If you mean bone-stock WW2 style with the tiny sights, then no. Mostly because of the tiny sights. I do carry a 1911 gov't sometimes though, and it's not been heavily modified - still has the spur hammer, original grip safety and thumb safety. I have upgraded the sights, grips and barrel bushing.
If that is all I could afford or that was just my handgun choice to carry, yep! Sights in a gun fight a chl holder will encounter is just not that important IMO. Good practice and point shooting are, 99% won't even see the sights. So the sights are third in line next to reliability and functionality or the simple fact, can I actually shoot/handle this gun well enough to carry.
Thankfully, we have many choices out there that allow us to adapt to our carry needs/wants and a basic 1911 full size platform just isn't in the cards although it is a tried and true platform. Just to heavy, to big and the sights suck!:rofl:
I've been carrying and training with my Colt 'Defender' which has the old school "tiny sights" for 3 yrs. now. I just this month ordered and received XS Big Sights to replace the admittedly garbage OEM tiny sights.
Not that one can't hit and be functional with them.
As to carrying a full size 1911 yeah I would and do do that too.
Although due to all day carry weight and ease of draw fullsize is not my preference.
I would and I have.
As far as sights are concerned, take a look at Colts New Agent. It has no sights but only a channel down the top of the slide. It's a dedicated carry pistol.
Dave
I used to have an unmodified Government style .45 - a WW2 vintage Remington Rand - but I never carried it. It was a good gun and I admire the 1911 design, but I just don't want to lug around a gun that weighs about 42 ounces loaded with a 5 inch barrel. It is larger than I need for concealed carry.
When I want to carry a 1911 I prefer an aluminum frame and barrel length in the 3 to 4 inch range, like this Kimber Pro CDP, which weighs 28 ounces:
without a doubt I would carry it. After reading those coroner reports I would carry a govt. .45 with no sights. Been practicing point shooting and have been able to keep it on paper so I am happy. Even my snubbie is at least a .45LC. Bigger holes are better, 12ga is best.
Yep, sure would and have for years. Finally added Wilson triggers, tactical safeties and drop in safeties for my personal likes to both my SA's, one full size and a 4" Champion. Both pistols came with the higher visibility factory sights (not mil-spec) and I have no problem hitting with them. Keep em and your mags (Wilson 8 rd.) properly maintained and you have one hard hitting, reliable weapon in your hands. MO
You mean something like SA's WW2 1911, bare bones stock model, yup I have for a couple years now. The sights could be better but work. It's reliable, in a caliber I like, and I shoot it well.
As far as the weight of carrying it around, thats not an issue for me, but I guess it could be for some people.
I regulary carry a full size .45. TLE's have better sights and the ejection port relieved otherwise it's stock. With 90+ plus years of a good track record you've got no worries.
It seems many of your comments reflect my own thoughts about the Ol' War Horse. Great pointing, excellent reliability and lots of .45 spank for the bad guys. But the sights are not good. The pistol really carries a lot "smaller" than its true size and I feel that it is the thinness of the design that helps. The longer 5" barrel helps to pull the grip in close to the body with a well made concealment holster and sturdy belt. I have found that smooth, non checkered grips also help with concealment and carry comfort.
While it is not the ideal pistol for everyone, ( if such a thing exists) it is still a great defensive pistol and the pistol I would want in my hand "at the moment of truth".
I sure have on occasion. Why not? Since it has always been 100% reliable.
I have no problem with the small sights except for the fact that they are way too tiny to be of any fast use.
Would I use an originally configured Colt 45 as my "every day carry" box-stock and with no modifications?
Yep, I would have no problem carrying one for self-defense but I sure do appreciate the aftermarket available applicable accessories that help to make the Colt .45 the perfect defensive firearm for me.
I also prefer the Colt Commander over the full length 1911. I think it has slightly better balance....for me.
I sure would carry a box stock Commander or Combat Commander and in fact did exactly that for a few years.
The 1911 is all I carry. I used to carry a 5" Colt XSE until it became my USPSA Single Stack pistol. Now, I rotate between the 5" Colt Delta Elite, the 5" Kimber Eclipse(10mm) and my Colt Combat Commander. As I just picked up another Commander and a new Les Baer Concept VII, they will take their place in the rotation as soon as breakin/reliability has been verified.
The big 1911s are for me, the only way to carry. Great feel, very good pointing, easy to personalize, solid performers.
I have carried an unmodified Government Model in the past, but such is not, however, my current EDC. I suspect that, at some future time, I will do so, but not regularly. The Government Model is the first pistol with which I ever trained, and its operation is natural to me. If I were to carry a 1911 tomorrow, it would likely be a smaller-than-full-size version, but I would not hesitate to carry a full-size model if necessary. YMMV, of course. :smile:
Just made a deal for a lightweight stainless Commander .45 acp. The XSE model. Took the plunge because it seems perfect out of the box. I'll let you know when it gets here!
I have.
I have rather "meaty" hands, so one day when the hammer spur took a sizeable chunk of that meat from my hand, causing blood to run down my favorite gun, I finally did change out the hammer and add a beavertail. But it was only out of self-defense from my defensive weapon that I made any mods.
I frequently carry a box stock Para-Ord P-14 (fat body 1911) about the only thing differenf from a GI issue (other than 14 rounds) is high profile sights.
I fired about 1,00 rounds of hard ball through it to break it in, then loaded it with Black Talons and off we went.
I have carried a pure GI 1911 in the past and felt just fine with it.
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