I have some money burning a hole in my pocket, and I would like to pick up a new 9 mm 1911 for concealed carry use. I have a number of 1911s in 45 but they were all built for competition and are 5 inch guns.

For those that carry a 1911, do you prefer a 5 inch gun or a commander length?

Also, other than the rail, are there any substantive differences between the Dan Wesson Valor and Specialist?—that’s basically what I have narrowed it down to.

Thanks

ETA  Thanks for the advice.  This thing is amazing.

I’ve carried both. I prefer the commander length in a .45 acp.  I don’t see an advantage to 9 mm in that platform. Milt Sparks holster. In the event that hollowpoint ammo becomes banned a .45 ball beats a 9 ball by a lot.

You’re not wrong, but I’m getting old. A steady diet of .45 hurts my joints. Conversely 9mm in a steel framed 1911 is a pleasure.

Commander.

I prefer the commander for EDC use.  I would suggest that you take a look at the Dan Wesson Guardian.  It has a lightweight aluminum frame and a bobbed mainspring housing to reduce printing.  I've been carrying one for about 9 months now and I think it's a nearly perfect carry 1911.  

No, it really doesn't.

Im carrying a .45 right now but with 255gr swc. Now THAT beats anything from a 9mm. Fmjs tends to slip through muscle without much damage.

I picked up a 4" lw champion about 8 months ago. Im not 100% sold its a better carry gun than my 5" steel guns. Carrying aiwb its a little more comfortable. Behind the hip there isn't a noticable difference.

Shooting the gun is harder to control. It is a .45 and its not hard to control. Just hardER than with a 5" steel gun.

Im the type of guy who shoots my carry guns the most. I dont have range only guns or edc only guns.

So... For your purposes I would recommend a steel commander if you carry aiwb, if not than a 5" LW gun for behind the hip.

About 6 months ago [maybe longer] I went from EDC the Smith m&p2.0, to a Springfield range officer champion 9mm.
Essentially the same length and feels about the same weight, but thinner.
Carries better aiwb.
I came to realize that :
I am not going to get into a long duration gunfight where I need 31 rounds.
The 1911 points more naturally for me.
Fits my hand better, and with thin grips, feels like it was made for my hand.


I have liked the transition so far, and recently picked up another Range Officer champion 9mm, this one, the Elite.
Both have been without issues beyond not being able to get the 9th round in the factory mags without the help of a 20 ton press.
Ed Brown magazines cured that.
Pure reliability, and reasonably priced carry guns.

Out of curiosity, why a 225gr SWC over something more commonly available like a 230gr JHP?


Thing is, there isn't a whole lot of 5" LW options? That and I think a bobtailed or rounded frame is going to conceal better in a strong side IWB carry situation and there are lot more factory options for a bobtailed or rounded frame commanders then there are with 5" slides without going custom.

Me personally, I'm fine with with 9mm or 45scp in a quality JHP round and don't think one has any significant advantage over the other from an effectiveness POV.  I also don't think their is much likelihood that JHP's will be banned nationally so for a CCW 1911, I would prefer 10+1 9mm JHP's over 7 or 8+1 45ACP's and if I was going to CCW a 1911, I personally would want a bobtailed LW firearm so in the end, I agree with Tyler_Durden that the DW Guardian would be my choice for a 1911 for CCW

I like heavy bullets for woods use and the heavy swc doesn't damage grouse or hares like jhps.

They also can penetrate 2 old steel car doors in a straight line and then bed pretty deep in a oak tree

Fair enough

Thanks for the advice everyone.  This thing is amazing.

Yeah great choice. Commander all day long for EDC. I *love* my Colt Combat Commander - 1911s should be all steel.