ltwguns.com

ok, guys. i need some help/suggestions. im trying to get. an idea on preferances ect. for people that ccw.

now, i am pondering having my next gun built by a ltw smith. since i have carried a 1911 very, little i have a couple concerns. im leaning towards a commander sized gun for the extra concealibility.

also, im leaning towards a "smooth" gun. i.e. dehorned, serrations instead of checkering ect. i have heard that 20 l.p.i. will tear up/hang up on your clothes , and for non l.e.o. its not really worth the hassle.

i appreciate any thoughts/help/info added..

oh, side note, their is to be no dicscussion on front /rear cocking serrations on the slide in this thread!!! i want the thread to last longer than 1 day please.lol

thanks.

I personally don't like serrations on the front strap. Checkering doesn't bother anything and gives a much better grip, at least to me and I have both.
Marsh

I think checkering gives you a much better grip than serrations. I've got guns with 20, 25, and 30 lpi checkering and for a carry gun I'd go with either 25 or 30 lpi. I'd also consider Chuck Rogers golfball treatment and my next build is being done by Bob Rodgers with Chuck's golfballs on the front and back strap. In 20 lpi, I have a Novak's gun that has sharp checkering and it can be rough on your hands, and I have a Jim Hoag gun that he took the points off the top of the checkering and it's very comfortable for extended use.

I find the slide length doesn't matter as much for concealability as the grip length. For me, a bobtailed or officer's sized frame conceals much better than a full sized grip. My ideal 1911 for carry is a Colt CCO or Springfield Compact sized 1911 with an alloy or titanium frame. I carried a full sized steel framed 1911 for years and it just got to be too heavy to be convenient.

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Ted

Oh JOY!!!
Let's launch right into the front cocking serrations and full-length guide rods .....again.

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http://www.rogersprecision.com

oh yeah, i forgot to add in my original post i was thinking of getting a commander length, with the bobtail option...

I think the BobTail is a very viable option.

Bob

Ive got front serrations, because the gun came that way and it works.
I dont have a full length guide rod, because the gun came that way and it works.
I have 20 lpi checkering on the front strap, because it came that way, and it works. If it had not come checkered, i would most likely have it checkered though, as I like the feel of it now. BTW it doesn't tear up my clothes.
I dont have a "dehorn" job, because it came that way and it works.
I carry a government, because I carry IWB and being 6' 8", the extra inch doesnt make it any more or less comfortable for me.

Not to insult the great craftsmen here, but it is my opinion that if you have good sights, a good trigger job, and a mechanically reliable pistol, everything else is just butter. I would love to own some of the excellent work of some of the smiths here, and likely will down the road. But my everyday carry gun will likely continue to be a plain jane government that will drive nails and go bang every time.

My CCW is commander length with an Officers frame. I carry it with a flush base 6rd magazine ... works for me

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I came into this world with nothing, and I still have most of it left!

If I were to spring for a ccw setup again I think that would be my route, make everything nice and compact. As long as its 100% reliable that would be my preferred choice. Otherwise a commander with bobtail would be next up.

I have two full size govt 1911s. One with serrated front strap/msh, and one with 25LPI/20LPI checkering. Both work good, the 25LPI provides more grip but I'm starting to dig the serrated setup more and more. One is dehorned..the other is not. I really haven't noticed a difference between the two as far as drawing from the holster in regards to snagging clothing or such so I think whatever floats your boat is the answer here.

Then theres the other possiblity I'm starting to drift to the dark side. Well not really...bought a FN hipower for the gf and she didn't shoot it a whole lot. She likes the 1911 better. But Im really starting to dig the hipower....just needs different sights and it should be good to go. Lightweight and more compact.

Guys, keep it civil and ON topic. This will go away very quickly if it drifts off topic.

--md

I forgot to mention that my pistol has 25 lpi checking on the high-cut front strap and MSH. It's comfortable and I really don't notice it hanging on my clothes. It is dehorned and has Novak low mount night sights, as well.

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I came into this world with nothing, and I still have most of it left!

