Compact 1911s

[perrazi]

I have carried a colt officers model stainless for many years now. it is heavy,but it works 100%. it even works with 200gr swc bullets as long as the velocity is above 850fps per the loading manuals.

 

[WC145]

The daughter of a friend showed up one day at the range with a Rock Island Compact, 3 1/2 inch barrel. I shot it and liked it so much I got one of my own. Very well made, shorter in the butt than a standard 1911, very reliable, even shoots SWCs. What's not to like. I've had it about six months and shot it a lot; now to get it fitted with adjustable night sights and the kind of stippling that Clark puts on the forestrap (Clark won't work on customer's 45s; they want to sell you their own pistol, so I'll have to find someone else who does that kind of stippling. Does anyone know a gunsmith that stipples like Clark?).

Give Clarks a call, they weren't doing custom builds on customer guns for a while but looking at their website it would appear that their taking in work again. I know they won't do builds on compacts anymore but I don't think that stippling a front strap would fall into that category.

 

[cochise]

Because of their size, the Colt Officer model came with a dual recoil spring. Mine split the recoil plug after a few years. I didn't notice right away and shot it. It functioned ok. I installed a Ed Brown replacement kit, one spring, extended reoil rod and modified plug. Then after about ten years the ejector broke, from a friends' heavy reloads I think. Won't do that again.

The recoil is snappy and the grip is difficult but the compact models do work.

 

[iwanna]

I had a Kimber Tac Pro II. Very sharp-looking pistol. Accurate as heck at 25yds, but snappy to the point of being tiresome to shoot after so many rounds.

But, hey, I would strongly suggest you check out the latest line of Kimber Super Carry pistols. I've only seen them in pictures so far, but it looks like they did a beautiful job on the rounded heel.

 

[turbo38gn]

Interesting read guys, thanks.... I have to give a big thumbs up to my S&W 3" Pro series 1911's from Lew Horton. Can't recall one single problem with them, shoot great, look great and I always feels confident and safer when I carry a 45acp!!

 

[eveled]

Has anybody tried the compact Colt that has the trench sight? Or another gun with the trench sight? Just curious about the sight. Seems like it would be a great on a small carry piece, especially with some crimson trace grips. Ed.

 

[smokey04]

M29since14, PM me if you can't stand another day of suffering your lightweight Officers. Nick

 

[Grayfox]

So today I went to the Murfreesboro gun show. I was actually surprised by the number of compact 1911s they had. The last few shows I've gone to only had one or two. This one had at least 10 to choose from. Rock Islands and a High Standard (which appears to be the exact same as RIA) were priced between $475 & 525. There were several Colts, a Kimber and a Sig all in the $900-1200 price range.
I was already leaning toward the Rock Island as I didn't want to spend a lot of money not knowing If I'd like the little guns.
Then I came across a guy with a used Springfield Ultra Compact. Nice gun. I pretty sure it came from the factory with the Novak sights and Wilson beavertail. But the previous owner had added a few custom touches as well. An aluminum trigger ( Wilson I think) had been put in. The front grip strap and MSH had been nicely checkered. The rear faces of the front and rear sights along with the rear of the slide were serrated. The lock up is tight and the trigger breaks at a clean 4 lbs. It also had a Wilson magazine.
Unfortunately, then they went and messed it all up with some sort of butt ugly black spray on finish. Not only does it have a few runs in it, it ain't holding up real well.
Well, I happen to be a big fan of the Springers. I already have a couple. So it was mine for $600 OTD.
I've already ordered an arched MSH to replace the flat one. Gonna replace those ugly black plastic grips. And I'm sure that somewhere down the road it'll get a proper refinish.
Anyway, my search is now over. My thanks to everyone who posted their opinons and experiences.

 

[2hawk]

Sounds like you scored, Grayfox!

But...

Your photos aren't loading....

 

[superpoppy]

I just purchased the kimber ultr cdp in 9mm. I have read that the mag it comes with is the cause of many fts problems. I have searched for compact better quality mags in 9mm such as Wilsons but cannot seem to find them. They all seem to be .45. Does anyone know where I can get them?

