Which Size 1911 is Best for You?

On this fantastic .45 Friday, Eli walks you through the various sizes of 1911s Alchemy Custom Weaponry offers.
Government (Prime): 5in Barrel / Full Size Grip
Commander (Carry): 4.25in Barrel / Full Size Grip
CCO (Compact): 4.25in Barrel / Officer's Grip

[@PigPreserve]

I love admiring a true work of art and beauty that I will never be able to afford. I am 76 years old and learned to shoot a Government model 1911 at age 12. I have carried one all of my life, including my 22 years as a Marine Officer from the Vietnam War period. Until I saw the Alchemy weapons, I lusted after a Kimber and, later, a Wilson Combat. But the Alchemy Weapons blow them all away by far. The Prime Carry and Prime Compact are the weapons I dream about. John Moses Browning's masterpiece has never let me down in all these years and has saved my life on several occasions. Even in my old age, I still get a child like pleasure lugging my "lesser" 1911's to the range and blowing through a few boxes of .45 acp ammo. In a few years, my grandson will inherit my poor man's collection of 1911's. He won't appreciate them and love them like I do....but at least they will stay in the family. I am glad to see the skilled artisans at Alchemy Weaponry turning out such fine masterpieces. Thank you for the videos.

[@tylerb556]

I think the commander length is just magic 🥵

[@alchemy1911]

They're really well-proportioned, in my eyes!

[@brianfalls5038]

I used to carry a Springfield Arms Commander's size 1911 Ronin till I really got to noticing that as an EDC weapon the finish was getting ruined so I have since then moved to a G.I. 5" barrel Ruger stainless that is much more resistant to moisture. Both of my 1911's are .45's and I just love the heck out of em both. They shoot straight and the recoil isn't bad at all. I would highly recommend a 1911 .45acp to anyone looking for a good reliable weapon. That's just my own humble opinion though. Carry what you are comfortable with folks!

[@ChrisBritton3476]

Prime Elite Compact for daily carry. Absolutely love it. The added magwell gives it the look of a commander but the benefit of the magwell and the extra hand purchase on the grip.

[@alchemy1911]

Great gun! That really is a hard combo to beat!

[@RickJZ1973]

Interesting and informative. Just speaking for myself, I think the government size model is perfection. The size and weight are ideal.

[@dankeglock]

Steel frame commander sized 1911s are my favorite. If the gun is chambered in 9mm, I prefer commander length slides or smaller, as longer slides feel too sluggish. In 45 acp, I still prefer commander sized guns, but also enjoy government models as well. I also like the look and feel of 1911s with a bull barrels.

[@kapower06]

like the M1 Garand clip on the table! The other Lords caliber

[@alchemy1911]

I may love 1911s the most.. by I still have a plethora of other guns back there.

[@randyreviewsit]

Commander length, definitely waiting for a commander quantico. Wish my hand was small enough to enjoy an officer too.

[@evanshall]

I've got a Prime Compact on the way. I figured if I'm going to get an ACW, I might as well carry it every day.

[@alchemy1911]

Rad!

[@societyisboring]

Im a mid size guy love the full size frame with 4.2/4.25 inch barrels.

[@jonathanl2748]

I still do not have an Alchemy in my collection. I will have to fill that void. Great video!

[@alchemy1911]

We'll be here to help! Any questions you may have, email me directly at [e-mail]!

[@jonathanl2748]

@@alchemy1911 For sure! I certainly don’t want Rob knocking on my door as he’s bigger than I am. 😬

[@nickrice7535]

Two tone Brimstone .45 for me. I got in early. What a great piece.

[@stevenmadrid9350]

That Commander is the exact gun I ordered with ring hammer.

[@mrflynn510]

Finally someone makes a steel frame CCO!

[@HoosierRooster]

Commander size my favorite preferably a lightweight

[@ADRay1999]

For me personally Commander Hands down Though I still believe the 5” government length was the one that John Browning intended on from the beginning

[@Oldjun]

I also prefer the Commander as it's easier to carry and better balanced in my opinion. And in my experience, just as reliable as the Government model.

[@nancyoffenhiser4916]

For a woman with small hands, the small Prime Carry is just beautiful. And yes I would have it in 45 ACP.. 9 mm. just is not my favorite caliber.

[@alchemy1911]

Nancy, you're a woman after my own heart!

[@ironmikehallowween]

I would like a long slide 1911 chambered in 45 ACP. That would be very cool. I carry an all steel Commander, because it’s about as good as it gets. Thanks for the video.

[@tenther5019]

The Prime Compact in 9mm with a magwell is THE perfect EDC steel frame 1911.

[@bernardconeghen]

there nice but I prefer a tanker model that is GI but commander size thing I hate with a passion is the oversized grip safety and longer commander hammer as with anything else its a matter of what you like

[@jasonhavers5961]

My right ear loved this

[@buggin1951]

Simple, get multiples of all sizes.

[@blaiseeltine9516]

the hicap is an amazing gun.. favorite

[@Rebel8MAC]

Gawdamnit those are some fine looking guns! 👌

[@Mr45triton]

I prefer the commander length myself.

