need advice for a small lighter 1911

[79ipa]

I am currently carrying a full size steel frame 1911 around as a ccw. I have been doing this for about a year all the while thinking that I would like a lighter gun that conceals the grips alittle better. I am thinking that I would like to get a scandium framed 1911 in a 4.25 inch barreled version. Or at the least I could have a smith put an aluminum frame on my 1911 and have them bobtail the back of the frame.

I also see that smith and wesson has an officers frame 4.25 and a regular frame 4.25 1911 that might be nice.

My question is which 1911 do I want for my intended purpose and I really like the skinny frame on a 1911 and the redundant safety features of the gun.

 

[Wee Hooker]

FWIW, I had a early scandium 1911PD with the 4.25" barrel. Nice enough gun and the weight was a great improvement but I still thought it's grip /barrel profile a bit large for CC. Mine did have some reliability quirks with different ammo as I recall ( Sold it within a year of buying it.)

 

[Atlanta_SW40]

Springfield Micro Compact 45...the pocket 1911

 

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

I think that the right answer is very much dependent on body shape, holster choice, and clothing choice. Back when I was regularly carrying a stainless Government Model in a Milt Sparks Summer Special, I thought that a Commander (now called LW Commander) would be nice. I got one. It's lighter, very accurate with its fitted Bar-Sto barrel, and digs into my hip slightly because of the shorter barrel. I prefer the GM IWB. In a Mitch Rosen vertical belt holster, however, the CDR is very comfortable.

So, I found that the Gov't Model length was probably best, at least IWB. I found no need for a bobtail, either with a sport jacket or a shoot-me vest. My shoulders are far enough outboard of my waist that a normal sport jacket or suit jacket, at least unbuttoned, conceals the gun. Obviously, YMMV. Have you tried a bobtailed 1911? Does it fit your hand well enough for shooting?

At one time, I thought that what I really wanted was a full-size aluminum frame, but Colt doesn't make them, and I am one those rare birds that prefers a Series 80.

Hope that this raises the proper questions for you. Obviously, you know the answers better than I do.

 

[Spotteddog]

For my money, I'd have been better off not getting the Aluminum frame 3" 1911' for carry. It's too heavy in the frame area, for the ballast of the short slide/barrel, for belt carry IMHO.
Over the years I've tried Government model, S/S Commander (4 1/4"), L/W Commander, the Officer's sizing (3"). Once I had a rather exotic combination of an Officer length Aluminum frame, but with a Commander 4 1/4" length S/S slide. In retrospect, that last one was the best for long term belt carry of all of them. I feel due largely to the slide out weighing the frame? It was a bit waspy when fired due to the slightly shorter frame, but it carried beautifully!
IMHO, the two things that are a must for a carry 1911' are the grooved arched mainspring housing and smooth grip panels (at the very least the outside panel), regardless of frame size or slide length chosen.
JOMO?