Single Stack .45 Carry input

[Diode]

Thanks for the suggestions so far guys. Any one else have ideas feel free to chime in.

[Diode]

I enjoy my Colt Double Eagle (commander-size) in SS.

Looks like a nice choice but hard to find.

[G.C.Montgomery]

I'll go one further and recommend the P220DAK. No need to remember to decock using a lever that's not designed for lefties. The "K" trigger is NOT the same as traditional DAO triggers and is a far cry from SIGs own DAO variants of the past. Drop by Top Gun, they've got three DAK models in the rental fleet. You may decide you hate it, but it's at least worth a look if you've never tried it.

Always fun to try new designs, I'll let ya know what I think of it. I am sure I have a frend with one somewhere :)

I forgot to mention there is now a single-action only version of the P220 that comes with ambi-safeties. Trigger felt good to me. My only complaint is the safeties are a bit stiff to engage. But they'll never be "accidently" disengaged either. Overall it seems like a good package. I'll be looking into one when I've got the extra money.

[Diode]

I'll go one further and recommend the P220DAK. No need to remember to decock using a lever that's not designed for lefties. The "K" trigger is NOT the same as traditional DAO triggers and is a far cry from SIGs own DAO variants of the past. Drop by Top Gun, they've got three DAK models in the rental fleet. You may decide you hate it, but it's at least worth a look if you've never tried it.

Always fun to try new designs, I'll let ya know what I think of it. I am sure I have a frend with one somewhere :)

I forgot to mention there is now a single-action only version of the P220 that comes with ambi-safeties. Trigger felt good to me. My only complaint is the safeties are a bit stiff to engage. But they'll never be "accidently" disengaged either. Overall it seems like a good package. I'll be looking into one when I've got the extra money.

Is that the P220 "Carry"? I plan on looking at it at the gun show. I still like the P245 idea too. Someone told me the P245 frame is the same size as the P239 so if I cant find a 245 to fondle I will try it.

[Thane]

I enjoy my Colt Double Eagle (commander-size) in SS.

Looks like a nice choice but hard to find.

There are several on Gunbroker right now.

[MrDrummy]

Hey Diode-

I've been carrying my Kimber Ultra Carry, which is a Defender-sized 1911. It's got the 3: barrell, and despite what a lot of people have said, it shoots like a dream. I've had no problems what-so-ever with mine.

It disappears when I'm carrying it.

[Diode]

Hey Diode-

I've been carrying my Kimber Ultra Carry, which is a Defender-sized 1911. It's got the 3: barrell, and despite what a lot of people have said, it shoots like a dream. I've had no problems what-so-ever with mine.

It disappears when I'm carrying it.

I'll more than likely carry a defender size 1911 someday, I just can't get past the cocked and locked part yet. The Springfield Ultra compact and the S&W Chief also shoot nice, I shoot my friends time to time. Good suggestion maybe I should get over it and just get the 1911 and pratice more

[flintknapper]

I just can't get past the cocked and locked part yet.

Good morning Diode,

This part of your post caught my attention because it is a comment I hear not infrequently. Objections to carrying in "condition one" vary from person to person, but most often...I am told that it "looks dangerous", or a person has concerns about how safe it is.

The 1911, (as originally designed) has no fewer than 4 safety features if you think about it:

1. The first and most obvious is the "thumb" safety. It is clear to me that Mr. Browning designed the pistol to be carried cocked and locked by virtue of the thumb safety alone. It doesn't even work if the pistol is not cocked.

2. The "Grip" safety. Any properly functioning 1911 will not fire unless a proper grip is achieved or the safety is otherwise fully depressed.

3. The "half cock" notch in the hammer while not a "safety" per se, is a safety feature worth noting. Any condition that would allow or cause the hammer to fall (without the trigger being pulled) will result in the sear being caught by the very deep 1/2 cock notch (on series 70 models).

4. The "trigger" itself is a safety of sorts, it must be moved rearward sufficiently to release the sear.

5. If the slide moves as little as 1/8" to the rear (out of battery) the pistol will "disconnect" and will not fire until the slide is fully in battery and the trigger reset.

As you can see, safety is really of no concern. Even Glocks (man I hate using the "G" word) are in a semi-cocked condition whenever you have a round up the spout. The difference is, you can readily see that the 1911 in condition one is a "usable" weapon. Yeah, I know some people think it looks like a lion ready to pounce, but in fact....it is no more "ready" than any other firearm that has round in the chamber.

To me the main benefit of carrying "cocked and locked" is that all the safety features designed into the weapon are at play, it is quick to get into action, and you have the finest single action trigger available in an auto IMO. Remember, this pistol was made to fight!

I hope this post does not result in the hijacking of this thread. I just wanted to offer some information (or opinions) that might help ease your mind.

Have a great weekend.

Flint

[longtooth]

+1. You "new to handguns" guys & gals hear what my brother says. This guy know arms & ammo. He won't say it so I will.
Yes Flint, I have a hard time trying to articulate Ga,Ga,GGl, Glock, too.

Charles, does the G word pass the ten yr old daughter rule?

[G.C.Montgomery]

Is that the P220 "Carry"? I plan on looking at it at the gun show. I still like the P245 idea too. Someone told me the P245 frame is the same size as the P239 so if I cant find a 245 to fondle I will try it.

