1911's w/ Bobtails

[AGC8]

Which brands offer bobtailing as an option today? Years ago and I think still today companies like Ed Brown still offer some models with bobtails (e.g. Kobra Elite Exec Carry)...can you spec any Wilson Combat or Nighthawk with bobtail grips? Is this no longer that in-demand now in 2019? Will Colt and S&W offer it if requested?

[farscott]

Ed Brown, Dan Wesson, and Nighthawk offer the Bobtail treatment. Wilson Combat, S&W, and Kimber offer a round-butt that is, in my mind, an improvement on the Bobtail treatment. I am not aware of any Colt factory offerings with the Bobtail treatment, and I do not know if the Colt Custom Shop offers the Bobtail..

[tgoldie00]

Springfield also has a couple of models with Bobtails (Conceal Carry Contour 9mm comes to mind). I think they are still quite popular...does a Bobtail accomplish more than just rounding the butt, probably not (as indicated above). S&W's E-Series Round Butt seems to split the difference between a traditional bobtail and just a rounded butt. Like everything else in the 1911 world, there are lots of ways to skin this cat...and for the right price/wait/custom shop...anything can happen!

[TC215]

Wilson used to do the bobtail, but then stopped a couple years ago. Apparently they are doing it again, as there was a new Wilson posted for sale on the MI Gunslingers website with a recent test fire date that had a bobtail.

[AGC8]

Springfield also has a couple of models with Bobtails (Conceal Carry Contour 9mm comes to mind). I think they are still quite popular...does a Bobtail accomplish more than just rounding the butt, probably not (as indicated above). S&W's E-Series Round Butt seems to split the difference between a traditional bobtail and just a rounded butt. Like everything else in the 1911 world, there are lots of ways to skin this cat...and for the right price/wait/custom shop...anything can happen!

Thandss

Thanks gays. I am thinking more ofthe rounded
butt design VS the original with the sharp corner. I noticedthe few Kimber models: Didn't see any by Nighthawk or Wilson.

Love to get one in a Commander frame... polished nickel. will settle for ss.

[JTQ]

Which brands offer bobtailing as an option today? Will ... S&W offer it if requested?
S&W has a handful of models with that feature.

https://www.smith-wesson.com/firearms/sw1911sc-e-series-round-butt-scandium-frame

https://www.smith-wesson.com/firearms/sw1911sc-e-series-round-butt-scandium-frame-0

https://www.smith-wesson.com/firearms/performance-center-model-sw1911-0

[Robinson]

I don't own one, but I like the way S&W does the round-butt treatment on their Commander-size guns.

[AGC8]

S&W has a handful of models with that feature.

https://www.smith-wesson.com/firearms/sw1911sc-e-series-round-butt-scandium-frame

https://www.smith-wesson.com/firearms/sw1911sc-e-series-round-butt-scandium-frame-0

https://www.smith-wesson.com/firearms/performance-center-model-sw1911-0

I just noticed then this morning thanks. Like I said I do prefer the"round butt" vs put butt variety. Probably change the gross on the S&W... But to reddish

[Darth_Uno]

I haven't kept up with the players in the 1911 game, but any competent smith can do it for you also.

I had a Dan Wesson CBOB, foolishly sold it, bought a Guardian, and foolishly sold that. A bobtailed Commander is the perfect 1911 carry piece.

[AGC8]

I haven't kept up with the players in the 1911 game, but any competent smith can do it for you also.

I had a Dan Wesson CBOB, foolishly sold it, bought a Guardian, and foolishly sold that. A bobtailed Commander is the perfect 1911 carry piece.

I obviously am in the same boat. Used to buy the gun magazines and frequented gun forums. Etc. Hence my question.

Good point about finding that "competent smith" to do the conversion to "bobtail" (sharp or round butt). Is it that simple? I think depending on the 1911 it might involve rounding off the corner of the frame in the handle.

In some cities, there are tons of very good smiths. Artists. Guys that could open their own company. But the skill varies I think. So if I can buy one off the shelf or from a boutique brand like Wilson, Nighthawk...But we don't need to...since S&W offers a few models, Dan Wesson, Kimber..etc.

Dan Wesson. Great guns. Not much press oddly enough. Don't hear the name mentioned much online or at gun clubs/ranges. "What's that you're shooting?"..."..a DW 1911..." "...a what? Dan Wesson..." "OH yeah right...".

Thanks again guys! :)

[farscott]

The basic Bobtail machining operation is simplified with the use of the Ed Brown tool. The tool helps locate the hole in the frame for the new mainspring housing. https://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-tools-supplies/handgun-tools/mainspring-tools/1911-mainspring-housing-installation-jig-prod84739.aspx?psize=96

The Bobtail requires the use of an Officer's ACP/Compact mainspring. Many of the round butt solutions can still use the Government mainspring. Before the advent of the round butt, I had John Harrison do the Bobtail on a SA Mil-Spec that went to EGW for the briefly offered E-Treat finish. That gun carries like a dream and shoots quite well.

[JSGlock34]

My CQB Elite Carry has the rounded magwell, as well as the carry hammer and beavertail. I'm not sure the combination makes much of a difference in concealment, but it shoots great.

https://pistol-forum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=28291&d=1532296961

[Dismas316]

Wasn’t sure if I would like it but actually do quite a bit.

[TC215]

Dan Wesson. Great guns. Not much press oddly enough. Don't hear the name mentioned much online or at gun clubs/ranges. "What's that you're shooting?"..."..a DW 1911..." "...a what? Dan Wesson..." "OH yeah right...".

You're hanging around the wrong people.

[Bucky]

In addition to potential concealability benefits, I feel the bob tail offers a more positive grip safety disengagement.

[Erick Gelhaus]

I've got two Bobtail'd 1911s. One, a Commander, was done start to finish my a local 'smith (who left us far too soon). It was my carry gun in investigations and off-duty. The other, on a 5" gun, was started by another 'smith and I finished the process. Both have the much more rounded appearence rather than the angled version some have.

[Ichiban]

If you don't mind an external extractor, Sig make a rounded butt that accomplishes the same thing. Government and commander size. IMHO Sig 1911s are underrated.
https://www.sigsauer.com/store/1911-fastback-nightmare-carry.html

[Darth_Uno]

If you don't mind an external extractor, Sig make a rounded butt that accomplishes the same thing. Government and commander size. IMHO Sig 1911s are underrated.
https://www.sigsauer.com/store/1911-fastback-nightmare-carry.html

Sig’s extractor is a very good design.

[Duke]

36750


Edc X9 is round at the bottom. Not so much a bobtail but sort of