[bulbboy]

Own more than several handguns but have never owned a 1911 before. I would like one that has a 3 or 3.5 inch barrel. The three I have narrowed it down to are
Para Warthog .45 ($719)
Para Carry 3" ($850)
Kimber Raptor 3" ($920)

any thoughts or suggestions (besides a Glock - I have 2 already and want something different)
Thanks!

[Mongo the Mutterer]

Kimber .. I like the barrels. Very accurate. Even though I have had some FTE problems with mine I love it. Shoots better than I do.

Para = Canada (our friends?) Kimber = Yonkers

[Azrael256]

You might chat with 1911Tuner before buying a shorty 1911.

[Seraph]

As I said over on TFL, I think you should get a 5" 1911.

[MrChicken]

First 1911 should be a 5" model.
A S&W or Springfield, or a Kimber if you can find one with an internal extractor

[RON in PA]

Like the other guys said, get a 5" barrel and get a Colt.

[Father Knows Best]

I don't care for the little 3" or 3.5" barrels. I don't think the 5" is mandatory, though. In my experience, the commander length guns (4.25") can be just as reliable as the full size (5") guns, and are much better for concealed carry. I carry a commander length 1911.

In terms of brand, I have had great luck with Para Ordnance. I have an SSP (full size, single stack, single action), an LTC (commander size, single stack, single action) and a CCW (commander size, single stack, LDA). I haven't owned Kimbers, though several buddies of mine swear by them. They tend to be a little more expensive than Paras, though, and the ones I've handled haven't seemed quite as well finished as the Paras.

Dan Wesson, Colt, Springfield Armory and Smith & Wesson also make good 1911 products.

[mattk]

How about a colt combat commander or government?
Please don't buy a 3 incher as your first 1911. You will hate it and then take years to undo the damage and come back to the 1911 fold.
get a 4 or 5 WITH THE FULL SIZE GRIP. Those are 1911's are true joys to shoot.

[Father Knows Best]

get a 4 or 5 WITH THE FULL SIZE GRIP. Those are 1911's are true joys to shoot.

I don't find the full size grip to be necessary. I have large hands, but the officer size grip is still plenty big for me -- there's more than enough room to get all my fingers on it.

In fact, my favorite 1911 model of all time is the so-called "CCO" -- the commander size top end (4.25" barrel) on the officer size frame. My CCW piece is a Colt CCO Gunsite (09840CGP).

[chaim]

For a first 1911 you should strongly consider the full-sized 5".

If you want a compact .45 and decided that is your reason to buy, and just want a 1911 style, then go with a 4" barrel.

The 3-3.5" 1911s have a greater tendency than average to have problems. If this becomes the case with yours, and it is your first 1911, there is the chance that you'll chalk it up to the 1911 and not the particular gun and badmouth 1911s. If you get a shorty 1911 and it turns out to be a bad one, just realize that the 1911 you bought is the one most likely to have trouble and don't assume all 1911s are like that. Don't be afraid to buy another (larger) 1911 later. Also, the larger barrel just does a better job with the .45ACP round (3.5" barrels and shorter are too short for expansion or full penatration from the heavier .45ACP loads).

[Ringer]

I know you are not getting many answers to your question and probably not what you want to hear.

Speaking from experience I really wish I had listened to the advice your getting now when I got it a year or so ago. I sold the 3.5" (Para) and now own a 5" (Kimber) and getting ready to purchase a commander size 4.25" (Para).

[bulbboy]

Thank you all. I think you guys are right, and I will rethink what I really want. I already have 3 guns I use to carry with. So I don't NEED another carry gun. Maybe the 5" is what I do NEED!