I can understand the popularity of the various polymers and exotic alloys used in pistol and revolver construction in an effort to accomplish one thing...save weight.

I understand it - I just don't abide by it. To clarify: I like weight, I appreciate weight, I search out weight. I like a nice semi-auto, as long as it satisfies two needs - it needs to be .45 caliber, and it needs to be steel.

Further, (this is just me, remember), though I do not disdain nor discredit it, I also do not personally prefer the 1911 platform, though I do like the comfort of an exposed hammer.

Thus, to me, I thought I had found the perfect companion - capable of concealment, yet hefty enough to satisfy my dinosaur-like preference for serious mass: the Sig Sauer P220 Carry Elite. I loved it so much I searched out and bought another just like it, except for wearing some Hogue American wooden grip panels that are slightly thinner than the factory Rosewoods - perfect! DA/SA with decocker, no external safety - not everyone's cup of tea, but works for me on all levels, including some seriously respectable accuracy. It(they) follow me faithfully, nestled in some very nice TT Gunleather.

Should have been the end of the story, but as so often happens in mid-life, another has turned my eye. New to me, though not to the market, and fulfilling all my wishes...a dark and lustrous CZ 97 B. Not a decocker, and with manual safety, a 10 + 1 steel-on-steel DA/SA beauty that can be carried in any condition (has a safety stop on the hammer). 4.8" barrel, so a tad larger framed than the Sigs, with thin aluminum grip panels, a fiber optic front sight, and screw-in barrel bushing...and thin!!, looking down the barrel, it looks about like ol' slabside himself. Gorgeous!

The cherry on top? This thing shoots...I mean shoots, I mean seriously - bring some buddies along so they'll believe you. CZ seems to have the ergonomics spot-on for me at least. Now, it is perhaps not exactly a deep concealment piece...I'm thinking a nicely worked leather OWB rig, I like a thumb-break...any suggestions?

Steel, steel, leather, and .45 caliber - it doesn't get much better!

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Do or do not. There is no try.

Got a W. German 220 in the mid/late 80s......... will shoot clover-leafs at 50 ft. ............. the 220 made me turn my back on 1911s (prefer not cocked and locked carry).

For compact carry check out the Sig 245 or 220 Compact....... almost the same gun........

Picked up a "Ernest Langdon" model... all steel...... 220.......

For my hands (large palms, short fingers), the width of the Sig (1.5") is a bit too wide. The same holds true with almost any double-stack pistol, regardless the caliber. Glock gets voted down for the same reason, as does Beretta. They just don't fit my hands.

I've carried a 1911 in several calibers (Super .38, 9mm, .45 Auto), and I've always felt quite well-armed with the single stack magazine. The controls are exactly where I want them, and mine have nothing hanging on that I don't need. I carry it in Condition One always. Whether the Officer's height frame, or full size; barrels from 3"-5"; I have a number of very good options.

The DA/SA feature seems like a solution to a non-existent problem. First shot long pull, instantly followed by losing the trigger. I have a DA/SA in .380 (Beretta 85FS), and I just don't see the need for the feature.

I've fired a number of Sigs (including the P220), and they're definitely a serious piece of hardware; just not my hardware. They're well-made and accurate. Great choice if they fit your hands.

This has been a given for over one hundred years now...almost a commandment for some shooters. I certainly don't find any fault in the concept.

I love my Glock 30S and will never part with it. I switched out the factory connector with a Ghost 3.5 lbs connector. I also switched out the factory trigger return spring with one that is either 0.5 lbs or 1.0 lbs lighter. It shoots like a dream now. Combine those parts with my tritium front sight and all black rear sights, the guns is VERY accurate. I haven't met anyone yet who didn't like it.

Pics Jst!!!

I'm loving my Sig 1911 .45 Commander.

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MSP - Retired

So nice to see someone who notes that there are more useful .45s out there than the 1911 platform.....

I agree with that except that I will note that steel and metal alloys, as found in many 3rd Gen S&W pistols, makes perfect sense in the comfort department. Yes, the lighter weight does contribute to a certain amount of increased recoil but, still, traditional double action, all metal, even if the hammer is not exposed like a CS-45, makes for a wonderful package.

Not that I'm opposed to 9mm, because I am not, but that's a different subject.

My favorite .45 ACP is an all-steel Tanfoglio EAA Witness, a very close copy of the CZ. Has a 4-1/2" barrel, and shoots a very good group. And it's heavy enough to soak up some recoil. For anyone who desires one of the long-extinct Bren Tens of "Miami Vice" fame, the EAA Witness is about as close as you can get to it.

I didn't even know CZ made a 97B in .45ACP, what is the difference between a SIG P220 and a 220 Carry Elite...help an old 1911 guy out here with some visuals!

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ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ

I respect your opinion.
I am a 1911 fan, but have 'compromised' slightly and adopted making use of a SIG 1911 Ultra Compact. I now rotate the SIG with a S&W 49 (38 Spl.) depending on how I dress and where I am going. I like them both and they serve different needs. Honestly, the 49 is the most comfortable EDC I have ever had.

