My preference is an officer's length frame with a cut down magwell. Still notably shorter than a full size without a magwell. I also slim them down and round the bottoms to ease any print I might otherwise get.

 

I have zero issues concealed carry with a magwell. In fact I prefer to have a magwell because it allows for much faster more positive combat reloads. Now, if you're referring to those giant sized, competition magwells on those goofy looking high performance, competition guns, that's a different story. Even without the magwell, those competition guns are too big to comfortably conceal carry.

Just be aware, with a regular size magwell, you will need magazines with a bumper pad to be able to fully seat magazines.

My EDC with a magwell and magazine with bumper pad. Still very concealable.

 

I dont have a magwell on anything but I'll hazard a guess. It would seem to me that what holster you use and how tight you wear your belt may have a bigger impact than the extra length with one.

 

THIS^^^^^😁

It's as much about your belt, holster, and style of carry as it is the weapon. A great holster and belt can make a full size gun disappear in anything more than a t shirt...

 

The magwell adds about a quarter inch of length. But the way most of them are rounded I think they still might conceal better then a flat straight bottom grip without a magwell.

 

I don't have a magwell on any of my guns, but I prefer bumper pads on my mags, so I assume they hang out as far as a magwell would.

The gun is big. I don't think adding a magwell is going to be the make or break part of a concealment issue for me.

 

Guns are hidden by loose clothing. A magwell isn't going to make very much difference. I now get to dress like an old retired guy because I AM an old retired guy. People look at me and see nothing. I can hide two N frame revolvers.......

 

As noted, the holster is going to make the difference. My full size Para Ordnance gets carried in a Galco Miami Classic II, so the gun is carried horizontally with the grip hanging down. The magwell doesn't come into play.

 

As noted, the holster is going to make the difference. My full size Para Ordnance gets carried in a Galco Miami Classic II, so the gun is carried horizontally with the grip hanging down. The magwell doesn't come into play.
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I sure hope you got that Para strapped down snug to your belt cuz it's gonna beat you to death if you have to run.....

 

There's no reason the gun's butt can't extend as far as the base of the magazine, so if your mag has a 1/4"-thick basepad, a magwell of similar length is a win/win, as long as you don't mind the additional weight.
Via parts swapping, I got my "compact" 1911 down to a little over 29 ounces, then when minimizing weight and maximizing compactness were no longer a goal, I added a steel magwell/mainspring housing, and added back a couple of other heavier parts, and weight jumped to almost 35 ounces.
The gun wasn't really small or light to begin with, so the extra size and weight of the magwell could certainly be a tipping point for some.

 

The added weight is one factor, and I guess we're back to concealment with the right clothing and holster.

Thanks for all the responses. I see no reason to avoid one for CCW.

 

I have XXL hands and added a Stan Chen Shooter Installed magwell to my Dan Wesson ECO (Executive Compact Officer). The extra 1/4" gives me just enough for a good grip and the round butt allows for good concealment. Stan has a how-to video on his site so it was super easy to install. Slid right in - no fitting / filing required. Haven't read one negative review on this magwell.

 

I carry with OWB strong side leather holsters. Occasionally pocket carry. With a full size gun it makes a big difference when I move the holstered gun forward or back a little on my belt to find the spot where the gun conceals best against my body. I wouldn't carry anything bigger then my 1911 or CZ75B but with a good belt and holster weight is not an issue to me.

 

b-b - XXL hands? Do you play bass by any chance?

 

Ha ha, no I don’t drail but I might start claiming that I do if it will help me impress the ladies.

 

The way I carry my primary it is the "toe" of the magazine that will print first if I bend over (I try not to do that). So a magwell that tapers off near the front would not likely bother me, but I don't have a magwell on my carry guns (except for on Officers frame that has a Commander slide and that is because the MS housing does not extend to the bottom of my hand).

Other may have a problem due to their particular carry preferences.

Everyone must work out their own salvation, so if you think a magwell will help, by all means try it.

Riposte

 

All of my commander and full size 1911's have Stan Chen magwells on them, for two reasons. First, it makes mag changes more certain and second, the rounded butt design actually makes the gun more concealable because garments slide over it easier.

 

I have 2 mag-well guns and I do carry them from time to time, but I typically don't. The 5" 1911 is already a large gun. With a mag-well, big sights, extended ambi-safety, and a beavertail grip safety, the gun is even bigger, and heavier than it already was, which is pretty substantial anyway.

Plus, with a mag-well gun, you better be carrying an extra magazine or two, or having the mag-well would be a superfluous add-on. Therefore, my normal carry 1911 is an all-steel 5" gun, but does not have a mag-well.

 

Most of my 1911s have magwells. If I’m carrying a Glock it does too (G19gen4 MOS with Magpul magwell), as does the M&P (2.0 CORE slide on compact frame with Floyd’s magwell).

In the case of the plastic guns, the magwell helps me lock my strong hand into the grip. In the case of the 1911s it meets my aesthetic requirements and since my two favorite 1911s (my Springfield Pro and TRP) came with them, I tend to want my other 1911s to match.

Even my duty Staccato P has a magwell. It came with it. I see no reason to take it off.

My very loved Colt CCG 1911 doesn’t have one and for that particular pistol I like it without it and have no plans to add one. I’d carry that gun (and do sometimes) in a second.

I don’t think the magwell adds a bunch of material that hurts concealment that much. I also don’t think it’s necessary if one learns how to reload with consistency. I like that I can choose and use both because I’m confident with concealing and reloading with both configurations.