Carry gun poll

[echotango]

For those that carry their Colt, which one do you prefer to carry and why? I'm trying to decide between a Commander and an Officer's ACP (or mayber just carry my full size...)

[Rio Vista Slim]

I chose my Commanders!
All three (XSE LW not pictured) fit perfectly in my Tucker Gunleather HF1.

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a294/RioVistaSlim/IMG_1746.jpg

[vikz]

Fullsize RIA Tactical or Pt 1911 using a unclemikes IWB..

[Tommy D]

For me it's either a full size, or a Mustang. The Mustang is small enough to fit in my pocket. If I'm going to carry larger might as well be a full size Government Model. To me the Commander just does not seem that much smaller. The Officer's can't match the 9 rounds of the full size.

[rondawg]

Not a Colt, but this one for me. Same size as the OACP.

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b150/rinselman/guns/10-26-07135.jpg

[scott53]

My preference is LW Commander

[K9american]

Not a Colt but... Kimber Compact Pre-Series II. Does that count? :o

[Bud White]

When i Carried my Colt it was a Commander .. Now i carry a Les Baer and its still a Commander size

[Frank]

Not a Colt, but when I carry it's usually Commander size (a Talon II). If not the Talon II, I carry Officer size (a Talon IV) or hybrid (a Talon III, Commander size slide and Officer size grip frame).

DVC

[echotango]

Good stuff folks... Keep it coming. The commander size is ahead as of now. Thanks to all who replied.

[zenner22]

For the past year or so my main carry has been a Colt Commander ORM I picked up in a trade. It's got a well worn parkerized finish and is just plain ugly, but boy does that thing shoot well!

[elijdub]

One for every occasion :D!
http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u311/elijdub/015.jpg
http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u311/elijdub/014.jpg
Seriously, i previously carried a 4-inch Kimber....then bought the OfficerACP....now have the option of the Commander. I prefer the feel of the Commander in general but will carry the OACP in warmer weather.

[azreloader]

Now that I have the New Agent, I alternate between it in a Small of Back rig, and a Commander in a shoulder hoster, depending on dress and occasion. But I always have a Govt size in the truck.

So my vote is.....yes!

[IZinterrogator]

You forgot the CCO!

[wetidlerjr]

For those that carry their Colt...)

What is a "Notacolt" ?
( ;) I carry a COLT Defender.)

[Pred]

I carry a 1990 made Colt lightweight commander,,,,
Or my 60s smith 38 special air weight wheel gun.
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd174/predspics/coltandsmith.jpg
Peter.

[Involute]

I carry a M1911 repro about 98% of the time. I find it the most comfortable. If I need I need something smaller, then it's a Defender the other 2%.

[OD*]

I carry a 1990 made Colt lightweight commander,,,,
Or my 50s smith 38 special air weight wheel gun.
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd174/predspics/coltandsmith.jpg
Peter.
Peter, are you certain about the date of manufacture on the S&W Model 37? I thought Smith used the flat latch cylinder release up into the 1960s? But I've been wrong before. ;)

[swampthang]

I voted commander.

[Rich-D]

Where is the 3" for Defender, EMP, Compact. I prefer a Commander, Officers,
Defender/EMP 3" and a full size in that order.


Rich

[gfavaron]

LW Colt Commander mfg'd 1952.

[echotango]

Looks like commanders are the more popular choice. Could that be because there are more of them out there (as opposed to the OACP, Defenders, etc.)? I'm sure full size trumps them on numbers...

[littledoc]

Usually a Commander. I'm using a Colt XS right now. Before that it was an enhanced model, before that it was a standard series 80 type. I'm going to get a blue 1991 Commander so I can retire the XS.

Um, I guess I like Commanders. ;)

[Rich-D]

I'm going to get a blue 1991 Commander so I can retire the XS.

