Carrying a full size 1911 really isn't that bad.

iluv2viddyfilms · 11-25-2011, 17:30

I watched the Nutnfancy project and several other youtube videos about people saying it is sooo difficult to carry a full sized stainless steel 1911. Well I have a Colt series 70 mkiv and it's not bad at all. And I'm a fairly compact person, 5'7" about 160 lbs. The weight doesn't bother me with a decent belt. I have an OK belt and an OK Galco IWB holster, but the two belt clips are very close together so if my belt isn't on tight the angle does shift around slightly.

For winter carry it's fine, even for fall and spring. I have a g27 for summer that I can carry with tight t-shirts.

But while I understand that the 1911, might be a bit on the heavy size, I don't find it unreasonable. I just ordered a Crossbreed Supertuck online after about a year or two or hearing about them. Yes, I finally broke down.

We'll see how it goes, but my primary reason is to distribute the weight of my 1911 around the 2-4 position of the belt.

Note: This is not my gun, but it's almost exactly the same, except mine is stainless steel. You can see mine on my 1911 youtube video.

Deye76 · 11-25-2011, 17:37

"Carrying a full size 1911 really isn't that bad. "

But a Glock 39 is soooo much better/comfortable.

iluv2viddyfilms · 11-25-2011, 17:46

I've never carried a Glock 39, but isn't it a bit more wide than a 1911. Also it has only six rounds of a smaller .45 cartridge. I could be wrong though.

Deye76 · 11-25-2011, 17:51

Slightly wider, half the weight. Yes 6 rounds, one well placed shot with the frontal diameter of a .45 usually get's it done.

rohanreginald · 11-25-2011, 17:56

I sometimes carry a full size 1911. It is my second choice to a G26. The weight is the only issue for me.

Kahr Fan! · 11-25-2011, 18:05

My belt gun when I ccw is an all stainless steel Sig P220 in 45ACP. Dimensionally it is very similar to an all steel 1911. I carry mine all day comfortably either in a OWB galco combat master or an IWB cross breed super tuck and I also have a high quality galco belt. In my experiences as long as you have a quality belt/ holster the size and weight of a belt gun does not matter. The P220 is pretty thin compared to other guns so maybe a thicker gun would bother me. I generally carry at 4:00.

Fastbear · 11-25-2011, 18:07

Series 70 was my first big gun 39 years ago. Still have her, with a few updates the old girl shoots fine. The Glocks replaced her for work carry as they are easier to live with for the all shift carry. Always like to look at the Series 70-beautiful gun.

Sheepdog Scout · 11-25-2011, 18:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deye76

"Carrying a full size 1911 really isn't that bad. "

But a Glock 39 is soooo much better/comfortable.

It all depends on the person. I carry a Beretta 92 100% of the time when I'm not at home. I've traveled across the country with it on my hip. It has never bothered me or been uncomfortable.

Wayne D · 11-25-2011, 18:42

A full size 1911 is dimensionally close to a G34/35. I carry a G35 IWB under a tee shirt with no problems. Like Sheepdog says, it depends on your body size/type.

BK63 · 11-25-2011, 19:34

I love shooting 1911's and have a couple of my own. The right holster makes it work, but for me I just can't get used to that cocked and locked thing, so I carry other things.

***seanmac45*** · 11-25-2011, 19:49

I carry a 5" 1911 all day every day from the moment I arise until I go to sleep.

Sparks gunbelt, VM II and a spare mag/surefire combo pouch on the right side to boot.

Hardly notice them at all.

fuzzy03cls · 11-25-2011, 19:56

It's not the size it's the weight. My 1911 & Beretta M9 stay in the safe. I carry a G22. Big but not a brick.

***seanmac45*** · 11-25-2011, 20:01

Please.................

xmanhockey7 · 11-25-2011, 22:08

You are part of the smaller amount of concealed carriers who carrying a full size 1911 doesn't bother them. If I'm open carrying I don't mind carrying a G22 with me but for concealed carry I find it prints pretty bad if I sit down. Standing is fine though.

cowboywannabe · 11-25-2011, 22:23

mostly depends on your build.

im 6'04" 240 lbs, i can carry a G20 IWB without difficulty, as well as a full sized 1911. im not average sized.

dressing around a gun can make it easier to carry many kinds, but in the summer that isnt pratical for many.

JK-linux · 11-25-2011, 22:36

Two ends of the extreme for me. A full sized steel framed 1911 or an alloy and steel Colt Cobra. I'm a lazy CCW'er who doesn't like to play dress up with holsters and belts and untucked shirts just to run out for some smokes and gas, so the Cobra usually rides shotgun 90% of the time. The 1911 is there when I have more time, or more reason to carry something better.

ancient_serpent · 11-25-2011, 22:43

I've never had a problem carrying a full sized 1911, either.

Tank44 · 11-25-2011, 22:44

I carry a full size 1911 and have for years. I tried polymer guns and just could not get comfortable with them. I carry mine in a Galco Royal Deluxe and don't have any problems with concealment. I love the weight of an all metal gun and find I can control it much better than lighter guns.

Bodyarmorguy · 11-26-2011, 01:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deye76

"Carrying a full size 1911 really isn't that bad. "

But a Glock 39 is soooo much better/comfortable.

Carrying a pistol is not supposed to be comfortable, it is supposed to be comforting.

Quote:

Originally Posted by xmanhockey7

You are part of the smaller amount of concealed carriers who carrying a full size 1911 doesn't bother them. If I'm open carrying I don't mind carrying a G22 with me but for concealed carry I find it prints pretty bad if I sit down. Standing is fine though.

