[Lightsped]

Has anyone here had any experience or knowledge of the Springfield Mil-Spec Ultra Compact (3.5 inch) ? I have had my eye on compact Kimbers and Defenders for a while, and it looks like the Springfield Mil-Spec Ultra Compact offers everything I am looking for.

[varoadking]

...both Springfield and the Ultra Compact would lead me to caution you on both counts. The smaller Micro Compact has also had numerous complaints on the 1991 Forum. Springfield quality control seems to be rather lax...

I for one am purging most of the Springfields from my collection. I have have enough serious failures to make this informed, if not costly decision. Shame - 'cause they sure are purdy...:(

[iwjev]

Lightsped why are you getting a compact?

So far i have 2 different 1911s and they are both Kimbers. One is a compact and the other is a full size. I really love a 1911 style gun but they do have a few draw backs. One is that you are more likely to limp wrist a 1911 then different types. the second thing 1911s have going agents them is that they can be a little tricky to take a part (manly the first few times). This problem is even more so in the compact versions.

So back to my question, why are you getting a compact? if it is that you want something to carry I would go with the glock 30. If it is because you just want a 1911 I would stick with the full size. if you have a full and you just want the compact to add to the collection the Springfield make a great 1911.

I hope that helps,
John

[Lightsped]

Yeah, I have a basic full size Colt 1911 which I have never shot (actually, if memory serves me corrct, I have nevr shot a 1911 period).

Anyways, I think the main reason I want one is that I like how the 1911s are so slim. I also have not bought a gun in well over a year. The gun would be for CCW, and for fun.

I already have a Glock. And I still may end up with a G30 instead of a compact 1911. Who knows.

If the Springfields aren't that good, I guess I could stick with my original plan of getting a Kimber or Colt Defender.

[Sean Smith]

Yeah, I have a basic full size Colt 1911 which I have never shot (actually, if memory serves me corrct, I have nevr shot a 1911 period).

Why not? How about you actually shoot a 1911 before you decide if you want any more? :scrutiny:

Don't mean to be rude here, just sayin'. :)

My advice? Stick to 4"+ barrels in a 1911.

http://www.1911forum.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=53103

[jercamp45]

And had alot of problems right off the bat. It took a 'smith and a guide rod to fix it! And the ejector was not standard, or was different. But after He got it up and running, it was accurate, and pretty...but he found it heavy for CCW and later traded it towards a Kimber CDP Ultra which he LOVES!!!!!!
I have a pair of Colt Officer's models and a ParaOrd LDA Companion that work great! (as long as I change the springs every so often!!).
I have heard these consistant rumors of the smaller 1911's not working well, but everyone that I have had one, used one and carried one that I have met, seem to have had few problems. Not saying there is not a problem, just that I have not seen it personally, and I got my first Officer's in 1986!
Jercamp45

[Ian11]

I'd go with the Colt Defender. I think I hear the least amount of complaints with the Defender series than any other compact 1911 out there, including Kimber. Go to www.1911forum.com and do a search instead of wating for opinions to come in.

Of all the.45 autos the compact 1911 types seem to require the most attention. Even other short barrel .45's like SIG (P245) and Glocks (G36) tend to be more problematic than their larger cousins; although the G30 seems to be an exception. If I'm looking for the most consistent performance in a .45 (for velocity reasons as well) I try to stick with 4" + barrel 1911's or larger SIGs and Glocks.

[rbert0005]

If you can make the deal, I saw a STI Ranger yesterday at The Kittery Trading Post in Maine.
That is a 4 or 4 1/2 Bbl with an Officers sized frame for $750.
If I did not live in the wonderful State of Mass. it would have come home with me.
Absolutely perfect for a carry piece.
They have a web site , and you should be able to contact them thru there.

Twice the gun for much less than the other 2 you are considering.

Good luck,
Bob

[Kruzr]

I had a Springfield Ultra Compact Loaded. After having problems and experiencing Springfield's touted customer service, I got it fixed and got rid of it and vowed to never again own a a Springfield or a 1911 less than 4". I replaced the Springer with a Kimber CDP Pro and am very happy with it.

