The everyday 1911

[airbornerangerboogie]

I see a lot of good 1911 that excel at IDPA and all, but what are the recommendations from a 1911 carry for day to day use as a CCW or OCW. A 1911 that performs in all conditions. Kinda like the TimeX of 1911 pistols "it takes a licken and keeps on shooting". Kimber, Colt, Springfield Armory, Les Baer, come-on what do you trust your life to?

[pa_guns]

Hi

Oddly enough I don't own any 1911's that I would not trust my life to other than the Systema's that I'm in the process of rebuilding. I have every bit as much confidence in my semi-custom pistols as in my Colts or Springfields.

Bob

[Hunter]

My everyday carry pistol is a Colt 1991A1 and it has yet to let me down.
http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h264/Hunter1911/2007_01110006.jpg
I also have carried a number of other Colts and shot a few matches with others. So far I have had the best results from Colt pistols.

[Hawkmoon]

Colt 1991 Combat Commander.

Close second: Para-Ordnance LTC.

[OD*]

Currently, a Les Baer TRS, but I don't have any hesitation in carrying any one of a dozen or so Colt's either. ;)

http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb274/OD1911/TRSlanyard.jpg

first runner-up
http://mysite.verizon.net/od45/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/1984.jpg

[Soft Walker]

I see a lot of good 1911 that excel at IDPA and all, but what are the recommendations from a 1911 carry for day to day use as a CCW or OCW. A 1911 that performs in all conditions. Kinda like the TimeX of 1911 pistols "it takes a licken and keeps on shooting". Kimber, Colt, Springfield Armory, Les Baer, come-on what do you trust your life to?

Consider a Springfield GI Model. It really is the Timex of 1911's. First of all a Timex is not an expensive watch and the SA GI model is not an expensive pistol. It also takes a licken and still keeps ticken. Take any of the pistols you mentioned and drop it on a hard floor in your home over and over. In my case its an old hardwood floor. I have dropped the pistol a hundred times from table level due to my sleep disorder. Because it has hump and bump low profile GI sights you can not hurt them and yes they still work fine at the range. The parkerized finish is also pretty tuff. The GI model has reasonably loose tolerances so it will work when its dirty. Finally the real test -can my wife step on it and will it still function (this is simulates driving over it with a Ford 150 pick up with a load of firewood in the back) - yep you bet! I think that is why they call it the GI model. :D

[Old Grump]

Carried it on duty, shot bullseye and PPC, hunted rabbit with it and it is the one at my bedside, been there for 40 years so yeah, I'd say I trust it.

[wichaka]

My daily........a Commander is hard to beat.

http://w3.gorge.net/scshields/lw2.jpg

[pa_guns]

Hi

I don't have a problem with carrying an RIA or a Springfield Mil Spec. They are perfectly reliable and I've not had a problem with any of them. They may not quite make the IDPA description, but they are fine defensive pistols.

The old story of a tight 1911 being an unreliable pistol is something I jump on from time to time. Indeed unreliable pistols do exist. Some unreliable pistols are unreliable because they are tight. Others are unreliable because they are loose. Properly done a tight pistol can be *very* reliable. It just needs to be tight in the right places ...

Bob

[rnjj1219]

+1 1991 Colt Combat Commander

[garrettwc]

Col Cooper once said that all a 1911 needs is a dehorn, good sights, and a good trigger. Like this:

http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb274/OD1911/GSP1.jpg

This one isn't mine, but I advocate a similar setup.

[Frank]

Like OD* and pa_guns, I don't own a 1911 that I wouldn't be comfortable and confident carrying, and I have a good supply. My selection includes a S&W SC, a Colt 1991 long ago worked over some at Gunsite, as well as a few Les Baer and Nighthawks. My first choice is a NHC Talon II or Talon III, primarily because I like the size, and they have seen some hard use in classes. But my full size Les Baer have also seen some use and worked well and have not been pampered.

But you don't necessarily need a high end gun. There are plenty of Colts, Springfields, etc., in daily use that have proven themselves. It's always possible to get a finicky example from any maker. But by and large, I think that the products of the major makers will give good service.

DVC

[pa_guns]

Hi

I suppose we could flip this around the other way.

I do indeed believe that most 1911's we have mentioned work quite well fresh out of the box. If I had to go with one that was brand new and never fired by anybody - would I trust my life to one? I think that I probably would, if it was one of the brands that we have mentioned.

Of course if I had the choice, I'd always go for a pistol that I've used for a while.

