TexasCHLforum.com

G.C.Montgomery wrote:

txbroker wrote:First post, surpised I didnt find this forum sooner.

Lots of great info but couldnt find what I was looking for so,

I have a Colt Defender in .45, was wondering how those who have this firearm carry? This is a SAO firearm so you either carry it hot or not. You eiter have one in the chamber with the hammer back and safety on or a dead stick until you cycle the chamber.

I love the size and knock down power of this firearm and also have a .40 Baby Eaglr I carry. the Defender is a lot smaller and easier to conceal.

Any information is appreciated.

Paul

Welcome to the forum, Paul. As you mentioned the Colt Defender and all true 1911s are designed to be carried cocked-n-locked. Carrying the 1911 in any other condition is slow and/or dangerous. I learned this fact the hard way a long time ago. You'll find tons of info on this forum regarding carry options and you'll also find a number of 1911 shooters around here of varying skill levels. Comments:

1) The 1911 is a great platform but nothing is perfect.
2) Knockdown power is pretty much non-existent in any pistol caliber, the sooner you get over that fact the better.
3) Know your gun and learn to maintain it...Maintenance, more accurately a lack there of, kills.
4) If you are going to carry this gun, don't try to cut corners by using cheap carry rigs, cheap ammo and cheap magazines. (It's like running cheap gas, cheap oil and cheap tires on a Ferrari.)

rm9792 wrote:Most will disagree but I carry my 1911's hot with hammer down. I have practiced and shot IDPA condition one and hammer down and found no difference either way in speed. With a spur hammer you have plenty of surface area to thumb back on the draw (finger off trigger till ready). I have large hands so my fingers get a good grip on the pistol so my thumb is free to pull the hammer as i am clearing the holster. Just another idea for you.

As anyone who has seen my hands can confirm, I too have large hands. I've also shot in more than a few IDPA and USPSA matches. Early in my shooting career, I had my first negligent discharge while trying to run a 1911 in condition 2. So let me go on record saying I fall into that group of folks who will disagree with the above statement. As others pointed out, one has to ask how you "safely" lower the hammer on a live round.