Carrying a $2,000+ 1911?

[popo198]

If you are worried about your weapon printing, try a "crossbreed" brand holster. I carry everyday and I own three crossbreed's- 1911, M9, and Glock 22. They are comfortable and conceal the weapon wonderfully.

[Huskyfever03]

TRS is an mtac daily

[IrishCop]

After seeing a lot of really expensive 1911's choke at a recent class I'm more reluctant than ever to want to depend on one to save a life. They are wonderful guns, but there simply are better choices available. Now, if you are a master gunsmith and can fix and properly maintain your own pistols, or wealthy enough to have someone else do so...more power to ya. But for the vast majority of folks a plastic gun will be a wiser choice. In my opinion.

I remember some of the guys in my academy class were issued Kimbers by their department. They had quite a few issues with them during qualifying. There was also another guy with a Sig P220 who also hadissues with his weapon during qualifying. I believe that it was the operators and not the guns that were having issues. I have 2 Sigs, a Springfield MC Operator, and a Colt LW Commander. I have not had any issues with any of them. I think the biggest thing is that I see too many people who go out to qualify or whatever and have not actually practiced with their weapon enough. I know that this was the case with the guys in my academy class. They basically had a new gun thrown at them and I'm also thinking that they had not done much shooting in their life.

I was raised shooting weapons and now I'm luckly enough to have a range at my house. I try to get out at least once a week so I can stay proficient with my duty weapon and to make sure that it is functioning properly.

[RyanB]

The replacement value of my Heirloom Precision Best Grade Colt is about $6,000.

Currently it's on loan to my brother because he needed a single stack gun to carry through California. Illegally.

So you probably can tell how I feel.

[Alaskapopo]

I remember some of the guys in my academy class were issued Kimbers by their department. They had quite a few issues with them during qualifying. There was also another guy with a Sig P220 who also hadissues with his weapon during qualifying. I believe that it was the operators and not the guns that were having issues. I have 2 Sigs, a Springfield MC Operator, and a Colt LW Commander. I have not had any issues with any of them. I think the biggest thing is that I see too many people who go out to qualify or whatever and have not actually practiced with their weapon enough. I know that this was the case with the guys in my academy class. They basically had a new gun thrown at them and I'm also thinking that they had not done much shooting in their life.

I was raised shooting weapons and now I'm luckly enough to have a range at my house. I try to get out at least once a week so I can stay proficient with my duty weapon and to make sure that it is functioning properly.

1911's require a lot more maintenance to keep running. Thats why I dropped my Wilson and went back to a Glock 17. That and 8 rounds sucks. A duty weapon should run even with minimal maintenance. Glocks don't care rather their clean or not rather their lubed or not they run. That is the way you want a duty weapon to be. You don't want it to be finicky.
Pat

[GSXRSEAN]

I wouldn't buy a Rolex, I think that would be a waste of money.

However I do not think putting my hard earned money into a quality firearm is a waste of money.

Pot meet Kettle.


With that said, I rotate between a EB Special Forces and a Colt LW Commander.
Im sure some people out there would think my choices are a waste of money too. To each their own.

[wetidlerjr]

1911's require a lot more maintenance to keep running. Thats why I dropped my Wilson and went back to a Glock 17. That and 8 rounds sucks. A duty weapon should run even with minimal maintenance. Glocks don't care rather their clean or not rather their lubed or not they run. That is the way you want a duty weapon to be. You don't want it to be finicky.
Pat

I'm sorry but I just don't agree with that at all. I own and carry (one at a time!) quite a few different 1911s and I have never found that to be, even remotely, true. It is, however, a mantra that is chanted, far and wide, so many consider it to be the gospel. All I can say to those that believe it is, "You should have bought a better 1911 to begin with."
I have had very few problems that were easily solved by a few springs, followers and (one time), a new slide stop. Buy good mags, change some springs every now and then and clean and lube is all that is needed. Besides, Glocks have no soul.
As always, YMMV.

[Todd762]

I carry a 1911 that Ned Christiansen did for me when off duty. It conceals and rides extremely well for me so I use it. I don't feel under gunned with it and a spare magazine. I have had zero problems with the reliability of it and trust it completely. I wouldn't hesitate to carry it on duty if allowed either.

[Peshawar]

Glocks have no soul.
As always, YMMV.

Which is what 95% of the reluctance to use a Glock or M&P or a similar polymer gun boils down to. Tradition, feel, and aesthetics. NOT pragmatism, and NOT efficacy. The best 1911 shooter I know carries a Glock most frequently as his CCW. I'm not trying to argue that a 1911 won't do the job, I'm just pointing out that a far cheaper pistol can do the job and maybe even do it better. It's like choosing a Bugatti over a Honda. Ok, yeah, it's cooler. But will it get you from point A to point B more reliably? No, it probably won't. Are there exceptions? Yes, that's why I'm only suggesting it as a generality (and only as one layman's opinion at that) and not a blanket statement of fact. Again, I LOVE 1911's. They're lovely. But I just don't buy into the idea that their aesthetic qualities translate into them being the best practical choice for most people.

[SteveS]

Most people I know with a carry permit start big and end up with a tiny 9mm semi or a J frame type.