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HG Length VS CCW

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I'm looking to buy a carry piece this summer, and I am curious to see if the gun I am looking at is too long at 7.25" (vs a Shield at 6.1"). I am VERY interested in the Browning 1911-380 for a number of reasons, but it seems like it would be a wee bit too big to conceal. Thoughts? The following pics are of the 1911-22 and 1911-22 compact next to a full size 1911, but the 380 is the same size. No 380 compact announced yet. 

 

Please don't tell me to buy something else because it is "better". Glocks, Shields, LC9s and the like are better guns because 9mm/40 trumps 380 any day of the week and they are marginally smaller, but I am not interested in those. I shoot 1911s well, I handle them well, and it is what I am used to.

 

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It depends on your size and body shape, as well as what equipment you're using...

 

I don't appendix carry because of my gut in the way - would push the gun into my thigh or make it extremely uncomfortable.  If you've got a longer gun for CCW, that may be the case as well.  I just IWB carried my Beretta Nano - had the holster at 5:00.  Felt comfortable, and comfortable enough that I wasn't printing with the butt of the gun sticking out or anything.

 

There are also other 1911s that are made for carry.  Kimber, Para, etc make smaller models made for carry...

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I IWB a G35 with RMR and SFX300U regularly in all seasons with no issues - for reference I am 5'6" and 180lbs.

 

With the right holster, belt, and cover garment you can carry a full size 1911 with ease. Many people do daily.

 

In any event, with a IWB rig the length of the slide isn't really an issue as it will be inside your pant leg. The length and width of the grip is the more important factor when carrying IWB as that is the part of the gun most likely to print under your cover garment.

 

If you can carry either of two guns that are comparable in size, why would you not select a duty rated caliber over the sub-caliber .380? You are paying the weight/size penalty of a larger pistol but not getting the benefits of a duty caliber that the bigger heavier gun affords you.

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A Colt Commander is only marginally larger in length, 1/2 inch, than the 380. It is a 1911 which you say you shoot well. You then have a caliber better suited for your purpose. You are going 80% size but not getting 80% effectiveness. I realize this is not what you wanted to hear.

 

I echo HE's comments. I've carried K and L frame revolvers, full size 1911s, Beretta 92s, Glock 17s, and other full size handguns concealed on a regular basis. I have been carrying concealed on just about a daily basis for over 40 years. I must have learned something.

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Why not a 45acp 1911 in 3" barrel? I can conceal my Kimber Ultra Covert very easily. It's not heavy and it's very accurate. In fact, I fell asleep on the couch with it on my sleep side and woke up not even feeling it. To me, 380 is still not good enough when you can have a kick arse caliber and still conceal it. Not to mention, it not possibly piercing heavy winter clothing and delivering a kill shot.

 

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I'm 6' - 185lbs and I conceal my Baby Deagle + 1 mag very easily. If you're unfamiliar with its size, it's slightly larger than a G17. It's all about your body shape, gear, placement, and grip length. Pick the gun you shoot best with and try everything you can to make it work.

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I knew I would catch flak for the .380. 

 

I was planning on typing out a wordly response, but to keep it simple I was handling the 22 in Dunks and I really loved the size of it. Smaller guns seemed okay but seemed to have a bunch of shortcomings, and larger guns just seemed...large. I did get the answer I wanted out of everyone though.

 

I am absolutely going to rent anything I consider buying, and shooting capabilities are going to be the biggest concern. I don't know how people carry 3oz aluminum J-Frames with handcannon full house .357 in them. I fired one once and my hands hurt after a cylinders worth...

 

I like the Shield a lot, but I think handling the mini-1911 is far superior (which is only my opinion). 

 

What shoots 'better', a Shield .40 or Shield 9? The slower 40 is probably less snappy.

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I knew I would catch flak for the .380. 

 

I was planning on typing out a wordly response, but to keep it simple I was handling the 22 in Dunks and I really loved the size of it. Smaller guns seemed okay but seemed to have a bunch of shortcomings, and larger guns just seemed...large. I did get the answer I wanted out of everyone though.

