Home Defense 1911 Rig

Hi All,

I was wondering what would be a good set-up for a home defense 1911 pistol.  I was thinking of getting a RO and have a gun smith work it over for reliability.  I don't think I would care at all about accuracy for a home defense gun. I like the Colt Special Combat guns but they are pricy.  Too pricy for a pistol that will sit in a rapid access safe hopefully never to be used.

Best,

Joe

While I like the 1911 a lot, I’m not sure I’d opt for a 1911 for home defense. I’d opt for a more modern design with a double stack magazine and in 9mm. M&P, Springfield XDM, Glock and a host of others. Remember, that if you use it, there is a large probability that the police will impound it until the forensics are done with it. You may have difficulty getting it back.

I had an honest self-evaluation over this and had to admit that I can not imagine how much stress the actual confrontation will probably cause and concluded that I shouldn't have anything in my biometric safe but the tried and true S&W model 36.  Capacity be damned.  I am as much of a gun nut as the next guy but this time, being honest with myself was a necessity.  Just my $.02.

For an auto I’d go with an M&P or CZ 75 variant. I lean more towards CZ 75 stuff. First shot being double action and all. That being said I carry a S&W 36 or sometimes a Colt Agent. 

A 1911 is nice and certainly capable. But I would go commander over full size, 9mm, an extended mag to get a plus one or two more rounds, and a long (really long) roll trigger around 4.5 to 5 pounds for safety reasons. I would also consider an inexpensive manufacturer like rock island so that you can keep the cost down since you’re considering having a smith work it over. Plus if something does ever happen and the gun is taken for evidence and becomes troublesome getting it back you’re not a ton of money. Defense guns have to be reliable but I wouldn’t sink a lot of money into one.

My home handguns work like my Wife and Daughter's carry guns.  Means Glock here.  For me the Glock is good to have close but first up is a 14 inch 12 gauge.

+1 on the shotgun, I have a Benelli M4 for the house.

I took a 2 day personal defense course the instructor was a long time 1911 guy that changed over to striker fired pistols for self defense after seeing the much higher rate of failures (both operator & mechanical) with the 1911 platform in his classes.  At the time I took the class his top recommendations were the Springfiled XDm/XD and of course Glock.  I switched over to a 4.5" 9MM XDm for my main carry and a 3.8 9MM Compact XDm for when I am wearing clothes that don't conceal well.  Very happy with the decision.

If the gun is home defense only then consider the 5.25" Competition Series XDm, it is a very accurate gun and several people have made the President 100 with them.
- Dave
ps I use a 147 grain JHP (XTP) for my defensive round.