for everyday carry
- Thread starter dben002
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I carried a full size 1911 for years. Still do sometimes. Up here I carry a CSX sometimes and also carry a Kimber CDP PRO II. The Kimber is a light weight Commander with great accuracy and a nice trigger. Just can't go wrong with a 1911.
Another LW Commander fan...
OP
I too carry the new E-Series CSX 3.6 inch appendix but thinking I want a regular size 1911 for winter time and would probably carry it outside waistband right hip
I've had 1911's in Colt, Springfield, Ruger, and RIA. All in .45 acp. If I had to have one for everyday carry, I'm afraid I'd have to go with my Springfield in 9mm.
I carried an original lightweight Colt Defender Series 90 .45 (ca. 2000) for quite a few years, and it was an excellent pistol. I replaced the chunky Colt rubber stocks with either some slim rosewood grips or some slim Pachmayr non-slip grips. I also used that Defender in a Personal Defense pistol course and it performed flawlessly. A couple of years ago I started shooting Action Steel and USPSA Limited, and I ended up trading the Defender towards a new SIG P320X5 Legion. I still miss it!
Throughout the 80s I tried several versions of the 1911, all Colts, for a .45 EDC. In the end [1989] I settled on a Sig 220 DA/SA. later added a "compact" Sig 245...... CCO.... short butt [6rd mag vs 8] but a 4.1" barrel.
JoeDice
Member
1911 Everyday Carry
My favorite 1911 carry is my Springfield Armory Range Officer Compact. They are a CCO configuration officer sized aluminum frame with a 4 inch commander size slide/ barrel.. Carries nice all day in a OWB pancake holster . I have 2 , one 9mm and one .45ACP.
(Tried to upload pic but it won’t take me to my photos )
My favorite 1911 carry is my Springfield Armory Range Officer Compact. They are a CCO configuration officer sized aluminum frame with a 4 inch commander size slide/ barrel.. Carries nice all day in a OWB pancake holster . I have 2 , one 9mm and one .45ACP.
(Tried to upload pic but it won’t take me to my photos )
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Faulkner
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For me, a 1911 would be way down the list for every day carry. But if, by some twist of fate, that was all I could carry I have plenty of trouble free range time with my commander sized Tisas Tanker that I'm comfortable with it's reliability and accuracy. Might take me a minute to get used to that funky 1911 grip angle, though.
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Autonomous
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As much as I like shooting 1911s, a steel Government model is a heavy chunk for EDC.
For that duty an aluminum frame Commander model in 9mm would be my choice.
For that duty an aluminum frame Commander model in 9mm would be my choice.
Autonomous
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For heavier clothing have a lightweight Ruger commander (4 in slide) with 5 in barrel. Gives the velocity, but limits the weight a little
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While there is no denying the 45acp is one of the best SD rounds, I could not personally recommend any 1911 for all day carry, every day. When I first started out carrying 50 years ago I bought a Colt 1911 Series 80 steel frame 1911 and carried it for all of two weeks. I found it was just too heavy, too bulky and to large and all I could think about between hiking my pants back up every 10 steps was getting home to take it off. OK maybe I am a Wus, but I could not do it. Even though some of the shorter barreled and aluminum alloy frames are a little lighter, they are still too bulky for me except maybe in the dead of winter while wearing lots of clothing to hide a proper carry rig.
My carry piece up until 6 years ago was a 2" M60-7 after carrying a 2" M10 for 2 years or so. Six years ago I purchased a Sig P365 9mm and that was that - love the damned thing!
My carry piece up until 6 years ago was a 2" M60-7 after carrying a 2" M10 for 2 years or so. Six years ago I purchased a Sig P365 9mm and that was that - love the damned thing!
I guess if I really had to carry a 1911. I only have 1 that isnt some sort of custom competition gun. Needed a stock/duty type 1911 auto for the service gun match, when I switched from 3rd gen P/C S&Ws. Had a stock Brazilian frame Springfield loaded model. Sent it to Springfield Custom Shop and told them I need 1" or less at 25yds with 147 gr. and a 3.5 lb trigger. Added a Nowlin barrel and a new sear, that's it. Shot it about 20, 000 + rounds in competition and teaching 1911 transition schools. It loosened up a bit, so I had it hard chromed and bing, back to sub 1" at 25. Still one of my favorite guns to shoot, though I wouldn't carry it unless forced to.
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SGT ROCK 11B
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For 1911 it depends on your budget.
For EDC get Professional Training. Because unless you carry a 1911 as a LEO and some of us have for 50 years. The 1911 is not the best choice for everyone.
Darkenfast
Member
I only have one 1911, so it's an easy choice. Springfield Armory Ronin 10mm. Just for fun I've tried wearing it around the house. In spite of being almost eight ounces heavier than my other single-action auto (older Browning High Power), I found it was comfortable IWB cross-draw. I'm ambiclumsy, so I practice dry-fire drawing and firing drills with snap-caps and using either hands. While I'll never be a quick draw with my left hand, due to the one-sided safety, it was surprisingly smooth, once I worked out a technique. Right hand is fast, of course. With the exposed hammer, thumb safety, and grip safety, I feel very secure about IWB, especially when reholstering. With two Wilson Combat nine-round mags, plus one in the chamber, that gives me 19 rounds of 10mm. I was seriously considering a four-inch 686+ when I bought this instead. I think it's a better choice for a really versatile handgun. It's certainly a lot flatter! It's been fun renewing my acquaintance with the 1911 after a few decades since I was trained on one in the Navy. My poor Glock 17L is feeling neglected!
Redsoxfan
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Colt Defender
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