Kimber Custom II vs Kimber Pro Carry II

[tacticalcity]

These are virtually identical. The difference being the Pro Carry II is shorter. Since I want this gun for CCW, I am thinking Pro Carry II (the shorter one) would work better. So for all you 1911 experts, is this a fair assessment or am I off base?

I had considered the Ultra Carry, but it seems a little too small with regards to grip surface area.

Educate me please.

Oh, and the RIA Compact is not on the list, correct?

[Bullwinkle]

The ubiquitous answer... it depends. How are you planning to carry? Via shoulder holster, there's no disadvantage to the larger length... unless maybe you're a thin guy and are carrying horizontal.

For waist carry, the shorter length is probably better... barrel won't be digging into your rear end (IWB) or ruining the car's interior.

As I'm sure you're aware, the grip is the hard part to conceal. Two suggestions I might offer are (a) select a model with a bobtail cut, or (b) pick up something like the Para CCO (using that model for example only, not endorsing per se), which is a Commander length slide/barrel sitting atop an Officers size frame. You do lose one round in that transition, however, plus you indicated you weren't too keen on the Kimber Ultra, which has a comparable frame size.

HTH. You said you wanted to hear from 1911 experts, but I do not carry one.

[stormvet]

Tac, I own and carry all three size's of Kimber .45. All serve a purpose, but the gun that I carry the most is a CDP-PRO.
In a perfect world I would carry my full size all the time, but if you spend a good amount of time driving the barrel will dig into the set, get wedged between the set and the center consol, dig into your rear and just plan be uncomfortable. For me the 4" does not cause any of these problems and is almost as accurate and shootable as the full size. The little ULTRA-CDP is for hot summer days when max concealment is needed.
For every day carry I would recommend the PRO size Kimber. The below pic show the three size's together.

Kimber PRO-CDP, Tactical Custom and Ultra-CDP.

[fullspeed1]

Custom II with a magwell and Tac grips

[tacticalcity]

Wouldn't the magwell and tac grips making printing an issue? Again...main criteria here is carrying concealed. Not which is cooler.

I am switching from a Glock 19 because the 1911 has a slim frame and won't print as badly. On me, the Glock literally screams "GUN!!!!!", so I want to keep the 1911 nice and thin. Maybe once I own one I will realize it is not an issue. But I am trying to hide this thing on my hip.

I am a fat guy. So you would think it would be easy. But it isn't. For whatever reason on my body guns have a tendency to stand out.

[Killawhale415]

Isnt the Pro Carry II bushingless?
Id lean toward that as it is an affordable and proven option.

[stormvet]

Your holster rig will play a big part in hiding your gun as will your clothing. The slimness of the 1911 help make it a very comfy IWB gun. A full size frame can print while bending over, just remember to use your knees. Yes a magwell adds lengh to the frame, looser thicker clothing are needed not to print. Sometimes we have to dress to the gun, but wearing too much in the summer is just as bad as printing. The heavier you are the harder it is to hide your EDC, I have discovered this over the years.

[stormvet]

Isnt the Pro Carry II bushingless?
Id lean toward that as it is an affordable and proven option.

Yes, that is the only draw back to the gun. You need a tool (small pin) to dissasemble the gun.

[fullspeed1]

storm has an example of nearly all the possibilities available to you in a Kimber 1911 platform. Its obvious for EDC that an Ultra CDP is your choice. I couldn't imagine trying to conceal carry a fullsize, Although with the right holster it's possible. But, that's why I have a G19.

[tacticalcity]

storm has an example of nearly all the possibilities available to you in a Kimber 1911 platform. Its obvious for EDC that an Ultra CDP is your choice. I couldn't imagine trying to conceal carry a fullsize, Although with the right holster it's possible. But, that's why I have a G19.

My G19 printed really badly on me because it was so thick, and I have (for sale now in the marketplace) a Blade-Tech Eclipse holster specifically designed to hide it. The grip size was not as much of an issue as the frame thickness. The waist is just he area where I am the thickest, so anything extra around that area stands out. I was also getting a lot of slide-bite from the G19, because the grip surface area was so small compared to my hands. Hoping the beavertail on a 1911 will prevent any hammer bite. Don't get me wrong, I am HUGE Glock fan. I just need something with a thinner frame for CCW.

[stormvet]

I have a Glock 27 that is not nearly as comfortable or concealable IWB as the 4" 1911, the slide and frame are too thick. It serves as a back up cargo pant pocket gun.

[RTE]

+1 for the Pro carry II
Very nice compact package and shoots just like my stainless II.

[DaveFJ80]

Pro Carry II

As much as I love shooting my full size TLE/RL II, I'm in the process of getting a Pro Carry II in 9mm, as I really want to play with that.

[tacticalcity]

Doing a PPT? I didn't think the 9mm version was on the list? Man does that list suck!

[Heiko]

I carry a Springfield Loaded Champion LW. I did look at the Kimber Pro Carry II and liked it but the SA came to me at an unbelievable price and I really like the SA warranty so I went with it. Like others have stated, the extra 1" of the Govt model will dig into everything and be that little bit that shows from under a shirt when worn OWB. It's amazing what a difference and inch makes. (Dirty minds!)

I am not a big guy at 5' 7" and about 165 pounds and the Champion disappears on me in an IWB Milt Sparks Summer Special II. I do have to be aware of shirt selection, obviously because a tighter shirt will print. I have also ordered a Wilson 47 slim pad magazine to reduce that little extra bit on the end of the grip that could cause printing. The base pad on the 47D is pretty thick.

I would go with the mid-size of the Pro Carry/Champion/Commander. You'll enjoy shooting it more than the smaller framed guns.