 

[ankona]

The Kimber mags can be tuned. The problem with the Kimber Ultra 9mm is that the guide rod is a weak link. Twice I have seen the guide rod foot plate shear off and launch the guide rod out of the pistol. One of these was my wives Ultra.

 

[WC145]

I run Kimber and Metalform mags in my Springfield 9mm Ultra Compact and haven't had any trouble with them. I use Chip McCormick in my full size guns and they work great. Lots of people swear by Tripp but I've never tried them.

I looked at the Wilson site and it says they're out of Officer size 9mm mags but if you check Brownell's, Midway, ebay, etc you'll probably fin some.

 

[walter o]

All the talk about COLTS & KIMBERS no one mentioned the SPRINGFIELD E.M.P. I have both the 9mm & 40 , I did have to change the F.P.stop to keep the extractor from clocking but no other problems . Maybe i have been fortunate but i also have the RIA 's in 3 1/2 in 9mm & 45 and not had any problem with any of them . although they are all steel and heaver this soaks up some of the recoil and a good LOBO holster and belt they all carry easily. The only problem is which one to carry on any day .

 

[samwood]

I purchased a Springfield Armory Range Officer Compact two weeks ago.

I've only put 200 rounds thru it (no malfunctions). I've got small hands, so there is plenty of room on the grip. Recoil is lighter than I anticipated for an alloy frame 45.

The pistol is as accurate as just about anything else I own but I'm replacing the front site; for me, it shoots about 6 inches high at 25 yards.

The least expensive price I've seen online is $704. If you search online, you'll see several favorable reviews.

 

[BigCityChief]

I have several compacts - love all of them.

 

[Cyrano]

This is mine; an RIA Compact. And you can see it in its usual habitat, right next to my computer. It may be compact but it sure isn't light; it's all steel and weighs almost as much as a full size Government Model. It's very reliable; shoots anything. The instructiom book says it may not shoot SWCs, but it gets fed a lot of them and hasn't gagged on one yet. I've got to get night sights on it, and I'd like the Clark stippling on the front gripstrap and mainspring houing. Don't know if Clark works on RIAs, though.

 

[samuelrp]

Springfield Enhanced Micro Pistol.

 

[Harkrader]

"Commander-size" 1911s



I've had a Sig 1911CA-45-BSS, which is a Commander-size gun. One of our sons fleeced me of $890 for it. It's a terrific gun and I like it because it doesn't have a rail. I don't need a rail for a carry gun. It is nicely dehorned by the factory.

Then I was offered a Sig 1911CAR-45-SCPN "Scorpion" for a little more money. ANOTHER terrific gun. It does have a rail and I find that causes two problems: 1. holsters to fit it. The Sig profile is just different from other 1911s. 2. the tips of the rail are SHARP! It really needs to be dehorned.
Both are all-steel and feel like artillery pieces.

Then I got a Springfield Champion Operator Light Weight. It has a rail but everything is low-profile on this gun, making it an ideal carry piece.
It was cheaper than the Sigs and came with a "Loaded" coupon for discount accessories. Also came with a dual mag holder, which I really like.
Everybody who has shot it has called it "One fine gun!" It's definitely a top choice, in my opinion.

Another one I have is a S&W 1911Sc, pre-E model. It is the very gun that Gun Tests Magazine tested. Love the size, love the weight, no rail. I think of it as even-up with the Champion Operator LW, but most people seem to prefer the Springfield.

And finally my S&W PC1911RB. I can't say enough good about it, except that it was expensive. Also, S&W says the magazines are particular to the gun. Not supposed to use magazines from other guns. I do anyway, but they often show a little below the bottom of the grip. It is all-steel so it is heavier, but definitely feels lighter than the Sigs.

All-steel guns are fine, but I find no disadvantages in the light-weights. Sooo, in order of MY preference: Springfield Champion Operator LW and S&W 1911Sc, then the others.

 

[BIGDOC]

Any opinions on the Para WARTHOG ?

 

[SC_Mike]

Only compact 1911 I ever had was this used little Colt beauty. I spent alot of time and energy and money to get it right. Only problem was it wouldn't run a full mag of any ammo without jamming. Myself and two gunsmiths couldn't figure it out so I said goodbye.