My personal experience AND OPINION ONLY:
I have been carriying concealed almost daily since 1990 both as a civilian and a police officer and here is my opinion-
I would go with a Commander (probably lightweight) size due to weight and size...anything you can do to make the weapon more comfortable and concealable will help insure that you have that weapon on if God forbid you ever need it. I have carried a full size Govt model and that extra little bit of siize CAN get in the way or cause irritation when you least want/need it! I would also opt for the meltdown treatment for the same reasons, if it starts digging into your sides during a long day at the mall or elsewhere, you will invariably spend a tremendous amount of time looking for the nearest restroom to make adjustments, or drawing the attention of those who are carry savy that notice you subconsciously digging around your midrif to make those adjustments, and believe me--YOU WILL DO THIS!
As for the checkering, have you considered the excellent stippling treatments that several of the smitty's here offer? It's a good option to checkering, but does not abrade clothes or sensitive body parts...but still provides an excellent grip when you need it! Again, a minor addition, but ANYTHING that gives you a small edge should you ever need it! I also like what little I have looked at the bobtails on these pistols. This area of the pistol is the one that will stick up the highest in an IWB holster, and cutting that down will invariably help with hiding that portion of the pistol, also..it may reduce the weight of the pistol by yet a few more ounces, and again anything you can do to make the pistol lighter and more carry friendly will help you to remain armed if/when you need it!
I am by no means an expert...but do have about 5,840 days of carry under my belt...and these have worked for me! Good Luck to you, sir!--John

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"There is a true glory and a true honor, the glory of duty done, the honor of integrity and principle."--Gen. Robert Edward Lee

thanks jr munsey!! i agree whole heartedly about making it as most comfortable as possible. a "for instance" i was set up to carry my glock 19 iwb and did it about 3 times. it just didnt work for ME, and guess what? i started leaving it at home and primarily carrying a jframe because it was easier to carry...

im starting to lean towards the lightweight /bobtail commander.....

Your preference should depend on your intended use.

The 5inch vs 4.25inch vs 4inch makes no difference in concealment to me. I find no problem sitting behind the wheel of my car, an office chair or at home on my couch.

Where you find a difference is the length of the grip frame. Though I have carried the full size frame CCW (usually IWB) for many years and find no real problem. I do choose specific clothing that drapes correctly, hiding any printing. I recently had John Harrison bob-tail a light weight Kimber 4inch, and find it a joy to carry.

The Wilson CQB Compact with a Wilson 7round flush magazine is on my hip about half the time. I can carry spare magazines that fit my full size 1911s, and they seat and feed fine.

I haven't partaken of the exotic front strap/MSH treatments. Checkering meets my needs. If you don't shoot much and the 1911 is a defensive weapon that is with you during the rough times, 20lpi checkering is good. Grip is fantastic, you're not going to let go.

If you are going to the range to practice with the gun every couple of weeks or so, 30lpi checkering will allow you to grip the gun without drawing blood from your hands while you shoot 200 rounds or more.

If you shoot occasionally, only a box or so at a time, 25lpi will be fine.

Serrations have never given me a feeling of security.

My goal has been; grip the gun and pull it from the holster in any, ANY situation. Sweat, dry, wet (rain), my arthritis acting up, swollen hands because of the cold, gloves, and at really bad times, my hands might be covered in blood (hopefully not mine or my loved ones). Bad guys don't wait for us to be ready for them.

Again, Plan out what you will be doing with the gun before making any decisions.

-- Just my opinion - YMMV

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If You're Not the Lead Dog, The View Never Changes.

Why hasn't anybody tried full-length serrations?

Now that's what I'm talking about!!

I suppose that if one insists on carrying OWB, the Commander-length slides afford a slight advantage in concealment. For me, the slide-length issue is moot, because I carry IWB the majority of the time. OWB requires a longer jacket/shirt than I usually wear for our climate.

I'm sure that any of the LTW 'smiths can make a Commander run reliably for you, but the longer slide of the Government model allows more forgiveness in terms of tolerance stack ups and such. Many of the hard use crowd insist that only a 5" 1911 can be truly reliable. I tend to think that the 5" guns are a bit less finicky when it comes to ammo and spring-replacement intervals. While it's true that velocity will be a bit better with the 5" barrel versus the 4.25" barrel, Doc Gary K. Roberts has reported that there is no practical difference in terminal effectiveness (http://www.tacticalforums.com/cgi-bin/t ... 559#000002). The increase in sight radius of the longer slide may be a slight advantage for some.

If wearing suits or sport coats or similar garments with delicate lining, then I suppose that sharp checkering would be an issue. This would apply to grips as well as frontstrap and MSH treatments. I'm personally more concerned about how 20-LPI checkering wears on my girly hands. Regardless, there are effective-though-less traditional alternatives to checkering (e.g., "golf-ball" dimples, scallops, conamyds...).

