1911 for concealed carry?

[samuelrp]

The Glock will run with very little lubrication, and is simple to use. But-If you ever shoot a 1911, you will certainly want to carry it. The recoil is actually less than the "snappy" G 19. The feel in your hand, accuracy, and trigger, make it one sweet shooter. At least that's my perception of the Springfield Loaded Champion. Lifetime warranty too.

 

[BobR1]

I switch around my carry guns all the time depending on weather, my mood, moon phase, if I will have to remove my jacket or coat, etc.

I have pretty much always owned a 5" 1911. My current one is a Colt XSE that has some Wilson Combat parts added, as well as custom work. As was said above, the factory magazines are in the box on the shelf. New and unused. I have a selection of Power Mags, and Wilson Combat 47D's for it. (probably around 12 or so total I would guess) I pretty much carry everything at 4 O'Clock. I switch holsters for the 1911 also. I carry in Serpa's some (Sand Tan & OD). I have a Rafter S (Black Shark Skin) Askens Avenger, as well as a Caldwell inside the waist band holster for it.
I have only owned one Commander so far, a 38 Super SN 543LW (Korean War Jet Jockey's personal carry gun) that went to a Colt collector. I never fired it.
If my threat level was above Green, the 1911 Colt would be my go to handgun for concealed carry.
Note: Always use the Thumb Safety PERIOD. It is no problem to swipe off as you are coming on target. If you are having a problem with remembering the safety, you are shooting Tupper Ware to much.

Like I said above I switch guns all the time. I carry my 638 J Frame quite a bit. Lately I have been carrying my 310 Night Guard 10mm Air Weight N Frame w/2.75" barrel. I carry my 4" 64 some. I carry my 3" 625, and this Winter I plan to start carrying my 4" 610 a little more. I sent Ray at Lobo an order for an Enhanced Pancake for it a while back. I should have it in 2 or 3 weeks.

The secret of carrying anything starts with a good belt, and a quality holster. Then tailor your clothing choices around that.
I wear a size to big long sleeve shirt, (with a long tail) like a jacket all the time in cool weather. You can hide anything under it. I was in MFA a couple days ago. They had a nice nylon jacket that was long enough to cover the bottom of your pants pockets. Great choice for concealed carry. Picking shirts that can be worn with the shirt tail out. The more you carry, the more you will learn about clothing choices.

The bottom line, The 1911 is not a problem to carry.

Bob

 

[Springfeildkid585]

Is a full size 1911 practical for concealed carry? I have never owned a 1911 but have considered buying one many times. It would be intended for range use but I'd like to carry it as well. Currently I CC a Glock 19(mid-size) or a snub J-frame or K-frame. I'm over 6' with average build. How much of an adjustment will it be to switch to a 1911 from what I have now?

I carry a Springfield Milspec full size M1911A1 all summer, no problems with a loose, unbuttoned button-up, covers hip carry as well as the vertical shoulder carry of my M7/M9 rig. I've even covered it in a simple clip iwb just throwing a tshirt over it. Switching weapons always takes some getting used to. A lot slimmer than a glock.

 

[Murdock]

Although I believe the alloy-frame Commander is nifty (I have two, one in .45 and the other in .38 Super) one of my 5-inch 1911's would be the last pistol I would get rid of.

If one uses IWB carry, I don't think the 5-inch guns are any more difficult to carry or conceal than a 3- or 4-inch gun.

Most ND's take place when re-holstering a sidearm. This was a big revelation when Glocks first got popular. The old shirt tail in the trigger guard was a contributor to Glock ND's in several documented cases. The thumb safety obviates such a mishap, whether on a 1911 or an M&P.

 

[oldafsp]

With me it all depends on the climate. Cooler weather is great and my full size 1911 is easy to carry.

Summertime and it's my 638 Bodyguard in the pocket of my cargo shorts or a IWB Don Hume open top leather rig.

For years I carried a Model 13 heavy barrel 4 " in a X-15 shoulder rig. Too restrictive, but nice while driving.

