Colt has been building 1911s longer than anyone, and the Custom Carry Limited is a modern take on the Commander-size carry gun with a 4.25-inch barrel and a gray finish. That barrel length is the classic compromise: enough sight radius and slide mass to shoot well, short enough to conceal without printing along the hip.

Chambered in 9mm, it is soft-shooting and inexpensive to practice with, which is exactly what a defensive pistol needs to be. The single-action trigger and low bore axis of the 1911 platform remain among the easiest to shoot accurately, and the roll mark on the slide still means something.

This firearm ships to your chosen FFL dealer for transfer. Order online from Dawson Defense, an Arizona-owned licensed dealer and importer.