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For the guys who carry 1911 with 5 inch barrels with there CHL . Is it to long or do find that you wish you had a 4 inch barrel. Ive neer carried a 1911 nor any gun with a 5 inch barrel. Just looking for an honest review. If you are using a 5 inch how are you carrying it and driving with it. Thanks for the info.

I routinely rotate between 1911s with the following barrel lengths: 3.5 inch and a 5 inch. I will this week add (Once its broken in) a 4 inch gun to my rotation. There are only two factors that concern me with carrying a 1911, the length of the grip and the weight. Now my 3.5 inch 1911 better fits me because it is lighter and has a shorter grip than my 5 inch 1911s however my new 4 inch gun is better in regards to weight (AL frame) but has the same length grip as the five inch gun. Once I've carried for a bit I will let you know what I think of it in relation to my other 1911s for concealed carry. For the record I carry IWB so barrel length really doesn't bother me.

I carry both a 3" and a 5" 1911. I carry the smaller gun most days, and only occasionally carry the larger one. However, that is more a factor of weight than length — the one being not only smaller, but having an alloy frame, while the larger pistol has a steel frame. As far as concealment goes, I carry the smaller pistol in both IWB and OWB holsters, so concealment is not a problem. I only carry the 5" gun in an OWB holster, which does hold the gun close to the body, but I have to wear shirts with longer tails to conceal it because of the pistol's length.

I carry a 5" gun every day, both in an IWB holster and in a belt holster. I have no trouble concealing it; it's comfortable; and I drive with it on every day. I occasionally carry a 4 1/4" Commander.

Chas.

I normally carry either a 5" or 4.25" 1911 in .45 and have no problem whatsoever. I carry in a OWB Galco concealable holster with two mag holders.

Same as above. I only started having draw trouble w/ the advancement of authoritis. I now carry a 4" most of the time. It is the authoritis that makes that last inch slow & sometimes really painful to draw & not that it is uncomfortable to carry.

Quality gear whether IWB or OWB is the key to comfort. The old addage, "you get what you pay for" is double true w/ carry gear. When I give range orientations or do carry training, some folks say they dont carry because they cant cover a decent gun w/o being sloppy or wearing a big coat. They are not comfortable.
I tell folks if they want to carry a Dirty Harry 29 Smith in 44 Mag w/ a 5.5"barrel the can conceal it. I get to pick the belt, holster & dress. I will dress them in neat, starched, ironed, casual dress & no one will know but them.
LT

I've only recenlty learned this to be true but a good wide belt can make the difference. The same average holster seems tons better with a 1.5" belt vs a slimmer one. It seems to spread the weight out and keep things anchored. The belt is a good place to get some all around benefit for a fixed price.

First, if it ain't a 5" .45ACP it ain't a real 1911 - - - all the rest are posers . Second, grip size is more important than barrel length in concealment. As mentioned earlier, a good belt and quality holster makes carry and concealment quite easy.

I carry an all-steel 5" 1911 daily in an OWB holster. After I *ahem* "remove some insulation" from my mid-section, I think it will be even easier to carry - right now, the only issue I have is the occasional poke in the side when I settle into the driver's seat of my little Honda Civic. Even so, there have been times when I forgot it was there - it just nestles in and disappears. Just be sure to dress around the gun and you'll be fine. And +1 on the 1.5" belt. I got a few 5.11 belts from LA Police Gear with some Covert Khakis a while back, and they work like a charm.

Nothing but Government models here. I'll have to add a couple of Champions in my collection soon.

UpTheIrons wrote:the only issue I have is the occasional poke in the side when I settle into the driver's seat of my little Honda Civic.

That Civic feels like a Cadillac compared to the Miata.

I have both a 5" and a 3" 1911 but I carry my 3" Kimber about 90% of the time - it's just more comfortable for me.

Awesome thread. Being an owner of a 5" 1911 and am hunting for my first CC holster while I wait for my plastic has left me a little up in the air. Everyone who has commented has stated either OWB or IWB and only one mentioned that they use a Galco. Looking to see what holsters the people who commented on this thread are using.

TIA

rlr wrote:Awesome thread. Being an owner of a 5" 1911 and am hunting for my first CC holster while I wait for my plastic has left me a little up in the air. Everyone who has commented has stated either OWB or IWB and only one mentioned that they use a Galco. Looking to see what holsters the people who commented on this thread are using.

TIA

Mine for both the 3" & 5" are IWB and come from The Holster Store.

I have Compact sized, Commander Sized and Government Sized 1911s. The one I carry depends on what I am wearing, the weather and area I'm going into.

I have no trouble concealing any of them because I use good belts and good holsters. The key is don't try to skimp on the tools you carry the gun with.

Jungle Work