Full Sized or Compact?

[peacester]

Hey everyone, So I Currently own a 5" Railed 1911, I haven't shot the gun enough to get accurate with it yet, But I am starting to wonder if I should carry something smaller like a Springfeild XD-S or a Taurus Millennium G2.


My concerns with the 1911

Hard to conceal due to size​

Weight of pistol causing sag and slowing down reaction time​

Looks and Feels more of a show gun vs a defense gun​

My Concerns with Compacts

More recoil throwing off accuracy​

Smaller capacity (if 45 Auto)​

Help me decide!

 

[Rotorflyr]

Hey everyone, So I Currently own a 5" Railed 1911, I haven't shot the gun enough to get accurate with it yet, But I am starting to wonder if I should carry something smaller like a Springfeild XD-S or a Taurus Millennium G2.

My concerns with the 1911

Hard to conceal due to size​

Weight of pistol causing sag and slowing down reaction time​

Looks and Feels more of a show gun vs a defense gun​

Full size 1911's aren't that difficult to conceal, though it does depend on your body/build and where/how you like to carry
Pistol weight is easy to deal with when using the proper holster/belt combo (same proper combo will also help you conceal)
Look/Feel is subjective, though honestly some guns really are more suited for show then defense purposes (not saying that is the case with your 1911)

My Concerns with Compacts

More recoil throwing off accuracy​

Smaller capacity (if 45 Auto)​

While some pistols do have more recoil it is (agaain) a subjective thing, some people are more sensitive to it then others.
Capacity will really depend on the pistol, as an example the Taurus PT145 has a 10rd magazine, the Glock 36 a 6rd and the Kahr PM45 a 5rd, with all 3 pistols being pretty similar in size. 1911's tend to be between 6-8rd mags depending on the model.

Help me decide!

Best suggestion is find a range where you can try/rent a number of different pistols and see what works/feels best for you...simply holding them in a shop (that's trying to sell you something) isn't the best option and really doesn't tell you much.

 

[Bikenut]

Carry whatever size gun in whatever caliber you are center of mass rapid fire while moving accurate with and is comfortable enough for you to carry everyday. Anything else will be left at home when you need it most.

Oh.... and don't worry about what other people say is the best gun/caliber.... YOU choose which gun/caliber based upon your performance and ability to carry it.

Bear in mind that only hits make holes and only holes stop bad guys. So even .22lr holes are better than .45 misses.

 

[TAC]

I generally carry a full size 1911 and have no problems concealing it. I carry OWB at about 3:30 - 4:00 under a light jacket or untucked shirt.

Weight has never been a problem for me either.

 

[Eidolon]

I don't know what brand of 1911 you own but I wouldn't own a Taurus or an XD.

I carried a full sized steel gun for 15 years and I found that it got old after a while.

Look around take your time see what fits you and buy that

 

[niceshootintex]

I don't know what brand of 1911 you own but I wouldn't own a Taurus or an XD.

I carried a full sized steel gun for 15 years and I found that it got old after a while.

Look around take your time see what fits you and buy that

Sig's 1911's are an excellent choice in any of their calibers offered. I've been carrying a 1911 for a bit now and love it but I think Santa's bringing a striker fired EDC down the chimney this year. Two is better than oneHo, ho, ho.

The Place to Be

 

[primesteven72]

Carry whatever size gun in whatever caliber you are center of mass rapid fire while moving accurate with and is comfortable enough for you to carry everyday. Anything else will be left at home when you need it most.

Oh.... and don't worry about what other people say is the best gun/caliber.... YOU choose which gun/caliber based upon your performance and ability to carry it.

Bear in mind that only hits make holes and only holes stop bad guys. So even .22lr holes are better than .45 misses.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

 

[WanderingSol07]

Recoil should not affect accuracy. The bullet will be out of the barrel before the gun starts to move. Now the time getting back on target will be affected though. My decision is a Browning 1911-380 with a 4.25" barrel. It fits my hand quite well, I have small hands, it is easy fire, 50% of my shots are in a 2" bulls-eye at 7 yards, 100% in a 6" diameter. It is 85% the size of a full size 1911. I enjoy shooting it, weekly, 50-100 rounds, it fits me quite well. I think any gun that fits you well, you enjoy shooting weekly, would be a good choice.

 

[Pandaz3]

That Browning 380 is the Cat's Meow. I have lots of choices in 45. I can carry a full size Ruger 1911 or a RIA Officer model (3.5"), a XDS, and a Shield. I gave away my Para railed Commander size to my LEO son. I don't see carrying a railed 1911 without a light, as the rail adds a lot of bulk. (I can see it with a light, but that is unusual, good, but unusual) The XDS is 5+1 and fits in my pocket, it was primary for me for a long time. The Shield carries 6+1 or 7+1, but I cannot fit it in my pocket, IWB for it. Of my 45 single stacks, I would carry the RIA 1911 3.5" as I can use 8 round government style mags with a Pierce Extender, makes for a great handling gun with a bit more capacity. I have a good IWB holster for it.

