Posted: 11/18/2015 10:44:13 AM EDT
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Waiting on my CCDW and have been walking around my place with the full size 5" Series 80 IWB on my side (no holster, yet)
It feels quit comfortable but the concerns are the end of the grip protruding a little more than I like when bending, stretching, etc. I'm assuming the GI Commander grips are the same length as the full size? The 5" barrel doesn't seem to be the problem and I forget about it being there but would the shorter barrel of a Commander help with concealment? (Trying to decide between a Shield 9mm and the Commander. I really want the Commander, though  )
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Get the commander!
I have the Sig Carry Nightmare 1911 and it carries great. If the full sized gun doesn't bother you then the commander won't either. The grip is the same size, and it's the grip that usually pokes out when concealing. The Nightmare has the rounded grip so that helps. One problem often overlooked with the full sized guns in finding a holster that can protect the business end. If you wear jeans that rivet on your pocket can mess up the finish if the end of the slide sticks out- so keep that in mind. |
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Commander and government grip length is identical. Slide length is different with the commander being slightly shorter. If you are having issues with the grip protruding consider doing a bobtail mod. Or look into CCO style 1911s (officer frame, commander slide/barrel. |
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Quoted:
Commander and government grip length is identical. Slide length is different with the commander being slightly shorter. If you are having issues with the grip protruding consider doing a bobtail mod. Or look into CCO style 1911s (officer frame, commander slide/barrel. 
This is the Sig version, the C3. Alloy Officers' frame with a stainless Commander barrel and slide. Modern mags still hold seven rounds and one in the chamber. The shorter grip is a bit easier to conceal. In fact I wear mine under a tucked in t-shirt during the summer. |
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Quoted:
<a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/user/titan68/media/Firearms/F4895A65-82C4-4D42-814E-4D08EDEA0BD2.jpg.html" target="_blank">http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v191/titan68/Firearms/F4895A65-82C4-4D42-814E-4D08EDEA0BD2.jpg</a> This is the Sig version, the C3. Alloy Officers' frame with a stainless Commander barrel and slide. Modern mags still hold seven rounds and one in the chamber. The shorter grip is a bit easier to conceal. In fact I wear mine under a tucked in t-shirt during the summer. Quoted:
Quoted:
Commander and government grip length is identical. Slide length is different with the commander being slightly shorter. If you are having issues with the grip protruding consider doing a bobtail mod. Or look into CCO style 1911s (officer frame, commander slide/barrel. <a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/user/titan68/media/Firearms/F4895A65-82C4-4D42-814E-4D08EDEA0BD2.jpg.html" target="_blank">http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v191/titan68/Firearms/F4895A65-82C4-4D42-814E-4D08EDEA0BD2.jpg</a> This is the Sig version, the C3. Alloy Officers' frame with a stainless Commander barrel and slide. Modern mags still hold seven rounds and one in the chamber. The shorter grip is a bit easier to conceal. In fact I wear mine under a tucked in t-shirt during the summer. That's interesting, thanks I certainly will keep an eye out for one of those Looks like my license probably won't be here till Christmas anyway, so I'll have some time to look around Could you tell it wasn't going to take much to change my mind about getting the Commander instead of a Shield? 
I've always just loved the .45 ACP caliber and 1911's in general but I have reloading components for a 9mm too, so I'm trying to justify that purchase The slimness of my Series 80 just feels right what little I've carried it |
| Sig isn't the only one that makes a CCO sized 1911. Which is also the same size as a Glick 19. Just thinner with a bigger hole in the end. I went with the Sig because I found it in stock at a lgs, I really like to lay my hands on something when I'm unfamiliar with it, and because Sigs have plenty of features that come standard. Like the checkered front strap and undercut trigger guard. Plus thus dealer offers cut rate pricing. I got it for $679 vs ~ $850++ anywhere else. |
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Thanks all for the replies. I do contemplate each quite seriously
When I get something in my head though, it makes it hard to shake especially when these prices look so good @ $723 http://grabagun.com/colt-1991a1-gi-cmdr-45acp-4-25-blue.html Stainless is appealing as well Who knows, they might even have a sale on them soon too |
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Full size. The grip is what sticks out. Barrel length (especially only .75") really doesn't make a difference. I don't regret letting go of my Colt Commander at all.
If you need a smaller gun, you could get a Colt CCO, but full size 1911s have a wider reliability envelope. I'd get a Colt CCG. Buds has them for like $869. I really wish that California wasn't so fucking garbage. I would've bought one of those a long time ago. My O1991 was $907, and it doesn't have the undercut trigger guard, Novak sights, Novak safety, grip safety, enhanced hammer, match barrel, or 3-hole trigger. I overpaid a lot, but it was local, and I plead temporary insanity. Should've ordered one online for like $680.
