Which 1911 .45 for CCW

T

TwoRavens

Inactive
Hi,
I've tried a Kimber Compact at the range, and I liked the feel of an ultra carry at the last gun-show I went to. What other makes should I try? Intended use is all-day CCW, strong side IWB.

I have not read much about Para Ords in other threads, any reason why?
 
I had a Springfield P12.45 once, which I loved. Carried very comfortably, and fed everything you cared to feed it. The new short Paras with the LDA trigger look very nice also.

My roomie has a Springfield V10, and I can't say anything bad about it, either.


My current 1911 carry piece is a Springfield Loaded Stainless, full-size, which doesn't conceal significantly worse than an Officer sized model. There is quite a bit of weight difference between it and my old Para P12.45, though.
 
Save your energy - you've already handled the best of the lot, IMHO! :D

Seriously, they all (Colt, Springfield, Para) make good guns but I like the Kimber models above all the others. For carry, you can't beat the Ultra. Mine happens to be the CDP model but the Ultra Carry has all the important details, including the alloy frame which offers the light weight.

That's the direction I would go.
 
"Which 1911 .45 for CCW?"

Funny you should mention that; I was just pondering the same question in front of a stack of pistols befor dashing to the store.

I grabbed the V-10.

Gotta run! :)
 
If a Kimber is what you like, then a Kimber is what you should get. I have a Pro Carry (8+1) and love it. It was a tough choice between it and the Compact (7+1), but as they say, it may be the last round that counts. ;)
 
I'm going to sell my Para P14-45 with five hi-caps because I want to carry a Lightweight Commander instead. Weight has become a factor for me. You might compare the heavy guns with the lightweights before you decide - but you wont go wrong with the 1911 system, in my opinion. (If you run across a good Lightweight Commander that you decide to pass up, let me know!) Best of luck. adk
 
This may surprise some,...

but ccw weapon is a Sprinfield Armory Mil-Spec Ultra Compact...only change to gun was a WC FLGR and ebony grips....800+ rounds later, gun functions flawlessly...BTW, for whatever reason, I cannot find FI Brazil stamped anywhere on frame or slide...you figure.;)
 
I agree with the notion that full size 1911s conceal about as easily as compact models, assuming we are talking about carrying them in a IWB, or other type of belt holster.

I know a lot of people love little 1911s, and thats good, but I just dont see a benefit to them. If I am able to conceal a compact 1911, I am able to conceal a full size just as easily, and then have the benefit of having a full size gun if the need for it arises.
 
Reading this thread has led me to question the importance about the overall size of a handgun to stop an attacker.

Assume the main purpose by a non-LEO is to carry ccw for self defense and that either a full size or a compact can be effectively and comfortably concealed.

My assumption also says that a target agressive attacker will be confronted within ten yards. If correct, then what difference does it make if one uses a full size 1911 of 8 or so inches or or a compact 1911 of 7 or so inches?

Hit placements within the limits of the ten yard distances should not be materially different with either size handgun . . . should it?

Is my thinking invalid? If so, please educate me.

Regards to all, Shep
 
Government model size 1911 is heavier, so recoil is dampened a little better, and the longer barrel gives the bullet more velocity. The shorter barreled guns are easier to conceal. In a defensive shooting, a quick second shot may be needed and that second shot needs to be right on target. I think the Commander length barrel and slide combined with an Officers model receiver would be the best of both worlds. Any opinions on this combination?
 
stans,

The gun you describe is available as Colt's CCO (Concealed Carry Officer's). Commander slide, alloy Officer's Model frame. Attractive gun.
 
I dont think the compact 1911's are bad; I just dont see what the advantage is. Concealability is the same for me, and thats the only possible advantage of a compact.

POTENTIAL Disadvantages are :
--less accuracy
--less velocity
--tendency for people to want to put less than 230g bullets in them
--more recoil
--may be less reliable than a full size ( I realize this is arguable, but in general I have found it to be true)
--less club-like in the event you need to dish out a pistol-whipping.;)
 
I dont think the compact 1911's are bad; I just dont see what the advantage is.
Click to expand...

ADVANTAGES

With an OWB (probably the most comfortable carry), 2" shorter slide length is 2" less you have to worry about your over clothing pulling up & exposing your gun.

Lighter weight (it will be carried more than shot).

Less leather to clear to bring into action.

Less mass to bring into action.

Shorter slide length is harder to grab from an aggressor standpoint.

Again, it's all personal choice. I would offer though, that in a defensive role the accuracy shouldn't be an issue because the range you would be shooting would be short (we are talking about citizen CCW here, I believe). Any well built 1911 would fit that bill, 3" long barrel or 5".

The newer personal defense JHP perform well in short barrels, especially in those short distances when velocities are still high.

As far as 230gr bullets go, there are good bullet designs in 165, 180, 200, etc. I wouldn't hesitate to use any of them that functioned well in my semi-auto. If a 230gr was less reliable or expanded less, I would chuck it in favor of a lighter load that performed better.

It will recoil more, that's a fact. However, the newer hi-grip beavertails do help in reducing the muzzle flip.

Reliability would need measured for each gun on its own merits.

Well, instead of beating them on the head with the gun, maybe you can throw extra mags at them :p
 
Yes, its for civilian CCW. This will be my first carry gun, and I think i would feel more 'self concious' with a full size. Though more power to you if you can conceal a full as well as a compact. My FFL offerd to let me shoot his para sometime so I think I'll try that next.

Does anybody know if the Limited P12 is available in alloy? And what is its loaded weght vs the all steel?
 
"I think the Commander length barrel and slide combined with an Officers model receiver would be the best of both worlds. Any opinions on this combination?"

You've just described the Kimber and Springfield "compact" models.

I agree, it's the best fit for me also.

About gov't-sized, no one will convince me they are as comfortable to sit on in an IWB holster.
And if you've any booty at all, you can tell when standing, too.
-not a problem for you with DGS (diminished gluteal syndrom, ala Hank Hill.)

Weight doesn't seem to be as big a factor for me as some; I have a steel compact, and it really is a nonissue.

As for the Paras and other double-stacks, the girth is an issue in concealeability and comfort, especially IWB-wise.
Would be nice to have 25 rounds on you with a spare mag, but keep in mind, those bullets all weigh something, too.
 
Ditto what youngun says. I suppose everyone may tire of me singing the praises of my Kimber Compact but I love this gun. Like Youngun, I carry a steel frame version in stainless. The weight is not an issue and the gun conceals well. In fact, I conceal it better than any other gun I own, subbies included.

I'm sitting here gloating from the satisfaction of a range session yesterday. There are six shooting stations in the bay I was in. The lane with the old guy shooting the Kimber was the only one with a target having one big ole jagged hole in the middle of the target.

Oldgun,
Randy
 
"I'M GOING IN!"

I shoot a full-size metal 1911 best, so that's what I prefer. The Para's are a bit wide for me, and the small guns offer me no advantage except size. Can hide a full-size okay, so that's what I do. Holster and belt.

Kimber, Colt, Springfield, Brown, Briley, Baer, Wilson, Rock River, Nowlin, etc...

I recommend a full-size 1911, made of ferrous metal, for as much money as you can afford.
Ask me about that list when you figure out how much to spend; more is better.
 
1911s as a rule or relatively easy to conceal, regardless of their size.

That said, if you prefer the Kimber Compact, you will have a difficult time justifying a "better" purchase short of wandering above the thousand dollar mark.
 
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