The Best 1911 Handguns for Concealed Carry

Kimber MFG. – 1911 Micro 9 CDP Stainless Steel/Blue

Kimber MFG. has got the gun for you if you’re looking for a compact and comfortable 9mm 1911 for concealed carry. The 1911 Micro CDP has a seven-round magazine, including the chambered round and compact enough to be concealed even by smaller framed shooters.

The design of this 9mm really pops. It has a stainless steel slider with a blue steel receiver. The detail on the slider is superb, making this an incredibly pleasing pistol to look at. It also features an ambidextrous safety mechanism to keep the lefties happy.

The grips are a sophisticated brown with a laser built-in to assist with aiming and the tritium sights make target acquisition easier in different light conditions. The rear night sight ensures you’ll always be able to use the gun with confidence, no matter the environment you’re in.

The Kimber MFG. 1911 Micro 9 CDP is purpose-built for concealed carry right here in the USA. It’s just over 6-inches long and weighs just shy of one pound, making it a comfortable and convenient gun to carry around day-to-day.

This is one of the higher ticket sidearms you can purchase from Kimber MFG. Don’t let the price put you off. If you’re looking for something reliable that you can trust your life – and that of your loved ones – with, then this is a great choice.

Kimber MFG. – 1911 Micro 9 Stainless Steel

This 1911 Micro 9 Stainless Steel is the ultimate no-thrills concealed carry sidearm. It comes in at a moderate cost and has all the reliability, accuracy, and quality you’d expect from Kimber MFG.

The Kimber 1911 Micro 9 doesn’t feature the bells and whistles of the CDP variant. There isn’t a laser on the grip, and it doesn’t have night sights. Still, what you’re getting here is Kimber quality at an affordable price.

The six-round magazine, plus one in the chamber, is enough to carry yourself with confidence in any situation. On top of that, the 9mm rounds are cheap enough to allow for plenty of practice down at the range.

The fixed sights aren’t great for low-light conditions, but they are accurate. The rosewood stock is comfortable to the hand and the stainless steel finish makes the gun look great. It’s hard to find this 9mm sidearm offensive, especially at this price point.

The 1911 Micro 9 is made in the USA, like all Kimber firearms, so you can expect the best quality construction, attention to detail, and you’re keeping hard-working Americans in employment.

Kimber MFG. – 1911 Micro 9 Bel Air Stainless

Looking to defend yourself in style? The Kimber MFG. 1911 Micro 9 Bel Air Stainless is the one for you. This moderately priced sidearm is built for concealed carry and is sure to be a conversation starter when you do decide to show it around.

The elegant Bel Air Blue frame complements the mirror-polished slide and is topped off by an Ivory Micarta stock that feels comfortable and looks the part. There’s so much to appreciate in the aesthetic of this 1911. Sure, it’s a long way from the classic Colt M1911, but it still carries a touch of the original model.

The 1911 Micro 9 Bel Air weighs in at just under one pound, making it ideal for everyday concealed carry. The seven-round capacity is enough to give you peace of mind, although some of you would obviously prefer a higher magazine capacity.

The rear sights are fixed and don’t feature any night-assist, which is a shame, although it allows this stylish pistol to be purchased at a more reasonable price.

Springfield Armory – 1911-A1 Enhanced Micro Pistol LW 3IN 9mm Stainless G10

Springfield Armory has been producing 1911 pistols since the beginning. The company made more than 20,000 of the 1911 pistol during the war and has produced them ever since.

The 1911-A1 EMP Compact LW 3IN 9MM is an enhanced micro pistol that has a ten round capacity while still being perfectly concealable. The 3-inch barrel on this EMP 1911 ensures that you can carry with confidence while knowing you have enough firepower to take down multiple assailants if need be.

The stainless steel finish on the slide and darker steel frame gives the gun an imposing look while also ensuring that it won’t reflect too much light and potentially reveal itself.

The Springfield 1911-A1 EMP weighs in at just 1.63 pounds, which is light for a ten-round capacity sidearm. It also comes with three magazines.

