1911 for home defense

OK Bowhunter · May 16, 2011

I am looking for a 1911 for home defense and wanted a little feed back on all the different variants of 1911's. Having a little trouble with the differences between Government, Commander, A1, Gold Cup, Combat Elite, Defender, etc. I don't want a high end or used, but some thing around 900 give or take a few hundred. What are your recommendations? What to look for and what to stay away from.

Mitch Rapp · May 16, 2011

Ok... I am not trying to hijack your thread, but would like to know your reasons for wanting a 1911, and a handgun period, for home defense. Maybe a bit of insight to this point would help us to help you.

If I were to get a 1911 for home defense specificaly, I would want a full size, solid stainless gun with a light rail. Like a Kimber warrior. Those are more than 900, but I am sure you could find a nice used one or it's equivalent for around a grand.

Now, as to my reasons for that specific gun, if it's for home defense, weight doesn't matter, so why not tame recoil a tad more. Solid stainless guns feel good in my hand, and are smooth recoiling suckers. Any weapon thats job is home defense should have a light, in my opinion, so get a railed gun, so you can hang a light on it.

Jefpainthorse · May 16, 2011

The 5 inch Government Model is offered by all the major makers ... finding one from $900 down should be easy enough.

The Commander style guns are shorter...4.25 and Officer style guns are 3.5 inch. The smaller guns can be a little tricky... short sight radius...

If your not going to shoot the gun often (but I hear good things) RIA offers a nice line of imported 1911's well under $600

Deacon · May 17, 2011

Just my opinion here, but what I look for in a home defense pistol are: a big bullet (.45ACP works), high capacity, a light rail.

Given those three factors, and that you want a 1911, I think Para Ordnance 14-45 tactical is your best bet, and under 800$.

Young Guns · May 17, 2011

Deacon said:
Just my opinion here, but what I look for in a home defense pistol are: a big bullet (.45ACP works), high capacity, a light rail.

Given those three factors, and that you want a 1911, I think Para Ordnance 14-45 tactical is your best bet, and under 800$.

OR, an FNP-45. 15 round mags, lowwst recoil on a 45 i have ever felt, and a rail for lights. the tactical models also have night sights...

ldp4570 · May 17, 2011

Kevin S. (Mitch Rapp) said:
Ok... I am not trying to hijack your thread, but would like to know your reasons for wanting a 1911, and a handgun period, for home defense. Maybe a bit of insight to this point would help us to help you.

If I were to get a 1911 for home defense specificaly, I would want a full size, solid stainless gun with a light rail. Like a Kimber warrior. Those are more than 900, but I am sure you could find a nice used one or it's equivalent for around a grand.

Now, as to my reasons for that specific gun, if it's for home defense, weight doesn't matter, so why not tame recoil a tad more. Solid stainless guns feel good in my hand, and are smooth recoiling suckers. Any weapon thats job is home defense should have a light, in my opinion, so get a railed gun, so you can hang a light on it.

Same here, and what is your level of experience with a 1911A1??? Depending on your level of knowledge and use could cause more harm than good!

TroyF · May 17, 2011

Sorry for the hijack, but the search for the home defense pistol brings to mind some interesting topics......

1) A viable home defense weapon needs to have a light attached to it. Especially if you have children in your home. It's all about threat identification. If you have no light on you weapon, you weapon is only good for half of the day. The lighted half.
2) Leighton brings up a valid point about experience level with that particular platform. When one is awakened suddenly, it takes time for you faculties to return to a state of "normalcy". A weapon with external safeties can be problematic if manipulation of those safeties has not been trained to a subconscious level. And even then, a weapon with a trigger pull weight on the side of light, may also cause problems.
3) Why a pistol? Manueverability is the greatest, if only, pro to the pistol as a home defense gun. It loses to the rifle in terms of shootability and ammunition capacity. And a short carbine, with proper technique, is not giving up much by way of manueverability.
4) Depending on your particular situation (kids in the house) going mobile may or may not be a good option. Generally speaking I think of guns in two categories, recon and artillery.
Recon guns (pistols and shorter carbines) are great for going looking for the bump in the night.
But I can tell you from 14+ years of experience in clearing houses, searching structures for bad guys,etc. that this is an undertaking that is extremely dangerous and puts you at a severe disadvantage. You simply do not have enough eyes around your head to search a structure solo. An experienced SWAT Team would require a minimum of 4 operators (I hate that word) to clear a single hallway safely.
Artillery guns (carbines, rifles, and shotguns) would be my preferred method for protecting myself in my home (IF I DID NOT HAVE TO GO MOBILE). Simply put, lay the gun over the bed, and take a sight picture at the bedroom door, while on the phone with 911. And as far as the shotgun goes........I think it has no signifigant advantage over the rifle/carbine.

Just my .02. And again, sorry for the hijack. Just wanted to throw some food for thought out there.

OK Bowhunter · May 17, 2011

I have shot 1911's about a dozen times but have never owned one. My main reasons for the 1911 are the trigger, power of the 45, and the ability to find quality local gun smiths to work on on it in case I need repairs, adjustments, etc. I am still on the fence on light mounted on weapons. I would also like to someday get into competetion shooting after I start shooting better. I plan on shooting it at least once a month and reloading my own ammo later. I do not plan on carrying the gun so weight is not the issue. In fact as stated above weight can help tame recoil.

TroyF · May 17, 2011

In regards to lights mounted on weapons, what are you on the fence about? Pros vs Cons......

