How Do You Carry Your 1911? - XDTalk Forums - Your HS2000/SA-XD Information Source!

**trelane** · 05-22-2008, 12:25 PM

Ok so I got a windfall check, and bought myself a Kimber (see thread New Kimber Stainless Pro Carry II. Since then I've read a lot on the actual internals of the 1911, and am wondering how people carry.

I've done quite a bit of research and am now flat out confused. I understand how the weapon functions, but I'm just not understanding some of the comments I've seen about safely carrying it. What are the myths? How do you carry your 1911? Should I be concerned about the hammer, or the exposed striker?

ElrodCod · 05-22-2008, 01:16 PM

Cock & locked is the way to go with a 1911.

tortminder · 05-22-2008, 01:35 PM

Very, very carefully!

Verk · 05-22-2008, 01:56 PM

Cocked and Locked it the only way to carry a 1911 and ensure you can get it into action in a hurry. Not only does it take precious time to rack the slide but your weak side hand/arm may not be available to you or being used to fend off an attack.

Keep in mind that most encounters will take place a very short ranges and will come when you least expect it. As a result, you will have very little time to get your pistol into action and having to rack the slide is time you more than likely will not have.

jeepinbanditrider · 05-22-2008, 01:59 PM

Condition 1. Engage the safety before holstering.

**Bycyclist** · 05-22-2008, 09:56 PM

Round in the chamber, hammer cocked and thumb safety locked.

Its all about good finger discipline. The gun aint going off by itself.

Reholster slowly: engage thumb safety and put the thumb on the back of the slide (blocking the hammer) as you reholster, which should also re-engage the grip safety.

But mainly keep the finger out of the trigger guard until you're ready to shoot and you won't have trouble.

tomfoolery · 05-23-2008, 05:08 AM

I carry a full size 1911 daily in an open top IWB holster. I carry it with hammer back, round in the chamber, safety on.

I have carried with it like that for months with ZERO issues. Engaging the safety is habit when it comes out of that holster in a draw.

MasLakas · 05-23-2008, 08:58 AM

I carry Cocked and Locked. As for the exposed striker, I believe your kimber has a firing pin block but I am trying to think of ANY way something can hit the striker other than the hammer when the firearm is holstered. I just cannot come up with any possibility so I do not worry about it. When you carry make sure the holster you use will help keep the thumb safety engaged while holstered and keep your finger off the trigger until you are ready to fire. The 1911 is a true single action and it does not take much pressure to make it go off!

ScottCocoaBeach · 06-07-2008, 07:14 PM

Cocked and locked in a Milt Sparks VersaMax II. The holster in a very important part of the equation and this is in the opinion of many one of the best.

headhunter · 06-07-2008, 07:33 PM

cocked & locked....confidently

05-22-2008, 12:25 PM	#1
trelane XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Indianapolis, IN Posts: 216	How Do You Carry Your 1911? Ok so I got a windfall check, and bought myself a Kimber (see thread New Kimber Stainless Pro Carry II. Since then I've read a lot on the actual internals of the 1911, and am wondering how people carry. I've done quite a bit of research and am now flat out confused. I understand how the weapon functions, but I'm just not understanding some of the comments I've seen about safely carrying it. What are the myths? How do you carry your 1911? Should I be concerned about the hammer, or the exposed striker? __________________ SA XD .45 ACP Tactical Compact (311 rounds, "FAT" DGR) \| KIMBER STAINLESS PRO CARRY II (107 Rounds) Russian '53 \| SKS Russian '43 91/30 \| SA XD .45 ACP Service (now sold) NRA Member 153292899 \| Indiana CCW Permit Holder "Fear is the father of servitude, and the captor of man. There cannot be slavery without fear, nor freedom with it."

05-22-2008, 01:16 PM	#2
ElrodCod XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Fort Pierce, FL Posts: 309	Cock & locked is the way to go with a 1911. __________________ ElrodCod NRA life Member

05-22-2008, 01:35 PM	#3
tortminder XDTalk Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Illinois (chicago northern suburbs) Posts: 61	How to carry a 1911 Very, very carefully! __________________ CONFIDENTIALITY NOTE: This email may contain privileged or confidential information intended for the use of the person(s) named above. If you are not an intended recipient, any dissemination or duplication of this email or the attachments is prohibited. We do not accept any liability for any loss or damage arising in any way from the receipt, opening or use of this e-mail or any attachment(s). Thank you! Tortminder@yahoo.com

05-22-2008, 01:59 PM	#5
jeepinbanditrider XDTalk 4K Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Mineral Wells, Tx Posts: 4,836	Condition 1. Engage the safety before holstering. __________________ Stuff USPSA-A59201

05-22-2008, 09:56 PM	#6
Bycyclist XDTalk 1K Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: NorCaliforneeya Posts: 1,829	Round in the chamber, hammer cocked and thumb safety locked. Its all about good finger discipline. The gun aint going off by itself. Reholster slowly: engage thumb safety and put the thumb on the back of the slide (blocking the hammer) as you reholster, which should also re-engage the grip safety. But mainly keep the finger out of the trigger guard until you're ready to shoot and you won't have trouble. __________________ =============================================== BYcyclist - the worst day on a ride (or at the range) is better than the best day in the office ===============================================

05-22-2008, 01:56 PM	#4
Verk XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 344	Cocked and Locked it the only way to carry a 1911 and ensure you can get it into action in a hurry. Not only does it take precious time to rack the slide but your weak side hand/arm may not be available to you or being used to fend off an attack. Keep in mind that most encounters will take place a very short ranges and will come when you least expect it. As a result, you will have very little time to get your pistol into action and having to rack the slide is time you more than likely will not have.

05-23-2008, 05:08 AM	#7
tomfoolery XDTalk 4K Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Cincinnati Posts: 4,564	I carry a full size 1911 daily in an open top IWB holster. I carry it with hammer back, round in the chamber, safety on. I have carried with it like that for months with ZERO issues. Engaging the safety is habit when it comes out of that holster in a draw. __________________ "It is better to die on your feet than live on your knees." "One is none, two is one, and three is just a good time." Clint Smith, referring to the number of guns you carry daily.

05-23-2008, 08:58 AM	#8
MasLakas XDTalk 2K Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Cache Valley, Utah Posts: 2,805	I carry Cocked and Locked. As for the exposed striker, I believe your kimber has a firing pin block but I am trying to think of ANY way something can hit the striker other than the hammer when the firearm is holstered. I just cannot come up with any possibility so I do not worry about it. When you carry make sure the holster you use will help keep the thumb safety engaged while holstered and keep your finger off the trigger until you are ready to fire. The 1911 is a true single action and it does not take much pressure to make it go off! __________________ I speak softly and carry a .45. UtahConcealedCarry.Org

06-07-2008, 07:14 PM	#9
ScottCocoaBeach XDTalk Newbie Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 5	Cocked and locked in a Milt Sparks VersaMax II. The holster in a very important part of the equation and this is in the opinion of many one of the best.

06-07-2008, 07:33 PM	#10
headhunter XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Georgia Posts: 179	cocked & locked....confidently __________________ Too close for missiles...I'm switching to guns.

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