1911 Carriers..... Fullsize, Commander or Smaller?

[ElGato]

For those that carry a fullsize....

How comfortable and concealable is it?

Would it be a practical carry piece for me? 6'0 - 185lbs 32-33 waist?

We are the same size, I think it's easier for slim people to conceal, I know it's harder for me when I put on a few pounds.
You shouldn't have any problem with whatever gun you chose.

[longtooth]

I have carired full size & you can see the results of the poll. I knew there were a lot that carried full size but did not realize it would be that many over the commander size. 5'10 here & 195. No problem carrying it as far as conceal. You really need a good holster. Belt high ride or IWB that does not put it too far down in your pants. I tried a C-TAC & that one was uncomfprtable because it rode way too low & poked me when sitting. Comp-tac Gurkha is my choice & comfortable. Sparks VMll is popular. You should get a lot of responce.

[bauerdj]

One of my carry guns is a 1911 Rock Island Compact. Didn't buy it as a carry gun but it turned out to be very reliable and got 'promoted' from range to occassional carry.

I am looking for a IWB holster for it. I am using a Don Hume that was actually made for a Glock 26, but it is not too comfortable. I have a couple of issues here - I have problems with my hip, and am not properly shaped for ease in carrying (5'8" 240). The Rock Island does seem to have some sharp spots that bother me.

Any suggestions for a holster(IWB)? Usually wear slacks or shorts and loose colored Tee or Polo shirt over tank type undershirt.

Dave B.

[longtooth]

Your cover is a good choice. For IWB make sure you have a sweat shield that will keep frame & safety from poking you in the soft side. I like kydex. Some do not. I have also suggested suspenders several time. I have worn them all my life & when I started carrying I immediatly found them to be my best friend. You can keep pants loose & they do not sag. The suspenders do not show as long as your gun does not show. Undershirt is very good. Same here. Polos are one of my regular stirts. Your slacks w/ a quality 1.5" belt ought to be a good carry set up. Don Hume PCCH is an excellent holster for the money if you like leather. It is the one I carried in for 4 yr when I started. At that time I really had some rolls on the side too. Since them I have dropped 40 lbs & recomend that as part of your new carry rig. Welcome bauerdj

[bauerdj]

Your cover is a good choice. For IWB make sure you have a sweat shield that will keep frame & safety from poking you in the soft side. I like kydex.

Can you reccomend a kydex rig for this?

I have also suggested suspenders several time.

Yes, and thanks to your reccomendation I use them now all the time!

I have worn them all my life & when I started carrying I immediatly found them to be my best friend. You can keep pants loose & they do not sag. The suspenders do not show as long as your gun does not show. Undershirt is very good. Same here. Polos are one of my regular stirts. Your slacks w/ a quality 1.5" belt ought to be a good carry set up. Don Hume PCCH

I have a Don Hume IWB for my Glock which is very nice and was a great buy - I will have to look at the PCCH for the 1911.

is an excellent holster for the money if you like leather. It is the one I carried in for 4 yr when I started. At that time I really had some rolls on the side too. Since them I have dropped 40 lbs & recomend that as part of your new carry rig. Welcome bauerdj

Yeah and dropping that much or more would really help the hip too I'm sure. I've been fighting that battle (and mostly losing the battle, not the weight) for a long time now. Guess I just lack willpower.

Dave B.

[extremist]

Just curious...

What Brand, Configuration do you carry in what rig?

SW1911Sc strong side in Galco Concealable.

James

[badgerw]

Kimber Ultra Carry 3 inch barrel in a Tucker "The Answer" leather/Kydex hybrid IWB, Supported by a Liger 1.5 inch gunbelt.

Bill

[longtooth]

Dave, My Kydex is a Comp-Tac Gurkha. comp-tac.com. I really like it. Solid as a rock. Never wiggles. Comfortable setting & driving. Adustable tension screws. If you do not like the 2 clips, the Pro undercover is the same holster without the 2nd clip in the rear. You cannot tell that from the pics but they are. I have had both. If you really like the belt snaps instead of clips, HighVelocity can recomend the one he uses. I believe it is Blade Tec but cannot remember for sure. I do know it is a "Milt Sparks Summer Special ll" in kydex w/ belt snaps. I know him & he uses quality gear. The Gurkha slide is an open muzzle. The standard Gurkha is not closed but has a lip that radius around the barrel just a bit. If you get the Slide it will take about 3/8 " off of length. That might help a little more if you are being poked. Usually folks that find a kydex holster uncomfortable have trouble at the point of the sight track & not in the barrel area. Only trouble I ever had w/ a slide IWB was w/ a full size 1911. The barrel was so far through the open muzzel that the fromt sight sometimes snagged my t-shirt tail & could not get it out. 1st rule of a gunfight is have one. 2nd rule is be able to get it out. (Aint it Charles)

[KD5NRH]

For those that carry a fullsize....

How comfortable and concealable is it?

Would it be a practical carry piece for me? 6'0 - 185lbs 32-33 waist?

Depends on the holster; SmartCarry claims to work great for the fullsize, but the company's owner doesn't have as much gut to get in the way as I do. Mine works pretty well in the right pants as long as I don't have to sit too much, (if it shifts and I sit, it pokes ) so it's relegated to carrying my Bersa or my old K-frame (both of which it can hide exceptionally well, BTW) until I can firm things up a bit. I have one of the Galco IWB cheapies for the 1911 that seems OK with a good belt, though finding the right position can be a pain, and IMO it would work better if I had gotten something with a fairly hefty cant, rather than one that wants to sit straight. SWMBO has ordered me a Coronado vest too, so I'll get to try that out soon,

Remember that even though it's a big gun, it's still very narrow, which makes a huge difference in concealability. I also have a Taurus PT99 that is nowhere near as easy to hide as the 5" GM.

[Charles L. Cotton]

2nd rule is be able to get it out. (Aint it Charles)

Well, at least someone remembers that post!

Chas.

[longtooth]

Yes sir. Some things are never forgotten & then at other times the circumstance brings back the memories of rules taught by the wise ones.

[anygunanywhere]

Polls. Yes to all hree at one time or another.