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Posted: 8/1/2005 4:13:57 PM EDT
[#1]
On duty I cary a Sig 220, off duty I cary a Sig 220, learn to live with the weight of your gun, I don't cary it in a holster off duty ,i just jock it.
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Posted: 8/1/2005 5:07:46 PM EDT
[#2]
I don't carry as much as I used to (that may be changing - our HMEU just got reactivated).
That said, I've never had any problems on the line (or in the house) with operating the different makes of guns I own, under real or simulated stress. I consider myself lucky, blessed, or both so far as that goes. A lot of folks aren't like me, however. As Col. Cooper (IIRC) wrote - it's better to have only one gun, and know how to use it well, than have twenty and not be able to handle it when the time comes. I'd reccommend one of the compact .45's, since you're most familiar with the operating drill is the same for your O/D and duty weapon. Same mags is a + too. |
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Posted: 8/1/2005 5:18:41 PM EDT
[#3]
If you can afford it, the Kimber PRO CDP or ULTRA CDP are two of the absolute best conceal carry 1911's out there. The pro is a 4" barrel full size grip, the ULTRA i believe is 3" but officer sized grip. Same as your regular gun, so no learning curve. Aluminum alloy frame, so lightweight, and all the sharp edges are "melted" and smoothed out. Doesn't catch on anything. I have a Pro and love it.
If you don't want to spend so much, I'd say get a S&W .38 Airweight, in whichever variation you prefer. |
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Posted: 8/1/2005 5:24:50 PM EDT
[#4]
I carried a SIG 220 on and off duty.
When I carried a 4506, I carried the 4516-1 off duty. I miss that gun. Get an Officers Model if you like the 1911 platform. |
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Posted: 8/1/2005 6:37:15 PM EDT
[#5]
+1 |
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Posted: 8/1/2005 7:14:44 PM EDT
[#6]
Thanks for the suggestions so far. Mentioning the Kimber also got me to thinking about the Para Ordnance "Carry" weapons. They are based on the 1911 frame, but are DA. I have also thought about a S&W air light .38, which may be another very viable option. I think I will look in that direction a little more also. Thanks again.
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Posted: 8/1/2005 7:20:49 PM EDT
[#7]
Just Remembered - Colt had the Mustang +II and Govt .380 (obviously, in .380 ACP).
Same op drill for the baby govt - the Mustang lacked a grip safety, but was otherwise identical. If you (and your range / qualifying officer) are OK with .380, give it a thought. |
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Posted: 8/1/2005 7:31:28 PM EDT
[#8]
You want to carry a SA 1911 on duty and a DA 1911 off duty?? Can you say negligent discharge? Learn one trigger pull, not two, with the same gun platform. Edited to add a couple more NO's 
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Posted: 8/1/2005 7:35:47 PM EDT
[#9]
Try your duty gun with a good belt intended for use with a gun. I like Don Hume leather belts. There are also nylon type wilderness brand belts with the plastic stiffener also work well (though they are not appropriate for wear everywhere). A good belt and quality holster make a big difference in comfortably carrying a gun. A 1911 on a belt from The Gap would quickly become annoying.
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Posted: 8/1/2005 7:35:49 PM EDT
[#10]
Yeah, thats a thought too. Heck, if we can shoot the gun and qualify with it, we can carry just about anything as a back-up/OD weapon! There is no real requirement for exactly what must be carried on duty, but the three big ones are preferred (9, 40, and 45), and no revolvers as a primary. They also like to see a 4" barrel for on duty carry. Other than that, the S/O is pretty open to just about anything. Quite honestly, the R/O and I are the only ones that carry 45's. Everyone else carries either 9's or 40's, split pretty even between the department, and everyone has either a Glock or XD as their primary. (except for the R/O and I he
One guy just bought a Taurus Millenium as an off duty gun, in 9mm too. A nice gun, but I am not sure I would trust a Taurus. There are also some 32 H&R revolvers out there that might make a decent off duty weopon. Man, the choices, and trying not to end up with so many guns I can't shoot straight |
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Posted: 8/1/2005 7:41:18 PM EDT
[#11]
Plus a FUCKING MILLION. Train with the gun that you carry, carry the goddam gun you train with. I carry a G21 on duty and the same G21 or a G30 off-duty, despite the fact that I have a shitload of other pistols in the safe, including a buch of high-zoot 1911s. I cannot stress this enough. If your world suddenly goes to shit when you are off-duty, it's your muscle-memory that will take over, just as it would on-duty. I would bet that more than 75% of your training time is spent with the 1911. If you spend more time training with an off-duty gun that has a different operating system, something is wrong. If you are carrying a 1911 on duty, then carry a 1911 off-duty. If I can comfortably carry a G21 at 5'11"/175lbs, then ANYONE should be able to carry a 1911 which is FAR slimer. A Commander or Officer's length is also a consideration if you just can't force yourself to carry a full-sized 1911. Invest in a good holster and a good belt. Problems solved. Sorry for the fire and brimstone, but this is a hot button with me. Guys that carry Glocks or Sigs on duty and then wander around with a makarov or some other abomination off-duty. One operating system for both duty and off-duty carry.  Sheep |
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Posted: 8/1/2005 7:43:28 PM EDT
[#12]
That last was a reply to Tango. And thanks npd for that warning, point well taken. Aimless, I might try that too, but like you said those belts really aren't appropriate for wear everywhere, which is one reason I am wanting find a very small weapon to carry with all the clothes I wear, without it sticking out like a sore thumb. I essentially only want to end up with two guns, one for Duty, and one for off duty.
