Does anyone carry 1911's anymore?

Do you carry a 1911?

  • Yes, a Government Model

    Votes: 81 30.7%

  • Yes, a Commander Model

    Votes: 62 23.5%

  • Yes, an Officer Model

    Votes: 27 10.2%

  • Yes, a Micro

    Votes: 8 3.0%

  • Yes, in a caliber that's not .45ACP

    Votes: 8 3.0%

  • No, (comment reason)

    Votes: 63 23.9%

  • No, they're obsolete

    Votes: 15 5.7%
  • Total voters
    264
  • Poll closed .
T

Tactical Jackalope

New member
It seems like all the rage are tricked out Glocks with RMR red dot sights and ported slides. I carry mainly Sig Sauer and Glock. Sometimes Hk. Sometimes M&Ps. Just recently got back into 1911s. They, like Sigs are just majestic to me. I will say I have the most training time with Sig Sauer and Glock. And the most range time with Sigs, 1911s, and Glocks.

Now that I've spoken about me, what about you?


Who carries a 1911 out there? Seems like hammer fired guns are dying down and it's all about the striker fired pistols.
 
I conceal carry a S&W 1911E bobtail 4-inch with a CT laser weather/situation permitting. My primary reason for carrying this weapon instead of one of my other handguns is that it simply conceals better. My other handguns are mostly full size pistols and revolvers that, on my average-sized frame, just print more. My secondary reason is that I'm a better shot with my 1911 inside 15 yards than with any other handgun I own.

Of course, I could get a gun that concealed better than my 1911, but I'm a 'make-do' kind of guy.

IMO, carrying a 1911 requires a lot more training on the user's part than say a Glock, as he/she must constantly practice flipping the safety off during the draw (assuming a cocked-and-locked condition in the holster). For myself, I practice drawing/flipping off the safety about a hundred times a week, so I don't end up being that guy who forgets when it matters. And some people just don't seem comfortable with the idea of walking around with a gun cocked-and-locked. I've been doing it for over 20 years, so at this point I'm pretty comfortable with it. But I still remember when I first started carrying that way that I was very aware of my gun to the point of checking it often (in the car, restroom, etc.) to ensure it was still safe. I took a lot of unnecessary trips to the restroom. My friends/co-workers probably thought I had a bladder problem . . .
 
Ranger, I have the Smith & Wesson 1911 PD. With the scandium frame. Love it! Thanks for sharing. Also, I'm that guy that doesn't do too well in classes that are stress induced with 1911's :o. My muscle memory is tuned to DA/SA.

I don't have issues carrying my 1911 though.. I trust very few to be honest. But for work, I stick to my P226 with either 18+1 or 20+1. :eek:
 
I've been carrying 1911s of one size or another for over twenty years. Most of my friends who carry also carry 1911s, either exclusively or predominately.

As for hammer-fired pistols, local police department issues SIG P220s. They are hammer fired, DAO, in .45 ACP.
 
My current go to carry gun is a P7, the only striker I own, but still carry my AO1911 on occasion.
I think strikers certainly are the all the rage now, but hammer fired guns aren't going anywhere anytime soon(except into my collection).
 
I like 1911's a lot, one in particular is right at the top of my wish list, but I wouldn't lug one around all day even if I had a drawer full of them.
 
I spend a good deal of time in the forest, hiking, fishing and such. I open carry a R1 and keep a couple of spare magazines in my pack.
 
I think the 1911 is fun to shoot and enjoy the fingertip trigger pull. I actually recently bought a Sig 1911 in .40 and love it for target shooting. However my two 1911s are just range guns. I have way too much job related training time on Glocks and Sigs to be thinking about external and grip safeties. Nothing against the gun at all, just not willing to devote the training time to overcome existing muscle memory. Dont think its obsolete by any means. I think many gravitate to the "more is better" ammo capacity of some of the newer guns. Thus the never ending comments of "I am bound to hit something if I have 17 shots".
 
ALWAYS a Colt!

Have carried on-duty and off a Government Model since 1977.

A Gold Cup .45ACP since 1978.

And a Delta Gold Cup 10mm since maybe 1995.
 
I didn't vote. I don't think 1911's are obsolete, just that there are better options in 2015. And I do like and occasionally carry one of my 1911's. Didn't really see an option in your poll that accurately reflected my position.
 
I don't. I have nothing against them, I just have way more practice with my p220 and G19. I believe you carry what you are familiar with.
 
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I guess that I'm not into all the "rage" stuff. My carry is a Series 80 Government model. No beavertail, extended/ambi safety/night sight/mag well/full length guide rod/laser grips.

I did fit a barrel bushing and a flat firing pin stop to it, cleaned up the sear/hammer with a jig and fine stone plus wraparound grips and an arched mainspring housing, and that's all I wanted to make it work for me.

Other designs may do it a bit different, but for me, they don't do it any better.
 
A 5" Sig 1911 is one of my carry guns, I have IWB and OWB holsters for it, with my Blackhawk Riggers belt the weight is not a factor and it truly doesn't feel that much different then my G19 or SR40 IWB.
 
I have 1911's in 45 acp (Dan Wesson, Les Baer).
I've carried 1911's in 45 acp, 40, and 9mm (I had Officers, Defender, and EMPs).
I don't carry 1911's anymore, because I prefer Glocks.
 
An officers model with alloy frame has been my EDC. Flat, not fat and very tuned into the controls regardless of what else I might use on other range days or competition.
 
There is just some thing reassuring about a big Ol 45 cocked and locked.
Not saying I carry it every day. Its a heavy beast for sure.
Every other carry option is a trade off.
I end up trading effectiveness for comfort. I go from a pocket .380 to a 327 mag snubby IWB, To a 9mm compact, to the 45. It depends on threat assessment.
Of course if I end up relying on my .380 in an event.
I guess my threat assessment sucked.

I do know a couple guys that carry their 45's 100% of the time.
Wish I could, but its just not practical for me.

Its funny though, when I 1st started to carry. It was .380 100% of the time. Now as I learn more and read about events.
Meth heads are tough to stop if they are jacked. Thinking of the Moro warriors from the Philippines. Were it took multiple shots from a 38 to bring a little bitty guy down. But not before he had a chance to cut the shooter in half with a sword.
That's the event that instigated the 45acp in the 1st place.
Those needs have not changed.

The only new thing now. Is if your involved in a terrorist event.
They will likely have body armor. The 45 wont penetrate. So better practice head shots while you retreat.

I am in the process of upping my normal carry. Going to a XPs 45 for daily carry. But big daddy will stay in the mix.

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