Well, I can talk more about carrying them next week! I was sort of thinking about doing another all-1911 podcast. When I was out at the range a couple of days ago, I ran a bunch of 230-gr ball through my Wayne Novak/GUNSITE S&W lightweight Commander-length — one of my all-time super-deluxe favorite 1911s — and the little Kimber Ulta Carry II that I had Wayne overhaul.
What a difference a custom gunsmith makes! As you guys know, I'm simply not a big fan of short-slide 1911s (the Ultra Carry's a 3 1/2 inch slide gun) with the exception of the Detonics CombatMaster. I've had the Ultra Carry around for a while, but haven't really put a huge number of rounds through it...it was an instructional gun. Wayne's overhaul made a staggering difference in the little gun. I figured I'd run a few rounds through it and then go to the S&W.
I started at 5 yards, then worked my way back to 15, stopping at 7, 10 and 12. When I was finished I had put 60-70 rounds of Black Hills ball into a single ragged hole, with exactly two fliers less than 1/2 inch from the main group.
HMMMMMMMM, I thought. It seems to working...REAL GOOD! Never had a blip, and I shot the little Kimber every bit as well as my S&W, which is the gun I used on one of my regular trips to GUNSITE and which I have 100% faith in. I may send it BACK to Wayne for a sight replacement (replace the rear Kimber with a Novak and the front with one of Novak's new fiber optic sights, which Wayne says will go the distance).
I can give you a short course in 1911 holsters in a single word...ALESSI. Best there is in leather. For range work I usually use a Blade-tech vertical belt holster or one of the Wilderness Tactical Zip Slides.
Michael B
PS: I agree with Jon...the farther you get from John Browning's basic 5-inch gun, the more likely it is to surprise you in an unpleasant way!