I operate a home for Retired Guns, you only have to pay a very low maintainance fee and your loved one will receive the proper attention and care. :)

Rich

[elijdub]

I operate a home for Retired Guns, you only have to pay a very low maintainance fee and your loved one will receive the proper attention and care. :)

Rich
That's such a nice gesture Rich ;)....:D!



(still waitin' for pics of that Commanding Officer ;))

[Rich-D]

That's such a nice gesture Rich ;)....:D!
(still waitin' for pics of that Commanding Officer ;))

It's not here yet! Most likely by the end of the week. :)

Rich

[elijdub]

Lookin' forward to it! I sat aimlessly staring at that gun for a long time ;). Glad it found a good home!

[littledoc]

I operate a home for Retired Guns, you only have to pay a very low maintainance fee and your loved one will receive the proper attention and care. :)

Rich

I'm thinking of starting one on this coast.

Just think, people paying for me to play with their guns... :p

[IN Defender]

Colt Defender

[DENDEN]

Colt Detective Special or Colt 1903 .380
http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff16/dddenden/S6000733.jpg

Whoops!! Wrong Forum - I meant to say OACP or NA
http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff16/dddenden/S6000723.jpg

[jeff1124]

I voted for Commander but I've carried all 3 comfortably. Now I carry a New Agent because it's just a tad more comfortable! :D

[dakota1911]

I think it is size and how you carry. In the past I carried a full size Gov. I recently carried a Defender. I now carry a Colt Commander.

[echotango]

Good point dakota. How one carries is a consideration. My full size carries well, but seems just a bit large, for me at times. I'm thinking the slightly shorter commander may fit the bill.

The poll has closed and ya'll can see the results. Thanks for all the replies.

ET

[jogon]

Have been carrying an OACP.But recently got a combat commander .45,will start carrying it and see how i like it.
Joe

[44 Man]

For me, I prefer a light wt gun to a heavy one. I find those few extra ounces will want to drag my pants south by the end of the day and I am always having to hike them up (that's a giveaway when you carry). With a IWB holster concealing the barrel length is not an issue but the gun butt sticking out is. So my Defender gets the vote. My prefered carry holster (blade tech) holds a 5" so I can carry which ever I choose. I find the extra length of the Gov't IWB holster helps stabilize the gun better even when I carry the Defender. When I need to go to really light wt clothing in the summer, I will often opt for my S&W Chief's special lightweight. 44 Man
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b15/clare44man/family.jpg

[echotango]

Thanks for the side by side by side pics 44 man. That's a great comparrison shot.

Nice pistols, BTW.

I'm kind of leaning toward OACP at the moment, but I've seen a good deal on a commander that I want... May just have to go for both !

[John]

Not a Colt, but when I carry it's usually Commander size (a Talon II). If not the Talon II, I carry Officer size (a Talon IV) or hybrid (a Talon III, Commander size slide and Officer size grip frame).

DVC
You can tell who is the rich guy in the team. A full line of Talon's just to fit his daily mood (and dressing scheme). :D :) :p

[Rich-D]

You can tell who is the rich guy in the team. A full line of Talon's just to fit his daily mood (and dressing scheme). :D :) :p

Frank can wear the same clothes for 4 days, all he has to do is change his Talon daily! :D


Rich

[TattooPaul]

I agree with 44 Man in that the gun butt can be a giveaway as well as my lack of substantial waist to support the weight of a Gov't leading to the inevitable "trouser hoist". I like the Commmander immensley but the Officer gets my nod for ease of carry.

[dbmack]

I enjoy carrying my 1991A1 Compact. A .45 always gives an extra little bit of confidence.

[Frank]

Frank can wear the same clothes for 4 days, ...
I have too many gun dealer to support, and I seem to have now become responsible for putting their kids through college. I can't afford more than one change of clothes.

DVC

[JustinTime]

I voted for the commander. I swicth back and forth between a 1984 LTW commander I have and my gunsite CCO which for those that don't know what that is. It is an officers length grip with a commander length upper reciever.

[John]

I have too many gun dealer to support, and I seem to have now become responsible for putting their kids through college. I can't afford more than one change of clothes.

