Well I bought the latest in my quest for the perfect carry gun last night , a 3" Kimber 1911 Ultra CDP. For quite a few years now I've been looking for the "inbetween gun", the gun that is in between a pocket carried j-frame and a full sized belt carried gun. I've accumulated quite the long list; Glock 36, Glock 23, HK P2000, Sig 229 and an M&Pc.

I've always looked for something that I shot as well as the 1911 but never could find it. I was leary of the short barreled 1911's with their reputation for poor reliability so I had avaided them. After a lot of research, I finally gave into the darkside and bought the Kimber. I'm just hoping this isn't the latest chapter in a never ending story...

I had good luck with the CDP that's one size up, the Commander sized variant. The only time it ever malfunctioned was with an old GI suplus magazine. The manager of the gunshop that I bought it from carried the model that you bought. He seemed happy with it. From what I understand of the smaller 1911s, some may need to be fed FMJs to run 100 percent.

H&K P7-M8

I think for most people the perfect carry gun is the one they just bought - and then they see another!

I've never considered that there was a "perfect" carry gun; ONLY the biggest that you can adaquately conceal and rapidly with accuracy, fire. Nine times out of ten, you will find me carrying a 2.5" snubnose .357. For me, it's as near to ideal as I can get. Ever once in a while yo will catch me with a Glock 21. Opposite ends of the spectrum. If you have found what is ideal for you, that is wonderful!!

I was out the other night well after midnight in a bad part of town on an unscheduled trip. I was wishing I had that 13 round magizine .45. All's well that ends well. I left that location at a high rate of fuel consumption, in a most expeditious manner.

________________________________________________
"I'm just hoping this isn't the latest chapter in a never ending story..."
________________________________________________

Ummm.....I don't know how to tell you this..but....it is !! Enjoy the journey !

The perfect carry gun is the one you have on when you need it and can successfully deploy it to stop the threat!

I other words, one with adequate "stopping power" (although placement of shot is obviously more important) and convenient enough for YOUR tolerance and style of dress.

I have and carry my Kimber ultra CDP. It, or a 696 is usually my road trip gun. Don't over lube her and she should work fine. Mine is surprisingly accurate and the dual spring guide rod system they use dampens the 230 grain recoil well. The only 2 items I don't care for, are the on steroids sized thumb safety (ambi) and the straight main spring housing. Make that 3 things, the beavertail grip safety is sized out of proportion for it's application as well.
That said, she's perked along well since getting about 150 through her as break in.

I thought my Kimber Ultra-Carry was perfect. Now I think my new Ruger SP101 in .357 on my left ankle is perfect. However, when I have to go to my business off-hours I have the kimber with 2 spare 7 round mags.

I am sorry but I feel the 1911 is a poor choice for a carry pistol unless you have so much training that clicking your safety off becomes instinctual. That split second you might need your pistol and you miss that safety could be your life. I have read stories of even experienced shooters missing their safety. Go DAO. Keep it simple. Draw and pull the trigger.

I was on the same search and I think I have come to the conclusion that my Performance center 640-1 357mag in Matt Del Fatti leather is 99% perfect!

quote:

Originally posted by orangehole:
I am sorry but I feel the 1911 is a poor choice for a carry pistol unless you have so much training that clicking your safety off becomes instinctual. That split second you might need your pistol and you miss that safety could be your life. I have read stories of even experienced shooters missing their safety. Go DAO. Keep it simple. Draw and pull the trigger.

I was on the same search and I think I have come to the conclusion that my Performance center 640-1 357mag in Matt Del Fatti leather is 99% perfect!

What is 99% perfect for you might not be perfect for me. I like my 340pd because it's light weight makes it more likely to be on my person when I need it. Since I might be looking to increase my capacity, I might just have to get another 340 to balance out my other pocket

Though not much of a semi-auto guy, I've always enjoyed shooting 1911's. To me, the safety is not much of an issue, as my thumb just seems to know where to go.

Slight thread drift, 2000Z but have you considered any of the Kahr pistols?

I carried the same Colt Commander from 1980 to 2007. The only reason I changed guns is I had an identical gun made up with a full hard chrome finish and night sights.

I own and shoot a lot of different guns but when it comes to the balance of weight, power, shootability, concealability, reliability, the Commander just fits...

Bob

Well, let me tell you how this works. During the first year, you are packing a heavy, large caliber like a full-size .45 or L-frame 686. Then you start thinking, wow, all this agony and you start to experiment with all types of carry: to no avail..Along the way, you accumulate all styles/types of holsters for your "boxful of worthless holsters". When it's all said done, you are carrying the lightest gun that will slide in your pocket...
Yeah, I've heard the Clint Smith "comforting not blah, blah, blah....

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Big Foot,

quote:

Originally posted by Big Foot:
Well, let me tell you how this works. During the first year, you are packing a heavy, large caliber like a full-size .45 or L-frame 686. Then you start thinking, wow, all this agony and you start to experiment with all types of carry: to no avail..When it's all said done, you are carrying the lightest gun that will slide in your pocket...
Yeah, I've heard the Clint Smith "comforting not blah, blah, blah....

I went the other way. I started with a Glock 27 in .40 S&W, which is a tiny little critter that will fit comfortably in the back pocket of a pair of Wranglers.

From their I went to a Sheriff's Model Vaquero in .45 Colt, which I carried for a couple of years, alternating with a Ruger SP 101 snubby.

My latest carry gun is a 625 Mt. Gun in .45 Colt. I've been packing it pretty steadily when I'm away from work lately in an O'Rourke Leather hi-rise pancake holster, and I like it...

There seems to be a pattern developing here...

quote:

Originally posted by Big Foot:
Well, let me tell you how this works. During the first year, you are packing a heavy, large caliber like a full-size .45 or L-frame 686. Then you start thinking, wow, all this agony and you start to experiment with all types of carry: to no avail..When it's all said done, you are carrying the lightest gun that will slide in your pocket...
Yeah, I've heard the Clint Smith "comforting not blah, blah, blah....

+1 on that. Well said.
Being in hot, humid Florida limits me to pretty much pocket carry. Alternate between J frame 38, Kahr PM9, Seecanp 32, NAA 380. No worry about dressing to fit my gun, belts for holsters etc. A 32 in my pocket is better than blah blah.