When I want small and compact I have a .357 Smith Airlite, five shot wheel gun.....packs a punch. :eek:

If you're looking for a basic 1911 to see if it's for you, I recommend Rock Island. I posted pics of my Commander in the 'Random Spoon Pics' thread, just got it a few weeks ago, and continue to be very impressed. It's my first 45, and I'm glad I didn't get the XDS that everyone told me I needed to get. Also, don't be intimidated about carrying a full size 1911. I'm a displaced Texan in the People's Republic of Illannoyistan, and have concealed-carried everywhere it's allowed in full comfort.

I've got a short barrel j-frame. That's not a small gun. I'm sure the lighter version is much nicer to carry. The compact XDM is short, but can use a full size mag which makes it feel like a full size XDM9 with a short barrel or it can be used with a short mag which makes it better for CC. Even better than the XDM is a single stack gun. I don't have and haven't shot the XDS, but I'm sure its a decent gun. Something like the SA EMP or the Sig 918, would be very nice I'm sure. They are essentially 9mm compact 1911 style guns.

But then I wasn't asking about concealed carry or plastic.

My only interest in this thread is the sort of mods that people would do to a 1911 style gun.

Man, these things are very heavy. If you wore a jacket and could wear them OWB, they might be ok. A good compact 9 in metal or plastic should run somewhere in the 10-20oz range instead of the 30-40oz range like a full size 1911. I'm sure an alloy framed 1911 with an officers length barrel (3.5) would make a much better cc gun than a fullsize all steel gun.

Sorry, but I beg to differ. I bought this IWB holster with my RIA .45, and have carried it unnoticed under just a t-shirt with shorts, jeans (that also fit without the IWB :-)), everywhere I go outside of my workplace (with 'soft target' signs posted). Yes I know it's there, but it isn't uncomfortable, including while driving.

I know that you can carry them. I've carried big heavy guns before. I've also carried smaller lighter guns. The big heavy guns aren't bad with the right holster, and a 1911 is thinner than a lot of the big plastic guns (single stack vs double stack). But we are still talking 1/2 - 1 lb vs 2 - 2 1/2 lb. That's anywhere from 2-5x as heavy.

And all of my carry has been IWB. A long barrel, big gun takes up more space in your pants (that's what she said...). I'm not saying that it can't be done, just that I've done it with big and little guns and I prefer a smaller gun.

For reference, I'm 6'2" and 200#.

For what its worth…I have the Ruger 1911…love it…rock solid and very accurate, it is my carry 80% of the time, good IWB from FOXX holsters works great for me, when I need something smaller it's my LC9. Just my 2 cents.

Here is a gunsmith build of a Springfield.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1402792067.jpg

I owned a Tauras PT 1911 for a short time. It had a trigger job to smooth things a little but other than that it was stock. It shot great. Very accurate and it never malfunctioned while I was shooting it (approx 500 rounds).

I've handled many--but never owned--Taurus 1911s. I've owned a couple Taurus revolvers, and I don't them anymore (nor will I ever again). Taurus has a well-deserved reputation for making unreliable spoons and then providing dismal customer service when they inevitably break. The problem isn't the quality of the "fancy" add-on parts like the Novak sights or the beavertail. The problem is the quality and heat treatment of the critical components and the proper fit of those components.

What is your planned use? Any 1911 that I plan to carry gets 3-dot sights, a flat trigger, an ambi thumb safety, and VZ grips. I don't bother with tritium sights - they're harder to see in the daylight and not bright enough in the dark to make a difference for me. A good flashlight is a better investment. The flat trigger is just my preference. The safety is required because I'm a lefty. And the VZ grips I have found to be of universally excellent quality at a decent price. Load up with Wilson Combat 47D magazines and you're good to go.

I'm about your size. I carry an officer-size 1911 at the appendix location or a commander or gov't 1911 behind the hip. Both IWB. Even in a t-shirt you would not be able to tell I was carrying. Accomplishing this requires both a good holster AND a good belt. Your average everyday leather dress belt will NOT work. It needs to be wide, thick, and stiff (that's what she said). Try Alien Gear for a good IWB holster at a reasonable price. I make my own holsters for appendix carry--nobody out there does things exactly as I need. I have the crateful of failed holster purchases to prove it!

I use OWB for larger revolvers or full-size double-stack spoons.

[/QUOTE]Your average everyday leather dress belt will NOT work. It needs to be wide, thick, and stiff (that's what she said).[/QUOTE]

I use my holster with a normal leather belt, works just fine.

Probably nothing other than range time and possibly being 'around the house' for zombie attacks. It came with an ambi-safety, but I'm not a lefty, so that doesn't matter. It's got 3 dot sights already. It's got what feels like fairly grippy grips, but I haven't shot it yet. I think they are plastic. I'll probably just keep them, but something like wood or G10 would be more appealing.

Thanks for the heads up on the magazines. I probably will pick up a couple.

I've got an Alienware IWB. It was priced very right and is a decent holster. I don't like it as well as my Crossbreed Supertuck for a couple of minor reasons, but it's close enough that I haven't forked over the nearly $100 to upgrade. I've been thinking about it though.

I also normally use my regular belt. It's pretty wide and somewhat thick. It's not super stiff, but I usually put it a bit tighter than if I'm not carrying the gun just to keep things from moving around. It seem to work fine. But who knows, a gun belt may make a big difference.

Until you have to draw in a heated rush and your holster pulls the belt up and twists it before the gun comes out. I carry in the small of my back with a Safari belt made for holster clips.

Train. Every Day.
Slow is smooth.
Smooth is fast.

Watch the short video I linked. My holster does not inhibit a clean draw. I have seen others who have issues.

Another advantage of the 1911 not mentioned is that it affords a full handed grip, much preferred (by me, anyway) over the two finger grip on any of the smaller concealed carry designs.

Yes, but some smaller concealed carry guns are soooo cool.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1402814520.jpg

[QUOTE=Bill Douglas;8116923]Yes, but some smaller concealed carry guns are soooo cool.

Agreed. I hope to add one of these to the stable soon.
http://i.imgur.com/zZBbaYJ.jpg

Jeff's got one of those :)

Time to get this thread back on track...
http://i.imgur.com/CiPvs79.jpg

I have a Springfield Milspec, so far I have only swapped the grips to the hybrid wood/rubber Pachmyr, which are great. The only other mod I really want would be a beavertail, simply because it allows the gun to sit a bit lower in my hand. Otherwise it's pretty great.