I have a full size 1911, and an XDm 3.8 in 9mm. The XDm is way shorter, but I actually prefer to conceal the 1911. Even with the added length, it's slim profile is more comfortable IMHO. (Also the 1911 shoots better of course
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This, I sold my XDM for a 1911 for a number reasons to include the concealing it. To me, there is no better, safer, more reliable, sweet shooting easily concealed firearm than the 1911. People whom worry about the 1911's weight don't understand its good weight to have when using a large caliber like the 45 ACP. Even the basic models of 1911's have the quality and distinction that only a gun such as these can have. I don't feel out gunned with 7 or 8 rounds of 45 with me. Add a spare mag and why would I need more? If you cant make your hits under stress with 8 rounds YOU WONT do any better with 13+ rounds. As for finding quality 1911's are easy to find, I just picked up a colt Mk IV for 500 and with a little under 80 bucks of professional gunsmithing work it is one sweet piece. If you want the site where I found mine and other great deals on 1911's new and used send me a PM. Finally there are more parts and accessory for the 1911 than any other HANDGUN period, you make your 1911 truly yours and. If thee weight is still an issue they have great light weight frame that easy compete with polymer guns.
Jeff Cooper
“The 1911 pistol remains the service pistol of choice in the eyes of those who understand the problem. Back when we audited the FBI academy in 1947, I was told that I ought not to use my pistol in their training program because it was not fair. Maybe the first thing one should demand of his sidearm is that it be unfair.”
— Guns & Ammo, January 2002
Clint Smith On The 1911
“The 1911 remains popular because it’s an efficient tool. In more than 30 years of experience, I’ve met more competent, serious gunmen who carry 1911’s than those who pack any other handgun. They are professionals – policemen, government agents and others who carry handguns daily because the know their live may depend on it…Me? I’ve carried a 1911 every single day for the past 20 years. It’s a very comforting gun to have at your hip. It offers a good, consistent single-action trigger pull and is wonderfully dependable. Because the 1911 is basically a defensive handgun, I’m not concerned about tight groups. I don’t bother with expanding hollowpoints that could cause feeding problems. For absolute reliability, I shoot only high-quality ball ammunition. That big .45 slug doesn’t have to expand to be effective.”
From Guns and Ammo, September, 2001.
Tom Givens, Author and Trainer
As a "fighting" handgun, a properly set up and tuned 1911 has no equal. It has superb ergonomics, redundant safeties, excellent reliability and longevity, and the best trigger action available on any common service pistol. The trigger alone makes it the easiest service pistol to shoot well at speed. My primary handgun every single day, 365 days a year, is a lightly customized 1911.
That said, the 1911 is NOT a gun for the casual user, or what we call NDP's (non-dedicated personnel). The gun was designed when technology was expensive, but skilled labor was not. The exact opposite is true today. A carry 1911 should be gone over by an experienced specialist (Heinie, Burns, Yam, Yost, Garthwaite, etc) and then properly maintained by the end user. The average cop or typical CCW holder would be better served with a Glock or SIG in most cases. If you're willing to spend the money to get a properly set up 1911 and TRAIN with it, then you're not "average".
Last year I took three classes as a student (Taylor, Gonzales, Suarez) and the year before one from Clint Smith. In each of those classes I fired about 800 rounds through my carry 1911 without cleaning it and with zero malfunctions. At the NTI last year, I dropped an impact target with about an eight inch square vital zone at approximately 80 yards, from an awkward position, with one shot from my carry 1911, while being filmed by a TV crew. The superb trigger on my gun made that a lot easier. Since I have a choice in my personal weapons, I choose to carry the system that stacks the odds in my favor. My life is worth the extra expense/effort. YMMV.
O yea one last thing