{"id":1581,"date":"2023-10-30T19:18:37","date_gmt":"2023-10-30T19:18:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/?p=1581"},"modified":"2023-10-30T19:18:37","modified_gmt":"2023-10-30T19:18:37","slug":"an-edc-for-every-season-the-ronin-4-25-9mm-1911","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/?p=1581","title":{"rendered":"An EDC for Every Season: The Ronin 4.25\u201d 9mm 1911"},"content":{"rendered":"


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By Mike Boyle<\/a><\/p>\n

C<\/span>hoosing the right handgun for everyday carry often requires quite a bit of reflection. Some of the considerations include size, weight, action type and capacity as well as the round it fires. Throughout my career as a law enforcement officer, I didn\u2019t really trouble myself with the various possibilities as the outfit I worked for told me exactly what kind of guns I could carry on my own time.<\/p>\n

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Finding the right gun for your every day carry pistol can be a happy challenge as there are many options that may fit your specific needs. The Ronin 4.25\u2033 9mm 1911 is an excellent choice for many people.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

When we made the big switch from revolvers to autos, I often carried my service pistol as I soon discovered it could be easily concealed with the right holster. That small-framed revolver I carried as an off-duty gun was pressed into a different role as a backup to more serious hardware.<\/p>\n

Retirement from active law enforcement service opened up a whole new world of possibilities for me as I could now carry any handgun I pleased. I will confess to a bit of experimentation at first, but in the end I have come full circle. I now get by with a pair of compact-size pistols as well as a smaller handgun for travels to non-permissive environments.<\/p>\n

Granted, my personal situation may be very different than yours, but with just a little bit of effort I can discreetly conceal a slightly more compact version of a service-size pistol with little effort. It has been my observation that most people can shoot this sort of gun to a higher standard than with a very small subcompact or micro-sized pistol.<\/p>\n

I would be remiss if I didn\u2019t mention that I have a few things going for me that enable me to carry a fair-size pistol. I don\u2019t work in an office where business attire is the order of the day, which pretty much contraindicates carrying a gun on the belt.<\/p>\n

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The Ronin 9mm 4.25\u201d is built on a lightweight aluminum frame and features a great trigger and easy-to-read sights.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Where I live in the northeastern U.S., an outer garment that effectively hides the handgun is required three seasons of the year. Hot, humid weather can be a challenge in the summer, but an inside-the-waistband (IWB) holster and an untucked shirt keep me under the radar.<\/p>\n

I\u2019m certainly no giant of a guy, but at 6\u2019 1\u201d and a bit north of 200 lbs., it makes it easier for me to hide a gun than a smaller guy or gal. The fact that my everyday attire consists of loose, casual clothing pretty much seals the deal.<\/p>\n

A Solution in the Mix<\/h2>\n

I have long fancied 1911 pistols, and my modest collection contains several different examples of the John Browning classic. Like many shooters, my infatuation with this design stems from the fact that, with just a little bit of training, a 1911 can be shot to very high standard. This is not merely a reflection on my own personal experience but with others I have trained as well.<\/p>\n

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When discretion is required, a compact-sized Ronin 4.25\u201d can be readily concealed in an IWB holster such as the Milt Sparks 55BN outside-the-waistband holster.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

On occasion, I have encountered shooters struggling with other designs and had them try a 1911. In several instances, the improvements in both skill and confidence have been dramatic. It should hardly surprise that a pistol with a relatively light, short trigger action is easier to shoot well than other systems.<\/p>\n

For many years, one of my favorite pistols has been a compact-size 1911 in .45 ACP. This \u201cCommander\u201d size 1911 features a slide and barrel that are \u00be\u201d shorter than a full-size 5\u201d pistol, which makes it just a shade easier to hide. Mine was built on an aluminum alloy frame which represents a significant weight savings over a steel-frame pistol, especially when lugging it around over a long day.<\/p>\n

One thing I began to take note of was that extended practice sessions when firing full-power .45 ACP loads were no longer fun. While I came to appreciate my pistol\u2019s relatively light weight, perhaps something that didn\u2019t beat up my shooting hand might be a good bet.<\/p>\n

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One day, I was perusing the 1911 offerings from Springfield Armory and noted they had the Ronin 4.25\u201d chambered for 9mm, complete with an aluminum frame. Might we be on to something here? I ordered the pistol to see if it might fill a vital niche in my battery of defensive pistols.<\/p>\n

