I'm taking a Utah/Florida ccw class next week and its got me thinking. I own a full sized colt, an M9 and a sr22. My hands down favorite is my 1911 but that thing gets pretty heavy and is big. Also, if any of you do use a 1911, what holster or cover do you like to use to minimize imprint?

 

I was thinking about buying a another gun but I'm trying to save money and I'm unsure of what to get.

 

Thanks for your thoughts.

Plenty of people I know carry a 1911 as a daily CCW gun in an IWB holster.

 

With the right belt and holster combo, I have seen guys make the 1911 disappear in shorts and a t-shirt and still have quick acces and a smooth draw.

 

I carry a G22 or G35 (a bit lighter but same size) on a regular basis with no printing issues using a DeSantis Scorpion or a Comp Tac Minotaur on a Ares Gear Ranger Belt.

IMHO the best gun for carry is the one you feel most comfortable carrying.

 

But here's the problem: You'll carry your 1911 for a few weeks and you'll realize that it is heavy and bulky and you'll start to leave it at home.

 

What is better, spending $500 on a new gun that is light enough for carry or keeping your carry gun in your bedside safe because it's just too darn heavy?

 

I may be an out of the ordinary because I usually wear suits or sportcoats and my 1911 conceals up just fine under a suit jacket in an IWB Remora holster.  You can probably conceal your 1911 with a camp shirt as long as you have an undershirt or tank top underneath to keep the gun away from your skin.

 

Have you considered the SR22 as an option for carry?  .22LR may not be the best caliber for self defense but if I were a bad guy, I wouldn't want to get shot with anything.

 

IMHO, get yourself a Kel Tec, Kahr, Nano, LCP9 or if you want to stay with the 45 ACP platform, the XDs.

I don't think I'd use the sr22. I'd rather go with buying a new pistol.

 

Was kicking around the idea of a p99 or a 4" 1911. I really like the Walter ergos and I'm assuming it would be significantly lighter.

Please don't carry a .22 for self defense.

 

If you make a decision to carry a firearm, take it seriously. Carry a firearm that you shoot well (personally I believe that you should carry the gun you shoot the best regardless of the size or weight), is reliable, and is sufficient to get the job done.

 

While size and weight may be a factor, they should be less important than:

- The historical and realistic capabilities of the round it is chambered in (preferably a service caliber between .38/.357, 9mm, .357 Sig, .40S&W, and .45 ACP)

- Your ability to shoot it

- Reliability

- How familiar you are with it. You should at least be in the conscious/competence stage with the weapon and its manual of arms - to include admin functions, malfunction clearance, manipulation of any safeties (if applicable), loading, presentation from the holster, securing in the holster.

 

Remember, carrying a firearm for self defense or the protection of loved ones should be comforting. It does not necessarily mean it will always be comfortable.

 

I don't buy into the argument that "if it is uncomfortable you will leave it at home". That is an excuse for the undisciplined and lazy. If you made the commitment, carry a weapon that is up to the task and dress in a manner to appropriately conceal it.

Please don't carry a .22 for self defense.

 

If you make a decision to carry a firearm, take it seriously. Carry a firearm that you shoot well (personally I believe that you should carry the gun you shoot the best regardless of the size or weight), is reliable, and is sufficient to get the job done.

 

While size and weight may be a factor, they should be less important than:

- The historical and realistic capabilities of the round it is chambered in (preferably a service caliber between .38/.357, 9mm, .357 Sig, .40S&W, and .45 ACP)

- Your ability to shoot it

- Reliability

- How familiar you are with it. You should at least be in the conscious/competence stage with the weapon and its manual of arms - to include admin functions, malfunction clearance, manipulation of any safeties (if applicable), loading, presentation from the holster, securing in the holster.

 

Remember, carrying a firearm for self defense or the protection of loved ones should be comforting. It does not necessarily mean it will always be comfortable.

 

I don't buy into the argument that "if it is uncomfortable you will leave it at home". That is an excuse for the undisciplined and lazy. If you made the commitment, carry a weapon that is up to the task and dress in a manner to appropriately conceal it.

