wheel gunners thoughts on 1911 EDC

[kpla51]

Ok so I've carried J frames and love them. I shoot them well and don't feel under gunned. Something about the thought of carrying a 1911 intrigues me and I want to try it. The problem is if I spend money one one and end up not liking it then it will be sold for a loss. I do not collect nor do i have safe queens all my guns get carried or sold(except for the night stand or truck guns).

Im looking at a classic blued Comander 1911 thats the only style id want. No light weight models.
My question is if i should even attempt this or spend money on ammo and blasting away my j frame. All input would be greatly appreciated.

 

[wheelyfun66]

The 1911 is more of a commitment when carrying, due to it's shape and size.

Also, the whole "cocked & locked" thing means that you need to train train train your brain to ride the thumb safety (so it is not still engaged when you need to fire the weapon under stress).

The j-frame or similar snub revolver has more "organic" shape and curves, and lend themselves to easier concealment modes of carry (IMO).

The 1911 is an excellent shooter, if you do your part, and I always advocate carrying what you can shoot well!

 

[Otreb]

I carry J frames almost exclusively, but a good 1911 makes a great carry piece and they encourage frequent shooting and use with their ergo's accuracy and great trigger. I say get one.

 

[arjay]

I prefer the way a 1911 lays against my side,but the butt is harder to keep concealed.

 

[66snub]

I carry a 5" Smith E Series 1911 on the days when I will be out and about and will be wearing a jacket so that I can carry OWB. With a good belt and the right holster, they are all-day comfortable. I have several full-size carry pieces, both revolvers (K frames) and semi autos and am very at ease with my 1911 for carry.

 

[Geoduck]

FWIW, my EDC is either a full size or a commander length 1911 but I really like my revolvers (442, 686, 28 & Ruger NM Blackhawk). Depending on my attire either 1911 conceals easily although my j frame has it's place.

wheelyfun66 is correct about training with the 1911 and not just with the safety, failure drills are just about as important.

Personally it wouldn't surprise me if you get a 1911 then get torn on what you want to carry.

 

[kpla51]

FWIW, my EDC is either a full size or a commander length 1911 but I really like my revolvers (442, 686, 28 & Ruger NM Blackhawk). Depending on my attire either 1911 conceals easily although my j frame has it's place.

wheelyfun66 is correct about training with the 1911 and not just with the safety, failure drills are just about as important.

Personally it wouldn't surprise me if you get a 1911 then get torn on what you want to carry.

Thats what will be the hard part is picking which one to carry. There a colt commander thats blues at my px I might pick up.

 

[Rick_A]

I prefer the way a 1911 lays against my side,but the butt is harder to keep concealed.

This is pretty much it.

I can shoot my 1911 faster than anything else while maintaining good accuracy, but the butt end can be a pain to conceal unless dressed for the task.

 

[1sailor]

I hear from a lot of guys that they train constantly and can clear a jammed semi auto without even thinking about it since all their training caused "muscle memory". I usually ask them to hold up their weak arm as though fending off a hammer or a tire iron and then show me exactly how they clear their pistol.

 

[Georgia1911]

My preferred carry piece is a Colt CCO. The CCO is a Commander (4.5") slide on an Officer's frame, thus 0.75" shorter in length and 0.5" shorter in height than a 5" Government. However, lately, for various reasons, I have most often carried a J frame. I have even carried both at once. The 1911 is the spiritual cousin of the revolver given its long history and proven performance, so I am comfortable they can live in the same safe without bickering.

 

[jaymoore]

No disagreements with the above posts, but I've found the J frame an easier choice for everyday carry. For travel, I usually have a G34 with several spare mags and a light mounted, but it doesn't get carried much! A good ole 1911 Govn't Model is chosen most often for carry when having only the five rounds doesn't seem like quite enough, but the J frame usually comes along, too.

 

[Edmo]

I've found the 1911 generally receives varying comments based on the individual's point of view...

As seen by K/L frame guys: The 1911 is a great gun. I can carry more rounds than with my revolver and it is flatter to boot. It is about the same weight as my 3" 686, but not too heavy. Unless I've been carrying an Airweight J frame I don't notice the weight difference. The hammer back, cocked and locked is a little unnerving at first, but I got used to it.

As seen by 1911 fans: What else would you carry? John Browning got it right, otherwise it would not still be around over 100 years later. Anything designed after 1911 is a waste of time and effort or a feeble attempt at a defensive handgun. Don't even get me started on these plastic junk guns out there today. They just don't have a soul like the 1911 does. If it ain't a Colt, it's a copy. (Or insert your favorite brand specific snappy saying).

As seen by modern striker fired fans: It weighs how much? It only carries how many rounds? You've got to be kidding... What was the cost for this thing again? Why is it so complicated to field strip and clean? Did they need to use so many parts? Why do I have to learn to use a safety? Wait, you said it is a full sized auto but it only carries 7+1? What were they thinking?

I love the 1911 design and own a few. From a nostalgic view, you can't get a more classic American self defense auto... The 1911 is it. It has been swacking bad guys for over a century.

Are there lighter, smaller, higher capacity, easier to run, easier to maintain guns out there? Definately, but if you practice with it you will be hard pressed to be better armed. Do I carry one? I have at various times in the past, but now I'll likely have either a J frame or a GLOCK with me.

To the OP, you have the 1911 itch and it will only be scratched if you get one. Will you still like it and carry it after a few months? Only time and you can tell. Regardless of the brand you choose, make sure you run enough rounds through it to feel both confident in the reliability of the gun and your ability to run it.

I think you, like most of us, will find a warm spot in your heart for the 1911. Even if you still carry your J frame as your primary gun, your 1911 will likely become your favorite range gun.

Edmo

 

[Rpg]

I usually carry a lw Colt Commander.

I find it very easy to carry with the proper leather.

The 1911 requires significant commitment to learning the manual of arms. It is not a pistol you can master with a few trips to he range. Learning it correctly is much facilitated with formal instruction.

All that said, most folks can learn to shoot a 1911 very well: usually much better that a j frame or striker fired pistol.

Unfortunately, few invest the time to master the platform.

Those that do usually prefer it over any other platform.

 

[Biggfoot44]

A J Frame is what it is.

A 1911 ( Commander/ Combat Commander ) is what it is.

Sorry , crystal ball isn't working to know if YOU will like one more , less , or equally.

A 1911 patern pistol will require a good bit of learning and practice before carrying. If you are reasonably satisfied with 5rds in gun now , then you won't have any reservations with 7+1 .it will require more dressing around the gun than a J Frame , but slim magazine/ grip will be easier/ more comfortable than most double stack autos, and the Commander is similar in length to many "service" sized plastic guns , and once again slimmer than most.

 

[jeeps]

Both are good and have there places. Dress around them,a good IWB like the summer comfort with leather straps not metal clips that can fail. The 1911 and Hi-power can be used as easy as he J-frame. The J-frame is enough for ccw for John Doe and the 1911 is not a pocket gun,but a belt gun. http://www.galcogunleather.com/summer-comfort-inside-pant-holster_8_7_1306.html

 

[Shorty 45 MK2]

I hear from a lot of guys that they train constantly and can clear a jammed semi auto without even thinking about it since all their training caused "muscle memory". I usually ask them to hold up their weak arm as though fending off a hammer or a tire iron and then show me exactly how they clear their pistol.

Off my belt/holster, not as fast but still works.

To the OP, try looking for a used one so that if you don't like it, when you sale it the loss will be minimum.

 

[kpla51]

I might sell a few guns to fund one. I have had 1911s in the past before I had my ccw. They were great shooters and I was lucky enough to never have feeding or extracting issues even with wwb ammo. They were sold to fund carry guns. But since I have went through a few Cary guns and have landed on j frames it will be hard to switch.

 

[jeeps]

Yes the J-frame has always been the Gold Standard in a defense carry gun. Its hard to improve on and they are as good today as they were 75 years ago. If I had one it would be a J-frame. They just plain work and work. A plain G.I.rock Island 45 works fine for a working gun.

 

[H Richard]

You may wish to try a less expensive, (but no excuses in the reliability/accuracy area's), and look at a Rock Island Armory. The RIA has a Compact model, in both 9mm and .45 ACP that is the same size as an Officers model, 3 1/2" barrel, and 6 Rd magazine (in 45) 8 Rd in 9mm. I have both, and am well pleased with both. The 9mm is rapidly becoming one of my favorites.



I did replace the grips on the 9mm.

The .45 I have had for 8 years, and originally weren't furnished with beaver-tail grip safety or decent sights. I installed both, and they now come set up as the 9mm is, ready to go.

 

[Cpo1944]

If you buy a used 1911, and don`t like it you should be able to sell it for what it cost you, so you will not loose anything. I bet you`ll like the 1911 and keep both it and the J frame.

 

[BAM-BAM]

My first .45s through most of the 80s were Colt 1911s... first a Gold Cup.....then a Commander.... finally a LW Commander...

Didn't carry any of them much; back then a 3" 65 or a 2.5" 19 were my carry guns ........... didn't like/feel comfortable with "Cocked and locked"

about 1988..... I switched to a Sig 220 w/ decocker and didn't have a 1911 for about 25years....... my concealed carry .45 is a Sig 245 (6+1).

I did buy a used Sig 3C (CCO officers Frame/commander's 4.25" slide) about 2 years ago.....nice to have a 1911........ in the safe!!!!!

 

[grumpy7159]

My EDC is a J-frame or a SIG. I use to carry a 1911 but it is a low serial # smith. I stopped carrying it when it came back from S&W on a recall. I had replaced it with a backup. As for "cocked and Locked" Cylinder and Slide has a conversion that allows the hammer down on a loaded chamber and recocks when the safety is moved to the fire position.

 

[WhitleyStu]

I have carried all sizes of handguns over the last 42 years, but have pretty much settled on a J frame for the last decade. However, when it comes to spending a few relaxing hours in the backyard target shooting a 1911 is always my first choice. As your finances allow, in the future, you might consider investing in a 1911 design pistol then decide whether to carry it or keep it back for target. I do carry my 1911 and J frame when I feel like having more than one handgun with me.

 

[one eye joe]

I CARRIED A FULL SIZE 1911 AS A BUG FOR A YEAR IN VIETNAM. WHEN I RETURNED I PURCHASED A COLT GOVT. MODEL FOR EDC. I HAVE ALSO OWNED OFFICERS MODELS AND COMMANDERS. THE FULL SIZE MODELS ARE THE EASIEST TO RACK THE SLIDES. I CARRIED THE FULL SIZE 1911S FOR 40 YRS, COCKED & LOCKED, WITH A 10 ROUND EXTENDED MAG IN THE WEAPON, AND 2 MORE MAGS ON MY BELT. PHYSICAL DISABILITY ASSOCIATED WITH EXPOSURE TO AGENT ORANGE HAS CAUSED ME TO REVISE MY ARMAMENT. THE 1911 DOES REQUIRE A COMMITMENT TO LEARN THE OPERATION OF THE WEAPON, HOW TO CLEAR JAMS, AND DEAL WITH STOPPAGES. BUY A USED ONE. THEY ARE PLENTIFUL, AND NOT OUTRAGEOUSLY EXPENSIVE. YOU WILL PROBABLY BE ABLE TO SELL IT FOR WHAT YOU PAID FOR IT, IF YOU DONT LIKE IT. SERIES '70 COLTS FETCH A PREMIUM BECAUSE BULLSEYE SHOOTERS PREFER THE TRIGGERS OVER THE '80 SERIES GUNS. THE '80 SERIES IS A SAFER GUN TO CARRY COCKED AND LOCKED. I DEFINITELY THINK IT'S WORTH A TRY IF YOU ARE SO INCLINED…..

 

[chief38]

I LOVE Colt 1911's and own several. I did make an attempt to use it as my EDC CCW about 32 years ago and that lasted a whole week! In one sentence, it's just too large and heavy! I wound up taking it off at work and sticking it in my desk draw - not a good thing!

Yes, the .45 ACP is one of the best stoppers, and the Colt is one of the most reliable 1911's, but I could not comfortably and practically have it on me all the time. One week later my M60 was back on the job.

The other piece in the puzzle is IF I ever had a misfire or jam with an Auto it takes much skill and practice to survive that malfunction while under attack. A revolver is just advanced to the next round IF you should get a Dud by simply pulling the trigger again. YMMV

 

[StrawHat]

I EDC an "N" frame in 45 ACP, ever since I built it in the 80s. Recently, okay maybe three years ago, I gained enough weight the I resemble my revolver, rounder in the middle than on the ends. Because I like the 45 ACP I looked into the 1911. I was able to borrow one from my brother, several actually. I feel I have given them a good try, they do not give me the same felling of warm and fuzzy comfort when I holster them as I get when I holster my "N" frame. I shoot them well and can work them reasonably well. The full sized Series 80 has a good feel. He also has a Commander slide and barrel on an Officers frame that is my favorite. Still, I need to loose weigh to comfortably carry my "N" frame.

Is there anyone you know with a 1911? Perhaps you could arrange a loan and see if the platform even begins to agree with you.

 

[LimaCharlie]

I love my revolvers, but I carry a 5" 1911 in either .45 ACP or 10mm plus a spare magazine from when I get dressed until it goes on the nightstand when I go to bed. I shoot one of my 1911s faster and more accurately than a double-action revolver.

For woods carry, I often switch to my 4" S&W 29-2 .44 magnum for bear protection.

 

[johngalt]

I LOVE Colt 1911's and own several. I did make an attempt to use it as my EDC CCW about 32 years ago and that lasted a whole week! In one sentence, it's just too large and heavy! I wound up taking it off at work and sticking it in my desk draw - not a good thing!

Yes, the .45 ACP is one of the best stoppers, and the Colt is one of the most reliable 1911's, but I could not comfortably and practically have it on me all the time. One week later my M60 was back on the job.

The other piece in the puzzle is IF I ever had a misfire or jam with an Auto it takes much skill and practice to survive that malfunction while under attack. A revolver is just advanced to the next round IF you should get a Dud by simply pulling the trigger again. YMMV

A dud round is probably the most unlikely malfunction that occurs, except for .22. I don't think I have ever had a center fire cartidge fail to fire, except for my revolver with a light mainspring mixed with CCI primers.

If a FTF or FTE occurs with an auto, it is possible to clear it. A revolver doesn't have those issues, but the cylinder can be tied up for various reasons. If it does malfunction there is a good chance it can't be fixed quickly.

Just saying that revolvers are not immune to failures, they are just different.

 

[BigBill]

I never have a ftf or ftl or jam with any 1911's. Shoot hard ball ammo, that's what it's build and designed for. I only have the 5" barrels.
Every gun owner should own a 1911 and a s&w n frame revolver.
My 1911 setup is,
1. FLGR W/18# recoil spring. The extra weight up front makes the 1911 more controllable. The 18# recoil spring cuts down on the over travel and lessens the cycle timing.
2. Polish the feed ramp. Remove the finish and the machine marks.
3. Lube it with moly. Lube the frame rails and springs.
4. Load the first round from the magazine. If you load the first round by hand into the chamber and slam the slide shut you can unspring the attention on the extractor causing ftf in the future. This is mainly the cause of ftf in the 1911. It's operator error.

The 1911 is a fine weapon if we follow the simple rules. Load any pistol from its magazine.

I just built my first 1911. It came out awesome. I tweeked and tuned it besides installing and fitting a new barrel and NM barrel bushing along with some other mods. She now shoots clusters and clover leads @ 25 yards no matter who shoots it. I have a 100% lockup on the barrel. If you need help let me know.

I carried a 44mag for 4 Decades so the 1911 is a paperweight to me.

Buy it, shoot it and carry it, she will grow on you.

 

[BigBill]

I might sell a few guns to fund one. I have had 1911s in the past before I had my ccw. They were great shooters and I was lucky enough to never have feeding or extracting issues even with wwb ammo. They were sold to fund carry guns. But since I have went through a few Cary guns and have landed on j frames it will be hard to switch.

There are some awesome low budget priced new no frills, no bells and no whistle USGI 1911a1's being offered. The auto ordnance US ARMY ww2 copy is one of them. It's the closest clone of the original ww2 1911 as we can get at a affordable price. She's manufactured in Wooster,mass. If your looking for a all forged steel 1911 the Springfield armory 1911's are all forged steel.
My new AO has been flawless for over 500rds. I wanted a cheap ccw, shooter, truck 1911 and the AO is better than what I wanted.