DVC
:lh:

[Mick_In_Texas]

On the highway: Colt's Govt Model Super 38, ss, FMJ factory loads in .38 Super.

Lands, apartment, dad's house, motels, around town as a CHL in Texas: ANY of my .45 full-size 1911s. Factory lead round bullet in regular charge. Current order of preferrence: Springer Mil-Spec, Rock Island 1911A1, Colt's WWI Repro Model O1911, Springer GI45, Colt's O1991.

Best defensive handgun I own: Colt's USGI M1911, manufacture date mid- to late-1918, with original magazine, grips, and finish. Not carried, though, and not shot much. But fully-functional and in excellent shape.

Colt's are good guns. So are my others. But I've NEVER had a problem with either my modern Colts or my USGI from WWI.

Mick

[echotango]

I agree with 44 Man in that the gun butt can be a giveaway as well as my lack of substantial waist to support the weight of a Gov't leading to the inevitable "trouser hoist". I like the Commmander immensley but the Officer gets my nod for ease of carry.

I tend to agree that the grip length can be a give away. That's what keeps me leaning toward the OACP size.

I seem to be hitching up my britches more due to an expanding belly more than the weight of my carry though :(

Maybe I should start a poll on ya'lls carry holsters...

[elijdub]

Maybe I should start a poll on ya'lls carry holsters...
...I see a great idea for a "poll thread" in the holster forum ;).

[Mick_In_Texas]

My 5" 1911 is a Galco Fletch. So are the ones for my Ruger P90, my Ruger GP100, and my Taurus PT92AF. They have the "FBI cant" on them, and I prefer a right-hand carried on my left hip: I can cross-draw better than I can strong-side draw.

But: Horseshoe Leather, Andy A., makes excellent holsters, as do El Paso Saddlery, and others listed on Jonn's main page. I've bought Horeshoe Leathers ones, and they are WELL MADE. I favor the Galcos, though, because they work; but that doesn't mean they're the ONLY ones that do. Andy at Horseshoe Leather makes a danged good holster. He hand bones them to the weapon of carry. He doesn't do thumb straps so much, and they're boned to have the thumb safety off, not on; but, really doesn't matter on carry, leather is leather. Milt Sparks is another holster manufacturer I'm looking into, as well.

Personal experience, you can't go wrong with Horseshoe Leather or Galco. My Fletch Galco for my P90, GP100, Tarus PT92AF, and full-size 1911 platforms are EXCELLENT. They're conditioned, and well-used, and very good. Andy's are excellent too.

Just FYI from experience. Y'all take care.
Mick

[Sarge45]

I sure like my little Officers ACP. Nice and extremely reliable.

http://www.procch.com/pic4.jpg

[Manan]

Officers makes the most sense to me. It's smaller, and it's smaller, and it's....

Everyday, everywhere (I can).

[daveohno]

Sarge, that's a nice Officers ACP.

[Sarge45]

Thank you Dave. I sure like it.

[Tom Stone]

Either a Kimber cdp 11,or an hammerless s&w airweight which is magnaported and has ct grips. I am THIN and the full size 1911 is harder to conceal.the S&W is for colder weather pocket carry.The kimber took 500 rounds to break in.

[K9american]

Howdy Tom Stone. Just noticed your first post. Welcome to the posse.

You sure that's not Tomb Stone? :D

[Tom Stone]

Thanks K-9,sometimes TS,because my late father was known as (censored) to some.Does anyone have a suggestion about long range techniques with the Kimber? I have better luck ringing a 24" gong at 100 yards with the smith.The Kimber has been completely reliable since the first 500 rounds,and I am very happy with the accuracy(8,000 rounds,and counting,Wilson Mags)

[scott53]

My current carry gun is a SW 4.25" 1911PD built by Jim Garthwaite. I carry it in either a Milt Sparks SS or VMII. Over the years I have carried a full-size and LW Officers model, and on occasion do carry a full-size LBC. But I like the LW Commander-size gun the best. I recently placed an order with Garthwaite for an aluminum Officers-length frame with Commander-length slide/barrel in .45 acp. I'm not a big guy and think that this may be the ultimate carry gun for me. It is not due for delivery until about this time next year. When I receive it I will post photos.

