Compact .45???

[titan14]

I second this advice. The short barrel 1911's are evidently very sensitive to both hold and ammo. This results if failures to feed. In the "old days" it was thought that the commander length (4.25") barrel was as short as you should go for reliable cycling and feeding. I believe that this is right; as i've seen several 3 inch guns for sale due to their owners not being able to get them to shoot reliably. The biggest selling feature for concealing a 1911 type pistol is its slender and flat profile. Take the time to play around with a full size (5 inch) 1911. You will be amazed at the ease with which it can be concealed. If you dont want to give an arm and a leg for a pistol, try out the full size or commander length 1911's made by Taurus or look at some of the mil-spec Springfields. They are great shooters. The longer barrel will help with the velocity issue. A three inch gun turns a 850 fps load into about a 750 fps load if you shoot hardball. If you use the lighter weight "defensive" ammo; the velocity loss will be greater.

Hope this helps.

LEROY

Any suggestions on concealment?

I have a Taurus 1911 w\rail...but its a bit of a chunk to conceal...

[Guest bkelm18]

Any suggestions on concealment?

I have a Taurus 1911 w\rail...but its a bit of a chunk to conceal...

With a good holster and a good belt, you can conceal anything. The belt is just as important as the holster.

[titan14]

With a good holster and a good belt, you can conceal anything. The belt is just as important as the holster.

I have heard that...but...I'm not sure I believe it...

Maybe I just haven't spent $2000.00 on holsters that sit in the closet and are never used...

I may be wrong....but...i just don't see it...

[hkusp40cal]

I conceal my Kimber Custom Pro CDP II using a crossbreed super tuck. It hides the pistol very well.

Edited May 24, 2009 by hkusp40cal

[Guest bkelm18]

I have heard that...but...I'm not sure I believe it...

Maybe I just haven't spent $2000.00 on holsters that sit in the closet and are never used...

I may be wrong....but...i just don't see it...

Crossbreed Supertuck or C-Tac M-tac. End of story.

[leroy]

Any suggestions on concealment?

I have a Taurus 1911 w\rail...but its a bit of a chunk to conceal...

I like the inside the pants behind the kidney carry or the close to the body outside the pants high carry. Get a good holster whatever you do -- it will be the cheapest in the long run; and it will work. As others have said; the belt is just as important as the holster; buy a good one.

I like the Andrews MacDaniels II for inside the pants carry. They also make a great "inside the car" crossdraw; but it's not concealable by normal standards -- be sure you check it out. It's called the Carjacker. Check them out here: Andrews Custom Leather . The greatest holster for close to the body high carry is the Mernickle PS6. Check them out here: MERNICKLE HOLSTERS .

You can get by with an average belt (I use a Wilderness Tactical nylon) for the McDaniels. You need a stiff belt for the Mernickle (he makes one). Both these folks are great to deal with.

For what it's worth; some folks like Milt Sparks; i do too, but they are way too slow to make and ship their product (I'm sure due to heavy demand). I also think they are too expensive.

Hope this helps.

Kind regards,

LEROY

[Oh Shoot]

Crossbreed Supertuck or C-Tac M-tac. End of story.

Only if you like Kydex...

I do agree with Titan to a large extent, though.

From my experience, butt length on the pistol is what makes or breaks concealed carry, and I mean really WELL concealed carry.

I do quite well with my XD subbie, but the extra butt on my XD Service always sticks out in back of shirt. The extra barrel length matters not, but the butt makes a real diff.

It is also true, though, that a slim gun like single stack 1911 has some significant concealment advantages compared to thick guns like many of the most popular double stack striker pistols, most notably of course, Glock and XD.

- OS

[DavidCBaker]

The extra barrel length matters not, but the butt makes a real diff.-

Man, I'm just going to smile and refrain from commenting further.

[Guest bkelm18]

Only if you like Kydex...

If you don't like Kydex then you're a communist.

[Guest stevek]

Since I haven't seen them mentioned, allow me to point out the Glock 30 and 36. I have the 30, and it is a favorite of mine. With 10+1 .45 capacity it is a very comforting presence. The 36 is a single stack with a 6+1 capacity. These would seem to fit your budget a little better.

I also have a few 1911's, and have never had any failures with my Kimber Ultra Raptor (3" barrel) or my Ed Brown Kobra Carry (4.25" barrel).

[leroy]

Since I haven't seen them mentioned, allow me to point out the Glock 30 and 36. I have the 30, and it is a favorite of mine. With 10+1 .45 capacity it is a very comforting presence. The 36 is a single stack with a 6+1 capacity. These would seem to fit your budget a little better.

QUOTE]

Not a bad idea. I carry a glock 33 in a kydex pocket holster. Very reliable and won't break the bank. A glock 36 is about the same size.

Kind regards,

LEROY

[GKar]

Been very pleased with my SA Micro-Compact. 1911 features in a very concealable, very managable package.

[Guest tnvolfan]

The Kimber Ultras, those 45s with the 3" barrel, are super-nice, but are they small enough to fit your need? I've compared the grips of the Paras with the Kimbers, and I really prefer the Kimber. I've not shot either, so I'm a window shopper. I do know that a few years ago, many different mfgs. who produced 3" bbl 1911s had problems with them. As far as I know, Kimber got their problems worked out. Good luck in your search -- you and I are looking for the same thing.

[memphismason]

I carry a Glock Model 30 everyday all day. 10+1