Who carries a concealed Cocked & Locked 1911?

F

FUD

Moderator
I can understand carrying a cocked & locked 1911 in a holster but doesn't the cocked hammer get in the way when trying to quickly draw it from under cover? My wife's uncle carries a full-size 1911 this way and he doesn't seem to have a problem but I've got problems even with a .38 snubbie (with the hammer getting caught on clothing) which is why all of my CCW guns have a concealed hammer.

No critisims or flames, I'm just trying to learn -- even though I've owned and fired guns for about a dozen and a half years, I've been carrying concealed for only a couple of years and still don't know all the tricks.
fudflag.gif
FUD -- Share what you know & learn what you don't.
 
Interesting that the hammer gets in the way the most. I have much more of a problem with my checkered front and back straps and the checkering on my grips grabbing at my clothing than I do with the hammer ever catching. Except for putting my 1911 in my jacket pocket, the hammer has not been an issue. Maybe you shouldn't wear those fuzzy sweaters or mesh tank tops? (grin) Seriously, what I am getting at may be the type of clothing you are wearing. Some fabrics tend to be more "catchy" than others. Appropriate holster choice is also important as well. I have a Milt Sparks VM-2 IWB that has a high panel on the side of the holster closest to the skin that seems to keep my undershirt protected from the hammer. I have no problems with the cover shirt or vest.
 
I carry a full size in a belt holster under a t-shirt. The beavertail pretty much covers the hammer and "shoehorns" it from any snagging so no problems here.


When will TFL be getting a spell checker like Glock Talk? :)



[This message has been edited by AndABeer (edited August 18, 2000).]
 
Due to the shape, I would think that an uncocked hammer would be more likely to snag than a cocked one.
 
No problems on my part carrying in Condition One. If a person has a problem with catching the hammer, they need to practice their draw or wear the 1911 in a different manner.

------------------
Son
1911 Addiction
"The tree of liberty will grow only when watered by the blood of tyrants."
 
I do once in a blue moon. the funny thing is that carrying cocked and locked seems to get my friends nervous, even my buddies in L/E.

------------------
"Out here, due process is a bullet"
 
I'm well into my 4th decade of carrying 1911 type pistols in Condition One. Only trouble I ever had was some discomfort with a brand-new Commander-type hammer. The sharp outer edges tended to abrade my abdomen when carrying it under a polo shirt without an undergarment. A few minutes' work with a Dremel sanding drum and draw file cured the problem.

When I carry inside waistband, under a shirt, I tend to cover the hammer and grip safety tang with my thumb until clear of clothing. This is not a true fast draw situation anyway. When using a holster, I take a shooting grip before starting the draw and have never encountered any difficulty.

I agree with RickB:
Due to the shape, I would think that an uncocked hammer would be more likely to snag than a cocked one.

Best,
RR

------------------
---The Second Amendment ensures the rest of the Bill of Rights---
 
Over the years I have carried various 1911A1 type pistols in condition 1 w/o any problems with the hammer catching on anything.

I still, at times, carry my all steel Colt OM in this condition w/o reservations of any kind.

------------------


Jim - NRA Life Member

www.geocities.com/jimc_07874/home.html
 
FUD, I carry in condition 1 on a very regular basis. Usually it's my Officer's ACP, but lately I've taken to the full size Kimber just to prove it to myself that a full size 1911 can be concealed in summertime attire.
I don't find it any more difficult to draw a condition 1 1911 than any of my striker/hammerless designed pistols. Mark / FL
 
I carry a cocked and locked 1911 and don't have any problems with the hammer snagging. Of course, I tend to put my thumb over the hammer when I draw to prevent snags.
 
My always gun is a Colt Govt. .380 carried in condition one in a belt slide holster. No problems. I sometimes carry a Commander in a Bianchi, but it's hard for me to conceal in what I wear most days. I will soon be receiving a recently purchased Officers' model, which I plan on carrying in a belt slide or IWB, in condition one.

Regards,

Ledbetter
 
I carry a 1911 concealed - no hammer problems yet. I suspect I will not ever have any hammer problems as said before the beavertail keeps it covered and shoehorns it.
 
Hello. In nearly 3 decades of carrying single-action semis in condition 1, I've had no problems like those you mention. You will note that I'm not so ancient as Rocky Road.
This includes uniform holster wear, concealed holster carry, and just stuck in my belt although the 1911s lend themselves to this in my view more than my beloved HPs. Their safety is more positive and in this mode of carry, the grip safety is comforting if the weapon's facing your only set of gonads. Best.
 
Fud, I carry (and have off and on for many years) a Colt's Lightweight Commander. Also have competed with it and Govt models in IDPA (concealed carry type shooting). I've never had any problem with the hammer snagging. I also practice drawing from concealment, at home.

WOLV314, I suggest you don't take to heart, opinions of coppers about firearms. Most cops don't know much about guns anyway, other than the sidearm they carry... and sometimes, not much about them! There are the very knowledgable exceptions, but they are few and far between, compared to the ignorant cops who don't care about learning about firearms. FWIW.

J.B.
 
I got a couple emails stating that I was lying here!

You guys are good - but wrong.

Yes - I got a little Detonics Combat Master... As it does not have a beavertail or any other grip safety - I chose to carry it condition 3 UNTIL I FELT COMFORTABLE with it as a SAFE pistol for Condition 1 carry.

I striped the pistol down to bare bones and examined the entire system... all parts are good to go with no real wear inside. After carrying it Condition 3 with the hammer cocked over the empty chamber and not finding any thing wrong and no unwanted hammer movement... I declared the gun Safe and have since started to carry Condition 1.
One main reason was also the purchase of a decent holster for the Detonics that helped protect the action from unwanted movement of the safety.

"Now... For you Heretics... ATTENTION! Halfright Face! Front Leaning Rest Position... Move! OUTSTANDING! Now push the earth away until I get tired! In Cadence! Exercise!"
 
George, I din't think you were lying. I just thought that you were carrying your Springfield until you were comfortable with the Detonics. I was wrong, but at least I didn't question your honesty. ;)
Eric

------------------
Thaw Shorty!

[This message has been edited by Eric of IN (edited August 18, 2000).]
 
I do! Kimber compact, I love it, but the checkered backstrap and the bottom corner do irritate me because I know they print sometimes. I did carry it condition 3 for awhile till I felt totally confident. and I do now!
 
I don't carry my Kimber nor the Colt partly due to the printing problem, but more due to my residual uneasiness about cocked and locked carry. Insead I keep a 45 in an easily accesible place and carry a smaller double action piece solving both problems.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top