This thread is interesting to me, in terms of the comments about reliability concerns in short 1911-types. I've used and carried 5", 4 1/4", 4" and 3" guns, in .45, 10mm, .38 Super and 9x23. I learned long ago that the shorter guns, especially the 4" and less ones, are much more sensitive to limp-wristing and to spring set than are the longer ones. Having learned that, as well as a little gunsmithing trick I caught onto when building 9x23s and small 10mms, I've found that the shorties can be just as reliable as the 5" guns. I'm just sure to replace mag springs and recoil springs when they need it, and my 9x23s and 10mms all get an EGW flat-bottom firing pin stop installed.