[XavierBreath]

I too love my Springers, and was considering a deal on a Micro-Compact. After doing a search for problems on the Springfield Forum, I decided on a 3.5 inch Para C6.45 instead. It has been nothing but reliable, and is now my Summer carry pistol. I, too, urge you to do a problem search before buying.

[Lone_Gunman]

I have a Springfield Micro Compact.

It has never had a jam.

It did have a problem with the slide locking back before the mag was empty, but this was easily fixed by replacing the slide stop.

[Wildalaska]

I have found SA quality control to be spotty as of late, Kimbers have problems in my experience with the Schwartz lock, go with the Defender...

And then you can make it look like this....

http://www.wildwestguns.com/Pistolsmithing/Defenderleft.jpg

WildlovethemlittlegunsAlaska

[CWatson]

All of my 1911s are full size but I am chiming in to try and steer you away from any Springfield product.My MilSpec had extractor trouble,Springfield customer service was rude and to be frank run by idiots.The could not do something as simple as put a correct extractor in a padded envelope and send it to me.

First time wrong AND damaged exractor,second wrong extractor,third or fourth time the sent back the origial defective extractor(I had marked it)plus they were joking about it,and forgot to put me on hold.It came down to them wanting me to send them my slide so they could "machine" it to work.As ignorant as they sounded and unprofesional as they acted I was not sending my slide in.I fixed it myself with McCormick parts,no machining needed on the slide by the way.

After several conversation with the fool factory it was made clear the parts they repair them with are not OEM springfield parts but whatever they get cheapist that month.

I have heard from a couple folks who have had no trouble or good customer service,I have heard from many many more who had reliabilty/broken parts trouble and shoddy service.


Get a Colt(have couple no trouble) or a Kimber(will get one soon!) the small amount of $$ you save is not worth the crap shoot with springfield.CW.

[Lone_Gunman]

You can get bad service from Kimber also.

I have a 4" Kimber that is still extracting brass directly into my forehead, despite having been sent back to the factory for "tuning".

Bottom line is, you can get occasionally defective pistols from Kimber and Springfield, with approximately the same frequency.

[BHPshooter]

That sure is too bad that so many people are having problems with Springfield, as the Mil-Spec is about the only reasonably priced 1911 I have seen in my area.

I guess I'll just save a while to get a Colt.

Wes

[CWatson]

Vic read the posts above,I see more folks that had trouble than not,they are in business because their products are good?I think not.They declared bankruptcy before to stay in business and not pay their bills,and don't honor warrenties from the previouse "company"even thou they are the same people.Shoddy company,CW

[varoadking]

I sincerely doubt that. I have had 4 SA lemons myself. My bad...:cuss:

[SelfProclaimedExpert]

Hey, it's not like no one has ever had a quality problem with a Colt.:rolleyes:

I challenge anyone to point out a 1911 manufacturer whose quality control history is as good as any comparably priced SIG. They just don't exist. If you buy a less pricey 1911 you just have to accept that the gun stands a decent chance of not being perfect. It may well be good, and it may come from a period of good guns, but the pendulem always seems to swing back.

I think I'd take my chances with the cheapest gun of reasonable reputation. So why not a Springfield?

[CWatson]

Vic you were not "singled out"as I see it.I responding to you for I am one of those"single guys"who has had trouble with them.Extractor yes,but the way they handled it was terrible.As complaints and compliments are bestowed on companies like Glock,Colt,SA ect people who recieved a good product or service will defend them and those who haven't will condem them,and far less folks defend them and for a reason.


On this very site you will find more than a fair share of folks that have had trouble with them.Everytime some ask about a personal experience with a firearm brand I will tell them the bad and good that I have owned or delt with,as you do to.


