Smallest 1911 Model

Gather App
Guns.com Vault
JJEH

JJEH

Member
Joined
Nov 5, 2011
Messages
7,162
Reaction score
8,453
City & State/Province
Central Texas
Guys,

I'm looking for a small small frame 1911 pistol. Like 9mm, 3" barrel, etc.
I want it for my wife who really has small hands.

What can you guys recommend? I would also like to get it engraved for her. You might have a good contact for me?

I appreciate any help.
 
I don't know of a small frame 1911. The 3' bbl should be no problem,but the frame size will be the same. As the previous poster suggested,try the Mustang in .380.

guns261.jpg


f.t.
 
Last edited:
I would point out that 1911 style pistols can be had with short triggers. I like the Colt Agent auto in 9mm but they come from the factory with long triggers. I am sure a suitable length trigger could be installed. .02$
 
Or the $ig $auer P238 which is the Colt Mustang. I like it a lot but the short grip means you can't get all of your fingers on it. Rent before you buy.
 
Thanks fellas :) I like the Mustang alot, but have to see it in person first. The pistol as well as the engraving is supposed to be a surprise after my wife comes back from her "business trip," therefore I cannot take her with me or ask her what she likes...

I will check into Colt and Sig tho :)

Appreciate you guys...
 
I picked up the TALO edition New Agent in 9mm and love it. The stock version has the trench site and different grip panels, while the TALO version has a huge front site. It is a smaller scale 1911 in most respects, and a great gun to carry and shoot. Pricey though, as with all Colt products. The Defender in 9mm is similar, and also worth a look.
 
I'll cast another vote for the Springfield EMP. I bought one in .40 this spring and it's a great little gun. The .40 is all steel but they make a 9mm with an alloy frame which may be just the ticket for you. I haven't shot mine a lot but at this point it has never missed a beat and acuracy is very good.
 
Sig's new model P938 should be the smallest 1911-style 9mm in existence.
I've had the opportunity to shoot two of them and was impressed.
 
JJEH,

SIG 238, (just like the Mustang) with 7 round mag and you can get all your fingers on it. I really like mine.

Just like a mini 1911 only .380.

I got mine at BUDSGUNS on-line.
 
I assume she has made this choice (?) I would rather my wife had something with DA/SA and that, regardless of caliber, she was able to bring it to bear quickly from wherever she would carry it. There are several choices for the small handed.
 
amazingflapjack said:
I assume she has made this choice (?) I would rather my wife had something with DA/SA and that, regardless of caliber, she was able to bring it to bear quickly from wherever she would carry it. There are several choices for the small handed.
Click to expand...

Well, I know what she likes and I want to surprise her.

What are the "several choices" you are relating to?
 
JJEH said:
a small small frame 1911 pistol. Like 9mm, 3" barrel
Click to expand...

The Springfield EMP came to mind before I even finished reading your post. That was exactly their concept when they designed it. I have held a couple, shot one, and I was impressed. Nice little gun.
 
Check out the Browning 1911-22. It is scaled down to 80% or so and I bet it would fit your wife's hand like a glove.
 
Cocked & locked in a purse is not as good as a striker-fired semi-auto. A Kahr MK9 is a stainless frame and slide, and has ergonomics similar to a 1911. If your wife objects to condition one, she will carry the 1911 without a round in the barrel and will think she can rack the slide fast enough in an emergency.
 
 
Just My Opinion...

...have you considered the S&W M&P line of pistols if a semi-auto it must be? My wife loves her 1911 at the range and on plates but when carry is the issue she stays with "keeping it simple" and relies on her J Frame S&W.

IMHO, even for a male, (much less a female with small hands) the 1911 platform is not the best CCW option.

Whatever you do, enjoy and be safe.

Pete
 
I really appreciate your help guys.

My wife comes back in 9 month and I want to make her a surprise with buying and engraving a gun, which she also can carry. She likes SS gun much more than the blued ones.

Now I really stuck because you guys are right. The best range guns don't necessarily have to be good carry guns. I don't know what to do... but cannot wait for her to come back...
 
JJEH said:
I really appreciate your help guys.

My wife comes back in 9 month and I want to make her a surprise with buying and engraving a gun, which she also can carry. She likes SS gun much more than the blued ones.

Now I really stuck because you guys are right. The best range guns don't necessarily have to be good carry guns. I don't know what to do... but cannot wait for her to come back...
Click to expand...

You hit upon the question. If this a primarily carry gun then it has different features than a range blaster. You want small, light, and SAFE. To me a single action cocked and locked without a grip safety banging around in a purse is not a safe option. If you must have a 1911 style the SA Emp or the Colt NA are the way to go. I like DA/SA decockers better but that's me. Either of these guns can be shot and practiced at the range also.
 
What about a nice j frame Smith 642? You can engrave the side plate. DAO, no muss, no fuss.

Or a Walther PPKS (not made by S&W)?

Or Sig Sauer P232? Kahr P380? (pink frame/stainless slide), Seecamp?

The Colt Pony is DAO IF you can find one.
 
Last edited:
Well, thank you so far for your help guys. I did more searching and found two very interesting pistols. I think my wife would like them...

Dan Wesson ECO and STI Elektra.

Both are 9mm and have a 3" or rather a 3.5" barrel, grip- and thumb safety as well as both are in the same weight class (24.96 to 22.5oz).

Perhaps we have some owners here who want to share their experience with these pistols? I would greatly appreciate it!
 
JJEH said:
Well, thank you so far for your help guys. I did more searching and found two very interesting pistols. I think my wife would like them...

Dan Wesson ECO and STI Elektra.

Both are 9mm and have a 3" or rather a 3.5" barrel, grip- and thumb safety as well as both are in the same weight class (24.96 to 22.5oz).

Perhaps we have some owners here who want to share their experience with these pistols? I would greatly appreciate it!
Click to expand...

Nothing against STI, but the Dan Wesson will be better built.
 
In a 1911, this is as small as I'd want to go and still have something to grab ahold of:
defender.jpg

Looked at the Shield, but it was N/A and this one was!
 
I like that TAROMAN... want a small small 9mm for my wife for her small sexy hands... the Defender looks great, yours even better with these grips... not the rubber finger groove ones...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Kevin J.
Looking for a source for custom engraved 1911 grips.
Replies
3
Views
242
Narragansett
Narragansett
E
Springfield Armory 1911 Garrison Target ....
Replies
3
Views
176
Baxter6551
Baxter6551
GSP Fan
Thoughts on a 1911
2 3 4
Replies
115
Views
4K
powwowell
powwowell
Onomea
On Drawing and Shooting a 1911 Quickly
2 3
Replies
64
Views
2K
Darkenfast
D
S
Pro Series 1911 (Officers model) in .45-opinions
2
Replies
32
Views
2K
Guevera
G

Latest posts

Back
Top