1911's - 4.25 vs 5 inch for concealed carry

[geen]

depending on time of year what im wearing and where im going I carry a 1911 .45scp 4.25 inch DW Guardian, 4 inch 9mm Kimber 1911 or springfield helcat in 9mm. the DW gets carried about 60% of the time, with and equal split for the other two.

 

[BAM-BAM]

Moved away from Colt 1911s in the late 80s.... in favor of a W. German Sig 220 which was no problem to carry in a Milt Sparks Summer Special. Later I added the "compact" version a Sig 245.

Also in cooler weather I'm known to carry a Beretta 92 Compact or Type-M single stack.

All the above,except the 245, have a 4.2-4.25 inch slide; and all are alloy frame guns. At 5'8" 5 inch guns IWB tend to dig into the car seat or chair.

 

[tmd17]

I have carried 1911's every day now for over 10 years. Until I got off my butt and customized my Colt New Agent early this year, it has been a commander size Wilson. Now, it is the New Agent Lightweight, coming in at 1 lb 8 oz vs the 2lb 1 oz Wilson. I carry IWB about 3 0'clock with a heavy belt.

 

[TheHobbyist]

The right grips, holster and belt can make all the difference. I forget how many 1911's I own or had own--it is a lot. Feeling the nostalgia, go for the short barrel 1911 is my vote. Should you want modern and tactical, then go Glock of which I know you have interest. All good. Enjoy.

 

[SixgunFife]

As with most concealed-carry on the belt, a GOOD belt and good holster will go a long way toward making whatever you want to carry doable.

For the last several years I’ve predominantly carried steel-framed five-inch 1911s in .45. My favorite holster is a style that another member mentioned, the Summer Special. Shown here is a version from Erik Little of Rafter-L Combat Leather fame, crafted under his revival of the Bruce Nelson Combat Leather line. My favorite OWB is a Milt Sparks Roadrunner, no longer officially cataloged but very much available to order. Both carry the 1911 high and canted forward. It works very well for me.

 

[TheHobbyist]

Hope you don't mind the additional commentary. While owning or having owned numerous 1911 platforms; I personally always enjoyed and thought perfection to be the GI Issue. Naturally, there are alternative thoughts, but the results have always worked for me.

 

[BigBelle]

I have both the 4 1/4" & 5" models. For accuracy, I find not much difference in the 2 sizes. As stated before what is you intended use? Will it be for range or carry. Myself I find carrying a 5" is just as easy as the 4 1/4". But with a Bobtail, I find printing not an issue at all with only a t-shirt.

 

[GUNMIKE]

I also have several 1911's in 45acp. From 3" to 5". My preferred carry is a Para Ordnance 5" light weight. With 14+1 it weighs a little more than a steel framed 8 rd 45 acp 1911. I am 6'2" and carry iwb easily, down here where jackets {and more so heavy coats} are rarely needed. Did it take getting used to...yes but so does the initial carrying of your first edc. Not for everyone but it is doable.

 

[Beemerguy53]

...I fell in love with the Bobtailed version of the Commander a few years back, they are like shooting a round butt S&W.

Exactly. I bought an Ed Brown Kobra Carry two years ago, and I love the way it fits my hand. (The grips are from WoodCaliber.)

 

[SuperMan]

Have got basically the same gun...Dan Wesson Guardian in .38 Super and had an extra 9mm barrel installed...it is about as perfect an out of the box carry gun as there is...

 

[Rocty]

A LW Commander in a Milt Sparks IWB, does the trick for me.

 

[Grayfox]

While I can carry a full size 1911 without any issues, I am a bit thin in the rear end area. For me, a Commander sized gun is more comfortable and easier to carry. Especially when seated in a vehicle. 3/4" may not sound like much, but for me, its a lot.

 

[Rpg]

I carry a Colt 1911 pretty exclusively: a Commander or Combatant Commander if I’m carrying IWB, a Government model if I’m carrying OWB.

I find that my presentation is much quicker from an IWB with a Commander than a Government model: the 3/4” difference in barrel length makes a noticeable difference! There is no difference in speed of presentation from OWB between the Commander and Government model for me.

The significant difference in weight between the Commander and either the Government model or Combat Commander makes the Commander the best choice for carrying concealed for me.

 

[zeke]

Till started wearing overalls, used to carry a light weight commander with 5 in barrel during heavy shirt months. Summer changes to 3 in alloy frame 1911. When carrying those 1911's and spare mag (s), am wearing suspenders under the cover shirt. And the suspenders are clipped to a heavy belt.

 

[Beemer-mark]

"I'm not seeing that much advantage of carrying it concealed compared to a 5 inch 1911. " Yup, it's called marketing.

 

[gwpercle]

For me ... when it comes to concealed carry ... it's not the length of the barrel that is hard to conceal ... 4" is about the same as 4.5" or 5 " ...
For me it's the 1911 butt that wants to poke out .
I like one that is a tad shorter in the grip .
For everything else ...full size 1911 all the way ... in 45 acp !
Gary

 

[sousana]

My Primary carry is either a Kimber Raptor Metaloyed, or a Safari Arms Matchmaster Metaloyed or a Colt Combat Elite all are the 5" versions. My BUG is usually either an Ultra Raptor Metaloyed, Safari Arms Black Widow Metaloyed, or a Colt Officers model, Metaloyed.

Holsters are generally:

PC----Miami Classic shoulder system OR Don Hume Leather IWB
BUG--Ankle holster or most usually ***.

Been carrying a 1911 concealed now since the very early 1980's and ain't had no issues, to this day, only the wife knows I carry, rest of my family have no idea.

 

[Doug M.]

Everyone is different. For myself, I found no real difference. The really huge issue is that the 5" platform tends to be more reliable. The shorter the slide assembly on a 1911 (not counting the EMP, which is scaled down in a broader sense), the more stuff has to be forced into the reduced cycle.

 

[Biggfoot44]

A 4.25 inch is still " close enough " geometry to JMB to be plenty reliable , but that's the limit .

Answer # 1 & 1.5 -

The 0.75 inch can sometimes make a difference , with certain styles of OWB, when carried under a shirt tail .

* For Me * , who generally dislikes IWB , a 5 inch 1911 is rare exception . But I'm a fairly big guy , and also minor differences in body contour make bigger difference than general " size" . But it's not inconceivable for someone that a Commander might fit their butt cheek better .

Answer #2 - A Combat Commander has a different balance in the hand than a 1911 . The balance point is closer to the hand , and balances more akin to " modern " LE Service size pistols . So personal preference .

*********************

As to size/ weight ? Modern market preferences favor small & very light . But historically , the concealed carry of full size duty type guns was common , and obviously possible . Obviously a good belt , and reasonably good holster are important , and a certain catagory of clothing . ( For me , that's already my regular non working wardrobe , but YMMV .

The flatness of 1911 does render advantages over say a 4in K Frame .

 

[jem102]

Exactly. I bought an Ed Brown Kobra Carry two years ago, and I love the way it fits my hand. (The grips are from WoodCaliber.)

Beemerguy,


Is that a blued or Gen3 coated pistol? If Gen3 how is the coating holding up?
Thanks.