[@alchemy1911]

That's totally understandable.

[@SirJonathan439]

I have government and commander sized 1911s but I've never owned a cco size. I might have to fix that soon.

[@alchemy1911]

The CCO, or Prime Compact, is a size that most are unfamiliar with. It does make a lot of sense, though. Especially for carrying in lighter clothes or deep concealment.

[@AnthonyElDuende]

I’m afraid I want the commander as the officer size frame hold less rounds but maybe I want the officer size frame bc it fits my hand more 😢 decisions decisions

[@litsci4690]

I prefer my Government model uncircumcised, thanks. Everything else looks too "stubby."

[@jjtninja]

Same

[@brojelio1518]

For duty carry, what are the pros and cons of government vs commander length (9mm)?

[@blaiseeltine9516]

im here for the exciting news.,, though 9 mo later.. still exciting.

[@wasbeer77]

Full size or bust. * pops beer wiff cracked teeth * All dem other sizes I call fool sized.

[@jerdobi]

Weird, left channel is mute on my headphones.😨

[@alchemy1911]

Yeah it’s our mic… I was going to blame it on the awesome power of 45acp in the 1911 but we cannot tell a lie.

[@kennethpruitt8534]

I'm curious why DS .45 ACP isn't available? I've got 9mms and they are fine but not what I consider a direct replacement for a .45 ACP.

[@ironmikehallowween]

It’s probably because nearly everyone can shoot the 9mm, and it’s currently the most popular handgun caliber in the world. So, the market is much larger. And you are correct, It certainly isn’t a perfect substitute for the 45 ACP. But, targets and steel don’t know the difference.

[@chezlerq4478]

My son-in-law has a Remington R1 double in .45 You gotta Want a large grip. I like my single stack better. (And I do have a large hand) (Hogue grips)

[@watchyoutube9553]

Metal, bull barrel, commander

[@javierciordia7206]

Awesome pieces! Do you think that the compact can work reliable with 8 rounds 45 mags?

[@caseymarritt1853]

Brimstone was an extremely cool name, you should go back to using it

[@aaronwilcox6417]

Sold off my 1911's. They sure are neat but the utility to price ratio just isn't there with the proliferation of other handguns. Glad others enjoy them, but I've moved on for economy and logistical reasons.

[@alchemy1911]

That's why no one will remember your name.

[@mikeruffo6462]

Do you make any in 10mm?

[@troyg.katucki4436]

Does Alchemy Custom Weaponry offer stainless steel and threaded barrel 1911s? Do you have a custom engraving and titanium gold nitrate service?

[@alchemy1911]

Hi Troy, we do not offer threaded barrels, engraving, nor TiN.

[@shamrock5725]

There's a fifth size, the super thin smaller .380 versions.

[@alchemy1911]

we don't make those... If that was the case, then we left out Officer's Models, Commanding Officer's Models, 4in Commanders, 6in/7in Long Slides... etc

[@shamrock5725]

@@alchemy1911 oh my bad, i thought you were talking about just any model, not just the ones you make. cheers! good video.

[@totljag1]

Tea Sauce !

[@diondecker9895]

Is that an Ed Brown hat?

[@juniorfavela7532]

Ring hammers are law I put one on my glock as well 😂

[@johnporter9752]

The information might be on the website but us millennials don’t like to read lol😂

[@Maurice3774]

Government

[@rg3412]

Fix the audio! For the some reason on the right channel is used... Really annoying.

[@alchemy1911]

We're a 1911 company.. issues with technology are just sort of expected with us.

[@rg3412]

@@alchemy1911 apologies, I re-read my comment and it comes off pretty rude… See I only expect the best from you guys :)

[@waynee1357]

For that kind of money you should offer more options

[@alchemy1911]

That doesn't even make sense, we charge accordingly for the work and options we offer.

[@waynee1357]

If u you’re gonna talk calibers in a 1911 why do u fail to mention the .38 Super???? Look at the history of the Super and the 1911

[@alchemy1911]

This really wasn't a comprehensive video on calibers, but the sizes of pistols we offer. We've discussed Super .38 (the original designation per Colt's pre-war marketing, not ".38 Super") before on our live. We pulled out a Colt 1902 Military in .38 ACP and discussed that caliber's development and the introduction of Super .38 to the civilian market in 1929. The only reason that Super .38 was not brought up, is because it is our least-ordered caliber, currently, due to inconsistent ammunition production and price. Furthermore, the distinction was made for 9x19mm because folks have a stigma towards 9x19mm 1911s that you do not see with Super .38 1911s.

[@Awesome_1789]

You guys definitely need better mic 🎙️

[@alchemy1911]

Yes we are working on it! We like gun tech from 1911 but the mics really should be from this millennium!

[@Awesome_1789]

@@alchemy1911 I love you're 1911s after I saw reviews from 1911 syndicate I fell in love.

[@philapop5269]

Pls stop the BS. If you want to show the upcoming pistol, then show it, and if not don't mention it or show the bag.

[@alchemy1911]

I'm going to show the bag even harder now.