All the Right Stuff<\/h2>\n

Without question, the Ronin line from Springfield Armory packs an awful lot of value in a reasonably priced pistol. It is indeed a very refined \u201cold school\u201d design with classic features and a traditional G.I.-style locking system and bushing. The forged carbon steel slide of the Ronin wears a salt blue finish while the frame has a satin Cerakote aluminum coating. I have long been a fan of two-tone slides on 1911s, but the Ronin is much more than just a pretty face. The 4.25\u201d match grade barrel is rendered from forged stainless steel complete with a fully supported ramp.<\/p>\n

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The compact-size Ronin allows the user to get a full firing grip, which helps deliver better control.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

I am particularly fond of the sights on the Ronin, which feature a red fiber optic front mated to a tactical rack rear. For me, the bold fiber optic front sight proved far easier to pick up at speed than just about all other systems. Attractive, laminated wood grips with Springfield\u2019s crossed cannon logo are standard.<\/p>\n

At 31 ounces empty, the Ronin 4.25\u201d is a tad heavier than a like-size polymer frame pistol but not so much that I noticed. Some potential users may lament the fact that with a 9+1 total capacity, it lacks the same payload as one of the popular polymer pistols. Personally, I don\u2019t feel this to be a huge disadvantage. There are indeed smaller pistols with greater total capacity, but the fact that I can shoot the Ronin to a higher standard more than levels the playing field.<\/p>\n

Compact Pistols Rock<\/h2>\n

For most of us, any pistol we might select for everyday concealed carry is a compromise. Unless you spend most all of your time on a ranch, farm or well off-the-beaten path, a big heavy handgun is not especially practical. On the other end of the scale, a really small pocket pistol has both benefits and compromises. Yes, they are indeed very handy and a joy to carry, but they can be more difficult to shoot well. Also, some of them are not chambered in legitimate service cartridges \u2014 something that is a must for me in my EDC.<\/p>\n

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Combined with a quality holster, the Ronin 4.25\u201d can see you through nearly any realistic self-defense situation a citizen might encounter.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The reason I continue to favor a \u201ccompact\u201d size pistol over a subcompact is the fact I can get my entire medium-size hand around the grip frame. On the Ronin 4.25\u201d, the grip frame is the same as a full-size 1911, and the slightly abbreviated slide still provides a very generous sighting plane. For me, this all adds up to better hit potential.<\/p>\n

My preferred holster for the Ronin 4.25\u201d is an outside-the-waistband (OWB) Milt Sparks 55BN with a forward cant. The muzzle is canted slightly forward while the grip is angled to the rear. The holstered pistol rides tight to the body to aid concealment. Draw times with this holster are pretty snappy and I position it at 10 o\u2019clock (left-hand shooter) to keep it off my perpetually sore hip. For those occasions when IWB carry is required, a Milt Sparks Executives Companion is pressed into service.<\/p>\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n

The debate of .45 ACP versus 9mm may have subsided ever so slightly in recent years, but the cartridge your EDC pistol fires will always be a consideration. Today, there are a number of very capable 9mm loads out there for the taking, and I personally doubt if there is a dime\u2019s worth of difference in real-world performance between them and a .45 ACP. What I do know is that when shooting at speed, I shoot with a greater degree of control and accuracy with the 9mm.<\/p>\n

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The Ronin\u2019s combination of light weight and reasonably compact size \u2014 as well as capable 9mm power \u2014 makes it a great EDC option.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

By going with a compact pistol like this Ronin, I do have a slightly greater challenge in keeping it out of view. But, I feel the trade-off for slightly better performance is worth it. While your lifestyle and needs may not allow you the same latitude, I find carrying a compact pistol such as the Ronin 4.25\u201d works for me the great majority of the time I leave my house. You too might agree that a mid-size lightweight, yet very capable pistol is just the right choice.<\/p>\n

Editor\u2019s Note: Please be sure to check out The Armory Life Forum, where you can comment about our daily articles, as well as just talk guns and gear. Click the \u201cGo To Forum Thread\u201d link below to jump in and discuss this article and much more!<\/em><\/p>\n

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Featured in this article<\/span><\/h5>\n

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1911 Ronin\u00ae 4.25″<\/span><\/h3>\n


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Milt Sparks 55BN<\/span><\/h3>\n


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Milt Sparks EX<\/span><\/h3>\n


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By Mike Boyle Choosing the right handgun for everyday carry often requires quite a bit of reflection. Some of the considerations include size, weight, action type and capacity as well as the round it fires. Throughout my career as a law enforcement officer, I didn\u2019t really trouble myself with the various possibilities as the outfit […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1582,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1581","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1581","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1581"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1581\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/1582"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1581"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1581"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1581"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}