My first COMPACT 1911... what would you recommend?

[new_steyr1]

What's the smallest and thinest 1911 out there? I need something reliable and small + thin for CCW.

 

[franconialocal]

Springfield EMP

Springfield's little 9mm 1911......the EMP. If you don't get this I'll be very dissapointed in you. I need someone in my club!! I carry mine EVERY day with no problems. Are you really looking for a .45?? Then I might suggest something from PARA-Ordinance. Also a fine company.

Seriously though....I think you would really enjoy it. They just came out with it in a .40 cal too!!!

(Click for larger picture) (pic. snagged from GOOGLE IMAGES)

 

[FoMoGo]

My wife carries a High Standard Crusader Compact, you can get nice thin grips for it.
Feeds everything we have tried, conceals nicely, and is less than $500.

Nothing but praise for it... I plan on getting one for when my fullsized 1911 is bulkier than I like.


Jim

 

[new_steyr1]

There are so many 1911 out there. SA claims the smallest 1911. Anybody knows if there are size comparison photos of SA EMT 1911?

EDIT: here is a nice size comparison...

 

[ihcman]

I would vote Colt New Agent, mine has been 100% reliable, just took about 100rds to get use the the gutter sight.

 

[jhansman]

The SA EMP. Get one, figure out what it likes to eat, shoot it 'til it hums and you're good to go.

 

[Hawk]

Teeny 1911s are a crap shoot. Hence, I would suggest a Dawson STI. STI generally gets little 1911s to run and Dawson doesn't have "break-in" or "limp wrist in their vocabulary.

Pony up for the Dawson enhancement package, regardless of what you select.

 

[The Bushmaster]

Don't forget that Kimber has a good selection of compact 9mm X 19, .40 S&W, and 45 ACPs...

 

[poker88]

I have the Para Ord Slim Hawg and I think it's great.

 

[mcwjr13]

I have a small kimber in .45 and have had zero problems with it. I have however heard alot of complaints voiced on this board about kimber's quality control.

 

[Phydeaux642]

I just picked up a Rock Island compact and put Crimson Trace grips on it. The gun itself was just $419. I figured that was a bargain after comparing prices and I hear a lot of good things about RIA.

 

[Walkalong]

My Kimber CDP Ultra is awesome, as is my EMP. I guess those are two I would recommend.

 

[KyJim]

Keep in mind the EMP is 9mm. Nothing wrong with this, but just pointing out that many people think .45 acp when they think 1911.

The EMP is not the smallest 1911. The smallest I know about is STI's Rogue Model (9mm) which is smaller and lighter than the EMP according to information from each manufacturer's website.

-----------EMP --------- Rogue
Length ----6.5" ---------- 6.0"
Height ---- 5.0" ---------- 4.4"
Weight ----26 oz -------- 21 oz
Barrel ----- 3" ------------ 3"

Prices are close. You can get the Rogue at $921 at http://www.brazoscustom.com/Home.htm. EMP prices will probably be $100 to $150 more. I suspect the EMP would have a little higher resale value. I do not own either one but wanted to put this out there for informational purposes.

 

[Agent-J]

The 9mm EMP is really an amazing little gun. I'd buy one if I could find one in stock.

 

[distra]

Springfield Micro 1911 .45ACP.

 

[Hostile Amish]

I'd suggest the 9mm EMP or the original Colt Defender.

 

[test drive]

SA micro compact. i have the GI mod. its been 100% with around 800 or so rounds through it.

 

[jerryrigger]

If it were me, I would get an STI Escort if I had my choice of any.

 

[punkndisorderly]

I had great luck with my Springfield Compact. They quit making it a while back in favor of the new super ultra extra mini micro's.

Keep in mind that the smaller the 1911 the more likely you are to get one with "issues". Most of the modern ones are totally reliable, but I tend to see more lemons in the compact pistols than the full size ones.

 

[possum]

i also suggest that you look into the emp, that is about as small and as thin as you are gonna get. almost any commander lenght 1911 is gonna be good for carry though. even better yet if you get one with an aluminum frame that will cut the weight down alot.

check into the kimber pro models, ie tle, covert, etc.

also look into the sa champion(ss) and champion operator.

 

[medic_guns]

Les Baer Stinger.

 

[KyJim]

Les Baer Stinger.

I just put a used one on layaway. I can't tell you how much I'm looking forward to getting it out!

 

[BCC]

I have a kimber cdp ultra I really like. Next gun in the collection will be either an emp or a kahr compact 9.