I have been an HK 45C LEM shooter for a long time - love the gun. But I just started carrying a stainless 1911, and now I am having second thoughts about plastic
this 1911 was built by Karl Sokol as a ground-up full custom, with a selection of the best possible parts for every component.
Caspian (slide and frame)
Ed Brown (bushing, pins and spring kit)
EGW (ejector, hammer, sear, strut and other ignition parts)
Harrison Design (rear sight, beavertail safety and trigger)
KKM (barrel)
NightHawk (fully machined thumb safety and slide stop)
Wilson (bulletproof titanium firing pin, bulletproof magazine release, guide rod and flat spring)
I have carried an Ed Brown Executive Elite in a Milt Sparks Summer Special and did not find it objectionable or particularly difficult to conceal. I went the opposite way of you, OP, and now carry HK LEM pistols on and off duty.
Carry appendix with a steel 4in 1911. Its for sale along w all my other 45’s ultra slim grips change the bulk COMPLETELY. also the morse industries carry clip makes it feel like its barely there. the bulk is what you notice more than weight, ditching a 2mm wide holster on each side makes it feel half as thick
Used to, back in the day. Mostly in a Sparks belt holster, later in a belt slide. Of late it’s been a BHP in a (Bianchi Foldaway) belt slide. With a 15 round mag it weighs in at 39 ounces loaded. It’s slimmer than a 1911 and I don’t even notice it. Haven’t put a 1911 in it but I expect it would be about the same.
Many guns carry decently IWB but a 5 inch steel 1911 carries great. You know how when you grip a 1911 for the first time and realize that’s how a pistol should feel in your hands? Same thing applies to 1911 IWB carry. It just feels right.
I carry a vetted Custom II in DeSantis leather with a 10 stick reload. The Remington Golden Sabres feed like butter even when riding the slide forward so they get the nod for my carry ammo.
I carry a custom Colt 70 series in .38 Super if I’m not carrying a P-35/HiPower.
Winter time I carry the Super or a .45 ACP in an Alessi "Bodyguard " shoulder rig.
It’s easier to draw from heavy, layered clothing than IWB or OWB for me.
When I was working in law enforcement, my duty gun was a full size Nighthawk Custom Enforcer. Now that I’m retired, I still carry it occasionally, in the fall & winter…Even though I love Ol slab sides , she has pretty much been replaced by a high cap 9.
Used to, about a decade back. I had a small glitch for a time where I owned polymer guns but carried steel. Started with S&W 5906, went to 4506, 1006 the the slightly smaller 4566 the a 1911. Realized that it’s much easier to carry a polymer. Have been carrying a G19 for about a decade now. Every once in a while I throw on a 1911 just to see what it was like. That lasts for like 5 min
I used to carry a Dan Wesson Specialist as my daily carry and on duty for a brief period of time. Now, I alternate between my G43 to get to work or dinner, G19 if I’m going to Seattle and have no 1911s.
With the right holster though, that 5" 1911 hid very, very well. I still think about picking up a DW V-Bob or something similar for daily carry.
I alternate between 3.5" and 5". Mostly the 3.5" for compactness. To me, a decent owb holster and good belt, cinched up like a saddle on a horse, makes weight a non-factor. Weight-wise, don’t even notice either size 1911.
With several handguns from which I’ve to choose and stay proficient, I mainly carry a Glock or a 1911, and don’t carry any specific handgun “every day”. For the 1911 models, I’ve got three steel-framed full-size and one 4.25" Commander-sized from which to choose.
I’ve carried a 1911 for almost 15 years both on and off duty. Recently I got a Springfield TRP which has become my new duty/off-duty gun. I carry it either in a Wilson Edge belt holster or a Blade Tech Nano IWB holster. I also have a GLock 36 and 27 that see duty if really deep concealment is needed, both of those in Blade Tech IWB or Glock sport holster. But my most carried is my 1911.
carried a springfield loaded or TRP for a good many years. It hides so much better than the company glock. Carried that(glock) for the last couple of years while doing instructing (carry what the students have to show them it just isn’t 1911 magic). For the last few months been carrying a Glock 19 with RDS(trijicon RMR) as our department is evaluating issuing them. While the glock is quite a bit lighter, The 1911 hides so much better no matter what the holster. I do prefer a VM II style of holster as it seems to distribute the weight better.
I respect the 1911 EDC guys. I bought an Ed Brown Bob tail 4.25 and it was the only 1911 that I didn’t have a great experience with and it ****ed my 1911 carry. Carry on Brothers! Good for you.
I do love some HK45C, closest thing I can compare.