This...all day long.

I carried  my Kimber pro raptor (4.25 inch) a couple of times. I used a Milt sparks VM2 and you really cant see it.

With a quality gun belt it stays put just fine. A few months ago I bought a M&P shield. The gun is great thin, light compared to my Kimber good trigger. I bought a N82 paddle holster for it. Would you believe my 45 conceals better!

So its not just the gun that causes issues when trying to coconceal.

Do a lot of reading on a forum specific to your brand and try and go with what seems to be working well for others.

I carry my full size 1911 when ever I am legally allowed to do so. A good belt makes all the difference. I started out with a cheap bely and after a few hours the gun did become uncomfortable but once I got a quality gun belt a can carry it all day and forget that it is even there.

I've carried a 4" K frame, 1911, Taurus PT99, S&W 659, Ruger P90, and Glock 17 concealed on a everyday basis at different times over the past nearly 40 years. These are all full sized service handguns and theK frame, 1911 and 659 steel frame. These were all carried in a minmal IWB like a Milt Sparks Summer Special not one of those IWBs I see people buying that have huge paddles, multiple straps or clips, and resemble some type of orthopedic support device. These were adquately concealed under a loose fitting tshirt, golf, hawaiian, or guayabera depending on what was in fashion for my locale. If a jacket could be worn I usually used a DeSantis Speed Scabbard w/o the strap.

Carrying a full size handgun gives me the advantage of having a gun that's easier to shoot in an adequate caliber. It also gave me a gun big enough the bad guy could see and convince him to give up (or run) resulting in no shots being fired. A LCP or J frame is not so easily seen.

I think that as you're not able to carry on a daily basis the gun you don't get used to the weight. I prefer heavier guns as I can feel they are there. I tried one of those 10 oz or so J frames and outside of being uncomfortable to shoot, I was afraid I'd lose it without knowing.

I do admit I don't carry a full size gun all the time since I retired. I don't carry just a tiny gun either. However, if I were going into bear country I would be carrying my 3 lb .44 Redhawk and not my Beretta Minx in 22 short. As High Exposure said carry a gun up to the task. At least the forseeable task and your 1911 or 92 fill the bill for SD tasks.

Please don't carry a .22 for self defense.

 

If you make a decision to carry a firearm, take it seriously. Carry a firearm that you shoot well (personally I believe that you should carry the gun you shoot the best regardless of the size or weight), is reliable, and is sufficient to get the job done.

 

While size and weight may be a factor, they should be less important than:

- The historical and realistic capabilities of the round it is chambered in (preferably a service caliber between .38/.357, 9mm, .357 Sig, .40S&W, and .45 ACP)

- Your ability to shoot it

- Reliability

- How familiar you are with it. You should at least be in the conscious/competence stage with the weapon and its manual of arms - to include admin functions, malfunction clearance, manipulation of any safeties (if applicable), loading, presentation from the holster, securing in the holster.

 

Remember, carrying a firearm for self defense or the protection of loved ones should be comforting. It does not necessarily mean it will always be comfortable.

 

I don't buy into the argument that "if it is uncomfortable you will leave it at home". That is an excuse for the undisciplined and lazy. If you made the commitment, carry a weapon that is up to the task and dress in a manner to appropriately conceal it.

+1..whichever one you can hide from the rest of the world but get it out out fastest and when needed get rounds on target accurately and reliably(did I spell that right?)

I will give you my experiences from carrying in Georgia for 5yrs before moving here. I carried a 1911 Springfield loaded or a colt cc if my wardrobe choices could make it disappear. I did not enjoy carrying it in the hot day there so I would switch to a g19.

I currently only have a SIG 1911 tacops and a SIG gsr rail on the way. These will be my carry out of state and I will be happy. If you shoot 1911 well... Carry it.

I hear a lot of ppl say fullsize are too much to.carry or they weigh too much or blah blah blah. 1911s are probably one of the most carried pistols in the US, so if they can do it you can do it.