Bob

[chimkayu]

Halito, all. +1 to all. Funny thing...the ONLY 1911 I have owned that has yet to hiccup or burp is Rocky the RIA full-size. That said, I carry any of them at any given time, depending on how warm or cold. Love the 1911 (I'll take any that you got), Pa (do you know of Helping Hands Ministries?) and this forum.

C.......

[jimster]

I am currently using a SA mil-spec for being with me everyday, I've been shooting this one since 2002, and I trust my life to it. All the other 1911's I bought were Colts, those all were reliable as well. The mil-spec now is the one I use daily, it does have different parts in it now, but no cosmetic changes except the MSH is a checkered one. It works all the time with all the ammo I carry every time. I do not know if it can pass a 1000 rd test without lubing...beats me, the most I've ever put through it at one time was around 500 rds without cleaning, did this about once a month. For the last few years I have changed to shooting to twice a week most times and only shooting 50 rds a session, but I can concentrate a lot better this way and not get mentally tired. I would trust this mil-spec to work everytime cause it has been. I admit the gun is always lubed, and always pretty clean, so maybe it's not a true test of reliabilty to some, but I figure anything I trust my life to is going to be pampered in in good working order.....like a horse...after you ride, first thing you do is take care of your horse.

[rdoggsilva]

I carry a Taurus pt1911. Have put 1000+ rounds through it with out a hiccup.
http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg38/rdoggsilva/006-2.jpg

[L0UISVILLE]

Some may gasp, but I trust my life to my Auto Ordinance 1911A1. Im just taking a blind guess, but there is at least 2,000+ rounds through mine, and only 2 problems with feeding was due to the factory mag.

[AZ Husker]

Stick with the American Classic...A Colt Gov't. Here's one I slowly worked on over the years. I changed things to suit ME, not what someone else liked. This started out as a Colt Series 70 repro in stainless steel.

http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff31/Arizona1911/IMG_2002.jpg
http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff31/Arizona1911/IMG_2009-1.jpg
http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff31/Arizona1911/Everydaycarry.jpg

[dogmush]

My everyday 1911 is a RIA Tac. It's somewhere over 2500 rds without falure, I have another with more then 6000 rds that I sometimes carry as well. I would trust my life to a SA, Colt, S&W or any other 1911 that I'd tested and knew worked. That being said I wouldn't trust my life to ANY firearm that I hadn't put at least a couple hundred rounds through myself to make sure it works. And that goes for the M-249 i'm currentlly using just as much as any of my personal pistols.

[Tom]

All my M1911s (three of them) are Springfields of various models and sizes, and I trust all of them for duty use. One is my nightstand and carry gun, one is the same for my wife, and the third one sees duty in my car.

That being said, regardless of brand, it is the functionality and reliability one should look for. Some of it is the "you get what you pay for" axiom. But even good makers produce a lemon while iffy makers can (and do) produce a gem. As the other axiom goes "You pays your money and you takes your choice".

[devildog 1911]

I carry a Para p 14 limited IWB. After a 10 hour day of carry it gets a little heavy but i manage. the weapon feels good to me and i have no problems with it. As tom said its all about functionality and reliability. Your carry gun has one job to do and thats to go bang when you want it to. If it doesnt do that or your unsure of that you should not even carry that weapon.
Semper Fi

[ASERO45ACP]

My everyday CCW.

http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk124/Asero7/GunKnife.jpg

[usmcmp]

My everyday is a Nighthawk GRP II Bobtailed

http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n21/robehef/HPIM3447.jpg

[atomemphis]

Kimber Pro CDP II. 4" barrel, slim grips, no longer ambi safety.

[SeaDog]

My daily carry is an Auto Ordinance 1911a1 PKZ SE with 8 round shooting star mags.

Later,
Doug

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b173/viking72/Picture032.jpg

[Baz]

Wilson Sentinel, Officers frame and round but
http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h172/Baz_01/55.jpg

[CDJ]

my every day oacp


http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii223/clintandleigh/DSC_9717.jpg

[alphaquest]

my dailies :D ! fmj's all the way; good large fixed sights; 3lbs pull; 30lpi front checker (matched msh); beavertail; carry bevel; NO flgr!
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll190/alphaquest/DSC_0916.jpg

[Rio Vista Slim]

I have total confidence in my Colts. My preference is for one of my Commander models, but lately I've been carrying this:

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a294/RioVistaSlim/IMG_2689.jpg

Glamour Shot of a Colt New Agent.

I actually carry the pistol in a Horseshoe Leather Products Covert #28S holster.

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a294/RioVistaSlim/IMG_2740.jpg

When the Commanders DO tag along, they ride in a Tucker Gunleather HF1 holster.

