what size 1911 would be best for me?

[Cobrafreak]

I'm getting a 1911 for my Birthday coming up. I currently have several rifles but no handgun. I want to get a handgun with the future in mind, concealed carry. Can't do it now, but who knows what the future holds as far as Sheriffs are concerned. I have owned many handguns in the past including full size 1911 Government models with 5" barrels. I'll leave the brand out of this conversation because I want to focus on size of gun, not brand of gun. I stand 5'11", about 208 lbs. I don't think I could comfortably CC a full size 1911. I'm looking at 1911 Compacts with 3.5" barrels with 6+1 capacity and 1911 G.I. Models with a 4" barrel and 7+1 capacity. Which do you think will fit the bill best? Is .45 ACP much less effective out of a 3.5" and 4" barrel?

[IMC87]

I shot a friends 3in 1911 last week (with GI sights).. Other than it being slightly low, the groups were the same as if I were to shoot out of my 5in 1911. I was very impressed and pleased with the accuracy (15 yr old S.A. Ultra compact)

It was a great eye opener and a 3in 1911 is in my near future

[den888]

Commander size, the Officer's size is hit or miss, in terms of reliability, IMHO.

[Corbin Dallas]

Commander bobtail

[El Gato]

Was teaching a ccw class again last night...
dude with a shorty 1911 Kimber had trouble...
gun wouldn't feed his carry loads...he had never bothered to test fire it with them...dang that stuff is expensive and all that...life is expensive..ammo is cheap...
anyway...
he had numerous problems..
all relating to his not shooting his gun..
another guy lit one off into the grass on the range...someone 40 years ago said to carry a 1911 with the hammer down on a live round... they go bang that way...made him proceed with cocked and locked...
the 5 in gun stores the energy of the round in the slide better and just overall functions better... the commander length guns seem to work about as well...

I carry a 5 in 1911 off duty alot...alot alot...the kimber ucII sits in the safe as does the commander... the extra barrel is not hard to hide.. it's the grip frame that some people have trouble with...

the 5 in guns just work better... I've got nothing against the cute little ones... but they are definitely more finicky...for a first handgun...work a 5 in gun will work better and more reliably...when you get 5 or 10 thousand rounds through it and do a Thunder Ranch class and really learn how to run the gun...then buy a cute little one...and then re-learn how to run it...

we saw about 1500 clients last year for ccw classes...alot of different guns...the shorty 1911's gave the most problems...I'm just sayin'... experienced 1911 shooters never seem to have problems with the gun...and having carried a 1911 for 30 years now.. concealment is more than a gun... it's belt/holster/clothing first then gun... I can hide alot of guns on me.. and I'm just 6ft and 230... carried 3 in class last night to the surprise of some...

just My opinion... YMMV

[C.W.M.V.]

I have a RIA officers size model and it is as reliable as my glock. Ice out a few thousand rounds through it without failure, including +p hollow points.

[civilsnake]

Commander, and you can decide if you want to bob it later.

[Black Majik]

Reliability wise, I would maintain a 4.25" - 5" barrel length. You may even be surprised how well a 5" 1911 can conceal. Going IWB, depending on the build, the added length can provide stability. Longer sight radius on a fullsize Government length 1911 is a plus.

However, true commander length 1911s are no slouches. With what is available, I would look into either a CBOB, Commander or SW1911 PD.

I'm probably different than most, but I would require my carry gun to be one I would shoot often at the range. For this, fullsize pistols always work best. However, all steel 1911s can become quite heavy and cumbersome by the end of the day. Good quality gear is very, very important. A good quality, stiff gun belt will go a long ways to help distribute the weight.

For shorter 1911s, you can use lighter grain bullets to get the velocity for reliable JHP expansion. 185 or 200 gr. will work well, you'll have to test it come time to see which runs best in your gun. Generally, the shorter the 1911, the less reliable they may become. There are definitely gems out there that run 100%, then there are the ones that just won't run. Even at 4", I feel it is a disadvantage over the true commander sized guns. Then again, I may just be a traditionalist sticking with 4.25" and 5" gun.

[Juicymeat]

I voted for full size. I'm all of 5'8 and 140 lbs and I have no trouble concealing mine. It's all about a stiff gun belt, a good holster, and proper placement. I carry mine at about "4:30" in a Raven Holster and a Milt Sparks belt with no problems.

[sephy]

Full size is best IMO. You'd be surprised how well that thing tucks away in there.

[Cobrafreak]

Where is the best place for a full size CC 1911, small of the back inside the pant holster? High rider or low rider?

[evidens83]

CBOB

[Black Majik]

Where is the best place for a full size CC 1911, small of the back inside the pant holster? High rider or low rider?

Everyone is different, I found 4 o'clock with a IWB Milt Sparks Summer Special II to be my ideal choice.

[Legasat]

Commander Bobtail (CBOB).

[socalshooting]

Commander bobtail

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