 

[don p]

Most folks these days are walking around in la-la land. I wear a 1911 in a OWB leather holster with a t-shirt and to date no problems.

 

[tops]

I have a 1911A1 Colt with a belt hook and it conceals very good. Pistols are not hard to conceal if you don't put them in a holster. Larry

 

[Ranger98]

S&W 1911 Pro Series Sub Compact & Pocket Holster

 

[chief38]

I own a bunch of Colt 1911's and I absolutely love 'em! That said....my daily carry piece is a M60 2" or a M65 3" S&W Revolver. Last Saturday I was heading to the Range for a day of shooting, and I just got the hankering to strap on one of my Colt 1911 Gov't models. I was using a strong side belt holster and for the first few hours it was OK. After 3 hours or so, I started feeling the gun drag on my side. By the end of the day I just couldn't wait to get into the house and rip it off!

As much as I love my 1911's, I think I remember now why I carry a S&W Snub Nosed revolver! It was just too damn heavy, bulky and uncomfortable for me. And by the way, I am 6 feet, 200 pounds, so I am not what you would consider a small framed guy. Being that I commonly carry all day long, a 1911 (for me) is just a bit too much for concealed carry. The ONLY way I could ever carry that gun is if I was in a position to wear a Military style holster. Since that is out of the question here, I'll stick to the Smith's that I can carry all day long and barely even notice.

Chief38

 

[turbo38gn]

I prefer carrying the largest caliber gun I can conceal. My favorite carry gun has been my M&P40c, the 45c has not been legal in Ma. Lately I have carried one of my SW1911Sc models, 41\4 barrel and a Scandium frame. Not too bad to carry, more noticeable at the end of the day when I carry in an OWB holster. I have been carrying my M&P's in an IWB holster and that makes all the differance in the world. I am ordering another crossbreed IWB for my 1911's and am sure it will work better for me. I also just picked up another SW1911 Pro Series from Lew Horton. It's a 3" barrel so I feel it will give me a little lighter load to carry without giving up the power of a 45acp..

My new carry gun

this is what I've been carrying lately

 

[oldman45]

I own a bunch of Colt 1911's and I absolutely love 'em! That said....my daily carry piece is a M60 2" or a M65 3" S&W Revolver. Last Saturday I was heading to the Range for a day of shooting, and I just got the hankering to strap on one of my Colt 1911 Gov't models. I was using a strong side belt holster and for the first few hours it was OK. After 3 hours or so, I started feeling the gun drag on my side. By the end of the day I just couldn't wait to get into the house and rip it off!

As much as I love my 1911's, I think I remember now why I carry a S&W Snub Nosed revolver! It was just too damn heavy, bulky and uncomfortable for me. And by the way, I am 6 feet, 200 pounds, so I am not what you would consider a small framed guy. Being that I commonly carry all day long, a 1911 (for me) is just a bit too much for concealed carry. The ONLY way I could ever carry that gun is if I was in a position to wear a Military style holster. Since that is out of the question here, I'll stick to the Smith's that I can carry all day long and barely even notice.

Chief38

Chief, I understand where you are coming from on the carry issue. You also prove my point in that people do not carry enough to get accustomed to a different gun. One day of carry with a heavier or different gun can be a miserable experience. It takes time to find the right combination of holster, carry position and balance before it will become comfortable. I actually grew to enjoy wearing a bellyband holster as I began carrying a full size 1911. Now I am comfortable with a IWB, properly adjusted shoulder holster or Mexican carry. We have to allow ourselves time to get used to a different type carry and one day or a few hours is not going to give us enough time.

 

[turbo38gn]

Chief, I understand where you are coming from on the carry issue. You also prove my point in that people do not carry enough to get accustomed to a different gun. One day of carry with a heavier or different gun can be a miserable experience. It takes time to find the right combination of holster, carry position and balance before it will become comfortable. I actually grew to enjoy wearing a bellyband holster as I began carrying a full size 1911. Now I am comfortable with a IWB, properly adjusted shoulder holster or Mexican carry. We have to allow ourselves time to get used to a different type carry and one day or a few hours is not going to give us enough time.

