By R.K. Campbell | Contributing Editor
A good carry gun has many qualities that are easily defined. Reliability is foremost. Speed into action, good practical accuracy, and a weight that isn’t too heavy on the hip are important.
The pistol should chamber a fight stopping cartridge. My expectations of life are rosy and I enjoy my daily routine. Handguns are part of my life but not the only part. Just the same it is madness not to be concerned prepared and even afraid of some of the things going on.
There isn’t anything new in the world just the same monsters on two legs we have always had. It is simply the Devil in a new dress. My choices and my training regimen are based on decades of experience. I understand that new shooters don’t have that time. They need something right now to even the odds and defend themselves. Some have the time and money to attend an immersion class and get up to speed on the handgun. Most do not. My time training and experience has led me to the 1911 handgun and the .45 ACP caliber. I have other types but this is my favorite for most uses.
Among the best balanced and well suited of handguns for concealed carry is the Commander type .45. This is a 1911 with the slide and barrel shortened from 5.0 to 4.25 inches. This makes for a handy faster handling handgun. Some are aluminum frame handguns, others are steel frame handguns. The Commander type illustrated is a steel frame handgun. The Ruger SR 1911 Nightwatchman is an unusually formidable blend of good features.
A solid foundation point is the .45 ACP cartridge. Despite revisionist history and poor science, not to mention downright misrepresentations the .45 hits harder than smaller calibers and demonstrates good wound potential.
Ruger’s Nightwatchman is a special edition handgun with good features ranging from superficial to fundamental importance. The dark phosphate finish covers a stainless steel frame and slide. The pistol features three dot tritium night sights, which are a good addition to any personal defense pistol. The grip panels are modern G10 with a balance of abrasion and adhesion. The barrel and barrel bushing are manufactured from a single matching piece of bar stock steel.
Like other sidearms of this type, the Nightwatchman’s single action straight-to-the-rear trigger action features a sharp let off of 5.1 pounds and a rapid reset. The slide lock safety indents into place sharply, and the grip safety properly releases its hold on the trigger about halfway into compression, as it should.
The rear mainspring housing is checkered and this handgun’s locking lugs are properly fitted, while the feed ramp is nicely polished. The barrel bushing is a snug fit but a tool isn’t needed for disassembly.
This pistol is supplied with two stainless steel magazines. The Nightwatchman is well turned out looking good in a businesslike manner.
A full size steel frame Government Model .45 is easily the best shooting 1911 handgun around. The rub is this size pistol isn’t practical all of the time. A lighter handgun is a compromise on most counts but allows the shooter to carry a formidable, if more compact, handgun. For many of us this means a Commander-length .45.
While the steel frame Commander weighs 34 ounces, Ruger offers their excellent SR 1911 in both steel frame and LW aluminum frame versions. I like the steel frame model best; I fire it more quickly and accurately in rapid fire. The LW model weighs in at 28 ounces, which is 6 ounces less than the steel frame model.
Like all 1911 handguns the Nightwatchman is properly carried hammer to the rear and safety on- cocked and locked.
A combination of low operating pressure, a full powder burn, limited muzzle signature and excellent wound ballistics make the .45 ACP a superior choice. Recoil is straight to the rear and the pistol has muzzle flip that must be controlled. This means a tight grip and attention to detail. There is no pistol faster to a first shot hit than a cocked and locked 1911. Draw, get on target as you move the safety to the off position and press the trigger straight to the rear. You have a hit.
I have fired this pistol extensively with a wide range of ammunition. It has never failed to feed, function, fire and eject. Most of the practice ammunition is 230-grain ball (full metal jacket), and I have also tested a number of first class expanding bullet loads. Among the best buys in .45 ACP ammunition is the Remington 230-grain FMJ in 100-round boxes. The 230-grain Remington is also available in a 230-grain JHP version. Federal’s Train & Protect ammunition is more affordable than bonded core defense loads such as the HST but offers good expansion of the type needed in home defense, and very accurate. At typical defense range all of these loads will cut a single ragged hole.
I have fired the pistol extensively as a carry gun must be proofed. It occurred to me during this review I have never put it to a benchrest firing test. This type of testing shows how well the pistol is fitted and good groups are a sign of quality manufacture, but not the most important part of personal defense. Here are some of my results at 15 yards.
Prior to the latest range work I added a Dpmsystems.com recoil rod. This recoil reducing device is supplied with three springs. I use the heaviest spring for duty. It seems to boost reliable function and reduces felt recoil a noticeable degree by changing the recoil curve.
Load Five shot group at 15 yards
Remington 230 grain FMJ 2.25 in.
Federal 230 grain HST 1.9 in.
Federal American Eagle 230 grain FMJ 2.5 in.
Hard Cast 200 grain SWC/Titegroup
Powder/850 fps 2.0 in.
For daily carry an inside the waistband holster is a good choice. The body of the handgun is concealed in the pants. This means the holster isn’t visible below the belt line. A modest length covering garment will conceal this handgun.
The thin 1911 is a good choice for this carry mode. Busted B Leather’s inside the waistband holster was chosen. This saddle leather holster offers good design and construction, a strong belt loop, a good sized slide guard to protect the body from sharp edges and the handgun from perspiration, and a reinforced holstering welt. A ‘foot’ at the bottom of the holster prevents the holster from shifting and also prevents roll out.
Roll out is the handle moving off of the plane with the body. This is a well designed and executed holster well worth its price. (bustedbleather.com) This is a great combination for concealed carry for the shooter willing to put time and effort into the system. The Commander .45 1911 isnt for everyone but it is an option worth some thought. The Ruger Nightwatchman is a top choice in this category.
Ruger Nightwatchman
Caliber: .45 ACP
Capacity: 7 + 1
Action: Single Action
Finish: Black Phosphate over stainless steel
Weight: 34 ounces
BBL: 4.25 inch
OAL: 7.75 in.
Width: 1.35 inch
Height: 5.45 in.