The whole printing thing really gets me. First, the majority of the sheep around you will never notice the print. For crying out loud, a few years ago a guy walks into a major shopping mall wearing a short jacket with the barrel of an AK47 sticking out the bottom of it, nobody noticed until he started shooting.

If someone does see it "printing" so what. Almost everyone is walking around with some giant smartphone on their hip. Again, nobody notices and if they do they think it's a phone.

Carrying concealed is not about convenience or comfort, it's about committment to your safety and that of those around you. My off-duty dress is most commonly a pair of cargo shorts and a polo shirt. I quite easily conceal a full sized 1911, Glock 22, 23 and a spare mag without an over-sized shirt. I am 5'10/190. No, you won't catch me wearing those ever so stylish Ed Hardy or Affliction t-shirts that every Jersey Shore wanna be tool is wearing, but hey at least yoou'll be a stylish looking corpse as you struggled to get your .32 Kel-Tec or Ruger LCP that was "better than nothing" out of the pocket of your skin tight True Religion jeans.

Not a flame on the posters I quoted, merely used to illustrate my commentary.
End of rant

JuneyBooney · 11-26-2011, 01:58

I prefer the 4 inch barrels but the 1911 firearms are nice and flat.

xmanhockey7 · 11-26-2011, 02:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bodyarmorguy

Carrying a pistol is not supposed to be comfortable, it is supposed to be comforting.

The whole printing thing really gets me. First, the majority of the sheep around you will never notice the print. For crying out loud, a few years ago a guy walks into a major shopping mall wearing a short jacket with the barrel of an AK47 sticking out the bottom of it, nobody noticed until he started shooting.

If someone does see it "printing" so what. Almost everyone is walking around with some giant smartphone on their hip. Again, nobody notices and if they do they think it's a phone.

Carrying concealed is not about convenience or comfort, it's about committment to your safety and that of those around you. My off-duty dress is most commonly a pair of cargo shorts and a polo shirt. I quite easily conceal a full sized 1911, Glock 22, 23 and a spare mag without an over-sized shirt. I am 5'10/190. No, you won't catch me wearing those ever so stylish Ed Hardy or Affliction t-shirts that every Jersey Shore wanna be tool is wearing, but hey at least yoou'll be a stylish looking corpse as you struggled to get your .32 Kel-Tec or Ruger LCP that was "better than nothing" out of the pocket of your skin tight True Religion jeans.

Not a flame on the posters I quoted, merely used to illustrate my commentary.
End of rant

To me the most important part is having the gun on you. Part of it is having the gun be comfortable. I normally OC anyway but I've found when I carry it in my shoulder holster (CC) the bugger sticks out when I sit down. I don't make a huge deal about people seeing but in certain CC situation I want to absolutely sure that no one sees. In other CC situations I could care less. For instance I'll have the G22 on my hip with my coat covering it. If my coat opens up and people see I don't care. I do realize people will probably not notice the print especially because many don't even notice I'm OCing. And btw I'm quite smaller than you, 5'7 145ibs.

***HerrGlock*** · 11-26-2011, 03:49

That all depends on your belt.

You can have a cheesy holster and a steel 1911 but you won't notice it if you have a hell of a good gun belt.

It's the ones who say that a "good, thick belt" from Wal-Mart is good enough that have issues with carrying a heavy gun and talk about how uncomfortable it is.

***seanmac45*** · 11-26-2011, 04:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bodyarmorguy

Carrying a pistol is not supposed to be comfortable, it is supposed to be comforting.

The whole printing thing really gets me. First, the majority of the sheep around you will never notice the print. For crying out loud, a few years ago a guy walks into a major shopping mall wearing a short jacket with the barrel of an AK47 sticking out the bottom of it, nobody noticed until he started shooting.

If someone does see it "printing" so what. Almost everyone is walking around with some giant smartphone on their hip. Again, nobody notices and if they do they think it's a phone.

Carrying concealed is not about convenience or comfort, it's about committment to your safety and that of those around you. My off-duty dress is most commonly a pair of cargo shorts and a polo shirt. I quite easily conceal a full sized 1911, Glock 22, 23 and a spare mag without an over-sized shirt. I am 5'10/190. No, you won't catch me wearing those ever so stylish Ed Hardy or Affliction t-shirts that every Jersey Shore wanna be tool is wearing, but hey at least yoou'll be a stylish looking corpse as you struggled to get your .32 Kel-Tec or Ruger LCP that was "better than nothing" out of the pocket of your skin tight True Religion jeans.

Not a flame on the posters I quoted, merely used to illustrate my commentary.
End of rant

LMAO!

You stated that so much better than I, sir. Well done.

BailRecoveryAgent · 11-26-2011, 08:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bodyarmorguy

. No, you won't catch me wearing those ever so stylish Ed Hardy or Affliction t-shirts that every Jersey Shore wanna be tool is wearing

God bless you sir for not wearing Ed Hardy shirts. I went into a restaurant the other day and besides the waitstaff, I was the only dude without a fake tan, epic flashy gay tshirt, and hairgel. For once, I was the coolest guy in the room.

Deye76 · 11-26-2011, 13:07

"Carrying a pistol is not supposed to be comfortable,"

Well then, you'll never know the difference. I carried a 1911 for many years, was no more "comforting" than any other pistol I've carried. However it was like having a quart of milk, weight wise, on my belt.