I absolutely couldn't agree more. I couldn't figure out why my father had so many holsters when I first started going through his stuff... after carrying for the last almost 2 years.... I have bought about 20 plus holsters. IWB seems to be the most comfortable to use when I carry concealed and my waist band allows it.

 

[donniedee]

i pack a series 70 colt 1911 gold cup on and off duty is very flat hides under a t shirt untill i got my iwb holster from lobo now the pre 27 3.5 with full house magnums gets the off duty nod

 

[venomballistics]

had myself a classic long day yesterday.
making a few runs the starter in my faithful Buick decided not to be faithful, thus magically transforming me into a pedestrian.
couple bags of perishables and my sidearm joined me for a leisurely stroll through town.
sidearm is a full size 1911 in a crossbreed IWB.
I didnt notice it at all through my 3 mile forced march. I certainly noticed the bags of goods and the hills between there and here.
With the advent of all the ultra light and ultra compact sidearms like our 300 series smith revolvers, Ruger, LCR, LCP, LC9 and the line of Khar pistols, the perceived viability of a full sized auto has endured a good bit of undue poisoning.
elsewhere on the forum, a 340SC gave up on a member.
thread is HERE.
I dont think these new breed of ultra light ultra compact exotic guns are really cut out for the high volume range time needed to gain and maintain proficiency.
the old school variants, on the other hand, can
Make mine a full dress heavy metal 1911.
I can live with it, it can live with me, and most importantly, we dont get in each others way.

 

[Evil One]

I do a bit of physical work, climbing lifting, etc.
For work I pocket carry, Taurus 445, Kel Tec P11.
When off work I carry a full size 1911 IWB in an Adams Holsters Texas rig.
Proper holster is the key.
For the most part I forget it is there.
However I cant wait to start carrying my Combat Master.


Jim

 

[michael thornton]

I do carry a full size 1911 at times, but have became so spoiled with my mod 38 airweight thats about all i carry, the 1911 is fairly easy to hide due to the flatness, and its hard to beat the 45 acp!

 

[Bicky Robby]

With the right belt and holster, a 1911 can be carried concealed.

 

[cochise]

With the right belt and holster, a 1911 can be carried concealed.

Excellent statement, pretty much sums it up.
A Milt Sparks belt and holster is what I use and my 1911 carries easier, more comfortable than my S&W model 60.

The issue as usual is money, $130 to $200 for a belt and holster is allot of bucko's.

 

[Springfeildkid585]

I own a bunch of Colt 1911's and I absolutely love 'em! That said....my daily carry piece is a M60 2" or a M65 3" S&W Revolver. Last Saturday I was heading to the Range for a day of shooting, and I just got the hankering to strap on one of my Colt 1911 Gov't models. I was using a strong side belt holster and for the first few hours it was OK. After 3 hours or so, I started feeling the gun drag on my side. By the end of the day I just couldn't wait to get into the house and rip it off!

As much as I love my 1911's, I think I remember now why I carry a S&W Snub Nosed revolver! It was just too damn heavy, bulky and uncomfortable for me. And by the way, I am 6 feet, 200 pounds, so I am not what you would consider a small framed guy. Being that I commonly carry all day long, a 1911 (for me) is just a bit too much for concealed carry. The ONLY way I could ever carry that gun is if I was in a position to wear a Military style holster. Since that is out of the question here, I'll stick to the Smith's that I can carry all day long and barely even notice.

Chief38

I wear a military issue M7/M9 rig on a regular basis under my jacket.

 

[turbo38gn]

Here an update for my 1911's.... been carrying my new 3" Pro Series SW1911 in my Crossbread IWB supper tuck, don't even know it's there at the end of the day.Switched over to my OWB DiSantis #085-35 high ride, I love it!!