The rear sights are fixed and offer incredible accuracy. The stock features comfortable G10 Grips, which make the weapon easy and satisfying to handle.

If you’re looking for a rugged and reliable 1911 for concealed carry, the Springfield 1911-A1 EMP is a great choice with a ten-round capacity to give you the confidence you want every day.

Ruger – SR1911 4.5″ .45 ACP SS Thin Hardwood Panels

Why choose a 1911 for concealed carry?

There are so many handguns to use for concealed carry, so why should you settle on a 1911? Surely, a firearm that’s seen more than 100 years of service is outdated and not reliable enough to trust your life with. Right?

Not exactly. If you go and buy yourself a 20-year-old 1911 that’s been taken apart and put together again a dozen times, then you’re going to find flaws. But if you buy a brand new one from any of the major companies currently manufacturing them, you’ll find yourself holding a reliable, comfortable, and powerful sidearm.

The 1911 is one of the most comfortable pistols to shoot. The private sector has had more than a century to perfect the design – and the competition of capitalism tends to lead to innovation. The 1911s of today are every bit as reliable as a Glock 19 or a Sig.

Some pundits will tell you that the 1911 is too big for concealed carry, and this is simply not true. Options like the Springfield EMP are compact and light enough to be concealed properly. The safety mechanism is also reliable.

1911 Pistol Carry Considerations

As with any 1911 pistol, there is always the element of the manual thumb safety to evaluate when considering this pistol for concealed carry.

Those opposed to manual safeties on carrying firearms argue that flicking off the safety (like the Ambi thumb safety of the 1911 A1 Loaded) is one extra step that might be forgotten in the stress of a personal defense situation. On the other hand, some feel that regular practice is enough to train one’s self to disengage the safety if the situation called for it.

Some oppose carrying 1911 pistols because of the limited capacity single stack pistols offer. The Springfield A1 Loaded puts 7+1 rounds at the operator’s disposal. Whether or not that is sufficient, only the person carrying it can decide for themselves.

There is also the 1911 A1 Loaded’s inconspicuous nature when evaluating it as a potential carry gun. It’s far from a “pocket pistol.” As an average-sized female, this reviewer finds it a challenge to effectively conceal a handgun with as much real estate as the Springfield Armory 1911 A1 Loaded. However, compared to the girthy 1.5” Beretta 92FS or SIG P226, the A1 Loaded is comparatively narrow, and may be a more feasible option for average-sized males (or somewhat larger sized females).

Consider your size

You can get away with a full-size 1911 if you’ve got a large build. The smaller-frame shooters among us – myself included – should opt for a compact pistol.

You should have no trouble finding a gun that matches your size, considering the amount of companies producing 1911s today.

Choose the right caliber for you

There are pros and cons to every caliber. 9mm rounds offer a higher magazine capacity and they’re generally reliable, while .45 ACP is a larger buller, but your magazine won’t be able to hold as many rounds. Another great choice is 10mm, although these are more expensive.

You can get around some of the added costs by reloading your own ammo, but consider the cost of the reloading press and the die sets you’ll need to buy.

Make sure it’s comfortable

Everyone has their own opinions when it comes to the best concealed carry firearms. If you don’t feel comfortable shooting a 1911, don’t get one. Some people prefer lighter polymer pistols like the Glock 19.

Not all 1911s feel the same and you’ll prefer the feel of some more than others. Of course, they tend to get more universally appealing the more money you spend on them. The main point here is to not just buy the one your friend or some internet personality (I’m looking at myself) told y9ou to buy.

Save up a bit more

You don’t want your pistol to be unreliable, especially not when it’s for concealed carry. If you skimp on the cost of your firearm you’ll end up having to pay for upgrades to ensure reliability. Save yourself the trouble and just buy a better gun to begin with. I’d recommend spending around the $700 to get a decent 1911 that you can trust your life with.