For IWB carry, frame length is more of an issue for concealment. This can be addressed by skipping add-on mag wells, using an Officer-length frame, or Bobtailing a Gov't/Commander frame. Magazine choices seem to be somewhat more limited for Officer Models, and I prefer to have common magazines for all of my 1911s, so for now I'm sticking with full-length frames.

If I were in the market for a max-concealment, carry-a-lot, shoot-not-so-much pistol, I might consider a Government model with a Bobtailed aluminum frame (with Rogers scallops/dimples).

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Aubrey<><

I favor stippling myself especially here in the Pacific NW where rain is almost an everyday thing. It provides an extremely positive grip, look good and doesn't dig into your side or get hung up on clothing. I can and do carry either a gov't model or commander either IWB or OWB and really have no preference between the two. One of my gov't models is bobtailed and that does make a big difference in concealabilty. Make sure you buy yourself the best holster and belt that you can afford, these will make all the difference in the world in both comfort and concealability!

Hey man, how about a SERRATED GUIDE ROD!

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"The most effective armor is to keep out of range"-Italian proverb

CHECK OUT MY CUSTOM 1911 BLOG
http://thearsenalofdemocracy.blogspot.com

Anthony, Actually, I think Neds done that

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Don Williams
http://www.theactionworks.com
http://www.ltwguns.com

LOL

As a suit and tie LEO I prefer a true Commander carried in either a Alessi or Delfatti OWB holster. I have all three front strap treatments, 20LPI, Stippling and serrations and will say I prefer the serrations over the others, just my opinion. I carry a lightly worked over Colt NRM Commander on a daily basis sometimes as much as 16 hours a day.

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And this eternal resting place Is known as Fiddlers' Green.

Full length or GI spec though?!

What HASN'T Ned done? Serrated guide rods are so old school to Ned.

I work in an office, where off-body carry is all that will work. For that, I chose the biggest gun that will fit in the designated pocket of my briefcase; a Detonics Combat Master. If I was carrying on the belt every day, it would be a LW Commander. Other than bigger sights, trigger job and match bushing, mine is early-'80s stock (pretty close to early-'50s stock, too).

Lately I have been using my CQB compact in a Galco IWB,its one of the holsters with the rough side out.It is very comfortable.Doesnt even give me any problems while sitting ,driving etc.I had switched to it from carrying a Sig 225 or a 228.

My $0.02.

When I carry concealed, it is in an IWB holster. Since concealing the longer slide is not an issue and I have no comfort problems, I carry a five-inch gun. When I carry OWB, it is not concealed, and I carry a five-inch gun.

My personal experience is that a five-inch gun is more reliable than a 4.25" gun, especially when reloading from slide lock. I have found that I really need to focus on chambering a round from slide lock in a 4.25" gun, and that is not always possible for me. I also like the extra 0.75" of sight radius, the lessened muzzle jump, and the balance of the five-inch gun. I also found that I like the bobtail as it does eliminate printing from the corner of the grip, and my hands are so small that I do not lose any gripping surface.

I find that I require a good carry bevel or dehorn after shredding my hands and clothes with some factory Colt pistols, prefer 20 lpi checkering (found that out when I dumped a pistol in a stream as until that time I was a huge fan of serrations) on the front strap when my hands have the chance of being wet or slick, and do not care if the pistol has a FLGR or GI spring/plug.

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Scott

My opinions based on my limited experience:

for day to day concealed carry I prefer a 5" 1911 with serations on the front strap and MSH, Slim-Tech grips, Novak rear sight w/ wider notch, red or white line front sight, no ambi safety, carry bevel package, IWB holster with a good belt.

Whether or not checkering wears out clothes depends on the clothing and your body style. In my case 10 years and 20 pounds ago I did not notice undue wear to the lining of my suit coats from checkering. More recently I have noticed wear. It seems that the grip is much closer to the lining of the coat now days.

For me a smoother grip allows a coat or jacket to slide over the pistol more easily.

Front strap and mainspring housing serations do not feel as secure to me for extended range sessions, but do not seem to be a big drawback on limited range sessions. If I were taking a class or shooting an IDPA match I would prefer a checkered front strap & main spring housing.

How about a full size frame, officer upper, and bobtailed?



It needs some FCS but has a FLGR

My daily carry is a Pre 80 Series Colt Combat Commander from Condition One Pistolsmithing. It has officially retired my 5" carry gun. See it in the pictures section at http://www.conditionone.us
If you're looking for a pistolsmith, drop Dave a line. He is a first rate guy, and a straight shooter.

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A life spent making mistakes is not only more honorable, but more useful than a life spent doing nothing.
~ George Bernard Shaw