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Posted: 8/1/2005 7:45:02 PM EDT
[#13]
Galco Firm Belts, in 1 1/4" width are what I use for ALL my dress belts. Sheep |
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Posted: 8/1/2005 7:54:54 PM EDT
[#14]
Sorry I meant the wilderness belts were not appropriate for wear everywhere. I wear a Don Hume leather belt made for concealed carry everyday. I wear it with suits, casual wear, hiking etc. Try a good belt and holster before spending money on more guns. I'm no cop but I agree about using the same gun all the time so you aren't fiddle farting around with it if you really have to use it.
1911s are pretty easy to conceal because they are so thin, width is what makes a pistol difficult to conceal, or at least annoying, in my opinion. Remember the barrel is usually stuck down your pants anyways, so the length of that is meaningless. If you still think your duty gun is too heavy you can get an aluminum framed 1911 that would work with the same holster and belt. I own a Colt Mustang. It is a neat little gun, and let me tell you standing up close to a target it'll shoot tight groups quickly. My g/f and I stayed in a hotel downtown in one of the cities in upstate NY one weekend after going out with friends (I don't mean out drinking). She wanted to go for a walk afterwards so I stuck my Colt Mustang in my pocket in a pocket holster. We were walking in a mostly nice residential area that has a park adjoining it where there are occaissionally problems. I remember her bumping against my side and noticing the little Colt and saying "Oh you have a gun" (which she found reassuring). That got me thinking, God forbid if something had happened that night would I have wanted to trust that little 380 if I had to protect her? I tossed it in a drawer later that week and never carried it again. Don't worry about the gun being the size of VW, you'll be shocked how few people notice you carrying off duty. I had my Glock 21 on me numerous times running across police officers who never noticed it (in NY if they noticed it they'd be pestering me about it). |
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Posted: 8/1/2005 8:08:21 PM EDT
[#15]
I looked at Galco just now. They do have some pretty nice stuff. I will probably buy one of those holsters that they have, and see how things go. I will also look at Don Hume stuff too. Just something that had never really crossed my mind or been suggested to me. Thanks for the replies.
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Posted: 8/1/2005 8:11:19 PM EDT
[#16]
Galco is good stuff, spring for a belt, too, you deserve it.
Check for whether they have a leo discount, seems like they would. |
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Posted: 8/1/2005 8:21:56 PM EDT
[#17]
I would only think of a .38 snub as a viable secondary/back-up weapon, not as a viable option as your exclusive off duty weapon. I would also agree that the difference in ergonomics and trigger pull between the 1911/Glock can cause problems. I would also suggest sticking with a 1911 in Officers size. Stay safe! Nick |
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Posted: 8/1/2005 8:24:52 PM EDT
[#18]
If you need opinions or suggestions on leather gear, ask away. I have had just about every brand of custom and non-custom leather gear out there...that goes for Kydex as well. If you are looking for a comfortable IWB right, look for a holster that has the belt attachment to the front and rear of the pistol, rather than on the holster body itself...something like this:  $68 bucks from FIST Holsters Or Kydex:  $60 bucks from Threat Solutions Just a couple of examples. I have the pictured holsters from both makers and they are good to do. Milt Sparks and a ton of others make IWBs in this style. Sheep |
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Posted: 8/1/2005 8:29:53 PM EDT
[#19]
I've been happy with FIST also. You used to be able to save a few bucks by ordering FIST holsters through Gunner's alley.