[jogon]

Here's my carry
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a105/jogonmd95/OCPWJHP.jpg

[ACEGUNNER]

I grew up with the 1911. I carry the Defender most of the time. Every now and then will carry my old LW Commander that I used to carry all the time.

[Getzmel]

I do carry my series 80 stock 2 8 rounders

[az-coyote]

Colt Gunsite CCO

My favorite carry piece. ;)

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c126/bryanrains/DSC00621.jpg

[Getzmel]

nice piece...

[Kruz]

These are my carry guns, so ya I vote for the Officers ACP

http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee131/markkruz/holster1.jpg

http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee131/markkruz/holster2.jpg

[Sarge45]

Good lookin' pony mister.

[d90king]

If I must carry (which is not very often) my Gunsite CCO is my choice with a Desantis Scorpion IWB rig. My under the seat pistols (never with out) are Gvt XSE'S. I must say that the Gunsite CCO is one of the finest pure carry pistols out there.

[michael t]

Defender 80% LTW Commander 10% Officer or Detonics 10%

[sff70]

#1 carry pistol for me, LW Commander with thin grips.

[Rich-D]

My new Dynamic Duo for concealed carry. :) http://forum.m1911.org/showthread.php?t=39293


Rich

[Kruz]

Good lookin' pony mister.

Thanks, I think shes a good looking Filly too :lh:

[Phil]

http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h102/Murexway/OM/OfficersMedium.jpg

http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h102/Murexway/Accessories/DSC02838Medium.jpg

[echotango]

Nice kit there Phil. Something similar is what I'm leaning toward.

Lots of nice carry pistols out there. Plus, lots of good info still coming. I should have left the poll open longer.

[OD*]

That is nice, Phil.

[TattooPaul]

That's a beauty of a Colt, Phil. Nice eye candy, thanks for posting it!!!

[Kruz]

Phil: does she shoot as well as she looks?

[Phil]

Phil: does she shoot as well as she looks?Yes, it's very reliable, with either FMJ or JHP, and the checkering on the front strap and flat MSH, along with the high beavertail grip safety gives an amazingly secure grip for an OACP. "Wow" is usually the first word that everyone says when they hold the gun.

The Brommeland MaxCon V presentation-grade holster is so comfortable that I forget I'm carrying and the short OACP grip rarely presents any issue of printing with all but the most form-fitting shirts.

The only thing I may change is the front sight. Right now both front and rear Trijicons are green, but my old eyes would probably pick up the alignment faster if I switched the front to yellow or orange.

[daveohno]

Great pics, Phil. I wish mine turned out that well. Great holster and pistol!

[P Kelly]

My Colt Gunsite and one of the rigs I carry it in.

http://www.pbase.com/image/69209740/large.jpg

[daveohno]

Nice Gunsite, Ivory & holster!

[P Kelly]

Nice Gunsite, Ivory & holster!

Thanks Dave. I just got back from the range with this one, it's a keeper!

[Phil]

My Colt Gunsite and one of the rigs I carry it in.VERY nice :)

[Mick_In_Texas]

Thanks Dave. I just got back from the range with this one, it's a keeper!

That one is a beauty. I also carry a Colt's as a primary road gun. It's a Super 38 Govt, in ss as well:
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d54/Mick_In_Texas/1d750e48.jpg
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d54/Mick_In_Texas/1a1e988c.jpg
It's carried in a Galco Fletch.

Although not a Colt's, my primary .45 ACP has faux ivories with the Texas star inlay in them:
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d54/Mick_In_Texas/fc099e8c.jpg
It's a Springfield. But, I also have an extra set of these handmade stocks, for my Colt's Super 38.