 

If the gun is large, remember that it changes how you carry. You don't carry to dress, you dress to carry. With this in mind, you can carry whatever you want. A lot of ppl carry heavy guns with crap belts, and then they tend to sag and start feeling awkward. Go out and get yourself a dedicated gun belt with heavy duty kevlar and stitching. Youll thank me later!

 

If you shoot well and really enjoy your f/s 1911, then carry it. In my opinion, there's no reason not to. I'm on the Cz forums frequently and a lot of us have no problem.carrying a fs all steel 75b.

Wow..a .22lr for concealed carry. Really???? Next someone.is going to suggest a slingshot because with the right aim david took down goliath. unbelieveable

Lol ^

Wow..a .22lr for concealed carry. Really???? Next someone.is going to suggest a slingshot because with the right aim david took down goliath. unbelieveable

Read Chris Kyle's book. He address' s this.

I don't have experience CCW with any pistol (for obvious reasons).  I'll tell you that I notice the size/weight

of the 1911 even during a match with a good belt/holster.  Granted it's OWB but even then it's not subtle.

 

Personally I love the 1911, but if I could carry I don't think that would be my go to gun.  I'd want something

that disappears as much as possible.  The size and the weight of the 1911 would be too much FOR ME.

 

There are plenty of people who do it everyday.  I think you should get a CCW style holster and where it 

around the house a few days and see what you think.   

How about a lightweight 1911? The S&W SW1911SC has a scandium frame, shaves 10oz's off the weight, has a 4.25" barrel and a rounded butt. light and comfortable for ccw.

.22lr is better then a thrown rock. If you don't have a suitable carry gun, any gun.

 

I think ridiculing someone for the size of their gun is a little my schwartz is bigger then yours. 

If you like the 1911, why not get a 3" compact? the grip is the same angle just slightly shorter then a full size, and much less of a footprint to conceal. yes a 5" barrel IS more accurate, but the 3 (or even 4") are plenty accurate, and will shoot better then I can....but if you decide you want something a little easier to conceal, i used to carry a Glock G33 when I lived in Florida that was super easy to conceal. like the others said though, YOU need to be comfortable with what you decide to conceal.

I've carried a .22 for self defense (not in NJ of course).  It's convenient and light weight.  I can stick it in my pants pocket and barely notice that it's there (except that I need to remember to put my keys in the other pocket.

 

I've killed enough animals with a .22 that I know it will do the job if needed.  I can put 7 rounds in a small circle with my .22 pistol in under 2 seconds.  I can't get a larger gun back on target that fast.  If I actually believed that today was the day I'd get into a gun fight, I'd carry something bigger.  I'd also wear body armor and carry a backup gun, and probably bring friends.   I don't think today is the day I'll get a flat tire so I only carry a lug wrench and leave my impact wrench at home.  My lug wrench has gotten me home a couple of times.

 

A .380 or 9mm is definitely a more effective self defense gun when you need it and I've carried a .380 too.  But a .22 pocket gun is so much more convenient and I like convenient.

Thanks guys good responses. couple thoughts.

 

I have carried the 1911 during carbine trainings, though I don't know how much different it will feel. It was in a OWB serpa on a heavy duty Alice belt. I honestly forgot I was carrying it but there were other things on there to even out the weight.

 

My gf has a pk380 that I actually like but I don't think I'd carry a .380 unless its a pocket sized gun. For the size only 10 rounds I'd rather have a larger caliber.

 

Any thoughts on m9 vs 1911? I'm not looking for a debate on .45 vs 9mm. either will do the job. Thinking more about DA/SA vs SAO. I shoot well with both.

Thanks guys good responses. couple thoughts.

 

 

Any thoughts on m9 vs 1911? I'm not looking for a debate on .45 vs 9mm. either will do the job. Thinking more about DA/SA vs SAO. I shoot well with both.

 

Either are suitable for sure. It is a matter of your own personal comfort and preference, IMO. Personally, having carried an M9 for years, I'd rather carry a lighter pistol if I'm carrying a 9mm. But then again, my method of carry was limited to shoulder holsters...and I've yet to find one that doesn't get uncomfortable at some point. 