Love my CZ 97 customized by CGW. If you want some real steel in a .45 for 1/3rd the price of a Wilson/Nighthawk/etc ... can't beat the CZ 97 and some customized work from the guys at Cajuns!!
I own a Wilson Professional, so I know what I'm talking about.

I am and always will be a 1911 guy. However, of late I have been considering retiring my daily carry gun. Its a 1959 vintage lightweight Commander in .45acp. It does have a couple of minor upgrades and I had it refinished by Colt a few years ago. This gun has been my primary carry for over 20 years. However, with the insane prices Colts bring these days, I'm thinking it may be time to make a switch.
The only real contender to replace it is my Mid-90s German made P220 .45acp. A new holster for it is due to arrive any day now. I'll see how the Sig carries before making a final decision.

I never knew what the 1911/45acp hype was all about till I purchased a functioning 1911. My norinco rocked before the build and really rocks now.
She shoots clusters and cloverleafs at 25yds no matter who shoots it.
I did all the work/mods on it myself. The norinco 1911 with its 5100 forged steel slide and frame is one of the best build platforms to start out with. I fitted a $59 surplus USGI barrel, a IAI NM barrel bushing.

I like to ccw cz82 in 9mm mak Da first shot.

Years back when the West German Sig P6's came on the market me and two of my buddies each bought one. We took care of the extra magazine problem when Aim Surplus started selling them. Mine show finish wear on the slide. No biggie as I like a little "character" on my handguns. I find it easier to shoot more accurately than my Baretta 92FS with a set of target sights. I bought some of the Swiss made Geco 9mm with the 124 grain bullet. had been shooting win white box 115 grain 9mm. The difference was like night and day. From what I can figure out the swiss 124 grain stuff is loaded to higher pressures and with the 124 grain bullet is a great combination. If I fing another P6 I'm going to buy it. ^That is how well they shoot and how muchh I like them. Frank

I also like the 220. I have a West German I bought back in about 1991 or so (when my agency started letting us carry .45s) and I have shot the snot out of it ever since. I would recommend changing out the springs every 5000 rds. or so. My trigger return spring went out during a combat course once. The 220 seems to be as lightweight as a Commander and just a little bulkier.

I like the 1911 too and have a Kimber Classic, but I carry the Sig when I carry a .45. Besides, everyone nowadays has to have a 1911 (just like an AR) and for some reason that kind of puts me off on it a little.

If you want heavy and steel, you can't go wrong with one of these.... It shoots wonderfully small groups with just about anything I've fed it so far.

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Tom
"Panem et Circenses"

I have a W. German Sig P220, a S&W 4566, a Springfield TRP 1911 and a Glock 21. They all do one thing and that's put rounds on target. That's as simple as it gets. That's all the satisfaction I need or want

After almost 20 years without a 1911 ........

About 18 months ago...at a LGS I came across a used Sig 1911 RCS compact..........at a great price.......couldn't resist...... Officers size frame and Commander length barrel/slide.... throw in some Wilson Combat 7rd compact magazines and a Sparks Summer Special...... and you are GTG for the perfect concealed carry 1911/.45!!!!!!

At my age, I don't want to be filling the house with un-needed possessions. But, I didn't own a Model 1911 and decided to add one, a S&W 1911, all steel, 5" tube. I'm no expert in differentiating the nuances of the various 1911s. I use the gun at the range and it isn't my primary HD gun. The Smith shoots accurately and reliably. So far, I've owned it about six years and I haven't had a stoppage, even with semi-wadcutters.

An article in the latest American Rifleman, about Les Baer handguns, explains why a $3000.00 Model 1911 is "better" than a $600.00 version. I simply can't justify tying up so much money in one handgun.

Sorry for lack of pics!!! May be able to get something posted this weekend...

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Do or do not. There is no try.

Trying to post some pics this weekend!

The Carry Elite has a shorter barrel and overall length by a half inch or so, but still is a full size frame. (Same 8+1 capacity) The 2 I have are stainless frame and slide, so may be even heavier than a 220 with alloy frame, also feature the short reset trigger and a pronounced beavertail.

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Do or do not. There is no try.

I liked my CZ97, enough that I had Hakan Pek make a set of panels for it.
The problem was, the bushing had a loose fit which I tightened using Teflon tape. The magazine also didn't seat very snug which sometimes caused the first round out to hitch on the bbl hood.
I was also discouraged to see other owners observing cracks in the thin web of the spring tunnel section of the slide. Those things plus it's girth and long DA trigger reach put me off toward the 1911.
I was an accurate shooter though, and it generally fed jhps just fine.

I like 1911s. I also like steel. I also like power boats AND sailboats.
Meaning, I like my Glock 41,too.
Whip me, beat me, call me Edna!

JST, you might like my "1911", a S&W Model 4506. I f I run out of ammo, I can use it as a club.