Double Naught Spy
New member
A commander slide and officer's grip is basically a concealed carry officer's model, also called a compact by the folks at Wilson. I have a Wilson Compact CQB and think it is great.
Generally speaking, I don't think most people think of OWB holsters as being concealed carry, but that I guess they still work fine so long as you wear something long over them. Even so, Kevinch, 'compact' guns are not 2" shorter than full-sized. That would be the subcompact or officer's models.
Some of ther kevinch information brings up a real problem. Lighter weight guns with smaller grips and shooting full-powered ammo. That sounds like good criteria for a back-up gun, but not the primary. Lighter weight and shorter barreled 1911s are definitely harder to control than their larger counter parts. The same sort of logic is used to sell "ladies" guns because they are really light, but then the people who buy them don't like the way the gun feels when they shoot it and won't practice with it. Most "ladies" guns of light weight and large caliber really should be expert or experienced shooters guns.
If you want to go lighter weight, get a gun with an aluminum frame, but keep the barrel length. That being said, weight should not be a problem if you are healthy, use a proper holster, use a proper belt, and the belt fits the pants' belt loops properly.
Sheepshan, the difference you ask about may not be huge. However, you will get better velocity out of a full-sized 1911 than out of a compact or subcompact. More velocity will translate into better penetration and if using hollowpoint, better likelihood of expansion. People always say that shot placement is the most critical factor, but it isn't, not by itself. You must have the penetration with it. Platt and Matix were both struck in the head by 9 mm fire during the 1986 FBI shootout in Miami. Neither bullet penetrated the brain cavity and both survived their head wounds just fine. No penetration, no stopped bad guy. You gotta have both and higher velocity will come from the longer barreled 1911, hence give you a little better penetration.
Few things in ballistic wounds are absolutes. Instead, it is all about percentages - increasing one's chances of inflicting harm, greater % of damage done, etc.
Generally speaking, I don't think most people think of OWB holsters as being concealed carry, but that I guess they still work fine so long as you wear something long over them. Even so, Kevinch, 'compact' guns are not 2" shorter than full-sized. That would be the subcompact or officer's models.
Some of ther kevinch information brings up a real problem. Lighter weight guns with smaller grips and shooting full-powered ammo. That sounds like good criteria for a back-up gun, but not the primary. Lighter weight and shorter barreled 1911s are definitely harder to control than their larger counter parts. The same sort of logic is used to sell "ladies" guns because they are really light, but then the people who buy them don't like the way the gun feels when they shoot it and won't practice with it. Most "ladies" guns of light weight and large caliber really should be expert or experienced shooters guns.
If you want to go lighter weight, get a gun with an aluminum frame, but keep the barrel length. That being said, weight should not be a problem if you are healthy, use a proper holster, use a proper belt, and the belt fits the pants' belt loops properly.
Sheepshan, the difference you ask about may not be huge. However, you will get better velocity out of a full-sized 1911 than out of a compact or subcompact. More velocity will translate into better penetration and if using hollowpoint, better likelihood of expansion. People always say that shot placement is the most critical factor, but it isn't, not by itself. You must have the penetration with it. Platt and Matix were both struck in the head by 9 mm fire during the 1986 FBI shootout in Miami. Neither bullet penetrated the brain cavity and both survived their head wounds just fine. No penetration, no stopped bad guy. You gotta have both and higher velocity will come from the longer barreled 1911, hence give you a little better penetration.
Few things in ballistic wounds are absolutes. Instead, it is all about percentages - increasing one's chances of inflicting harm, greater % of damage done, etc.