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Posted: 8/1/2005 9:33:38 PM EDT
[#20]
If it's any consolation, I've known over a dozen LEO's who've carried Tauruses (Taurii?) as primary duty guns and had zero problems with them. |
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Posted: 8/1/2005 9:36:32 PM EDT
[#21]
Wanna sell it? The ex-GF (several years ago) had one, and I miss it terribly. I found loaded with Hydra-shocks or Glasers the shoot reviews (real shootings, not gel tests) proved .380 was |
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Posted: 8/2/2005 3:23:01 AM EDT
[#22]
While the differences between the 1911 and the Glock are not so great that you could not use both, I think Sheepdog has given you some very good advice as have many others here. A lightweight framed Officer's Model or similar makes an excellent off duty gun and is even slimmer than the G36, but I know several guys who carry the full size, steel frame 1911 all the time and the thing all have in common is that they use a GOOD belt designed for CCW and a top quality IWB holster of some sort...mostly the Sparks VMII.
The .380 / .32 pistols do carry nice, but I can make you a gold plated promise that if the shit hits the fan for you off duty you will be wishing you had your 1911 in your hands! 
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Posted: 8/2/2005 4:41:38 AM EDT
[#23]
Tango, check your IMs |
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Posted: 8/2/2005 4:54:23 AM EDT
[#24]
I guess I should have said that I never carried it again. I have shot it since then and have had recurrent failures to eject, the brass stays in chamber and ejector slips off the case. I have taken it to several pistolsmiths without any luck so I have not been willing to sell it. Mine's steel framed anyway, if I was buying another one I'd look for one of the aluminum framed ones. |
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Posted: 8/4/2005 1:05:46 AM EDT
[#25]
if you're having trouble carrying/concealing a 1911 you need to buy some better carriage gear. OTOH, you're in NV, it gets hot there, maybe something smaller is in order. I like my G30, doesn't rust, doesn't buck, shoots .45.
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Posted: 8/4/2005 4:45:20 AM EDT
[#26]
First off, let me say that you are a LUCKY BASTARD for being able to carry a 1911. I wish we could!
Now, to the point. I'm 6'02 with a fairly thin (but not as thin as it used to be!) build. For me, because of the way the butt of an auto sticks out, I have a very hard time concealing one during the summer when a light t-shirt is too much clothes. Even my G26 prints too badly and is plainly visible. I've taken to carrying my S&W 649 snubbie during the summer, which conceals VERY well. And before anyone says to get a better holster, it just doesn't work for me. I've tried a goodly assortment of holsters, none work as well as taking my snubbie and sticking it in my waistband. The damn thing just disappears. Admittedly, where I live can be considered a low-risk environment. If I lived in or had to go to a bigger city or a high-crime area, I'd be carrying my G23 or G26, regardless of whether or not it prints some. Now, when I can get away with it, I do carry my duty weapon, a G23. It's just that, during the summer, it ain't appropriate for me. If I were you, I'd look into a S&W or Taurus snubbie. Since you can get away with it, one of the small 1911 pistols would probably work well, too. It ain't the bigest, it ain't the best. But, for me, anyway, they hide VERY WELL and, after all, the point is to have a CONCEALED weapon, isn't it? Bub |
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Posted: 8/4/2005 7:03:21 PM EDT
[#27]
i carry a full size Kimber custom II with tru glo tro day/night sights in an old world leather holster with a forward cant on a black hawk tatical velcro duty belt. i wear a long t shirt and no one ever knows i carry. the only thing i dont like is the cant in the holster. i would reather have a strait up but i didnt pay for it, its on loan from a friend. check out the black hawk line of holsters like the cqc serpa. it has an internal lock and it looks great with is carbon fiber face and cabon fiber accesories.
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Posted: 8/5/2005 5:20:20 AM EDT
[#28]
I carry a Kahr Arms PM9 9mm off duty because it fits in my pocket, and it's reliable. If 45 is your thing Kahr has a compact carry 45 now. I'm not all that farmiliar with it, but my expierience with Kahr tells me it's probobly to quality.
I've got a friend I work with that carries a Para Ordinance Warthog. It's a very nice, smooth shooting small framed 1911. They also have it in DAO I believe. |
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Posted: 8/30/2005 5:18:50 AM EDT
[#30]
The worst choice is one that you don't carry because it is too bulky or heavy. I carry a g22 with m3 on duty. Off duty it is the kel-tec p3 in .380. I know it is only .380, but I always have it.
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Posted: 8/30/2005 7:19:56 AM EDT
[#31]
I'm a big proponent of not being a slave to too many masters also. I love the Glock, but if you carry and train with a 1911 primarily, you should carry a 1911 off duty. If the one you have is too big and heavy for concealment, get a smaller, lighter one (but I wouldn't go too crazy). And a good holster does make a difference.
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