Any thoughts 'bout Springfield 1911s with 3" bbl

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Mr. Bojangles

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I've been toying with purchasing a 1911 with a 3" bbl for concealed carry. I realize that a longer barrel would be beneficial for many reasons, but is more difficult to conceal effectively. I fondled a 3" bbl GI model .45 Springfield 1911 at the local toy store and really like the way it feels in my grubby hands.

I was wondering if any of you have had an opportunity to shoot one of these and what your thoughts are.
 
I prefer Springfields to most other brands so if I were to get another compact 1911 that's the one I'd buy.Having said that I have owned several compacts including Colt's Officer ACP and a Kimber.I had less luck with them than most people report.For me it's Full size or Commander length.YMMV.tom.
 
I agree. Chopping a 1911 involves a lot more than just shortening the parts. Using a full-size 1911, you know you are working with a proven design. When you switch to a sub-compact, you are hoping that whoever built it knew what they were doing when they started altering it. Some recent efforts which I would have looked at, like the Para Hawg 9, have turned out to be largely iffy.

the .45 ACP cartridge was designed to be effective at a certain bullet weight and velocity. When you shorten the barrel, you lose velocity, and then you have to start looking at lighter bullets, and, then we are messing with the design again. Shorter guns have a smaller sight radius, and are more difficult to aim well. They weigh less, and have more felt recoil.

I have always carried full-size autos, now I always carry a full-size 1911, year-round, including in 100+ degree heat. If it's impossible to conceal comfortably, I must be doing it wrong.
 
I've always found the butt more difficult to conceal than the barrel. I've directly heard, and read, too much from experienced 1911 smiths to recommend any barrel shorter than a true 4 1/4" Commander length. If you're having trouble with a full size 1911 the smallest practical option (with emphasis on reliability) is the CCO, which is a Commander length slide with Officer length grip. S&W and Dan Wesson are now offering this size, and you can also sometimes find used Colt CCOs.
 
I would go with the Colts Defender or New Agent Nect would be the Kimber compacts These 2 company's seem most trouble free. I have 3 Colt compacts and all have ran fine I also have a Detonics and its reliable people are right just as easy to conceal a Commander length barrel as the compact. Its the grip thats the trouble to conceal My Bobtail helps in this but Compact still conceals better.
 
I had an O.D. Green Springer Micro Compact Loaded LW .
It was the most reliable small 45 I've ever owned and stupid me sold it because I hated the color.
Should of just refinished it.

That said, the Colt Defenders / New Agents seem to be the best out of the box 3" 1911s.

+1 to not really gaining much concealability going from 4 1/4" to 3" .
Plus the holster will have a harder time holding in a fully loaded 3" during rapid movements such as hiking or bike riding without going to a holster with a strap or a closed top to hold it in.

Eta: My first post???? No way! I know I've posted here :scrutiny:
 
I have 2 short bbl. .45 acp guns. one is a colt enhanced officers acp in stainless that I bought new when they first came out & a springfield armory all steel packerized micro compact .45 acp that came with night sights, a comander hammer, & extended right side only safty. I also bought this new when they first came out. the letter that came in the box said that the extra upgraded sights, safty, hammer & rubber doubel dimond grips were added at no extra charge as a permotion for the new model. it was a milspec to start with, not a G.I Both guns are reliable. I have never had a malfunction with either gun. These guns requier a FIRM GRIP!! They are verry sensative to limp wristing. My wife had a ftf & almost droped my colt the first time she fired it, and 15 yrs. latter my twin brother did the same thing with my micro compact. Two different guns sepperated buy 15 yrs.& two different people. these are the only malfunctions either of these guns have had. I realy like both of these guns. and will buy another one one of thease days.
 
Smaller 1911's have more trouble running, you hit this espcially when you go under 4 1/4 bbl. Its a crapshoot at 3", and at that size in 45 its not as easily shootable.

STI makes some tiny 1911's in other calibers. If anyone can do it right I would think they could. At that size Id have to shoot a 9mm.

I have a full size pretty much exclusively, its thin, and I use a cover gament. Concealment isnt an issue, and no big guy. If needed I would go so far as to get a "bobtail".
 
My experience with a mini 1911 was not good. Detonics years ago convinced me not to go below a Commander size.

If you want smaller find a Glock 36 / 30.

I carry a full size 1911.
 
It all depends on what you want the weapon for..... I EDC a Kimber Ultra Carry with a 3 " bbl. This weapon suits me fine...A 7 yard radius is usually all the protection range one needs. My Ultra size has operated and responded well, at this distance ,at various range shoots.
Don't get me wrong, I love the 4"& 5 " models ,and have carried them with an feeling of safety, but as far as personal protection you should be ok with your Springfield.....
 
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My EMP runs like a top. If their regular 3" 1911s are the same, you'll be good to go. My 3" Kimber runs 100%. Never failed yet. I like Springfields. No firing pin block to worry about.
 
I do appreciate all the feedback. Sounds like most of you feel that Springfields are good quality. However, it sounds like the 3" bbls are hit and miss. I'm not a big guy and want something that I can conceal easily and comfortably during the summer shorts and t-shirt weather. I don't want to be the guy we've all seen walking around walmart with the not-too-discreet bulge under his t-shirt.
 
the hardest part to conceal is the grip, which makes the Officer size a good choice, however with the CCO and bobtail's out there, i find them (bobtail) just as comfortable to carry as the EMP (Officer). It's pretty much said that anyting under 4" reduces the reliability of the 1911, which is why you don't see high end 1911 shops (Baer, Brown, Wilson, etc.) making Officer sized 1911's

here's my 3" Springfield
DSC_0456.jpg

here's my Kimber that the EMP replaced
DSC_7429.jpg
 
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