ltwguns.com

First post!

Sort of in the process of figuring out what I want in a full size custom 1911. I've had not opportunity to handle any of the BobTail conversions but the idea seems practical. That is until you see so many people not building 1911's with this conversion! It sort of has me wondering just how useful this conversion is on a full size. The full size will be CCW (already have a nicely worked over Kimber Compact). Appreciate hearing your input on this conversion.

Tim

Tim, I've done several of these (in fact, I've got one at the plater right now), and I've always kinda compared it to a square butt vs. round butt S&W frame. The customer who's gun is now at the plater hadn't tried one, but liked the idea. I ran into him the other day and he saw a Brown Bobtail gun at a local dealer, so was finally able to get a feel for it. Turns out he was happy with his choice as he liked it.

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Don Williams
http://www.theactionworks.com
http://www.ltwguns.com

Welcome to the party, Tim!

I advise my customers to try to shoot one first, as they have a very distinct feel, compared to flat or arched MSH equipped guns. The other thing I try to impress is that the Bobtail is really more of an option to enhance concealment than an option that enhances gun-handling ergonomics. To me, it makes the most sense on smaller CCW guns, primarily carried in IWB holsters (compared to a 5" gun in a OWB, range-use type holster. Most folks extoll the fact that it is less prone to print through concealment garments.
The last thing to pass on is that no one that I'm aware of has ever sold a gun that I've Bobtailed and went back to a standard configuration CCW pistol.

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shop.HarrisonCustom.com
www.HarrisonCustom.com

The grand essentials to happiness in this life are something to do, something to love and something to hope for.

You got that right ! The bobtail if combined with a light alloy frame 1911 make a great carry package.

about the only gun i would even bother bobtailing is a commander.

if its a fullsize forget it. personally i think its all hype. it looks cool, but i think it does nothing for concealibility. a 1/2 inch of material is not gonna make a 5" or even a commander gun "dissapear". it might help but i think it has more to do with holster selection than anything else.

to me its not worth compromising how the gun handles to save that little as far as space goes.

Its a down the road project. Just wondering how much a bobtail would actually help a full size 1911. To be perfectly honest with you, I don't like the looks particularly, but since I plan on using the full size as a carry weapon, a practical modification that eases concealment issue overrides my particular tastes. I've carried my Kimber in a Alessi/Burns GWH for a couple of years now. I've had no problem concealing the Kimber under a t-shirt.

I have one of the new series 70 Colts that is a project for down the road. What I've done recently (Friday) was actually order a Nighthawk Talon and placed an order with Lou for the PCH for a full size .45.

I retail custom handguns and have sold many of the commander length bobtail but had almost no or very little interest in the bobtail on the 5 inch or full size 1911's. It seems that the preference for the "bobtail" is on the shorter barrel gun as that one seems to cater to the "concealed" carry crowd.

I have only heard that the flat portion of the mainspring housing could use some type of treatment i.e. checker, serrations, snakeskin or matting to aid when shooting hotter or full house ammo and to control the twist or torque in the gun with shorter barrels.

Most good comments were on the aid to conceal from clothes catching on the former point. Others liked the feel and there difference in function just "feel."

These are just gathered from owners of the bobtail guns.

I hope you get get a little perspective.

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Be safe and keep the brass flying

Terry Peters

Do your research but you get what you pay for front end or back end
http://www.pt-partners.com
@ptpartners_tx

I bobtailed a Sistema for a buddy, and really like the feel of the conv. He loves the gun himself. I feel it more naturally conforms to the shape of the human hand, rather than pressing into it. Also, given the same holster (did this), a bobtailed gun does tend to print less and snag clothing less. Holster in question was a Sparks Versa-max II. I had mix feeling before I started the above proj., but I tell you I hated giving that gun back to my buddy when I was done. My CCW peice will be a bobtailed Commander. Nuff said. My $.02, prob. all it's worth.

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"Walk softly and carry a big stick."
Theodore Roosevelt

I have one bobtailed pistol and love it a lot. I don't think it would interest me on a five inch barreled 1911, but on a 4.25 inch barrel it feels perfect in my hand. I don't have CCW available yet in my state, but the gun would likely be the first to grab for such duty. I have always liked flat MSH's , so folks that like the round MSH might want to try one before they make an investment.

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For me the 1911 is the perfect design. It is a fighting tool , not a toy. John Moses Browning was a genius and craftsman.

Hi Guys. First post here.

Can I offer the "other side of the coin" here. I really wanted a bobtail gun untill I actually shot one. I just didn't care for the way it felt. It is definitly a personal preference type mod. Most I have talked to seem to like it, but it just didn't feel right in my hands. Try one first is the best advice I can think of.

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Tommy C.
NREMT-B
NRA Life Member / TSRA Life Member