A full size M1911A1 was my issue weapon in 1974 in the 1st Cavalry Division. That is the only 1911 I have carried.cmgee67 wrote: ↑Thu Jul 05, 2018 7:44 am I plan on carrying my 1911 a few times a month. I have a milt marks VM2 holster and a good gun belt so that’s covered. How do you carry your 1911 full size? I have been trying to get used to it around the house. It’s a huge jump in weight for me considering I carry a lightweight polymer gun or aluminum framed J frame. Most people say they just get used to the weight and it feels right. Also why do you choose the full size over a commander or smaller? I bought a 5” because that’s what a 1911 is supposed to be in my book.
My every day carry pistol is an S&W M&P M2.0 9mm 5inch, 16+1. I chose it, in part, because it's dimensions are very similar to the M1911A1: 8.3" overall length, 5" barrel, 1.3" frame, 5.5" height and 18 degree grip. At 27oz versus 39oz, the M&P is a bit lighter than the M1911A1, but I also carry two spare magazines with 16 rounds each, and a Ruger LCR .38 in a Remora pocket holster. Yes, you do get used to the weight.
I carry openly, OWB, at 3 o'clock, in a Safariland 7TS ALS holster, with QLS and Guard. I wanted a retention holster that covered as much of the pistol as possible and which I could easily detach from my belt. I wore suspenders until I got my Kore Essentials gun belt.
As I said, I picked the 5inch barrel, in part, because it matched my M1911A1. I also wanted a long sight radius and more weight forward. Concealability is not an issue for me. If covering my M&P is not sufficient, I can quickly disconnect the holstered pistol from my belt and continue on with my concealed Ruger. However, with care, one can conceal even a full size 1911.
I carry at all times as described above as my default. If not wearing pants, I carry the holstered pistol in my firing hand. When driving my wife's car, I disconnect the holstered pistol from my belt and place it in the door pocket. SWMBO says I can't scratch her leather seats.
If I buy another pistol, it will likely be an S&W M&P M2.0 Compact 9mm 4inch. Now that I've been carrying my 5inch M&P for over a year, and competing in USPSA, I find that the longer sight radius is not as big an issue for me.