Alternatively you could shell out $4,000 and get a Wilson Sentinel. Those guys have the subcompact 1911s figured out, and you'll pay for it. |
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If the frame is still a full size frame then the full size gun makes more sense to me.
If youre dropping barrel length, then you may as well drop frame size as well IMHO otherwise you aren't gaining anything for CCW Full size 1911 carries very well concealed for me. I have a compact RO that I carry appendix occasionally. I seem to opt for the full size more often |
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Quoted: Short 1911s are stupid. Why would you compromise reliability?  Commander length checking in here. They might be harder to set up and maintain, but once you figure that out they are 100% reliable. Most of my FTF have come from 2 things: recoil spring and bad magazines. As long as I keep the recoil spring fresh and use good mags, I'm GtG. |
| I carry a commander size 1911, Colt LW commander. Sorry folks but the 3/4" does make a difference if you are short waisted. Sitting with a full size barrel pushes the gun out of my holster and into my ribs! The commander size doesn't do that. For me and many people the commander size is much more comfortable to carry. I haven't seen any difference in reliability between the commander and my full size 1911s. Mine (both full size and commander size) have all been very reliable after some minor tune up work. |
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I've carrived government length 1911s for years most recently a Nighthawk Falcon & now carry a CCO sized Nighthawk Costa Compact. The Costa is only 4 Oz lighter but the shorter grip makes a very big difference for me & I only give up one round. CCO 1911s are now the only ones I regularly carry, Nighthawks though pricey rock!
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I like both, but I have more Commanders.
The Commander for me carries just a little better for me. In the seated position the shorter barrel makes a difference. I normally carry in a TT Gunleather IWB holster and a TT Gunleather belt. Which ever one you pick make sure you get a very good belt and a very good holster. Then buy a ton of ammo and have fun. |
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Quoted:
Sig isn't the only one that makes a CCO sized 1911. Which is also the same size as a Glick 19. Just thinner with a bigger hole in the end. I went with the Sig because I found it in stock at a lgs, I really like to lay my hands on something when I'm unfamiliar with it, and because Sigs have plenty of features that come standard. Like the checkered front strap and undercut trigger guard. Plus thus dealer offers cut rate pricing. I got it for $679 vs ~ $850++ anywhere else. S&W makes a version too called the ES. Mine has been 100% reliable with everything I've put in it. I bought it to try as a replacement for my old Kimber Pro Carry (alloy, 4" bushing-less gun that is also boringly reliable) but I ended up using a S&W Shield more often for summer carry and the Kimber or a Hi-Power in winter . One of the areas where I've found the shorter guns work better, especially the officer's sized frame, is when seated in a vehicle. The seat bolsters don't push the smaller gun into you as much.
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Quoted:
Waiting on my CCDW and have been walking around my place with the full size 5" Series 80 IWB on my side (no holster, yet) It feels quit comfortable but the concerns are the end of the grip protruding a little more than I like when bending, stretching, etc. I'm assuming the GI Commander grips are the same length as the full size? The 5" barrel doesn't seem to be the problem and I forget about it being there but would the shorter barrel of a Commander help with concealment? (Trying to decide between a Shield 9mm and the Commander. I really want the Commander, though )The new Shield has some improvements. I like my Smith 380. I would like a hammer fired 9 in the same overall design as their bodyguard 380. I do plan on a small frame 1911 at some point. |
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I personally found drawing a full size to not be comfortable. That was out of a Wilson Summer Companion. My Kimber ProCarry would draw much nice though that gun itself was a waste of time. Never reliable, parts breaking, just stills in the safe now. LAV was probably right, you got to be part gunsmith to keep some 1911's running.
Out of a proper holster a bet my full size would be easier to unholster but I've moved to Sigs from an ammo standpoint. Can carry twice the ammo in one mag over my 1911's. |
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I haven't seen any difference in reliability between the commander and my full size 1911s. Mine (both full size and commander size) have all been very reliable after some minor tune up work. That, and I'll even add that I have found my Colt Defender 9mm to be no less reliable than my Governments or my Commanders. |
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Quoted:
I've carrived government length 1911s for years most recently a Nighthawk Falcon & now carry a CCO sized Nighthawk Costa Compact. The Costa is only 4 Oz lighter but the shorter grip makes a very big difference for me & I only give up one round. CCO 1911s are now the only ones I regularly carry, Nighthawks though pricey rock!
Posts like this is why I need to stop reading these threads. Just looked up that Nighthawk on GB - damn that is beautiful! Then also saw the Warhawk compact in 9mm...just killin' me 
And I thought I just craved the T4... |