The 1911 Summer Challenge of 2008...

[stevie_d_64]

Ok,

Since alot of us are going 1911...We need to come up with a verifiable summer carry challenge...

Of course we'll keep it safe and practical, but with the summer heat coming, how can we keep these "big hammers" from becoming replaced by combat tupperware???

I know some of us already do this, so maybe some interesting carry advice can come from that crowd...

Any takers???

[HighVelocity]

Count me in. I'll be toting my 5" Springfield lightweight in a nice cozy horsehide IWB holster.

[longtooth]

Even in the summer I wear a T-shirt. When coming home if it needs a wipe down due to sweat I do it. Cleaning a clean gun dont take long.

[Target1911]

As of now....I use the Andrews Leather Mc Daniels II IWB. I am however waiting for a C-Tac and really looking at the M-Tac and I will also be looking at some OWB.

[NcongruNt]

Aww, I don't have one yet! Does my Hi-Power count until I get one? It's the same shape and size!

I'm hoping to get an RIA Tactical model within a few months. I'm looking for a good pocket gun first, though.

[Mike1951]

Cleaning a clean gun dont take long.

LT, you're more dedicated than I am, especially when it means at least removing the grips every evening.

As heavily as I perspire, any belt carry gets absolutely drenched every summer day.

I sweated on my SP101 and wiped it down with my Marine Sentry cloth. Next time I went to carry it, the crane latch was frozen. I took it to a 'smith to be freed up.

Likewise, I carried my Kimber Eclipse Pro a few days with just wipe downs and then found rust spots underneath the grips.

The only gun I've got that I can wear in the summer is a Kahr K-40 that was refinished in Black-T.

Otherwise, I pocket carry a 642.

I've considered getting one of my Taurus 1911's done in Black-T.

Until then, my hat's off to you guys that will completely disassemble a 1911 every day.

[srothstein]

Well, I wear mine on the outside of the waistband in a Serpa holster. It is covered by a 5.11 Tactical vest. I found it just too heavy to carry in the vest itself, though I like the concept of the pockets with velcro for the holster.

[asleepatthereel]

Count me in. Since alot of my off time is spent around saltwater, it will be a challenge, but I look at it like cleaning another another reel after a day of fishing. I am looking for something like Corrosion-X to spray on my Kimber to give it an extra edge against the salt. Anyone have any input?

[KBCraig]

Ballistol, Ballistol, Ballistol.

Can't say enough good about the stuff. Spray, let penetrate, then wipe.

[saj111]

buy stainless. yes, you still need to lube it well and keep it clean but it gives you a head start on the corrosion. most people think stainless won't corrode but with enough moisture and salt it will.
be sure to get a holster with a protective pad between you and the gun. i wipe mine down with the lube impregnated cloth that came with my cleaning kit; seems to work pretty well. take it out of the holster at night so the holster can dry. if you don't have a stainless / aluminium gun you may need to take it down after a balmy day for cleaning and lube.
if i haven't said it before; i love my 1911's.

[Keith B]

LT, you're more dedicated than I am, especially when it means at least removing the grips every evening.

As heavily as I perspire, any belt carry gets absolutely drenched every summer day.

I sweated on my SP101 and wiped it down with my Marine Sentry cloth. Next time I went to carry it, the crane latch was frozen. I took it to a 'smith to be freed up.

Likewise, I carried my Kimber Eclipse Pro a few days with just wipe downs and then found rust spots underneath the grips.

The only gun I've got that I can wear in the summer is a Kahr K-40 that was refinished in Black-T.

Otherwise, I pocket carry a 642.

I've considered getting one of my Taurus 1911's done in Black-T.

Until then, my hat's off to you guys that will completely disassemble a 1911 every day.

A trick that was told to me by an undercover officer in our department was to put a thin clear silicone sealant under the grips against the frame. Then clean any excess off that squeeze outside the grip. That will seal the moisture from entering into the frame under the grip. I did this on my stainless snubby BUG under the Pachmeyers and it worked well.

One word of caution, some silicone sealants are a little corrosive, so make sure it is like clear bathtub sealant or something that won't harm the blue finish and can be used on steel.

[htxred]

my milt sparks summer special II has been a dream come true for my EMP. im going to take it a step further and try to lose some excess weight to help. im also customizing a backpack for the days i feel like being shirtless.

[sbb]

Dakota defender IWB or Blackhawk serpa OWB no matter what the weather. I agree on going with stainless. In the evening I just wipe down the pistol and clean the fuzz from between the hammer and frame. Weekly I do a field strip and monthly a detail strip.

[Mike1951]

I agree that stainless is an improvement over blued.

However, the Kahr that I had Black-T'd was a stainless gun that I rusted like crazy. The Kimber Pro Eclipse was, of course, stainless. If I spend time outside on a summer day, the belt & holster can be so saturated as to require several days to dry out.

I have one question about using the clear silicone, which is an adhesive. Does it present a problem in grip removal?

[stevie_d_64]

Good stuff guys...

This is exactly the info I wanted to generate...