I also have a Taurus 9 MM PT-111 G-2 that would be similar to the 40 cal PT-140 G2 I like it.

I carry a XD40 Mod2 SC with a XDS 40 back up as I do favor a larger caliber.

 

[PhillySoldier]

I carry a 4.5" sig in a shoulder holster w 3 20 round mags 10 months out of the year. July/August I switch to something a little smaller.

 

[tattedupboy]

Glock 22, no problems concealing. Just out of curiosity, what kind of holster do you mostly carry your 1911 in?Link Removed

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[niceshootintex]

Glock 22, no problems concealing. Just out of curiosity, what kind of holster do you mostly carry your 1911 in?Link Removed

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My Glock 22 is excellent and my favorite range pistol. Concealing it outside of winter is difficult and uncomfortable for me though. I did it for a couple of years and glad I just range it now.

The Place to Be

 

[Ringo]

Just out of curiosity, what kind of holster do you mostly carry your 1911

Yaqui slide holster​

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Link Removed​

 

[fastreb]

I started carrying a all-steel Gov't model 1911 in about 1978 on a sometimes basis. Over the years, I've had more 1911-type Gov't & Commander-sized pistols than any other type weapon. I've carried them in shoulder-holsters, IWB and OWB holsters. I've even carried them on some very long days. I'm not a big man. Just 5'7" tall. I've also put on more inches around the middle than I want or care to admit since I started carrying, but I'm not badly obese. As I've gotten older, I've found that I don't care to try to deep-conceal any gun any more, 1911s included, so IWB is not for me anymore. However, I will say that when I did carry IWB, and now mostly with OWB, I have found that having a really good belt helps a lot. Having a holster that helps distribute that weight out along the belt also helps. Combine them, you'll have a winner. The holster you say you use, the Yaqui Slide, may be okay for a small plastice wonder. For a full-size, all-steel framed firearm, it allows the firearm weight to start dragging the belt line down because the belt slots are close together and doesn't help distribute that weight. Get a good belt and some other type holster. I'll think you'll be surprised by how easy it becomes to carry that 1911.

 

[Bob R]

The quest for the perfect Goldilocks handgun has been going on for a long time. Not to big and not to small to shoot well. Not to heavy, but heavy enough to not recoil viciously. A long enough sight radius to shoot it well. A reasonably nice trigger pull. Good easy to use controls on the handgun. Reasonably priced, and with magazines that do not break the bank. Then we get into holsters and magazine carriers made for the handgun. Parts available for modifications might be on the list.
My Goldilocks requirements ended up being a handgun of the approximate size of a Colt Commander. This size handgun is reasonably concealable, and very Shootable. Several handguns are available in this approximate size, the Sig 320 Compact, M&P Compact, and the Glock 19/23.
#-#
My Goldilocks semiautomatic has ended up being a Glock 23 Gen IV with a TFO front sight, and a little trigger work. Not you preferred 45acp, but I can live with a 40 S&W with 2 spare magazines.
#-#
EDIT: After writing the above I got my Colt Full Size Stainless XSE out of the safe and carried it off and on for the last three weeks (Probably 3/4 of the time). I am carrying it in a Caldwell IWB leather holster at 4 O'clock with a dual magazine carrier at 9 O'clock. This refreshed me on carrying the 1911. No issues with concealment. It is comfortable to carry, and rides flatter to my body than my Glock 23. It is heavy enough to ride my pants down over time being the only negative. Not enough of an issue to wear suspenders however. My conclusion on concealed carry of the 1911. In a quality holster with a quality 1.5" Gun Belt it is no problem to carry all day for me.
I had carried in the Caldwell IWB holster only a couple times since I bought it several years ago. And for only a very few hours all added up. After carrying IWB in it the last 3 weeks, I think I will talk with Shannon Caldwell about an IWB holster for my Gen IV Glock 35. To be honest most of the time that I carry my 1911 it is carried in the open in a Rafter S Shark Skin Askins Avenger style holster at the Range during classes. Years ago I concealed carried it in the same holster. After carrying the old Colt the last 3 weeks, I think I will get it out of the safe a little more often in the future.

Just my 2 cents

Bob R

 

[Ringo]

COLT DEFENDER 45 acp

Link Removed​

 

[Pandaz3]

I now carry a XD40 SC Mod 2 with a XDS40 back up. I did just buy a second Subcompact 3" and a Service 4" for $330 each from Palmetto Armory, too good a bargain to let slide for me, I really like 40 Mod 2's