I don't know if there is a P220 Carry in single action yet. But such a weapon would present the same issues you have with a 1911. Flintknapper posted an excellent explanation of why "cocked-n-locked" carry isn't as much of a problem as many of us think it is.

I can still argue there are some serious advantages to Glock's and other trigger cocking pistols. DA/SA, DAO, and other trigger-cocking systems like the Glock offer more control for those who haven't spent a great deal of time developing trigger control and trigger discipline.

As for the P245 grip being similar to the P239, I can't agree with that. The P239 is indeed a small framed gun but it's grip doesn't feel quite as truncated as a P245. The 239 is still controllable and comfortable to shoot. It suits those with small hands, particularly women, very well.

The P245 to me, is a bad execution of a good idea. Shaving off a fraction of an inch from the P220 is a good idea. The P220 Carry is a step in the right direction but it retains a full length grip, which is what usually "prints" when carrying a full-size handgun. So I find the P220 Carry model, offers almost no advantage over a standard 220 for carry use. I don't find it to be that much lighter than a regular 220 and the shorter slide length and shorter stroke to me made the gun feel choppy in operation. So as I've looked at buying a new Sig myself. the standard size 220 is all I'm considering. It's just a question of whether I'll go for a 220 single-action first or go for a 220DAK.

[Diode]

Flint, LT & Monty.... I love the input.

As for size... I dress with large enough shirts printing is not an issue what does matter is comfort. My Desert Eagle .40 Compact wears really nice for my body where as my Sig P226 rides a little high due to the longer barrel/slide and that's why I prefer the very short compacts.

Concerning caliber, I like the .40acp but for some unknown reason I shoot the .45 a lot better. To me it seems the recoil is more direct back at me as opposed to the front sight flipping upward with my .40. Could be my brain but I like the .45acp.

Trigger action, I pocket carry a Kel-tec 9mm on the weekends when I am in shorts. While I am not crazy about the DAO it is a good trade for the size of the P-11, my weekend gun is a good fit.

SA vs. DA/SA is my hang up so to speak, (good write up Flint) my good friend Jim Ford of the Oak Ridge Police Dept has schooled me on 1911 carry for about a year now. It's me not the system I don't trust, a person can forget to set the safety on a SA and shove it in the holster and catch the trigger... that is my really only fear. Having the first pull in DA mode has become my security blanket. What's making me crazy is I like the 1911 compact style most of all. I pratice using the safety weekly when I take the full size 1911 out and unloaded I am very brave.

All this info from you guys is very helpful and I do really respect you thoughts, keep it coming I may suprise you guys yet and decide to carry the greatest handgun design ever built.

[RPBrown]

Although I agree with most of what Flint and LT have said, my daughter carries a 1911 cocked and locked but her holster has a thumb break that would as she says, catch the hammer if something were to go wrong. It's actually a pretty slick additional safety.

I have 2- 1911's and carry both cocked and locked.

Now for what Flint and LT said that I don't agree with, I also own and love a GLOCK. There I said it. GLOCK GLOCK GLOCK.

Sorry guys. couldn;t resist.

Ray

[flintknapper]

Although I agree with most of what Flint and LT have said, my daughter carries a 1911 cocked and locked but her holster has a thumb break that would as she says, catch the hammer if something were to go wrong. It's actually a pretty slick additional safety.

I have 2- 1911's and carry both cocked and locked.

Now for what Flint and LT said that I don't agree with, I also own and love a GLOCK. There I said it. GLOCK GLOCK GLOCK.

Sorry guys. couldn;t resist.

Ray

Even Glocks (man I hate using the "G" word)

You know I'm just kidding (for the most part). Glocks are not aesthetically pleasing to me, but I cannot fault them in any other area. They are high quality firearms that continue to perform when others have quit.

I am not a Glock hater by any stretch of the imagination.

[Diode]

Although I agree with most of what Flint and LT have said, my daughter carries a 1911 cocked and locked but her holster has a thumb break that would as she says, catch the hammer if something were to go wrong. It's actually a pretty slick additional safety.

I have 2- 1911's and carry both cocked and locked.

Now for what Flint and LT said that I don't agree with, I also own and love a GLOCK. There I said it. GLOCK GLOCK GLOCK.

Sorry guys. couldn;t resist.

Ray

Even Glocks (man I hate using the "G" word)

You know I'm just kidding (for the most part). Glocks are not aesthetically pleasing to me, but I cannot fault them in any other area. They are high quality firearms that continue to perform when others have quit.

I am not a Glock hater by any stretch of the imagination.

To each their own.... I didn't like shooting a Glock at all but your correct they have their nitch! One of my shooting buddies ahs a bunch of them, he says they all look alike and his wife doesnt really know he has more than one....

[cyphur]

I am new to carry(still don't have the plastic!!!!), and I have a 3" Kimber Tactical. As I explain to folks who ask, the gun is not going to go off unless you try to shoot it. If you practice proper firearm safety and keep your situational awareness up to par, it shouldn't be a problem. I too was once worried about the cocked/locked practice, but once I was explained the 1911 system, and realized all the other guns I'd buy would have a round loaded as well, it became a non-issue.