Many consider the 1911 pistol to be one of the finest self-defense guns ever made.
Springfield offers a variety of models for most every punch in of shooter and budget.
But, they can be substantial guns.
Can harsh, cold weather impact the reliability of your 1911? Image: Adobe Stock
In colder climates, criminal attackers wear layers of heavy clothing (just like everyone else).
These layers can clog a hollowpoint bullet and reduce its effectiveness.
A 1911, chambered in .45 ACP, can help to overcome certain ammunition shortcomings.
Here the author is firing a Springfield 1911 wearing a flip-back mitten. With the proper care, will the 1911 run reliably in all weather conditions?
Sweatshirts and other closed-front shirts conceal best when worn a size larger than normal.
This prevents the grip from printing while the rest of the pistol stays neatly concealed inside the pants.
Drawing a pistol carried under a closed front shirt is easy.
The pistol, carried in a Muddy River Tactical kydex IWB holster, can be accessed quickly and easily when the support hand lifts the closed bottom cover garment.
Once the pistol has cleared the holster the support hand can release the shirt and join the dominant hand.
(To see an article by Massad Ayoob on this very subject, clickhere.)
The time required to draw and present the pistol is doubled!
The author demonstrates drawing a Springfield Armory 1911 carried under a heavy coat. The holster is a Safariland ALS (6378) OWB rig. Image:Harrison Rice
When a self-defense gun is needed the need is immediate.
Another Option?
An outside-the-waistband (OWB) holster might be more appropriate when wearing a winter coat.
Sweeping a heavy coat back to draw from a vintage Alessi DOJ OWB holster with a thumb break. Image:Harrison Rice
Most OWB holsters can be worn farther forward than IWB holsters and will fitovera sweatshirt.
(To see an article by Massad Ayoob on drawing from an open-front garment, clickhere.)
Once this has been mastered, you could then consider moving to drawing and firing using live ammunition.
In this photo, you can see the author’s flip-back mitten that he uses in cold weather. Image:Harrison Rice
Does your coat have a two-way zipper?
Does your coat have buttons?
How fast can you unbutton them?
A 1911 barrel with TW25B grease applied to the upper lugs and the area where the barrel passes through the bushing.
Plan and practice what you will do before the urgent need arises.
If a person is wearing ski pants with a bib, a shoulder holster is probably the best option.
When seated in a car a shoulder holster will, for most people, provide a fast draw.
The author recommends the Mil-Comm MC2500 oil as a good cold-weather lube for your 1911 pistol.Image: Mil-Comm
After some practice, drawing from a shoulder holster carried under a winter coat becomes quick and easy.
The dominant hand snakes in, grabs the pistol in a firing grip and draws it.
Have you practiced that plan at the range?
Do you intend to shoot with gloves on?
I regularly practice shooting with flip-back mittens at the range.
Gloves or flip-back mittens will change the distance to the trigger for you.
Can your gloved thumb take a 1911 off safe?
Others might acquire the skill after a few magazines through the gun.
Part of your cold weather self-defense preparations should include practice sessions wearing gloves or flip-back mittens.
Are you able to access spare ammunition and reload your pistol with gloves or flip-back mittens on?
Range practice should include reloading drills with gloves or the flip-back mittens on.
Considering the Tools
A self-defense gun must be 100% reliable.
Even a well-made, reliable 1911 can be rendered useless if it is not properly lubricated.
Mil-Comm says that TW25B grease and MC2500 oil both have an operating range of between -90F to 450F.
I have had good results with both products through New Hampshires four seasons.
Concealed carry in the winter is easy, no matter what gun is chosen.
But, my first choice will always be a 1911 chambered in .45 ACP.
