1911 Size? Preferences?

[Peakes]

I have Compacts but seem to Like and Prefer the Commander Size. To Me it’s just the best compromise between Carry and Shooting Ability. No Government Size in My Herd.

 

[BAM-BAM]

What was dubbed the CCO back in the 80s..... Compact frame (6or7+1) mated to a 4-4.25 inch Commander slide.

My only 1911 style today is a Sig Custom Shop C3

 

[glenwolde]

See, I prefer and only own the full size Government models. Go big or go home! They kind of look compact next to 6" N Frames.

 

[colt_saa]

I have a great fondness for 1911s that goes back to the 1st Auto-Loader I ever purchased NEW back in 1977. It was a Colt God Cup

Since then I have bought or built quite a few others to be added to my stable.

Like most things, it is the right tool for the job in my mind. I do not think of one over the other as a compromise

Open Carry is easy, I alwasy go for a full size. Sometimes even a double stack

Concealed Carry, I prefer Commanders. Colts and Kimbers are among my favorite

Hunting, I will have a 6" or 7" longslide with me, usually in 10MM Auto, and yes I do shoot the Javelina

If I am target shooting, I prefer either a 5" or 6" with great sights and a finly honed trigger

I have others from the tiny 9MM LS Model from SYI to the HUGE 45 Winchester Magnum Grizzly Long Slide from LAR

I am not even going to get started on the pretty ones

I do not have a single Smith & Wesson 1911 in the herd. It just seamed wrong, S&Ws should not be 1911s.

Just in case I forget to mention it, I have a fondness for 1911s

 

[colt_saa]

What was dubbed the CCO back in the 80s..... Compact frame (6or7+1) mated to a 4-4.25 inch Commander slide.

My only 1911 style today is a Sig Custom Shop C3

I do not recall Which Company got that CCO thing going.

Colt did the opposite.

They put the Officers slide on a Commander frame and I always thought Colt had the right idea in names for the piece. Since this was just a step smaller than the Commander, they called it the Lieutenant Commander

 

[Peakes]

Man I Guess. Impressive Herd!

 

[Marshal Tom]

I have owned and carried full size, Commanders, Combat Commanders and for a short time an Officers Model at different stages of my LE career. It was my go to handgun for about 25 or my 37 years. I still love the platform even though I am a lefty. Over the last several years I have gravitated to shooting much more .9mm than .45 and have switched to several plastic fantastic's, Glock 19, Shield 9 and a CZ P-10C among others. Still love the 1911 and think that a 9mm Commander would be about the best compromise for me. I do still have a full size, full custom. May go back to the 1911 as my primary platform at some point. There is not a better trigger system in existance.

 

[mckenney99]

Carried a full sized 1911 in 45acp & 40 S&W for over 15 years as my off duty weapons. When I retired I bought a Kimber 4in Pro model and just never warmed up to it even though it was a move to a lighter weapon. Then I found a like new used SA 3 inch Micro Compact in 45acp and never looked back. With Wilson 7rd Officers mags, I've got 7+1 and with my standard 2/7rd extra mags, I have never felt under-armed. Gun carries easily IWB and just points and shoots like its an extension of my hand. With my standard reloads and it's preferred SD ammo, 185 gr Rem Golden Sabre, it is as reliable as any other firearm I own. Been carrying it for over 13 yrs in retirement and never have an issue doing my annual LEOSA quals.

 

[BAM-BAM]

I do not recall Which Company got that CCO thing going.

Colt did the opposite.

p://calzaretta.com/scans/LT%20commander%20small.jpg[/img][/center]

Actually I think it was shooters who started building CCOs from their Officers Models ( that had feeding issues) by adding Commander uppers..........

Carrying Concealed IWB the extra 1/2 or 3/4 inches of barrel/slide didn't really matter...... but the short butt aided concealed carry...... with the introduction of Wilson 7rd compact mags...... there was no loss of rounds vs the traditional 1911 full size magazine.

 

[Sevens]

I had no idea that they ever made a long slide Grizzly, that’s very cool!

 

[CH4]

I have many 1911s in all sizes and enjoy carrying them all. However, at 25 ounces my 3.5” DW ECO .45 is sure a pleasure to carry and look at.

Here’s a diverse sampling with examples of each length:

DW ECO 3.5”
EB Kobra Carry 4.25”
LB Premier 2. 5”

 

[Eric300]

I've owned quite a few 1911's over the years. Colts, Kimbers, & Springfields, from full size to compacts, and anything in-between. Since I don't do much more with my current 1911 except carry it, I opted for compact size. No problem with accuracy or dependability out of this guy!

Oh, I almost forgot....Sig, too!

 

[4barrel]

I had no idea that they ever made a long slide Grizzly, that’s very cool!

Here is one.

 

[Pine_Worker]

I had no idea that they ever made a long slide Grizzly, that’s very cool!

Yes, and it is a BIG Gun!

 

[BC38]

I have a full size and a compact and like them both. I'd like to try a commander to see if I like the compromise. I suspect I would like it the best of all 3, but I can't say since I haven't actually had or even shot one.

 

[Peakes]

I enjoy each of Mine. No doubt the Ultras are nicer to carry

 

[colt_saa]

Here is one.

4barrel,
The Grizzly in your posted picture is the standard length slide. It accommodates OEM barrels form 5 1/2" - 6 1/2"

The long slide has a 10 1/2" barrel

 

[HOUSTON RICK]

This particular post does not appear to be limited to S&W offerings, so I will say that I have had a lot of fun shooting my ATI 9mm Commander. It cannot be beat for the price and holds its own anywhere.

 

[4barrel]

4barrel,
The Grizzly in your posted picture is the standard length slide. It accommodates OEM barrels form 5 1/2" - 6 1/2"

The long slide has a 10 1/2" barrel

My friend Dusty sent it back to the factory and had the barrel shortened. He didn't dig the long slide after he shot it. He offered it to me for $1000 before he passed. I am still kicking myself.

 

[JJEH]

Commander is my favorite size. Steel frame in .45 and aluminum frame in 9mm.