What's the best 1911 for carry?

massglock17

massglock17

Joined
Jan 23, 2013
Messages
36
Likes
2
Location
Southern Worcester County
Feedback: 3 / 1 / 0
Ive recently decided a 1911 will be the next gun to the collection
I do anticipate carrying this gun during cold weather seasons
I currently carry a sub compact glock and I'm a little concerned
about the clear size difference in frames. Any advice in a particular
model or size? I have only had the opportunity to shoot a full size
Ive been told look into a s/w e series or pro series in 4.25" barrel
with a bobtail or rounded butt. Does the 3" barrel make a significant difference
in recoil or dependability?
any opinions are greatly appreciated before investing the money
thank you

Corey
 
Last edited:
massglock17 said:
Does the 3" barrel make a significant difference
in recoil or dependability?
Click to expand...

Yes, and Yes

The shorter the barrel, the more felt recoil, if all other factors remain the same.

A well built 5", or 4.25" 1911 can be 100% reliable. The 3" models don't have enough barrel length for a proper recoil spring and guide rod, so reliable often suffers. YMMV
 
SJan said:
Yes, and Yes

The shorter the barrel, the more felt recoil, if all other factors remain the same.

A well built 5", or 4.25" 1911 can be 100% reliable. The 3" models don't have enough barrel length for a proper recoil spring and guide rod, so reliable often suffers. YMMV
Click to expand...

B.S. I have a Colt defender and a Gold cup. Both guns have performed flawlessly. I don't shoot reloads or non jacketed rounds in the Defender it is a carry gun. The Defender gets new springs around 500 rounds.
 
Last edited:
1911sc1.jpg
 
I carry the S&W Pro 3". Fits me good and, it has been very reliable. I believe in practice, so I've fired hundreds of rounds through it with never a FTF or FTE. I shoot it in cold and hot conditions, again never one misfire. Having said that, no 1911 is light, and add 8 rounds of 45, it becomes heavy. Get a good belt (spend the $) and a good two clip holster regardless of which gun you choose.
 
If you're not a lefty, Ruger sr1911 commander. Excellent piece around $650 new. Had one but sold it and got a SW e-series with an ambi safety for a few hundred more. Series 70 FTW
 
Shorter barrel guns (3 inch barrels) i.e. Officer's Model have a tendency to be less reliable in the 1911 tribe. This is a general statement and YMMV. I'm sure that there are individual examples that perform splendidly and others that would best be served as boat anchors. The traditional five inch barrel works well for many, and is not impossible to conceal at all. My personal preference leans towards the Commander size pistol. To me it has the right balance and I prefer the shorter sight radius. Little is lost from the standpoint of velocity compared to the GM.

As another poster said, unless you get an alloy frame, these pistols are heavier than you might be used to. Even the Officer's size should be considered a belt holster pistol and you should ensure that you have a good belt and a good holster.

My preference: 4.25 inch Commander Size (some makers make them in 4 inch vs 4.25)

So many makers, so many accessories, so many customization options. The 1911 is the most mature and developed handgun on the planet. Pricewise the sky is the limit or a bare bones model can be had relatively inexpensively especially depending on where you live.
 
I carry the S&W 3" pro and love it. not one malfunction.. I dont notice the recoil as I have never shot a full size 1911. Very easily controlled and very accurate.
 
I love my remington R1 but the GI beaver tail kinda bites after a few hundred rounds, I have carried it iwb and a shorter para as well the barrel length didn't make much of a difference if you carry it in an iwb holster I'd just get a full size or a glock 30s ;)
 
I happen to own an Officer's sized 1911 that isn't even fit to be a boat anchor. Never again will I make that mistake.

All around I like the S&W1911SC round butt. Its Commander sized, reliable, reasonably lightweight and the round butt makes for easier concealment. A fine weapon.

There are some other round butts out there although many are much more pricey.
 
This. I own the two tone version and it is my cc gun. Super accurate and not that heavy at all. Eats pretty much anything I feed it. My nephew has the S&W 3" pro-series and it has performed flawlessly for him also. I do feel a lot less recoil with my SC than my heavier 645 all stainless. Don't know why the lighter, scandium gun shoots so nice but it does. My nephew also has the Ruger and had the Remington. Shoots better than his Ruger and he had to return his Remington because of multiple mechanical problems.

ISOTOX said:
Model SW1911SC
E-Series™ - Round Butt, Scandium Frame. [dance]
Click to expand...
 
Last edited:
I've had problems with commander sized 1911s when trying to use 230grn rounds. I've only had luck with 185grns rnds, but I still haven't come up with a good reload that I feel comfortable with.

One thing to remember is that carrying a 1911 is different then carrying anything else. For those not fully comfortable with it's function, carrying with round in chamber and hammer cocked can be a weird feeling even with the safety on. (Which it should always be when carrying)
 
As others have stated, even a lightweight 1911 is going to be significantly heavier than your sub compact Glock. The Glock is around 27 ounces loaded. I'm guessing a lightweight 1911 will be around 38 ounces loaded. It may not seem too bad when you're just holding it, but after a few hours of carrying you may have second thoughts.
 
Last edited:
wheelgun said:
As others have stated, even a lightweight 1911 is going to be significantly heavier than your compact Glock. The Glock is around 27 ounces loaded. I'm guessing a lightweight 1911 will be around 38 ounces loaded. It may not seem too bad when you're just holding it, but after a few hours of carrying you may have second thoughts.
Click to expand...

glock 26 21.7oz
STI Escort 22.7 oz
 
Supermoto said:
glock 26 21.7oz
STI Escort 22.7 oz
Click to expand...

Thanks for the pointer to STI, I learned something new [grin]

But getting one in Mass will not be easy. And for me, a 3" barrel is too short anyway. I took a quick look, don't think their 4" barrel models are much lighter than 32 ounces.
 
I carry G30 at about 3:00 with forward cant IWB Infidel Ultra holster. Would not be able to carry any size 1911 in that position- beaver tail alone will do me in... G30 with 10+1 in the pipe is heavy, but nowhere near the 1911...
 
I do carry my fullsize sr1911. I trust my life with it. Still breaking in my sig ultra compact 1911. Then I'll carry that pretty thing. And then I'll buy a sig p938.
 
I carry a Para with a 10 round McCormick Power mag, another 10-rounder in my pocket. OWB in a Galco thumb break holster at 3-4 o'clock depending on the jeans. GOOD belt:)

Winter is easy under a Carhart jacket, covers 3-4" beyond the muzzle. Summer isn't too bad, I just leave my shirt untucked:) down side is white chicken legs:(
 

Similar threads

newly produced m1 carbines: who makes the best
Replies
24
Views
711
PappyM3
PappyM3
What's acceptable Secure Storage for gun safes, guns and ammo in MA when in moving transition for an extended period of time?
Replies
24
Views
405
houdini
houdini
State Sen. Pushes Campus Carry for AZ College Students with Concealed Carry Permits
Replies
0
Views
56
Reptile
Reptile
Carry in Post Office
2
Replies
58
Views
2K
StevieP
StevieP
Migrants can carry guns
Replies
23
Views
726
KBCraig
KBCraig
Back
Top Bottom