 

If those were my two options, I'd have no problem carrying either. I'm sure you shoot one better than the other, if only a little. That is the one I'd carry.

Either are suitable for sure. It is a matter of your own personal comfort and preference, IMO. Personally, having carried an M9 for years, I'd rather carry a lighter pistol if I'm carrying a 9mm. But then again, my method of carry was limited to shoulder holsters...and I've yet to find one that doesn't get uncomfortable at some point. 

 

If those were my two options, I'd have no problem carrying either. I'm sure you shoot one better than the other, if only a little. That is the one I'd carry.

I get that, but I guess I'm a little less comfortable walking around cocked and locked, being new to carrying. At least with the Beretta I can carry hammer down and decock to unload. I guess I'll get used to it.

I get that, but I guess I'm a little less comfortable walking around cocked and locked, being new to carrying. At least with the Beretta I can carry hammer down and decock to unload. I guess I'll get used to it.

 

 

 

Either are suitable for sure. It is a matter of your own personal comfort and preference, IMO. 

 

Sounds like the M9 might be best then.

 

 

I don't carry my 1911 because I also am not a huge fan of carrying like that either, but it has more to do with hating external safeties then the fact the hammer is cocked. 

I get that, but I guess I'm a little less comfortable walking around cocked and locked, being new to carrying. At least with the Beretta I can carry hammer down and decock to unload. I guess I'll get used to it.

Me too, Beretta SA/DA semi-auto.  One in the chamber, hammer down, safety on.  But only over the state line.

I get that, but I guess I'm a little less comfortable walking around cocked and locked, being new to carrying. At least with the Beretta I can carry hammer down and decock to unload. I guess I'll get used to it.

That falls under my 4th point above. You need to be past the "hand shake" stage with the firearm you intend to carry.

 

Think of all the striker fired pistols out there - Glocks, M&P, XD, etc... There are hundreds of thousands of them out there carried daily and are essentially "cocked and locked" with no issues.

 

Buy quality gear (gun, holster, mags, ammo), train with it, know its limitations, learn what you are capable of, and go forth and do good things.

That falls under my 4th point above. You need to be past the "hand shake" stage with the firearm you intend to carry.

 

Think of all the striker fired pistols out there - Glocks, M&P, XD, etc... There are hundreds of thousands of them out there carried daily and are essentially "cocked and locked" with no issues.

 

Buy quality gear (gun, holster, mags, ammo), train with it, know its limitations, learn what you are capable of, and go forth and do good things.

 

 

I am competent in using it. I've been to IDPA and trainings, drawing from a holster to fire.  But thats a controlled environment more or less 180 degrees infront of me.  It will feel different for me in the real world with no range officers around me. 

I am competent in using it. I've been to IDPA and trainings, drawing from a holster to fire.  But thats a controlled environment more or less 180 degrees infront of me.  It will feel different for me in the real world with no range officers around me.

 

Please don't take this the wrong way.

 

If you are relying on Range Officers to ensure your gun handling skills are correct and safe and your surroundings are secure, you shouldn't be carrying a firearm as a CCW holder.

 

You are the ultimate responsibility for safe and proper handling of a firearm and situational awareness. All of the range officers in the world can't make you or youe encoronmen safe to carry a gun, they will just call you on it if you mess up after the fact.

 

Please don't take that as an insult. It is not meant to be.

 

I would bet that if you shoot IDPA/USPSA and take training classes you are fine. You are just uncomfortable taking thy initial responsibility after living in a state that makes the idea of CCW feel evil, dangerous, and taboo.

I am obviously not relying on them.  My point being that there is no safety net, its not a game.  That may make me a little more anxious to the thought of walking around with a round in the chamber and the hammer back.  Rationally I know that I've done it before and the 2 safeties on the 1911 have worked flawlessly since the day I've gotten it.  But the DA may make me feel safer.  

 

Perhaps you can't relate since you carry a weapon as a career. 

You are thinking too much.