[guy293]

I've been thinking about a smaller 1911 for range and CCW uses, have opportunities to pick up either a used P-12 or a Colt officers. The less than full size 1911's aren't highly recommended by many over on 1911forums due to timing issues with the shorter slide/barrel.

Any experience with either of these two pistols as far as expected reliability, durability and overall utility when compared to a full sized 1911?

[creekerdoug]

I had a compact single stack 1911 which made me very, very fast at clearing malfunctions.

After spending some bucks with a good gunsmith my Para P-14, my full size 1911, is perfect. You can expect to spend some dollars to make any Para perfect but it's money well spent if you buy used.

CD

[Kitt]

My hands fit the double stack Para's very well and I owned a standard P-12 and it shot very good but I got the "bug" and sold it to buy a P-12 Limited. Both were gently used so I replaced the springs and polished the feed ramps and they shot great. Oh Yea throw away the plastic mag catch and get a steel one from Ed Brown and you are ready to go!

[Sean Smith]

My advice: don't get either one. If you want a smaller 1911, get something like a Kimber Compact or Colt CCO (short grip frame, 4"+ barrel).

[critter]

I have a P-14 which is a very good gun indeed although large. I have no experience with the P-12 but would like to. I also have a Kimber compact SS and a colt officers model which I use as carry firearms. Both are 100% reliable, very accurate and as easy to shoot as a full sized gun. Good luck in your choice as you are picking from some fine guns. Shoot some if you can and pick the one that feels best to you.

[Doc]

i bought a para 12-45 for CCW because of greater magazine capacity. While shooting thru a few hundred rounds to insure reliablity I had recurring problems with the magazines.

Long story short after researching the problem extensively i found the para magazines are NOT reliable - at leaast not reliable enough for my tastes to state my life on them. I send all of my magazines to Bill Laughridge at Cylinder and Slide and ask him to make them reliable.

Many in the shooting sports see the hi-cap paras as fine for competition but not for CCW.

I went to a 1911 - full size steel frame
"guns are supposed to be comforting, not comfortable" CAS

[Smoke]

I like the P12 myself....

Any Para needs the Mag catch replaced. Thats the only problem I have ever had with one.

I had a P14 LDA, traded it for a P14 Limited SA, I have a P12, and a P13. I don't carry the 12 much mainly because I like the bigger guns better.

Never had a problem with any mag feeding in my Para's, high caps, 10 round Para's or after-market mags. They have all performed flawlessly.

Smaller guns (shorter slide/barrel) will not give you the velocities of longer guns and will not cycle as fast. But I beleive they cycle fast enough.