I'm real pleased to have several Colts. In the future, another one may become my primary .45 1911 platform. Thank you for sharing this, Kelly. Beautiful. I LOVE seeing other folks's guns.

Mick

[OD*]

My Colt Gunsite and one of the rigs I carry it in.

http://www.pbase.com/image/69209740/large.jpg
Very nice indeed!

[P Kelly]

Thanks OD and Mick. This one is currently the only 1911 in my inventory, although that will inevitably change as it always does.

BTW Mick, those are some interesting snakeskin stock. Where did you get them?

[TattooPaul]

That one is a beauty. I also carry a Colt's as a primary road gun. It's a Super 38 Govt, in ss as well:
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d54/Mick_In_Texas/1d750e48.jpg
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d54/Mick_In_Texas/1a1e988c.jpg
It's carried in a Galco Fletch.

Although not a Colt's, my primary .45 ACP has faux ivories with the Texas star inlay in them:
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d54/Mick_In_Texas/fc099e8c.jpg
It's a Springfield. But, I also have an extra set of these handmade stocks, for my Colt's Super 38.

I'm real pleased to have several Colts. In the future, another one may become my primary .45 1911 platform. Thank you for sharing this, Kelly. Beautiful. I LOVE seeing other folks's guns.

Mick

Mick, love that Super 38!!! If you ever need some cash let me know... Oh yeah, I'm struggling to find work now as well. There's been some hope but until those checks are rolling in those health billls quick kicking my tail-end too I'll settle for range time with my existing stock. Nice Super there, my friend.

[Mick_In_Texas]

Thanks OD and Mick. This one is currently the only 1911 in my inventory, although that will inevitably change as it always does.

BTW Mick, those are some interesting snakeskin stock. Where did you get them?

You obviously make wise choices in your 1911s! Yessir, they definitely grow on you... for many of us, they're the most ergonomic, easy to handle, clean, and carry pistols ever made.

The rattlesnake stocks are made by a guy who sells them on Gunbroker.Com: I can't remember his handle/nick, but if you search "1911 grips", it'll bring to the grips. Maybe even "rattlesnake" as a search. They're only like $35/set; or at least when I got mine about six months ago. They're hand- and very-well-made; so far, they're holding up to medium carry. I usually prefer one of my .45 versions indoors or around town concealed or on the lands, slower, bigger bullet for close range/tight spaces, not as much risk of overpenetration in usual defensive situations. On the road, however, it's that Super 38: that's what it was designed for. And while it's hard sometimes to find ammo locally, I prefer it any day over 9mm, 38 Special, or .357 Mag. Good round for an excellent platform.

Livin' in Texas, I'm well-acquainted with rattlesnakes. Everything has a right to live, but it it comes down to me or the rattlesnake, I prefer to win, so to speak. In a way, they're kinda magnificent: they do what they have to do to survive. Very dangerous if they're riled up, though. Some folks get the heeby-jeebies seeing those grips on my Super 38 Colt's, but, then, that's okay: they ain't carryin' it or shootin' it. My second cousin is Jackie Bibby, "The Rattlesnake Guy" who just recently beat his own record for the number of rattlers he got in a clear bathtub with. Grew up around Jackie... his dad runs a used car lot about four or five blocks from where my dad lives in Rising Star, Tx.

Lots of IPSA shooters use the Super 38 in competition. It's a real stable, flat-trajectory round for the 1911 platform. Seems factory loads in FMJ run around 1450 fps, with a FMJ/Flat Nose bullet. Muzzle flash on my Colt's is pretty awesome; but felt recoil and muzzle climb (up and to the right) are roughly the same as a 1911 in .45 ACP.

Welcome to the "club", Sir!