Buy the ticket, take the ride

At the end of the day, a 1911 produced by a reliable manufacturer is going to be a good firearm. If you want something for concealed carry, then take the dive and buy yourself a 1911. You’ll come to love this super reliable and comfortable firearm in no time at all.

What ammo to use with a 1911 for concealed carry

The ammo you decide to use for self-defense is a big deal. You should avoid Full Metal Jacketed ammo at all costs because it has extremely high penetration. This means that your bullet could go straight through your assailant and hit an innocent bystander.

Not only is this a terrible accident to be the cause of, but there are also legal ramifications for gunning down innocent people in the street.

Jacketed Hollow Point Ballistic Tip ammo is the best choice for self-defense. Hollow point rounds expand when they go into the body, which prevents over-penetration and also makes them much more effective at putting down assailants.

The problem with hollow points is that they can, on occasion, clog in clothing which greatly reduces their effectiveness. The ballistic tip was added to hollow point rounds to ensure this doesn’t happen. A piece of plastic pushes through the tip of the bullet when it hits the target, ensuring that it expands to its full potential, causing maximum damage.

Caliber

With regard to caliber, I’d recommend sticking with either 9mm or .45 ACP. These rounds do the job well enough and they’re not too expensive, which is important to allow you to get as much practice in at the range as possible.

History of the 1911 and what forces use it today

John M. Browning’s Model 1911 pistol changed the world of firearms. It’s history begins in the Philippines, where US troops overthrew the Spanish colonial government and locked themselves into a 15-year war with local insurgents.

The US soldiers’ handguns were ineffective at stopping the local tribesmen and this was having a devastating effect on morale and the number of soldiers killed in action. The US military needed a new pistol, and the major firearm manufacturers at the time scrambled to give them one.

Browning’s Model 1911 .45 Automatic Pistol proved to be the most effective and was officially adopted as the US military’s weapon of choice.

The 1911 proved effective in both World Wars, as well as in Korea and Vietnam. Calls to replace the M1911 began increasing in the 1970’s and by the early ’90’s the Beretta 92S-1 had mostly replaced it.

Forces using M1911 today

While mostly replaced, the M1911 is still used by the FBI Hostage Rescue Unit as well as FBI SWAT teams around the US. It’s also used by the US Special Forces Delta Force.

There is an increasing demand for 1911 pistols in the US military. Many in the Army believed they shouldn’t have been replaced at all and the more reliable modern variants of the pistol are becoming more popular in the armed forces once again.

How to clean and maintain a 1911

Cleaning and maintaining your 1911 isn’t difficult, but it’s essential to make sure your gun fires when it needs to. You don’t want to pull your 1911 out in self-defense only to be met with a jam. Be prepared.

Important note: I recommend you get to know your weapon before cleaning it. By this I mean sit down with a cup of coffee and read through the user’s manual. All guns are different and your 1911 might have some quirks that your previous gun didn’t have. It’s worth knowing your weapon to avoid silly mistakes.

Here are some tips for cleaning and maintaining your 1911:

1. Unload it first.
2. Field strip the gun when cleaning it.
3. Brush your barrel from the breach, not the end that the bullets come out of. This prevents your brush from damaging the crown that manages the release of gas pressure.
4. Use the right amount of lube – not too much, and not too little.
5. Wipe it down after to give a fine oil coating and prevent damage to the finish.
6. Don’t clean your weapon too often.

Conclusion

It was difficult to come to a decision on the best 1911 handgun for concealed carry, but my personal choice would be the Kimber MFG. 1911 Crimson Carry with laser grips. The purpose-built design ticks all the boxes and the 7+1 round capacity of hard-hitting .45 ACP ammo ensures you’ll be able to put down an assailant with ease.

The laser grips and match-grade trigger give this gun the edge when it comes to self-defense. This is not your average firearm. This is a professional pocket cannon that you can rely on in a life-threatening situation. It’s not cheap, but then neither is your life.

Check out the Best Sights For Your 1911 and Best Triggers For Your 1911