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a294/RioVistaSlim/IMG_1652.jpg

[alphaquest]

i have a crush on your agent steve :p

[OD*]

Great pictures, Slim!

[Rio Vista Slim]

i have a crush on your agent steve :p
Great pictures, Slim!
I appreciate the comments from both of you gentlemen! I've spent years trying to find the "right" combination of weapons and holsters, and am as close to perfect (for me) as I'm liable to get.

Thanks again! :) :)

[red94yj]

First off I wouldn't put any firearm into service without it proving itself first(500 rnd without cleaning). Then it looks like this

http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd237/red94yj/DSC_0176_edited.jpg


Brian

[Poohgyrr]

My only 1911 & its' sidekick.


http://img341.imageshack.us/img341/4820/fitzgrips002ud0.jpg

[horse 91-A1]

The Para in .38Super is getting nearly all my 1911 carry time, with a M29 Mountain as a p/u BUG. In the past both Colts in .45auto; Lew Horten combat/target and an XSE have seen a lot of hip time.

After a lot of testing, I have total confidence in the .38Super round giving quick incapacitation times, up to mountain lion. It shoots flat, hits hard and does so with minimal recoil.

http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o144/aztrekker/At%20the%20range/Para38Super001.jpg

Bob

[KentuckyBlue]

The Para in .38Super is getting nearly all my 1911 carry time, with a M29 Mountain as a p/u BUG. In the past both Colts in .45auto; Lew Horten combat/target and an XSE have seen a lot of hip time.

After a lot of testing, I have total confidence in the .38Super round giving quick incapacitation times, up to mountain lion. It shoots flat, hits hard and does so with minimal recoil.

http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o144/aztrekker/At%20the%20range/Para38Super001.jpg

Bob
I just got a Colt Commander and decided to go with .38 Super. What does it mean when you say "it shoots flat"?

[F/V Icy Swan]

Daily carry is an older Colt Commander. Bought a new XSE and it will go into rotation once I get the sight problems ironed out and have shot it enough to know it is reliable. Other than those two, it is full size Warrior.

[Taptap]

I just got a Colt Commander and decided to go with .38 Super. What does it mean when you say "it shoots flat"?

When people say a round shoots flat, they are saying that the bullet doesn't drop as quickly, giving you more accuracy further out. Usually, higher velocity rounds shoot "flatter" than rounds like .45 acp. .38 super, .357 sig, etc, have this quality to them and are liked by many for it.

[atomemphis]

When people say a round shoots flat, they are saying that the bullet doesn't drop as quickly, giving you more accuracy further out. Usually, higher velocity rounds shoot "flatter" than rounds like .45 acp. .38 super, .357 sig, etc, have this quality to them and are liked by many for it.

To edit for physics-correctness: They drop the same amount per time (gravity affects all things the same) but the fast round has gone further in the same amount of time - thus has a 'flatter' trajectory.

The faster the round, the flatter the trajectory.

[pa_guns]

Hi

With pistol rounds at pistol distances a "flat" shooter is generally a high velocity bullet. Ballistic coefficient does matter, but it doesn't have much chance to work in the first 25 or even 50 yards of travel.

Taken another way, most real world pistol use is at distances under 10 yards. Bullet drop in that distance is pretty much zero with any cartridge. That would make everything a "flat" shooter. :D

Bob

[gsw]

Colt Gunsite GM in a MS Heritage IWB holster.

[Grizzly Adams]

I currently own two Springfields and a Para P14 and carry all three with confidence.

[RF Plumber]

Springfield Armory GI model.

All that's been changed on it is the sights have been painted for better visibility and the grips have been changed. Stock otherwise and I carry it every day and trust it completely.

[horse 91-A1]

I just got a Colt Commander and decided to go with .38 Super. What does it mean when you say "it shoots flat"?

Basically with 124/125gr JHPs, with sights set for 20yds, hold would be about 3" high at 100yds, for 147s, that number drops down to about 92yds. The .45auto by comparison is about a 11" hold over with 230gr @960fps.

Bob

[Dutch1948]

STI Trojan in a NM IWB holster
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a215/DEDDuck/STI2001.jpg

[Taptap]

To edit for physics-correctness: They drop the same amount per time (gravity affects all things the same) but the fast round has gone further in the same amount of time - thus has a 'flatter' trajectory.

The faster the round, the flatter the trajectory.

ahh, yes. You are correct, sir. This is exactly why many people are thinking too hard when trying to find a round to suit there purposes. It's all fairly simple physics. Well, the controlable part is simple physics anyways. The rest is chance and circumstance.

Fast loads shoot flat. Why? cuz they are fast :)