Full size 1911, practical CCW?

[El Biblioitecario]

I would suggest it is useless asking such a question, because different people of different stature put different values on what is practical. I weigh 155# and have comfortably carried a Colt Govt Model in Super 38--but I ain't you.

 

[sdb321]

1911 edc

I carry my 1911 in a Stoner Stormer Vertical shoulder rig. With this holster has a swivel built in, you draw the weapon horizontal and then the holster returns to the vertical position. It's very comfortable and very well made in Ohio.

 

[fredj338]

I carried a full size 1911 for a long time in a belt holster. Yes, it is heavy and only 7+1 rounds. So, I now carry a S&W M&P 45acp with 10 rounds. Much lighter in weight and more comfortable in my hand.

There are very reliable 8rd mags today. In my 10+1 state, I do not feel under gunned carrying 9rds & a spare mag in my 1911pd.

 

[Goldstar225]

For you at 6'1" and large frame I would say yes. I'm 5'7" and have carried an all steel full size 1911 but found it to be a bit much. Now I carry a lightweight commander size. I've found a stiff 1 3/4" belt to work best for me. OWB under an untucked shirt conceals well. Being retired now I don't have to concern myself with fashion. I have carried under a tucked in shirt using a Crossbreed Supertuck comfortably with no one able to spot it. That was before my waistline took up the spare space needed for the holster.

 

[joe44va]

I loved New Plymouth. Wonderful people.

 

[Whitwabit]

Carrying a 1911 for Conceal Carry is definitely doable
but they're so many other pistols that are easier and lighter
to conceal carry .. I think they are a dying breed .. Those
that do usually wear a suit jacket all day and wear OWB or IWB
high on the belt at either 4:30 or 8:30 ..

1911's from those I know isn't carried often in my area ..
other areas of the country might be different then here ..
Smith Autos, and then Glocks and other plastic guns
seem to prevail here from what I have seen on the range ..
probably 10 to 15 percent carry revolvers and many of
them are woman carrying in a purse .. Sigs and Beretta's
seem to be down the list some .. with a wide variety
of others in-between ..

 

[Retired Cop]

I use my 1911 for a paperweight on my desk and pocket carry a S&W Bodyguard 380. I don't have to pull my pants up all day or smell like a gas station with oil all over my clothes either!

 

[zeke]

Kimber ultra carry in summer, lightweight commander with extended barrel as soon as wearing a heavier shirt is comfortable. Belt and suspenders under untucked shirt.

 

[bigggbbruce]

I use my 1911 for a paperweight on my desk and pocket carry a S&W Bodyguard 380. I don't have to pull my pants up all day or smell like a gas station with oil all over my clothes either!

I have a question.. do you also troll 1911 forums with your point of view..?

 

[Wise_A]

Look, I'm just impressed he remembers to wear pants.

 

[one eye joe]

I like to read the concealed carry threads. And I would be lying if occasionally I didn't wander off in a daydream as to which of my pistols would be suitable for CCW, and even open carry, if I lived where it is allowed.

I had it narrowed down to my Astra Constable (PPK copy) .32 auto for concealed carry, IWB holster and spare 8 round mag on left side. Despite the short barrel and skimpy sights I can hit centre of mass groups at 25 yards with this pistol and face sized groups at 10 - 15 yards. Unfortunately it only reliably fires with Federal ammunition/primers, but then I carry Federal Hydra Shock ammo on duty and I am confident with it.

For open carry I thought one of my 1911's. .45 by preference but 9mm if I required by regulations.

Then today I read on the resurrected LEOSA thread someone mentioned concealed IWB carry of a .45 1911. My fist thought was full sized or Commander/Officers? After reading this I went out to the excursive machine and my mind started to wander off as the sweat started to run. I got to thinking, is a full sized 1911 suitable for CCW or is it just too much?

Now obviously I really have no practical knowledge or experience of this so..... What does everyone think?

Before the "There are so many factors" comments come in, here are some parameters.

Male, 6"1", larger frame (build) and 20 - 25 pounds over preferred weight.

4-5 o'clock IWB strong side carry with mag pouch IWB on weak side.

Cool weather clothing: loose jeans or expandable (elastic waist) casual trousers with 1 1/4 - 1 1/2" belt.

Reasonably loose button up shirt or polo shirt, tucked in and short vest.

Warm weather clothing: walk shorts with 1 1/4" belt. Loose polo shirt tucked in and usually a short vest.

Holster and mag pouches good quality IWB, steel reinforcing to hold open and the type that allow shirt to be tucked in (I just do not like the feel of an untucked shirt).

Feasible? Fantasy? Or possible with some adjustments (shorter length 1911 pistol only?)[/QUOTE

ITS PERFECTLY DOABLE. MY EDC WEAPON WAS A FULL SIZE, '70s SERIES, COLT GOLD CUP MK II IN A DESANTIS OWB, STRONG SIDE HOLSTER---ALONG WITH A DUAL MAG POUCH, ON THE WEAK SIDE, FOR 30 YEARS.....

I CARRIED 3 CHIP McCORMICK, 10 ROUND SHOOTING STAR MAGAZINES. WITH ONE IN THE TUBE, COCKED 'N LOCKED, I HAD 31 ROUNDS OF CORBON PowRball AMMO IN .45 ACP. THAT AMMO HAS A SLICK POLYMER BALL CRIMPED INTO THE JHP CAVITY. THIS ELIMINATES ANY FEEDING PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH THE "FLYING ASH TRAY" JHP DESIGNS, AND THE OGIVE SENSITIVE RAMPS OF THE 1911s. THE SHOOTING STAR MAGS ARE TOP QUALITY, AND PROVED TO BE 100% RELIABLE, IN MY EXPERIENCE......

