Revisiting old slab sides for carry

[sqlbullet]

I have almost always carried double stack handguns. The only exception in regular carry rotation I can remember is the Delta Elite I carried in college back before such activities were generally legal. Sure, I would tuck a gen 1 M&P shield into the holster on Sunday for church, but my EDC guns have always been double stack.

I am starting to re-think that strategy a bit. For most of the last decade I have carried a Glock 20 or 29. The big Glock held 15+1 and my backup magazine had a +2 base pad for a total load out of 33 rounds. When I carried the smaller G29 I lost 3 rounds since my pinky dingle on the magazine also gives +1, so I had 30 rounds.

A few months back I picked up some 10 round magazines from my SR1911 in 10mm. They were the CobraMags by Tripp Research. This weekend I finally got some ammo through them and they work flawlessly. I decided on Saturday that this week I would carry the SR1911 just to shake things up a bit. Two of the single stack 10 round mags fit in the same jeans pocket the way a single double stack Glock mag does. I use Wilson 9 round mags in the gun so I have the same 30 rounds as when I carry the Glock 29, but spread across three magazines instead of two.

Except that isn’t how it worked out. I also have a Galco double mag pouch for 1911’s. I never really consider a belt mounted mag carrier for Glock mags. Just too bulky to conceal. But nice slim 1911 mags just disappear nicely under a shirt. So, I have 9+1 + 10 + 10 + 9 + 9 by the time I put the CobraMags in the mag carrier and two more Wilson mags in my pants side pocket. 48 rounds total load out. (Though 4 reloads.)

So, I am going to run with this set-up for a few weeks and see how I feel about it. It is more weight, no way around that. The 1911 weighs about as much empty as the Glock does full up. But so far that is not causing me any concern at all. I suppose the other drawback is after I get my comfy clothes on when I am in for the night. I ditch the extra mags at that point and just keep the pistol in a kydex holster on the table. That means I am down to 10 rounds for fighting my way to a rifle, where with the Glock I had 16 rounds. Though, adding a 10 round magazine to my jammy pocket is a lot more doable than a 17 round glock mag. May have to try that tonight.

So, I am finding the 1911 more refreshing than I thought I would, at least so far.

[BillinTexas]

I find that after I have wandered from the true path and find my way back to it, all is right with the world.

[glennasher]

If anything, I’m more a 1911 guy than I ever was before, and that’s saying a heckuva lot. I’ve got a dozen 1911s on hand currently, and I’m looking at a couple more, if they every show up.
The more I shoot, the more i appreciate the LW Commander pistols, doesn’t matter the chambering, 9mm, .38 Super, or .45, they make me smile more and more. I don’t think they’d be a good thing in 10mm, though.

[sqlbullet]

I increasingly think there is a place in the market for a lightweight commander 10mm.

I can hear you now: “An aluminum frame would get beat to death by 10mm”. Yes, it would have a limited lifespan. Even an alloy like 7075 in a forged frame would likely be toast in 20K rounds.

But I honestly think that is enough.

I shoot more than the average guy by a pretty wide margin. Here is the thing about guys that shoot; in general we have several guns. While overall we shoot a high round count, shooting a high round count through one gun is not some thing most guys will do. And the ones that do know enough not to expect an aluminum frame 1911 in 10mm to be a high round count gun.

So, I need the frame to stand up to about 300-400 rounds the range session or two while I ensure it is reliable and accurate enough for carry. Then I need it to tolerate 100-200 rounds a year for my life when I do my refresher runs. Even if I bought it at 21, lived to 90 and did this every year of my life I would be expecting less than 20K rounds from it.

I know it will never happen. Too many guys would buy it then shoot it to death and complain to the maker that the gun wore out fast. And so we end up with things like the Kimber Rapide with weight saved all the wrong places. But I can still hope!

[Markwell]

We have shot and carried 1911s for closing in on 50 years. Pre-IPSC, IPSC, USPSA, Idpa, 3 gun and use in the field has wedded us to old slabsides but our daily carry guns have evolved from full sized steel guns in .45ACP, thru Commanders (LWs), and finally settling where we are today. Regardless of caliber, the 1911 CCO has become our daily carry gun. Light, handy and shootable. Wouldn’t want one in a 10mm, but any other caliber will do.

[Author]

Posts