 

I am absolutely going to rent anything I consider buying, and shooting capabilities are going to be the biggest concern. I don't know how people carry 3oz aluminum J-Frames with handcannon full house .357 in them. I fired one once and my hands hurt after a cylinders worth...

 

I like the Shield a lot, but I think handling the mini-1911 is far superior (which is only my opinion). 

 

What shoots 'better', a Shield .40 or Shield 9? The slower 40 is probably less snappy.

The 40 is slower but heavier. I didn't do the math but I would guess the 9 has less recoil.

 

I have the same opinion as you do regarding lightweight revolvers

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I have the same opinion as you do regarding lightweight revolvers

Me three.

 

.40 will definitely be snappier and have more felt recoil than 9...

Not 100% on the Shield but with the 2 subcompact Glocks (identical sized guns) I have, the G26 9mm is subjectively much "easier" to shoot than the G27 .40S&W. Not that the G27 is hard to shoot, the recoil is just much snappier/sharper than the .40S&W than the comparably soft shooting 9mm.

 

With modern guns made from modern materials and advanced construction methods, there is no longer much benefit to the .380 unless you are going tiny. It used to be that if you wanted a small gun you had to get a .380, .32, .25, etc....

 

Now you can get 9mm guns the same size (or slide enough that it doesn't matter) as a .380 pistol that shoot just as well as their Kurtz counterparts.

 

If you do decide on the .380, stay with FMJ ammo. You are going to want all the penetration you can get with that round - you have to reach the important parts of you want to stop a fight.

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Another thought if you like the 1911 platform would be the Sig P938 line. 9mm with all the working of a full size 1911. The Sig P938 Extreme model is on my short list for pocket guns.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

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I'm a fan of the Springfield XD Subcompact. The XDm compact has a longer 3.8" barrel, is still 4.75" high, and has 13 round mags(9mm).

This here. XDs in 9mm or .45 is a great shooting sub compact. You only gain 1rd by going 9mm and the .45 is a pretty damn easy shooter for its size. It can also be had in a 4" model. I just have to add that the XDs is the most popular IWB holster that I sell. To me, I think that says a lot about it's reputation and popularity among ccw-ers.

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I like the XDS a lot. Freakishly accurate, even in the 3.3". I was seeing 2.5" groups at 50', which is not sometheng you'd expect from a striker-fired polymer gun, especially a small one.

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Not something you'd expect from a striker fired polymer gun? Hope you are referring to just the size category...

A little of both. Striker fired polymer guns do great in speed events, but you don't see them in precision events, like bullseye or international center fire pistol.

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When I think of a .380, I think of a Colt 1911 style Government Model.  I have one and love it.  Slightly (by ONE round) taller 7-round mag enables the pinky to grasp gun instead of air.  Great for Condition #2 carry in the summer in yer front pants pocket.  Pull back the hammer as you draw and you have enough for a coupla double-taps or to send multiple miscreants runnin' to mama, lol!  Brushed stainless, bought it used from a store in Hillsborough that doesn't exist anymore, complete with scratches from coinage (who cares!). Scratches and pocket lint never stopped it!  The "perfect answer" if you don't wanna carry my Colt .45 ACP Officers' Model (The Grandfather of the 3" .45's which I compete with in BUG Matches; mine is 3.5" barrel) in its' Mitch Rosen Kant-Forward OWB holster that molds to the curve of your hip.

 

Other .380 pants pocket choices include the reintroduction of the liteweight Colt Mustang (6 round mag, thus smallest of all .380's) and the 22 variants of the Sig P238......

 

I also had a IWB holster for the Officer's .45, but found the butt was riding into my breast when I turned around to back up the car.  Those of us with Man Boobs (MOOBS) will find a snug OWB like my Mitch Rosen is much more comfortable for all-day carry.  Using a Chip McCormack mag gives me 8 rounds of .45 ACP awesomeness in Condition #1 that is extremely comfortable all day long.

 

So there are more options to consider now than ever before....

 

Dave

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