Mick

[mtngunr]

On the carry topic, my personal vote is for full-size....more slide mass, lighter recoil spring, better reliability under all circumstances, including mud, sand, or weather extremes.....and my poor farm boy upbringing reviles more expensive springs or machines whose parts are specialized and hard to find....neither are the chopped guns as easily rebuildable, while full-size gun parts like bushings are generally plug-n-play......naturally, I think the full-size gun easier to aim and control......as for the last objection, being able to conceal it, well, I think most folk's problems with concealment boils down to lack of commitment in dress or comfort, them finding those qualities primary rather than secondary....I've carried a 7.5" Redhawk for a solid month, just to do it, and a 1911 is a compact gun in comparison.....

[Mick_In_Texas]

Mick, love that Super 38!!! If you ever need some cash let me know... Oh yeah, I'm struggling to find work now as well. There's been some hope but until those checks are rolling in those health billls quick kicking my tail-end too I'll settle for range time with my existing stock. Nice Super there, my friend.

It's a good round, Paul, in a very reliable and functional and accurate gun: the Colt's Govt. It's a Series 80, which I could do without, but, the thing WORKS. First rattle out of the box, it put the first 10 rounds, the very first 10 rounds, in a group that was no larger than 2" in diameter at between 15 and 25 yards. As I was telling Kelly, I wouldn't want to shoot it in the dark defensively, 'cause it has a heck of a muzzle flash; outside of that, though, very similar on felt recoil and muzzle climb characteristics to a .45 version.

Know about that money, Sir. I finally got some sense, and haven't bought any more 1911s for a while, I'm lucky to have the 7 I've got... I'm thinking of getting my O1911 in carry rotation, though, from another thread. When I think about it, that's why I craved it: to have a good, basic, almost-original .45 1911 to USE and carry. I LOVE that "M1911": it too, has been very reliable and accurate at defensive ranges. And too, a minor amount of holster wear, if the weapon is maintained regularly, doesn't hurt it: my step-granddad's old S&W .38 Special revolver, his carry gun when he was an LEO in the 1930s, is worn from the holster, but NO rust, even sitting in my dad's gun safe and never fired lately.

If folks can afford it and are interested, and are fans of the 1911 platform, getting a Super 38 version can be fun. Has its applications. You know the history of the development of the caliber; that's the reason I carry it on the road.

But give me a .45 version, inside, on the lands, or carrying around town. Danged good round for most any defensive use...

Mick

[Mick_In_Texas]

On the carry topic, my personal vote is for full-size....more slide mass, lighter recoil spring, better reliability under all circumstances, including mud, sand, or weather extremes.....and my poor farm boy upbringing reviles more expensive springs or machines whose parts are specialized and hard to find....neither are the chopped guns as easily rebuildable, while full-size gun parts like bushings are generally plug-n-play......naturally, I think the full-size gun easier to aim and control......as for the last objection, being able to conceal it, well, I think most folk's problems with concealment boils down to lack of commitment in dress or comfort, them finding those qualities primary rather than secondary....I've carried a 7.5" Redhawk for a solid month, just to do it, and a 1911 is a compact gun in comparison.....

I like the "original": that is, "Government" or 5" barrel/slide. It's been and is the most reliable, aimable, function pistol/s I've ever owned. I'm a big guy, and can carry them concealed or open (on the lands). I used to be hardcore on that.

Lately, I see the Commander's in 4-1/4" barrels, if factory-made, can also be reliable... Personally, wouldn't want an "Officer's", but to each their own. Yet, I'm kinda being persuaded to think about the Commander version.

That said, though, still only have 6 moderns in "Government" models, and love them. Everything about them. I have a Taurus PT92AF, old, a Ruger P90 that I've used to initially get and renew my Texas CHL with, and a Ruger GP100 with a 5" barrel. ALL excellent handguns. But, I LOVE the "Government" 1911s.

For me, for all purposes, they WORK. Plus, HEE HEE, they all fit the same HOLSTERS. There you go!

Mick

[TattooPaul]

Believe me, Mick - there WILL be a Super 38 in my safe in the future. Can't wait 'til circumstances permit it! Nice to talk to you for the first time in awhile… Take care and shoot safe unless your target doesn't deserve it… :D