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Shadow 2 compact, or which 1911 would you recommend for potential concealed carry?

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ClaraJ

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Hello - I am looking to buy my first handgun and am attracted to the Springfield Armory and 1911 line because of how smooth it shoots and how nice the trigger feels. I am probably spending way too much already on my first gun, but here are the options I am considering for buying my first gun that I could potentially conceal carry as well.
I am contemplating the CZ Shadow 2 Compact (which is already optics-ready) vs. several options from the 1911 lineup - some are listed below:
1911 RONIN® 4.25″ AOS 9MM HANDGUNUPC: 706397964528
1911 RONIN® EMP® 4" HANDGUN 9MM | BLUED / SATIN ALUMINUM UPC: 706397937706
1911 OPERATOR® 4.25" AOS HANDGUN
1911 EMISSARY 4.25" AOS HANDGUN
1911 GARRISON 4.25" HANDGUN - FIRSTLINE
SA-35™ HANDGUN

What are your thoughts/ recommendations?

Thanks a lot!
Klara
 
Well... I definitely like your train of thought, some really nice guns in that list... but the big question is "what do you want it for?" since you posted this "buying my first gun that I could potentially conceal carry as well." I'm not really sure those big guns are good for concealed carry, it's possible, but a good, concealed carry is something small and light like the Hellcat Pro or the new Eschelon Compact.

I have the full-size CZ Shadow 2 and not only is that expensive but heavy, now not sure what the compact model is modelled like. I also have a few of those 1911's you mentioned like the TRP and RONIN... more for fun and shooting, home defense, maybe even competition shooting but concealment... I don't know about that.

JMO... good luck.
 
Magnum50 said:
Well... I definitely like your train of thought, some really nice guns in that list... but the big question is "what do you want it for?" since you posted this "buying my first gun that I could potentially conceal carry as well." I'm not really sure those big guns are good for concealed carry, it's possible, but a good, concealed carry is something small and light like the Hellcat Pro or the new Eschelon Compact.

I have the full-size CZ Shadow 2 and not only is that expensive but heavy, now not sure what the compact model is modelled like. I also have a few of those 1911's you mentioned like the TRP and RONIN... more for fun and shooting, home defense, maybe even competition shooting but concealment... I don't know about that.

JMO... good luck.
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Thanks - yes, I read about those as well. The Shadow 2 compact is 7.5 (L) x 1.3 (W) x 5.4 (H) at 30 oz., similar to the 2nd gun listed, 1911 RONIN® EMP® 4" HANDGUN 9MM. The ultimate goal is for this to become a gun I would be comfortable with carrying if I want to. Now, I am probably quite a bit from feeling comfortable with that. My thought process is to buy something that would be fun to shoot - so I would enjoy shooting and get more comfortabel with handling the gun, and when I do have it for home protection and conceal carry if I want to do so.
 
Apples & oranges.

The only on on your list to compare the Shadow 2 to is the SA-35, and the Shadow 2 is light years ahead of the SA-35, and two different types of 9mms

As far as 1911's for a first handgun get a Rock Island Armory to get your feet wet with that type of handgun. With the $$ you save buy ammo to practice with.
 
ClaraJ said:
Hello - I am looking to buy my first handgun and am attracted to the Springfield Armory and 1911 line because of how smooth it shoots and how nice the trigger feels. I am probably spending way too much already on my first gun, but here are the options I am considering for buying my first gun that I could potentially conceal carry as well.
I am contemplating the CZ Shadow 2 Compact (which is already optics-ready) vs. several options from the 1911 lineup - some are listed below:
1911 RONIN® 4.25″ AOS 9MM HANDGUNUPC: 706397964528
1911 RONIN® EMP® 4" HANDGUN 9MM | BLUED / SATIN ALUMINUM UPC: 706397937706
1911 OPERATOR® 4.25" AOS HANDGUN
1911 EMISSARY 4.25" AOS HANDGUN
1911 GARRISON 4.25" HANDGUN - FIRSTLINE
SA-35™ HANDGUN

What are your thoughts/ recommendations?

Thanks a lot!
Klara
Click to expand...
None of those are going to be all that useful for concealed carry. And I would avoid the SA35.
 
ClaraJ said:
Hello - I am looking to buy my first handgun and am attracted to the Springfield Armory and 1911 line because of how smooth it shoots and how nice the trigger feels. I am probably spending way too much already on my first gun, but here are the options I am considering for buying my first gun that I could potentially conceal carry as well.
I am contemplating the CZ Shadow 2 Compact (which is already optics-ready) vs. several options from the 1911 lineup - some are listed below:
1911 RONIN® 4.25″ AOS 9MM HANDGUNUPC: 706397964528
1911 RONIN® EMP® 4" HANDGUN 9MM | BLUED / SATIN ALUMINUM UPC: 706397937706
1911 OPERATOR® 4.25" AOS HANDGUN
1911 EMISSARY 4.25" AOS HANDGUN
1911 GARRISON 4.25" HANDGUN - FIRSTLINE
SA-35™ HANDGUN

What are your thoughts/ recommendations?

