10:32 PM | #16 |
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Nice setup WC145! I need to get an OWB holster for wintertime. I also need to get a mag pouch to carry my second mag. Not that I should need 35 rounds but most failures are magazine related and it's easier and faster to swap mags than to clear a snag and hope it doesn't happen twice.
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August 23, 2015, 07:21 AM | #17 |
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I too carry a 1911. For me, it was about getting the right one. You need a gun that inspires confidence and carries well all day long.
I shoot all guns, except DA/SA, well enough. I could be happy with a Kahr, XD, Glock or S&W revolver on my hip. I chose the 1911 because it is a full size gun, thinner than most(at the slide) and has confidence inspiring trigger/sights/safeties. My CCW is a Dan Wesson CCO in a custom Overland Gunleather rig. The gun literally disappears under a polo shirt. I am much happier to CCW something substantial in 45 than my 380 in the pocket. I started with an all steel 5" 1911. It was ok, but IMO, it needs a rough out holster on your skin side to help your belt hold it in place. Actually, they all could use this. |
August 23, 2015, 07:46 AM | #18 |
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Not my EDC, but I sometimes carry a RIA Tactical, mostly in the wintertime when I wear heavier clothing. As many have already said, it's all just a matter of finding the right belt and holster for you.
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August 23, 2015, 08:01 AM | #19 |
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I admire anyone who can carry a 1911 as EDC . . and say "more power to you"!
Myself . . . I'd need a good stout pair of "suspenders"! As you get "older" . . "lighter" = "easier".
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August 23, 2015, 08:08 AM | #20 |
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^^^ Yup.
With one exception, all I've ever used for matches and training sessions has always been a 1911. And most of the time a pair of suspenders was needed to keep everything waist high. Nothing worse than finding your rig inching downward all day. For most of us svelte and trim fellows, 1911s might be a bit much to carry around all day.
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August 23, 2015, 09:33 AM | #21 |
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I think a lightweight Colt Commander is one of the best choices. I had one that was perfect but I don't know why I don't have one now, though I am going shopping in a few minutes. As another pointed out, they are not inexpensive. And a lightweight Commander model is sufficiently sturdy to stand up to as much shooting as most people can afford.
For a while, Colt made a full-size lightweight Government Model but I'm not sure I ever saw one (they didn't look any different). However, the regular full sized model will start feeling heavy after a while. But everything said about them a hundred years ago is still true. While they have a relatively long barrel and the grip is maybe a half-inch or so longer, they are flatter than most recently introduced pistols.
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August 23, 2015, 10:18 AM | #22 |
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The 1911's really arent any flatter or fatter than most of the others, including many of the double stacks. In some cases, they are actually bigger. My Commander's and GM's measured grip thickness at their widest point, are actually thicker, than that of my Glocks.
I think a lot of it is perception, and a lack of experience with the different guns, to make realistic comparisons. I used to get told all the time, that my P220, P226, and 229, were "large" guns, and a lot bigger than things like 1911's. Yet when you compare them side by side, you'll see that those SIG's are actually Commander sized guns, and not the giants youre often led to believe. Then again, if youre basing your thoughts on experiences with smaller guns, YMMV. |
August 23, 2015, 04:57 PM | #23 |
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Carried a light weight commander in a leather pistol pocket IWB holster at a 5:00 position for more than a decade. Changed out holster daily (ya I bought 2 of the same just to do that in Az. in summer working outside), and wiped pistol every day and managed to avoid rust issues. She has a good bit of holster wear as you would expect and is as reliable now as it has always been.
Before anybody asks yes regular cleanings and p.m. has been done to keep it reliable. |
August 25, 2015, 07:47 PM | #24 |
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I carry a full size steel frame 1911a1 as my EDC and have for years proper belt holster it has served me well, You have to try and then decide. one day is not a trail go for a week at least.
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August 25, 2015, 08:02 PM | #25 | |
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Trying it with less than optimal gear is also a problem, and just exacerbates things. If youre serious about things, you understand this is more an on going journey than it is a quick decision. You also only really learn by trying, no matter how much you read or hear. |
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