OK Bowhunter · May 17, 2011

I forgot to mention that the pistol is my backup, last ditch weapon I have a 12-gauge shootgun for my primary defense weapon. I do not have any childern in the home and my bedroom is setup so I can call 911 and hold up till help arrives. I have both a land line and a cell by my bed as well as a remote for the home alarm. I also keep night lights on at locations to allow me to identify what is going on inside the home.

I am aware of the safety issue and know about training to the point that you will take it off safety without thinking about it.

jtischauser · May 17, 2011

OK Bowhunter said:
I am looking for a 1911 for home defense and wanted a little feed back on all the different variants of 1911's. Having a little trouble with the differences between Government, Commander, A1, Gold Cup, Combat Elite, Defender, etc. I don't want a high end or used, but some thing around 900 give or take a few hundred. What are your recommendations? What to look for and what to stay away from.

Lets not get into the old what type of weapon is best for home defense crap. The best weapon for home defense is the one that is in your hand at the time a bad guy breaks in.

dennishoddy · May 17, 2011

I'm +1 on a light needing to be attached.
Also onboard with using whatever you have on hand to use at the time.
Depending on the size of your house, do you have a weapon available at every entrance, or living area?
Seems most of these threads on this subject deal with the bedroom.
What if your in your garage, shop, living room, or your on the mower doing the lawn?

I know with the following statment, I'm going to go against the internet self defense folks that have only defended themselves online.

If you want to use a pump shotgun, what in the hell is the purpose of racking the slide to instill "fear" into an intruder??

In my opinion, you have just given away your position, and you started a gunfight with one less round.

If your in a gunfight, and take a shot to the arm, can you rack your shotty again to instill more "fear"? Its possible to do, if you know how. I used to hunt with a guy with one arm. It isn't quick.

I don't have kids at home, so take this into consideration.
There is a lot of bad info on the internet about self defense.
Get some professional training from a professional that has been there, and you will see what I do.

/

Mitch Rapp · May 17, 2011

I had to "clear" my house once. My kids are on the far side of the house from me, and both entrances to the house are in between, it's a long story for another thread if yall are interested, but other than the gun itself, my weapon light was the best thing around. There was a noise in my kids room, and thankfully it was nothing, but I can't tell you how much having a gun that when you pick it up just feels like an extension of you is. As freaked as I was, my confidence in the weapon system, and my skill with it overcame every other emotion. It was just time to "go to work" the jitters came later, after I was done. Just make sure that you have a weapon you have complete confidence in, and that you are solid with it, and you are all set.

LStevens · May 17, 2011

OK Bowhunter said:
I am looking for a 1911 for home defense and wanted a little feed back on all the different variants of 1911's. Having a little trouble with the differences between Government, Commander, A1, Gold Cup, Combat Elite, Defender, etc. I don't want a high end or used, but some thing around 900 give or take a few hundred. What are your recommendations? What to look for and what to stay away from.
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I have a Kimber Pro Carry that I really like to shoot, but at night it sits in the safe and the sxs 12 gauge sits by the bed, buck shot in both barrels. No real aiming at 12 feet (distance to either door or window) and I don't worry about a loaded magazine spring. Plus have you ever looked down a bouble barrel 12? it's enough to make anyone think twice.

Dieseltech09 · May 17, 2011

LStevens said:
No real aiming at 12 feet (distance to either door or window) and I don't worry about a loaded magazine spring. Plus have you ever looked down a bouble barrel 12? it's enough to make anyone think twice.

Have you patterned your shotgun at 12 feet before? And I wouldnt worry at all about a loaded magazine spring. Unless maybe it was a cheap o mag.

xdnok · May 18, 2011

My preference in 1911 is my carry weapon a Kimber 4" Pro Carry, but more to the point What TroyF said. I'm bugging out if possible or staying put with weapon in hand and speed dialing 911 praying I don't have to let loose a lawyer attached bullet.

Wes

jtischauser · May 18, 2011

Get a full size 1911 unless you need something smaller to hide in a small place. A light is nice in the dark so have one handy or get a 1911 with a rail and mount a light on it. It's always nice to have more than enough ammo so get 10 round mag rather than a 7 or 8 round mag unless you can't hide or store the gun with a big mag. The STI spartan, Taurus, S&W, Springfield or several other manufacturers are all good options. I recommend that if you're using the gun for HD that you shoot it a bunch to know it works and that you can work it.

DoctorJJ · May 18, 2011

Everyone has an opinion about weapon mounted vs handheld light. For me, I don't like a weapon mounted for several reasons. The handheld is more versatile for starters. And more importantly, with children (friendlies) in the house, I don't want to use my weapon mounted light to ID them and I certainly wouldn't want a weapon mounted light on a light and short triggered 1911.

As for the no aiming a shotgun at 12 feet comment, well, I suggest you try that on a paper target, in realtime speed and see how it works for you.

DutchWrangler · May 18, 2011

I have automatic nightlights plugged in around various parts of the abode. They aren't bright enough to inhibit my sleep but bright enough to see the place when it's dark. Just a thought. And I'm with DocJJ on the use of a weapon mounted light. Don't like the idea.

ldp4570 · May 18, 2011

I was trained to use the light off the gun, and for all pro's and con's, and the fact that I have small kids still in the house, except for my shotgun, there will be no mounted lights. The handgun, and off mounted light is to get to my kids and herd them to our bedroom/saferoom. After tht there are two 20Ga shotguns with lights pointed at the door along with cell for 911.