Thanks a lot!
Klara
Click to expand...
For the size of the Shadow, you could probably add the 4.25” Prodigy to the list.

Of those, though? If either go with the Shadow or the 9mm Ronin.
 
For a 1911 I would look at a CCO platform. You can find them in 9mm or .45 .... Lots of companies make them. From Wilson Combat and Ed Brown to Rock Island.

My EDC from 2009 until 2023 was one. A Sig Sauer C3. The Commander slide on a officer frame just works

My current EDC. Is a Sig Sauer P365xl with a Holosun EPS Carry, True Precision threaded barrel and Wilson Combat grip module.
 
HansGruber said:
No, they most certainly are not too big and heavy. They just need the right rig (belt & holster) to be carried comfortably.

People have been carrying full-sized 1911’s, concealed, for over a century. It’s really not that difficult.
Click to expand...
Nevertheless I think a 1911 is probably not the right gun for a first timer trying to conceal and carry. It's likely to lead to an ever changing set of frustrating circumstances to mitigate, weight, size and printing.

Most of us started with 1911s and like them a lot, but most of us don't carry them every day anymore. And for a 1911 to be your only choice, I don't know. I'd pick a lighter, optic ready, quality striker gun and save the 1911 carrying for later when it's more familiar.
 
Welcome to the forum. I own a 4 barrel Ronin. I am small and can carry it, but I don't. I like how it shoots but I prefer my lighter strikers these days. 1911s are a whole different beast. I am not as familiar with them as these guys are, but each to his/her own. I started with a Springfield Hellcat. It's light and easy to conceal, and mine is optic ready. Most advice I read when I started out was to try out several in your hands, see what feels good, and shoot if possible. Become familiar with that firearm, then expand your horizons. Best of luck with your journey 🙂.
 
The 4" Ronin EMP might be a good choice. It's smaller than a full size and at 27.5 oz. seems to be doable.
Striker guns have been very popular in the past few years. There was a race to build very small micro sized guns and multiple brands made guns of a similar size that held 12 rounds or more. Then multiple manufacturers came out with larger versions of those guns and they seem to be a consensus now. Easier to shoot, etc. The latest trend is having an optic ready version. That is another topic. There is a split between plastic and all metal guns. I don't discriminate and have both. I do like S&W Shields. Others favor different brands. Range and/or home guns can be any size as they do not need to be concealed and you don't need to worry about carrying a heavy gun.
1911s are different from other styles, but in 9mm, they are easy enough to shoot. Lightweight models are not overly heavy.
See what is most important to you, handle them, check out the controls and how they feel in your hand.
Good luck.
 
Either EMP in the 4 or 3 inch category will definitely work for a concealed carry pistol-
I carry a 3 inch Kimber Ultra or a 4 inch Kimbert Super Carry-
The 3 inch is 25oz empty and the Super goes for 27oz empty-
IMG_20210927_102847762.jpg
IMG_20230216_145027081.jpg




I have carried either one of these for the better part of 20 years now-
Proper belt and good holster makes it entirely doable-
One thing about a 1911 is the side profile is slim and can make hiding them sometimes a lot easier than even medium size strikers-
I would really like a Springfield EMP chambered in a .45acp but so far that has not been a go-
 
I’ll weigh in with one tidbit: the Ronin 4.25 is an aluminum frame I believe, while it’s bigger brother the 5” comes with a steel frame.
In the Garrison lineup, both 5 and 4.25 models are steel - no aluminum.
So the Ronin is the lighter option.

But in the end, go with what feels comfortable to YOU.
 
Out of your list the Garrison would be what I’d go with. Larger steel frames guns can be carried you just might have to dress around it. Besides guns are suppose to be comforting not comfortable. If you want that a snub in a jacket is the only safe way!!!

That said I myself have never been into small semi autos for carry I like a snub but all my real carry guns are Glock 19 size or larger. So the trick as mentioned make sure you have a quality belt and holster.

I myself like hammer fired and you didn’t ask but a couple I have great experience with as a duty/off duty is Sig 228 (M11a1) And Beretta 92 Centurion and compact (their compact isn’t really that compact)

Good luck
 
If we’re looking at a fun gun to learn to shoot with, might eventually carry and we like the 1911. Might I suggest the Staccato C2. All the goodness of a 1911 but double stack (16 rd mags), optic ready (so you are future proofed and an acknowledged industry elite quality pistol. A bit pricy at $2300, but you are
going to end up spending that eventually once you get your second and third pistols.
 
fnamerica.com

FN Reflex® MRD | FN® Firearms

The FN Reflex MRD is a precisely accurate pistol for everyday carry and perfected for deep concealment. With an internal hammer and multiple redundant safeties, the trigger is the smoothest, most refined fire control in an FN carry pistol. Stacking tight groups on target with match-grade...
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Easy to rack the slide, safety is easy to get to and works very smooth.Has a very light trigger pull so as a first time gun owner you won't notice how light it is.
 
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