Which 1911 setup should I get for HD

[lreiner26]

I have a SIG C3 I carry 95% of the time, so I'm looking for a full size 1911 with a light for my "nightstand" gun so function and handling are the same. That, and I just like them I have the guns picked out for either choice, but my quandary is this:

Non railed 1911 with a Crimson Trace LTG-701 Light Guard, or railed 1911 with a Streamlight TLR-3?

I already have the Streamlight on my current nightstand gun (G19), but like the idea of the grip activation with the CT light.

Thoughts? Comments? Insults? Fire away

[pirateguy191]

The Glock version.

[Sevens]

I really like 1911's for range guns.

[glocksmith]

Thoughts? Comments? Insults? Fire away

Get a .357 snubbie for the night table. When you're groggy and half asleep, you don't need the complication of all those safeties.

[lreiner26]

Not really the kind of thoughts and comments I was looking for

I like my glock, it'll be right there with the 1911, but that's not the question. I had a snubbie, never did like it. I'm sticking with a 1911, that's what I prefer. Anyone else?

[pirateguy191]

Thoughts? Comments? Insults? Fire away

Get a .357 snubbie for the night table. When you're groggy and half asleep, you don't need the complication of all those safeties.

Follow up shots in the dark???

[Sevens]

Lol, your closing post script brought this style of banter to your thread, you MUST know that!

Okay, I will try harder this time.
If I am picking one of my 1911's to handle night time home defense, I will choose my Coonan Classic. This will serve many, many needs!

--nice gesture to hoodrat who gets immense street cred for being the only degenerate on his block to be taken down with such a cool handgun

--muzzle flash from 158gr JHP at 1,400fps is probably more disrupting than a 500 lumen weaponlight and no worrying about batteries

--endless fun in gun forums when 1911 guys argue (on cue) about exactly what constitutes a 1911 and why the Coonan cannot be called one!

--I constantly lose my ejected .357 brass from the Coonan and frankly, I cannot imagine a BETTER and more convenient brass catcher than my house! I shoulda done this from the start!

[Imcrazy]

I'd get a ruger SR1911, its cheap and they seem to work well. With that said I'd just stick with the G19 your using now and spend the $$ on ammo and training. Honestly if I had my way the bed side gun is the ar-15. On my short list is some kind of fast access solution to keep that thing by the bed.

[true_pair]

I would go with a Railed 1911. if you do go this route make sure you search for a good holster.(in case you ever want to carry it) I have Para Black Ops Railed 1911. What I found that holster choices were very limited. A lot of holster available for Colt Railed guns and Springfield

[lreiner26]

I did ask for it, didn't I

I'm mostly interested in pros and cons of the streamlight vs the crimson trace lights and railed vs not. Like I said before, I like the idea of the grip activated light, but I also like being able to remove the light easily for the range, carry, whatever. I doubt I'll carry it except on very rare occasions, so I'm not worried about finding a holster.

If I go railed, it will be a sig tacops. Non railed will be a SA Loaded.

[SMMAssociates]

lreiner26:

I'm not a big fan of lights on rails or otherwise attached to the gun. Just too much risk of pushing the wrong button if you're half-awake. YMMV and all that.

A CT built into a grip requires nothing special in the way of a holster, and unless you want the light and laser integrated in one package, is also suitable for carry as-is. I don't much like lasers anymore, either, but they're great training aids of nothing else. Mostly bragging rights.... (I have to admit that I have two small 1911's with CT lasers on them. Weak moment .)

BTW, if you can stand a revolver, a 3" or 4" (or even longer) barrel will be a big help. And, a small .357 is very punishing. Indoors, at short range (30' or less, IMHO), the ordinary .38Spl in a JHP should almost always be good enough, even though I prefer a .40 as a minimum. You're not trying to blow the guy back out the door (you probably can't anyway).

Several makers offer a rail-mounted laser PLUS flashlight. I suppose.... Buy nothing that's complicated, though. You'll never get it to work if you're a little groggy.

Regards,

[Bruenor]

I would go railed for the 1911, to keep your options open. with the railed gun you could go either way with the CT or TLR-3. Just because it has a rail doesn't mean you have to mount something on it.

On the down side Holster selection is smaller for railed 1911's, and even smaller still for railed 1911's with lights mounted on the rail.

you already have the stream-light, what don't you like about it that you think the CT will fix ? quite frankly I would say buy the railed gun and the CT and see which accessory functions better for you.

Around here we're not going to tell you to buy less gear, as a matter of fact you should buy both 1911's the standard and the railed, the CT grips, and another TLR-3. At which point you will have all options covered. Then have DanDan make you a custom Wild Bunch leather double holster rig. Sorry I think I just blew your budget.

[Mr. Glock]

You have 2 questions here.

One is the 1911 part. Your life, your comfort levels, your choice.

The second is the light. For night work, I like the ability to turn my weapon-mounted light on/off at will. This is because it is also handy to use a hand-held light too. One does not shine the light and move at the same time, one flash/slashes the light and moves after the light goes out.

A grip activated light makes light discipline tougher. It is unatural to flex the fingers off the grip, and undesirable for weapons retention purposes. As such, I'd suggest a railed gun and the Streamlight. For a large 1911, the TLR-1 is a better choice than a TLR-3. The "3" is for smaller guns and the toggle will sit too far in front the trigger guard on a 1911. Plus, I think the "1" is brighter. For a G-19, the "3" is perfect....but the G-19 is smaller and half the weight.

Raven might make such a holster, but that's not really a CC rig. Not the Philosophy of Use, so I wouldn't lose sleep over finding a holster.

[CCIman]

Hardware does not make up for lack of skills or training.

Save your money and time. Take the TDI handgun courses 1-6, figure out what you need and what you don't, stop useless internet fantasy banter.

[lreiner26]

Thank you Mr. Glock. That was exactly what I was asking/looking for in an answer.

Sorry for all the "useless internet fantasy banter" asking for gear opinions. I guess I'll just turn off the computer and stare at the wall now until my next class/range session since all I'm allowed to do is train, not talk