Having second thoughts on my TRP for CCW

[lincoln6echo]

I already took the class and have my appointment with the sheriff scheduled for next month. I have a full rail TRP and used that for the class because at the time it was the only pistol I had and I knew it was reliable and I was accurate with it.

I ordered a nice Garrett Industries Silent Thunder holster for it and after doing some practice carry in the house for a few days I'm thinking this might be a bit heavy and large as a practical CCW solution. I'm mostly a 1911 guy and was considering getting a Kimber SUper Carry Pro (via SSE) as an alternative and wanted to get some feedback. Thanks!

[viet4lifeOC]

Are you asking if the TRP full rail is too heavy for CCW or are you asking a justification to buy another gun?

[daybreak]

sounds like a declaration. Didn't see a question. Good luck.

[trigger945]

Full Rail TRP is great besides the added weight for CCW. Your other choice of CCW is better and your back will thank you

[lincoln6echo]

Looking for justification of course and any trends in complaints about the Kimber SCP sufficient to steer me an another direction but so far I've found pretty consistently positive feedback on it. I love my TRP but it's heavy and prints easily. OTOH I don't want to "downgrade" much and can't afford a Wilson so here I am.

[k1dude]

If you're a big guy, a FS 1911 shouldn't be a problem if you don't mind the weight. But for most people, it's a lot of gun to be carrying.

That's why smaller and lighter guns are primarily chosen for concealed carry. I would pick something smaller and lighter IMHO. Something polymer in 9mm or .40 from Glock, S&W, Kahr, Walther, Ruger, or Springfield would be good. But if you want to stay a 1911 guy, there's a bunch of nice compact, bobbed, aluminum carry 1911's out there. But they won't save you that much in weight or size compared to a polymer compact or subcompact.

The main attributes that make a gun concealable are thickness, length of grip, and weight. Length of barrel/slide doesn't make that much of a difference. So a compact 1911 doesn't give you much improvement over a full size.

Once you've picked a new carry piece, ask your CCW instructor if he wouldn't mind you showing up to his next class to qualify with the new gun. Since you're allowed 3 guns on your CCW in Placer County, leave your current 1911 on the application. Just add the new gun to the list. You may be glad to have that FS 1911 on the list for when you're in the backcountry or driving around in your car/truck.

I was drooling over this scandium S&W SW1911 PC the other day:

[SilverTauron]

Unless you are extremely confident in the system of due process at your locale,I would advise against carrying a weapon of great financial or personal significance.It could be years before you get a carry weapon back from the police after you've used it,and it'll probably be a rusted hulk when they do hand it over.

Sure there are greater priorities at that point then a firearm,but why hand over a quality piece if you need not do so.

[lincoln6echo]

Loving that S&W!

I'm not a big guy (5'10" 185lb) and would like to have at least the option to carry something lighter and a tad smaller when I chose to, especially in the hotter months. I'm assuming that adding an off roster pistol will not be an issue as far as any CA CCW restrictions are concerned? I know I'm prohibited from doing much else than changing grips, at least in Placer which is a bummer.

[Lead Waster]

Is this just a gloat thread to say "Oh, I'm getting a CCW? Neener neener?"

Because I"m jealous now. I'm also jealous about the TRP!

[k1dude]

I'm assuming that adding an off roster pistol will not be an issue as far as any CA CCW restrictions are concerned?

Shouldn't be an issue.

[lincoln6echo]

CCW isn't hard to get man... if you didn't live in the Bay I keed I keed. The TRP I actually found by accident looking for an MC Operator. Sporting Arms had it for $1540 and I've seen them on the forums here for $2k so I pounced on it. It's an amazing 1911 and I'm glad to have splurged on it but still want a smaller, lighter option as well. Doing some reading on that S&W is really wetting my appetite though!

[Riddler]

I love 1911's but would not carry one if I had a ccw.
I would personally go with a glock 19. But thats just me.

[DCF]

Try this at home and unloaded, have someone watch you carry a gun concealed, and at the same time perform various tasks like sitting in a car, bend over, hop, reach up... And see if the other person can see your gun. It might be hard to do with a full size 1911.

I carry IWB with a compact and it's not too comfortable especially when sitting.

[trigger945]

The TRP I actually found by accident looking for an MC Operator. Sporting Arms had it for $1540

WHAT???????? Good for you!

[mag360]

I'd get thin single stack gun for majority carry duty.

I have a glock 26, 19 and 20 on mine. Never have carried anything but the 26 in two years. Save once or twice with the 19 just to see. The 26 is too thick sometimes and I want a kahr p9 or shield 9 or 40, and probably drop the 19 or 26.