If trouble finds and kills him, it'll be because he was carrying a 1911.  Whether by
stovepipe, fail to fire/eject/extract--those guns all fail in the same places.  Do yourself a favor and leave it in the safe
where it belongs.  As a conversation piece or something to plink with at the range.

In all seriousness, OP---any modern, name-brand DA/SA pistol is your best bet for defense.  And yes, carry one in the chamber.