1911 For Self Defense?

About this video

Colion compares a compact 1911 in .45 ACP (8-round capacity) to a modern 9mm micro-compact with 17+1 capacity, arguing that modern higher-capacity handguns offer significant advantages for concealed carry and self-defense. He demonstrates magazine capacity differences through live fire, questions whether the 1911 platform still has a practical place in today’s self-defense context given modern threats, and acknowledges his love for 1911s while suggesting they may be better suited as range guns than carry guns. Colion invites viewers to share their perspectives on whether compact 1911s remain viable for concealed carry compared to higher-capacity alternatives.

Key takeaways

• Colion argues that modern micro-compact 9mm pistols offer more than double the capacity (17-18 rounds vs. 8-9 rounds) in the same or smaller size as compact .45 1911s
• He suggests that today’s self-defense scenarios often involve multiple attackers, making higher capacity more important than in the past
• Colion teaches that modern 9mm ammunition performance, combined with better capacity, controllability, and lighter weight, may make 9mm platforms more practical for concealed carry than compact 1911s, despite his personal appreciation for 1911 ergonomics and aesthetics

Episode details: published April 1, 2025 · 7:56 long. Summary written by Self Growth Videos from the episode itself. Colion Noir’s legal commentary reflects his positions and teaching, attributed to him — it is not legal advice. His defensive-incident breakdowns are his analysis of reported incidents, attributed to him.

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