Is it a grudge?You decide but it is fair warning to those who purchased their products.I have talk a few folks out of buying their products,I have also seen others still buy their products,strangely those who bought after I warned them have had trouble.I know three who bought,and two had trouble about the same ratio as the defend/complain crowed above.


As far as their products going to the FBI,that is not a big contract and every single one will be checked and double check as they are built.


I feel the products are not worth $$ any more,and Renuelt is still making cars and they are still junk.Remember Davis made more guns than SA,politicians put them out of business in CA.You are also incorrect about the company,same people and most of the same management,they just moved most of the manufacturing to South America and cheated investors out of their money.They do not honor warranties pre bankruptcy firearms either,write and ask them.


Why are they idiots?The couldn't in nearly have dozen transaction send the correct part for what is suppose to be a gun they make 35,000 per year?Why are the rude?They thought it was a big joke and laughed at the frustration it caused.Why are they fools?Because they were so stupid the did not remember to put the phone on hold as they sat it on the desk and BS and joke about it for at least 20 minutes.That was the head of customer service by the way.


I posted this on Gunbroker when it happened,Springfield wrote in a public forum that they were on top of it and straiten it out,never heard from them,and didn't want to ,just wanted to warn a would be buyer.If you are I buy a defective weapon and the manufacture's CS is so bad what do you do?Sell it back to the dealer for 1/2 price or sell it to some unsuspecting person who would like to use it for defence?


Friends don't let friends buy Springfield,CW

[PCRCCW]

Ok....well now? How about this for a positive note regarding little tiny 1911's. This gun is absolutely swell (ya I know, shut up :D )..and the company is top notch..in ALL regards. Shoot well

http://www.imageseek.com/hbeleather/gallery/albums/custom/P1010009.sized.jpg

[45auto]

No great wisdom you haven't heard yet, but if you are willing to go 3.5" bbl, go the extra 1/2" and get the 4" bbl.

That way, if it doesn't work to your satisfaction, you can be outraged that it doesn't.
Go lower and be forewarned and/or lucky or be willing to spend a little extra money to make it right. It's almost a "universal" warning from just about all gunsmiths about short bbl, 1911's. That doesn't mean you can't find one, or have it made right...but!!

You have a choice of standard and officers style of grip with the 4".

Besides, if you going to take a chance on the small ones, get the 3".

Just an opinion.

[Prodigalshooter]

My SAs have been flawless, so I can't speak to SA's customer service, good or ill. But I do suggest you get the Champion, it's a 4" model, less likely to have problems, I like mine.:cool:
BTW, re: quality;
If you do a search on this forum or the 1911 forum, you can see miles of good and bad opinions about the Springfields, Colts, Kimbers, Valtros, Wilsons, Baers etc.
Just remember, it's going to be your pistol, not someone else's, so take others opinions for just that, opinions.
That said, someone earlier made a very wise statement, shoot the 1911 you have already before you decide on another one. Heck, you may decide you don't even like that style of pistol!! You can rent compacts and sub-compacts at most decent ranges too, that'll certainly give you a better base upon which to make a decision.
Also, for the amount of $$ you're talking about, you might wanna look at a Sig1;)
Of course,YMMV, IMHO, etc. :p

[foghornl]

I have a Champion Model Springy, no issues after 1800 rounds.

[TheEgg]

My experience mirrors many on this thread. You CAN get a reliable short bbl. 1911, but it is iffy. Stick with 4" as the minimum bbl. length and your odds get a lot better.

[harrydog]

I can only speak for the Springfield Custom Shop, but they have been outstanding in every way. My Springfield Pro has become my very favorite pistol, even edging out my Wilson.
I can understand someone's frustration and anger if they have problems that aren't resolved to their satisfaction. But there really are plenty of very satisfied springfield owners out there. I would consider one of the higher end Springfields, and personally, I'd stay away from the ultra small guns from any manufacturer.

http://www.1911forum.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=39773&perpage=25&pagenumber=1

[Ky Larry]

Why haven't you shot your 1911 Colt? That's like being married to Miss America and having seperate bedrooms!:confused: