What 1911 for CCW?

[smoothpull]

Wow, what a wonderful topic...Like many on this board, I have shot just about every style of semi-auto there is available polymer included. Had resisted owning a 1911. I knew nothing about them but had a predjuice against them for some odd reason. Earlier this summer I spent more time reading about competitive shooting and just about everyone shoots on that 1911 frame. Well the evidence won me over and after several months of searching I purchased a reasonable Loaded Combat SA. After a few well suggested changes to fit my needs it is a great gun. Now my problem is deciding which 1911 to use for CCW. Looking for any suggestions...3in barrel and up. I have no bias toward any make or model. Thanks for the suggestions....

[gottripletsNC]

Colt Commander 4.25" barrel
SA Micro Compact 3" barrel GI is all steel, Loaded is lightweight I believe
SA Ultra Compact 3.5" barrel
Don't know enough about Para-Ordnances.
Personally don't like Kimbers, but thats just me.

[BrianNJ]

Considering you didn't mention a budget limit, I would take a look at Wilson Combat. www.wilsoncombat.com. They have a good reputation and I think they make a great product. I really like their Professional model. They run in the 2k to 3k range. Now, if your budget is limited, there are many other nice 1911's out there. Nothing wrong with a Springfield. They offer different sizes to fit your needs. Kimber is another maker to take a look at. www.kimberamerica.com. Their products run around $800-$1500 range. Some guys like to carry a full sized 1911 and seem to pull it off fine. For me, I like the idea of a four inch barrel with a full sized grip. I guess the 3" barrel with the shortened grip would be easier to conceal but I hear that some short guns can be finicky. I'm sure you will get some additional input from other members. Good luck.

[tombstone]

Wow - this is gonna be fun....
I would prefer the Colt XSE Lightweight Commander: medium length barrel/slide for excellent reliability and ballistics; a little bit lighter than the steel frame Commander for carry; and, it's a Colt.

[garrettwc]

OK. I'm going to ask the obvious. Since you already have a good 1911 in the Springfield Loaded, why not carry that one?

[Gunslingers]

First and foremost a carry gun has to be 100% reliable. I would go with either a Nighthawk Custom Talon IV, Talon II Bobtail, or a Deutonics USA Combat Master. I don't think you can go wrong with either one of these.

[wichaka]

OK. I'm going to ask the obvious. Since you already have a good 1911 in the Springfield Loaded, why not carry that one?

Me thinks he wants something a bit more concealable?

[Rob1035]

I have a SA Loaded (park'd night sights) and an Ultra Compact, and honestly, I carry the Loaded about 75% of the time...

[wichaka]

Just saw that someone has a Loaded SS Champion for sale on here, might give that one a look. It'll match your other Loaded.

[garrettwc]

Me thinks he wants something a bit more concealable?
Perhaps, but unless he is going for the 3" Micros, he's not going to gain much in the way of concealment.

[marinakorp]

I carry the Kimber Ultra Carry II

Aluminum frame (light)
3" barrel

Light and can carry all day without issue, have a few thousand trouble free rounds down range with her since tuning the extractor and new spring (was bought used, so not telling how many before were down pipe before I got her)

Occasionally I carry my TLE II (used mostly for IDPA)... is a little heavier, but not mutch... in the same holster. The only major difference I notice is that it is a little longer and hangs a little lower.

I'm sure If I searched for a better holster, the 5" would be just fine for CCW

Since you already have a springer... why not get a micro?


Why noy try an officers frame with the 4.25 barrel?

LOTS of options

Got to say.... LOVE my Kimber UCII (internal extractor).. usually carry that and 2 spare mags fully loaded with little issue


oh.. and get wilson combat mags... they are better than most factory mags

[Deacon Aegis]

I'm very curious about how the feed ramp on that aluminum frame is wearing? Does it have a steel insert and if not, are you shooting hollow points or keeping yourself to ball ammo. I'm beginning to learn that hollowpoints tear the heck out of the light alloy frames and have seen two or three go through the shop now that had so much errosion of material around the feedramp because of hollowpoints and the lighter aluminum alloys. Did Kimber mill in a steel insert to counter that in the Ultra Carry II? Thanks for the info. :)

[Monkey With a Gun]

choices, choices.
im NOT a fan of front serrations so my choices are limited.

im no expert but ive been looking around and im leaning hard towards this one, its real hard to beat the warranty and customer service.
PC9102 Custom Carry
"The ultimate carry gun: perfect for duty use, home defense or casual competition! Available in 3 different sizes: full sized, Champion or Compact, in all steel or with a lightweight alloy frame. Excellent reliability and accuracy make this a pistol one you can depend on"

http://www.springfield-armory.com/images/Custom/PC9102Large.jpg

[primersinmyshoe]

My choice for concealed carry is a Kimber Grand Raptor. It's a full size 1911 with night sights - and I've added a Crimson Trace laser grip. I carry it in an IWB horsehide rig made by 5Shot Leather. To carry a full size 1911 you must have a rock solid belt-holster combo, or the gun will sag, move around, and just make itself obnoxious. Wearing a loose fitting shirt hides everything. I used to be a "tuck it in" kind of guy, but now I've changed my dressing style to fit my needs.

[Baldy]

May I suggest the S&W 41/4" PD scandium frame at 28oz. I carry with a IWB holster. I wear it everywhere. Don't even know it's there after a few minuets.
http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h268/4Baldy/IMG_1631.jpg

[marinakorp]

I'm very curious about how the feed ramp on that aluminum frame is wearing? Does it have a steel insert and if not, are you shooting hollow points or keeping yourself to ball ammo. I'm beginning to learn that hollowpoints tear the heck out of the light alloy frames and have seen two or three go through the shop now that had so much errosion of material around the feedramp because of hollowpoints and the lighter aluminum alloys. Did Kimber mill in a steel insert to counter that in the Ultra Carry II? Thanks for the info. :)


I have fed a few thousand ball ammo usually WWB from wally world / reloads etc to keep in practice, but only use a few hundred hollow point to ensure they feed properly (they do) and every year or so fire the box out and re-plenish to make sure the carry ammo is still feeding properly...no issues

really is a wonderful piece to shoot... doesn't kick as bad as you would expect a light weight frame short barrel to do... have had a few sessions with 500 + down range (you will notice it at that point!) and replace the springs every 500 - 1000 rounds (every year... make it a habit ant it won't let you down)


I'll try and take some pics when I break it down for cleaning so you can get an idea of the internals

I was pleasantly surprised with the quality of the piece, relibility (once tuned properly new springs and extractor tensioning) has not been an issue and I carry it daily and am fully confident the weapon will function when I need it to... went to kimber for analysis and returned the same way, but then I chose to send to a relible smith for analysis, and found the extractor needed proper tension... no biggie and paid him for his time and experience for my piece of mind (used weapon). Since then I bought an extractor tensioner and replaced the extractor (a few bucks or so from brownells)

Many shorter length barreled .45 seem to require some sort of tuning to get them running perfectly (aparently nature of the short barrel) ... some have gone one record that they won't trust anything under 4.25 (or so) inches as it was not intended to be that short... but I believe that they are reliable. Mine has proven to be so and as accurate as I could hope at 15 yards


good luck with your decision... try and get to a range and see if they have any that you can shoot...

If you live / can get near to near philly PA...arrangements can be made to shoot mine... always looking for a reason to get to the range

[4merFMF]

Well, since it has yet to be mentioned (and it will give me a chance to show of another pic of this beauty :D ), short of a custom job I can think of nothing better than the Colt Gunsite CCO.

http://img207.imageshack.us/img207/8303/dscn0157du6.jpg

I may sound like a broken record, but if you haven't handled or shot one, they are incredible. 4.25 inch barrel with a light weight officers frame. With IWB, it really disappears. Mine remains 100% reliable with FMJ and hollowpoints. If you gotta go micro, you gotta go micro, however.

[marinakorp]

Took Some pics... you tell me if I have an issue (think I am seeing some wear now that I get in to it)

Take a look at pic 3

http://www.marinakorp.com/Guns/PICS/LARGE/IMG_2469.jpg


http://www.marinakorp.com/Guns/PICS/LARGE/IMG_2468.jpg


http://www.marinakorp.com/Guns/PICS/LARGE/IMG_2470.jpg


http://www.marinakorp.com/Guns/PICS/LARGE/IMG_2473.jpg


http://www.marinakorp.com/Guns/PICS/LARGE/IMG_2476.jpg

[Hunter]

From what I have heard the Gunsite Commander size is about as good as you can get. I would vote for any Colt and for concealment the Commander size seems perfect and anything smaller an Officers (or Compact)will work nicely.

[Reverend]

I'm cheap so I would choose to carry a reliable RIA or Norinco at least if it gets lost or confiscated I wouldnt feel as bad as losing a high dollar 1911. :o

[Hunter]

I cannot imagine my carry pistol becoming lost and since I obey the law I cannot see it being taken from me. Not there is anything wrong in your choices but if it ever came down to my carry weapon saving my bacon I want something I know will work.

[Reverend]

I'm cheap so I would choose to carry a reliable RIA or Norinco at least if it gets lost or confiscated I wouldnt feel as bad as losing a high dollar 1911. :o

Hunter .. I said a "reliable RIA or Norinco" with that i mean proven to go bang all the time. he he he

When I said lost or confiscated, I meant worst case scenario as in taken from me by police for evidence or safe keeping after, heaven forbid, I had to draw it for self defense. :)

[Hunter]

Hunter .. I said a "reliable RIA or Norinco" with that i mean proven to go bang all the time. he he he

When I said lost or confiscated, I meant worst case scenario as in taken from me by police for evidence or safe keeping after, heaven forbid, I had to draw it for self defense. :)
O.K. I am with you now. I had misunderstood your other post, sorry. :o

[Reverend]

no problem here sir hunter. In this forum I take you and your opinions with highest regards. :)

[smoothpull]

Yes of course $$$ is not unlimited, I would consider 1200 and lower. Have looked at a lot of models. Mostly concerned with size, I have large hands and not all micros fit. Not sure of the "model" name, but something with a full handle and short barrel would work. Not sure if that is commander, officer, etc.

[Hunter]

no problem here sir hunter. In this forum I take you and your opinions with highest regards. :)
Thank you. Not sure I deserve such a complement but I try. :D

[MLee]

Yes of course $$$ is not unlimited, I would consider 1200 and lower. Have looked at a lot of models. Mostly concerned with size, I have large hands and not all micros fit. Not sure of the "model" name, but something with a full handle and short barrel would work. Not sure if that is commander, officer, etc.

With those parameters in mind, I would heartily recommend the Colt Commander LW XSE: full size handle (grip) and 4 1/4" bbl rather than 5" full size bbl. It's light weight makes it ideal for all day carry. The balance of the Commander size, IMHO, is superior to the full size. The price is right, at about $900 + for new. Just my .02. This should be an intro for Rio Vista Slim. What do you say, Steve?

Mike

[smoothpull]

I orginally talked about using the 1911 frame, but one little semi pops into mind...the Kahr 45, it is small and polymer frame 6 +1 I believe, but it's not a 1911.

[NYCMedic]

How about a bobtailed Dan Wesson commander? I hear that they are great for their price. http://www.danwessonfirearms.com/product_detail.php?id=66

[gator]

This is my ccw. SA Ultra compact v-10.

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6d601b3127cce8c42b0d6cae100000025118AYuXLFyzcNd

Picked it up in a Pown shop for 500 out the door. ;)