I have read that several of you fellas carry 1911's. I really like the feel of a 1911 but how do you comfortably conceal a gun that big? If carrying all day do they get heavy? Do you carry a full size or compact? The gun I would really like to carry(I haven't purchased it yet) is an eaa witness in 10mm. I am worried about concealment and weight. Any advice?

My advice is get a more concealable gun. I carry a Taurus 38 special Ultra-light and in it's pocket holster in a front jeans pocket it just disappears and firing if needed is a trigger pull away. If five 135 grain Speer Gold Dots won't stop the action that needs stopped at the close ranges a self defense gun is needed then you need a tank. I do carry an extra speed loader in the other pocket with five more rounds.

I guess I've never understood the need or desire for a gun the size Dirty Harry would carry for a concealed carry gun. Their durn near impossible to conceal, especially in the summer. Get a smaller gun, learn to be effective with it and carry it all the time, otherwise it's useless. Just remember the first rule of being in a gunfight, bring a gun.

This is what I carry, and it's real concealment and light enough that you hardly ever know it's there.

http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q172/faucettb/Preditor%20masters/Taurus38specialwpocketholster.jpg

http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q172/faucettb/Preditor%20masters/Taurus38.jpg

I have an EAA 10mm and it's big and heavy. Load it up, add an extra mag, and it's a chore to carry, even in a hunting type rig.

If you wanted to carry concealed, you'd have to wear steel suspenders or lose your pants.

Is it the look of the 1911 you like or is it .45ACP? If the later check out the Glock 30. It's the most compact 45 I know of. Ten rounds beats 6 or 7 anytime as far as I'm concerned.

a friend of mine just carries his 1911 in a holster..no body around here pays any attention to it..
the consealed carry just keeps him out of trouble if he s got a coat on etc..mikes skill with the gun is so well known ,,that nobody would try to mug him anyway..if he did ,,pity that poor
dumb dead fool..

49, I like the feel in my hand - I know that is not that important on a conceal gun but Iif I am adding another gun to the stable I prefer on I enjoy shooting.

I have a Colt Officer's Model in .45ACP that I have rigged as a carry weapon and I have, but I spent a career with the M1911 and the gun is second nature to me. I carry it fully loaded, cocked and locked with a holster that has a under-hammer strap. But it is not my first choice to carry, especially concealed. That would be a Walther PPK in .380, double action being much preferred over single. This is truely a 'pocket pistol' and I have faith in the .380.

I also have a Chief's Special which I carry sometimes too. I'm like Bob, if 5 won't get me out of what ever I get in, shame on me!

That said, my most often used and most versitle handgun is a Ruger .22 Mag SA 6 shot revolver that rides in the truck like a trusted friend! I've dispatched more offensive and reviled critters with that gun than most any other and IF I had to use it on another human, I have no doubt it would serve me well enough.

There is no right or wrong answer, you have to find what works for you. I carry an aluminum frame Para P-12 on a daily basis. BUT I am 6 foot 3 and weigh 235 pounds. Much easier to conceal with my body size than if I was 5 foot 4 and 130. When I need a more concealable handgun, I either carry a Kel-Tec P-11 or a J frame Smith.

Your carry mode has a great deal to do with comfortable carry, mine is mostly IWB, on my strong (right) side. A good gunbelt is a must. Better a cheaper holster and a really heavy duty belt than the other way around. An elastic belly band is my carry mode when I wear a shirt that must be tucked in. That's when the KT or Smith ride along.

Heavy is better for shooting, lighter is better when carrying. There is ALWAYS a trade off, and no handgun is going to be the perfect answer to all your needs. Find the tradeoffs you can live with, and go from there.

rh44mag,
When my right shoulder was better I carried my Colt Gov't Model Mark 4 Series 70 in 45acp in a fobus paddle holster on the strong side. I had no problem. Every once in a while when in a gun shop they would see the barrel protruding and ask what I was carrying. I keep my belt cinched tight but still find myself having to pull my jeans up often with whatever I carry. My normal dress would be jeans, a t-shirt and a sport shirt open over the setup. I also carried an EAA FS Steel Witness in 10mm in a pancake holster. No problems.
Now I find myself carrying weak side, due to ease of draw, with a Berreta 96FS in 40. The 96 is the only sidearm I have with an ambi mag release.
I shoot from both sides now but much stronger from the strong side (right).
Go ahead and carry a 45. How big are you? Height, weight that will make a difference.

I'm 6' and 230 lbs.

Now for deeper concealment like at work I too carry a 380 but on the ankle like O'connersun suggested.

Want to carry a 45 go with a Springfield XD45 with 13 + 1 in the mag almost doubles a 1911's capacity.

The EAA in 10 with the 15 round mag is really nice as well. You know you really can't have enough sidearms!

Greg

I'm at the 'Tag end' of a 35 yr. LEO career. Believe me when I tell you it's what you get used to carrying. I've carried a full size duty gun plus a S&W pocket pistol everyday. If you need bigger pants for an 'Inside the waist band carry' do it. If a stiffer belt is needed for holster wear, buy it. If you need a gun you may need a lot of gun. Carry enough gun. Several times over the years I have intimitaded a lowlife when they saw a .45, If it means you don't have to shoot, so much the better...
Lastly: I try to keep my guns out of sight. (What ever it takes)

Faucettb has the right Idea on concealed carry. My CCW permit allows me to carry a semiauto or revolver. I usually carry an S&W 696. it's a five shot .44 sp. I can slip the thong in my pants pocket and I do not feel under armed. Since I'm not not on active dutry with the military in Iraq or Afganistan I don't see a situation where I would need a semi auto with a lot of extra rounds.

rh44mag,take a look at the para companion c7.45 LDA. i carry one from time to time. mines single stack mag. but it is avail in double-stack. it conceals nice,feels good in my hand and is a dream to shoot. like bob and o`connersun my everyday ccw is 38 spec. S&W airweight.

A full size 1911 is a big heavy gun that will be uncomfortable for MOST people. Some carry them--hats off to them. I tried and found it got left at home and I took a 38 snubby instead. I now carry a glock 27 or 23 most of the time and a smith 642 when in "safe" areas. A glock 27 weighs 27 ounces loaded with 10 rounds of 40 s & w, which is a LOT more comforting than 5 rounds of 38. I was involved in a self defense shooting over 20 years ago and to everyone that thinks 5 rounds will get them out of almost any situation you may find yourself clicking on empty cases while being shot at. I have a 45 slug in my hip that will testify to that.

iron Addict

I can carry a full size 1911, but only do it if I'm on a trip to the range. I carried a Kimber Ultra CDP for a couple of years. much better to carry lighter & smaller more comfy. I also like the feel of the 1911 (natrual pointer to me). I am one that carries a 3 different guns for different occasions.

Winter time I carry full size some mosty a compact. Then in the summer a snubby can easly be dropped into shorts pockets.

In the cooler/winter months, I do carry a Kimber full size. I carry in a Small of the Back holster and as a previous posted suggested, I have 2 belts made for holster carry. I buy all my leather from Kirkpatrick leather. In the cooler months, I will normally wear a jacket/sport coat, so concealing my pistol is a non issue. Summer is a different story. I think a smaller pocket pistol is more the answer when we're in shorts and tee shirts.