Concealed Carry 1911

[William B.]

I just got my Concealed Handgun Permit. I've been carrying a SW1911PD which isn't uncomfortable except for the 5in barrel. The problem I have is that somebody who knows what to look for will see that I'm carrying right off the bat because of the grip length. I want a single stack 1911 in .45 with a 3in barrel. I've been considering a Para Lite Hawg, a Colt Defender, and I've also considered getting a RIA Compact and fixing it up a little. What do you guys think? Especially if you have experience with one of the 3 guns I mentioned.

[Business_Casual]

I think you shouldn't bet your life on a 3" 1911. Ever.

Either carry a 5" gun, (which is doable with an IWB) or carry a G19/P30/M&P.

M_P

[William B.]

I think you shouldn't bet your life on a 3" 1911. Ever.

Either carry a 5" gun, (which is doable with an IWB) or carry a G19/P30/M&P.

M_P

Are there a lot of reliability issues with 3in models? If so why is this? What about Commander style models?

[woodandsteel]

It sounds like you should be looking at a Colt CCO, or one of the copies of it. Colt no longer sells it's CCO model. But you can still find some used ones, for a price.

The CCO is a Commander length slide mated to an Officers Model sized receiver. Although Colt no longer produces one, other gun manufacturers have started to produce their versions of it.

Here is a picture of my wife's CCO;





The shorter grip makes it esier to conceal under a shirt.

Another option is to look at some of the models that have a bobtail grip. Personally, I don't like how they look. But others love them.

[Zhurdan]

I carry a 4" 1911. I'd also recommend against a 3" for anything resembling serious stuff. Getting them to run well is a bit of a trick. The geometry required to load a HP bullet in a 3" pistol is pretty tight. It just adds too many things to the mix that can go wrong. A little lint from carrying all the time gumming up the works plus recoil springs that they recommend to be replaced after 500-800 rounds plus the amount the barrel has to tilt just makes it something I wouldn't want to have on my hip.

Carrying a 5" is doable for sure and I used to carry one for quite a while. I only switched to the 4" because I've shot the hell out of it with HP ammo and I haven't had any problems to speak of. Just keep 'em clean and lubed and of course longer than 3" and shoot the piss out of it to make sure it runs when you need it to.

As far as concealing them... it's not that bad really. I have a Kirkpatrick IWB that cants the gun just enough so where the butt of the gun is not even visible when bending over or twisting.

[jtb0311]

How big are you? I carried a 5" 1911 in an IWB for years. A couple of years ago I bought a Commander and had a gunsmith bobtail it; now I carry it in an IWB.

[rob_s]

Holster selection and body type will have a lot to do with how well you can conceal a 5" 1911, as will where you place the holster on your belt.

All of that said, I like the commander size myself with the 4.25" bushing (meaning non-bull) barrel, and a frame that's shortened by one round and made from aluminum. Best compromise in a carry 1911 IMHO.

[William B.]

How big are you? I carried a 5" 1911 in an IWB for years. A couple of years ago I bought a Commander and had a gunsmith bobtail it; now I carry it in an IWB.

I'm about 5'11 and 185lbs. I'm carrying my 5in in a cheap Blackhawk IWB holster right now. I'm planning to get a better holster once I decide what I'm carrying. Do you have any recommendations for or against any holsters?
What unit are/were you in? I'm an '11 too. I was in 1/6.

[WillBrink]

What do you guys think?

I have carried a 5" and 4.25" 1911 for a decade without a single person spotting a thing. People are MUCH less observant then you think they are. Just admit you wanna buy a new gun* and move on....

* = though I would never recommend anything below a Commander length 1911 personally,

[Bob Reed]

Hello,

My most used mode of carry is a Browning High Power in Andy Arratoonian's Model 28XS Crossdraw. I wear the 28XS strong-side thow, at about the 2 O'Clock/Appendix position. It makes for a really fast & natural draw and The Sleek High Power & Holster are easily concealed under normal fitting cloathing. My mags are carried weak side in a Double Mag Carrier by Rusty Sherrick, and I use Galco's CB2 Firm Contour 1-1/4" Belt to support it all.

Andy's Model 28 Crossdraw: http://www.holsters.org/crossdraw-holster.htm

Rusty's Double Mag Carrier: http://www.c-rusty.com/pages/other%2...agcariers.html

Galco's CB2 Firm Contour Belt: http://www.usgalco.com/HolsterP3.asp...&CatalogID=255