IN THIS OL' SOLDIER'S OPINION---IF 31 ROUNDS OF .45 ACP CAN'T GET THE JOB DONE, ITS TIME TO POP SMOKE FOR A DUST OFF CHOPPER.....

 

[crazyphil]

Carrying a full size 1911 requires a good belt and holster. But you knew
that. On those occasions when I believe carrying the 1911 is in order,
I strap on this Milt Sparks belt and VMII IWB holster. I don't know of
anything that would be better.

 

[MetalMan]

I no longer have a full size 1911. When I did, it was carried in a Bianchi shoulder holster.

I have kept my Kimber Ultra Carry which rides quite comfortably IWB in a Milt Sparks VMII.

 

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

I have probably never carried a 1911 in a belt holster, but I have carried one a lot in a Milt Sparks Summer Special. It has been quite a few years since I carried one, but I remember that rig as THE one that I could rely on to be comfortable all day. It was the ONE that I chose when I was going to be out all day or longer and couldn't take my gun off.

I eventually got a LW Commander, but it was not as comfortable IWB, so the full-size Stainless Series 80 remained my favorite. This was because the muzzle of the CDR poked my right buttock, whereas the Gov't Model rested its slide on the same spot. Obviously, this was an individual situation, and probably wouldn't happen with most other folks.

Nowadays I mostly carry a 2" M15 in a belt holster, or a M12 in a pocket, but I'm pretty sure that the 1911 would still be a safe choice for an eighteen-hour day.

 

[BAM-BAM]

Carried a 1911 back in the 80s full size then a Commander...... switched to an alloy frame Sig 220 .45 in the late 80s. (Didn't like carrying Cocked and Locked)

In 1911s today I only own a Sig C3 which has an Officers model frame (6+1) with a Commanders +4" length slide....IMO the ideal concealed carry setup in a 1911! Wilson Combat mags... give you 7+1 with 8 round backup(s).

That said I often carry a Beretta 92 Centurion or Compact..... both with 4.25 inch barrel/slide .....


All of the above were/are carried concealed in Milt Sparks Summer Special IWB holsters.

 

[daddy bear]

Old cop here, TXDPS. In the 28 duty gun days, I was issued a 1911 when I was promoted to captain. I found it easier to carry in street clothing than the 28, by a wide margin. I was also issued a 2" square butt M&P. I found the 1911 as easy to carry in a close fitting pancake as the M&P, even though it is heavier. Remember, I was accustomed to the weight of the 28.

When we transitioned to the Sig 220, I kept the above two. I found the 1911 still useful on street clothes days. It digests the service ammo, 200 grain flying ash tray @1000+ fps. When I was promoted to Regional Commander, I was also issued a Sig 228 in 9mm. The flatter 1911 saw much more use with street clothing than did the 228.

When the .357s were retired, we were offered them at trade in prices. I bought my 28 and a pre-war 3 1/2" unregistered model that had been originally purchased for the Texas Rangers, also issued to me. When I retired, my staff purchased my issue 1911 and presented it to me. The M&Ps were not retired, but a few years ago I found a like new five screw 2" in a pawn shop and rescued it.

I have five J-frames. Now days, I mostly pocket carry a 42. If I'm not wearing a jacket, a handkerchief folded over the 42 breaks up the print. I like my several 60s, but the additional weight and the hammer are issues (I have never cut a hammer), and they are OK with jeans.

BTW if your 1911 drips oil and stains your clothing, it is overly oiled!

Your mileage may vary,

Jack

 

[Protected One]

While it's not a 1911, I have carried this Browning High Power comfortably in the Milt Sparks Summer Comfort holster. It's a full-sized gun and is my best shooter.
Open carry would be even easier in the leather DeSantis paddle holster that I have for it.

 

[BAM-BAM]

While it's not a 1911, I have carried this Browning High Power comfortably in the Milt Sparks Summer Comfort holster. It's a full-sized gun and is my best shooter.

One of the nicest 9mm ever made...... slim and easy to carry..... Mec-gar makes a nice 15rd flush fit magazine for the HP..... what I would carry if I carried Cocked and Locked.

IIRC a lot of folks carry a 1911 and a HP in the same holster.

 

[Retired Cop]

I have a question.. do you also troll 1911 forums with your point of view..?

Hummmm point of view???? Can you tell me why the military junked that clunker???? Now that's more than a point of view it is the naked truth and a FACT! The 1911 is Military Scrap! Sorry I didn't mean to hurt your feelings with the truth! The truth is a pesky thing it always comes out. Now on the positive side, you only have to tell it once as it never changes!!!!!! The 1911 is junk! The do make great conversation pieces and small boat anchors though!

Gaston Glock has improved the locked breech gun world by a gigantic leap into the future. Did you know that there are more Glocks in the world than any other brand????? Plastic guns are here to stay and S&W M&P Series are excellent examples of the modern world of today. 1911 stopped in 1912 This my point of view! Sorry if it offends you junk lovers! Do you drive a 1911 car too???

 

[nachogrande]

POSSIBLE YES, EASY, NO.

I THINK you guys that carried in any manner for decades have a huge advantage. Body size & cooler weather are a plus too. Just yesterday taking tree trimmings to the dump I got tired of pulling my shorts up & went about my business in a sleeveless Tee shirt & boxer briefs. I wouldn't attempt this in tightie whities & don't stop at the supermarket. A 1911 would not have worked. A small/light weapon in a wallet holster inside the Tee shirt pocket was fine. I really don't care about printing, BUT this is the gunshine state. Whatever works for you.