Posted: 11/16/2012 6:11:17 PM EDT
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Thinking about switching up my CCW, as I am getting a little annoyed with my current weapon.
Currently, I am carrying a 5" 1911 with a magwell and extended 8-round mags. I appendix carry it, with a reload and can conceal it fine. I only carry concealed. The biggest gripe I have with it is the size and the weight. I am looking at possibly 3 options. - Dan Wesson ECO (Officers grip, 3 1/2" barrel, 1911) in 9mm (7+1) - Dan Wesson ECO (Officers grip, 3 1/2" barrel, 1911) in 45 ACP (7+1) - Smith & Wesson M&P-9c (compact M&P) in 9mm (12+1) I love the idea of the Dan Wesson's because of the fact that they are slim, and reloads are super easy to carry. I would carry 1 spare mag, so I would have 15 rounds total. Down side is the price, and the low number of rounds. The M&P also has the perk of higher capacity, as well as the cost. Downside is that the gun is thicker due to the double-stack frame, plus reloads will be harder to carry due to the double stack. I will selling / trading my current 1911 towards the new gun, as I have another 1911 to shoot for range-fun, and this 1911 is nothing special. If i go with the M&P, I will have a surplus of money for ammo, holster etc. I already have another 9mm, so commonality of ammo will be nice. If I go Dan Wesson, I'll have to put in some money for the gun, plus the holster. Honestly, I am leaning Dan Wesson, and in 9mm since the ECO is an aluminum framed 1911. If I go with the 45, the recoil will be a little more stout, but if I know those are hard to come across. I know a shop locally who has a 45 ACP ECO in stock that is so sexy and feels amazing. What do you guys think? |
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Personally, I wouldn't carry a 1911 smaller than 4". This article explains why: Link
Still, my buddy has a short Kimber (I've never been able to figure out their naming conventions), and it runs like a top. I also would prefer to carry a double stack. |
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If I went with a 1911, I would go with a .45. I have an Colt Officers and a Colt New Agent, but I rarely carry them anymore. I have better luck with at least a 4.25 inch 1911. The shorter barels are harder for me to shoot with my weak hand, I have no problems with Glocks or MPs. Also no problem with my XDs weak handed, but you didnt ask about those...Of the guns mentioned, I would go MP-9C.
Reliabillity trumps every other factor for my carry guns. Either hand, upside down, laying on the ground, any way you might have to use it, it needs to work, all the time. IMHO, of the guns mentioned in the op, the MP would be most likely to do that. If you have a chance to try a compact 1911, try drawing off handed and disengaging the safety and getting 2 good hits on a target quickly. Try it lying on the ground. Make it interesting and put your normal drawing hand in your pocket while trying this. Dont get me wrong. I like the 1911 platform. Last count I have 8 1911s. But manual safeties dont appeal to me on carry guns anymore. I dont like the grip safety on my XDs, but I'm coming to terms with it. |
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After sleeping on it, i am actually leaning the M&P9c. The added capacity, plus the price is really looking attractive, plus after selling / trading my 1911, I would have some money left over for mags, ammo, and a holster.
Right now, the 1911 I have is the only 45 I have, so I could consolidate calibers, seeing as i have another 9mm in the stable. The only thing I'm not digging, is the fact that the M&P doesn't come with night sights (retarded in my opinion), and the width. I can deal with the width okay, seeing as I've carried my CZ SP-01 before with a super fat holster, and had no issues. With the proper holster, I shouldn't have an issue. |
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Glock 19 I tried looking at the Glock 19, the 26, the XD line-up, M&P's, even the Ruger SR9's. The Glock 19 felt too thick in my hands (I have small to medium hands) and the M&P was the only one that fit like a glove to me. the only gun that fits my hands better than the M&P is the 1911. I did look into the shield, but that feels too thin in my hands, and then i'm down to 1911 capacity. |
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Glock 19 I tried looking at the Glock 19, the 26, the XD line-up, M&P's, even the Ruger SR9's. The Glock 19 felt too thick in my hands (I have small to medium hands) and the M&P was the only one that fit like a glove to me. the only gun that fits my hands better than the M&P is the 1911. I did look into the shield, but that feels too thin in my hands, and then i'm down to 1911 capacity. M&P 9c with small backstrap The DW factory just burned down. Keep that in mind when making a choice, as they were low output already. |
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Glock 19 I tried looking at the Glock 19, the 26, the XD line-up, M&P's, even the Ruger SR9's. The Glock 19 felt too thick in my hands (I have small to medium hands) and the M&P was the only one that fit like a glove to me. the only gun that fits my hands better than the M&P is the 1911. I did look into the shield, but that feels too thin in my hands, and then i'm down to 1911 capacity. M&P 9c with small backstrap The DW factory just burned down. Keep that in mind when making a choice, as they were low output already. Last time I was at NGX, they had the DW I am looking at in the case. I looked at it before and loved it, but didn't fall in love with the price tag. If they still have it in the case, then that would be an option. Though, seeing as I'm leaning M&P, I don't think that really matters. |
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M&P9c owner chiming in!
I love mine. Could easily conceal it and a reload without issue. I do not have a 1911 in the house to measure, but I reason that the grip width is relatively close between the two. And while magazines are going to be wider, its still not going to be twice as wide as a 1911 magazine. But it will carry almost twice as many rounds! Also, very similar controls between the two guns. |
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Looked at an HK P30 yet?   Yup, looked at that, the USP style guns (full size & compact) and also looked at the CZ 75 Compact too. The P30 did feel good, but not as good as the M&P9C, very close, but not better. Plus, the P30 is a bigger gun than the M&P9C. S&W lists the M&P9c as 1.2 inches thick. I just measured the width of my 1911, with slim-line grips, and came up with .925 over the slide, and 1.175 across the grips. So really, the M&P9c isn't a whole lot thicker. |
| As a person who carries a Colt LW XSE Commander or an M&P 9c regularly, let me suggest the Colt carries just as easy as the M&P. They weigh about the same and seem to conceal about the same. If you prefer the 1911 system, I suggest looking at an alloy frame commander like the Colt XSE or S&W 1911PD. |
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How about keeping with the same pistol and get a new belt and holster. You didnt mention that in your post. You just mentioned size and weight. I have a big heavy belt with a holster I like and I really dont notice carrying my government sized 1911. Holster is a Versa-Max II. The belt I use isn't technically a gun belt, but it is a super thick, 1 1/2 inch belt that doesn't flex at all. |