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Recoil on a compact 45 auto?

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Capp35

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Missing my full size Kimber.
I recently bought a PM9 (in classifieds) and it shoots very well but..... its not a 1911. Also missing the true SA trigger.

How bad is the recoil on a compact 45 for a CCW? Thinking of a Colt Defender or a Kimber Ultra.
I own a full size 45 and about the lightest 9mm you can get. So you could use that as a comparison.

Thanks!
 
Not bad at all. In some ways better with less slide weight running back and forth. Love my 3" CDP. I function tested some bullets the other day and ran them hard through the 3" CDP and a couple of 5" guns. The 3" gun was just as easy to keep on target.

I have an EMP in 9MM, and I can run it super fast and stay on target. Less recoil and less slide weight.
 
While not really compact I shot 3rd generation S&W with alloy frame rather extensively and recoil generated was not problematic at all.
 
I've never owned one but shot a Kimber Ultra Raptor on several occasions. It's not bad at all. Much calmer than what I expected. But you can definitely tell a difference.
 
I own a Colt Defender, and used to have a S&W CS45, both small .45s. I'd call them peppy, but not punishing.
 
My friend M2Carbine owns a bunch of Kimber 3" Ultra's, and I like to
refer too him as "the Ultra expert". As for my 3" Kimber STS Ultra Carry II
.45 ACP [25 ozs. unloaded], its not hard to control or stay on target. You
just have too get use to it; and adjust accordingly~! ;) :D

I'm quite sure that M2Carbine will be along shortly to give more advice~!
 
My New Agent definitely kicks more than my full sized 1911, but to echo whats already been said, it's not really that bad.
 
I appreciate any feedback.
I was looking to buy an EMP 9mm, but I found a good deal on a Colt Defender 45 about $250 cheaper.
 
I'm a huge fan of the Defender/New Agent series. If my budget had allowed it, I wanted a 9mm Defender to complement my .45 New Agent.

Ended up getting a much cheaper 9mm, but I still want a Defender. I'll probably end up getting one in .45 when I have the cash.

They're reliable, accurate, powerful little hand cannons. If you can get a good deal on yours, I say go for it!
 
I have a kimber ultra crimson carry and absolutely love it, it's sincerely not much worse to me than my sig p6 9mm, both are easy as pie to shoot, if it's something you're considering and you're used to a regular .45 I'd definitely suggest it!!!
 
My scale (from 1 to 10) on "felt" recoil:

1. Buckmark, .22lr
3. Glock 19, 9mm
5. Full Sized 1911 (all steel), 45ACP
7. 1911 officer's compact with aluminum frame, 45ACP
8. J frame light weight, .38sp
9. ultra lightweight rifle, from the bench, 30-06
11. J frame light weight, .357 mag

I will never shoot a light weight J frame in .357 mag again. It's just a bad idea... The scale should not go to 11....

To awnser your question directly, my 4" officer's compact 45 is noticably more snappy than my full sized gun. It packs far better than my full size however. Nothing is for free...
 
I was going to buy an EMP 9mm, but found a deal on a Colt Defender 45.
It is $250 less.

What to do.
 
I used to carry a Kimber CDP Pro (alloy frame 4") and it was not difficult to shoot. However, in running various drills on the timer, it was slower to shoot on multiple targets with multiple shots on each target than a full size steel 1911. It was also slower on multiple follow up shots than a 4" 1911 in 9mm. Physics is physics. The lighter pistol will be more difficult to control that its full size brother. The trade off in speed and accuracy in exchange for power is your decision.
 
I have owned and shot 1911s in 3", 3 1/2" 4", 4 1/4" and 5" barrels, in both alloy and steel frames.

My favorite is the mid size, in either alloy or steel frame. I do not shoot a 5" any better, and I can shoot a 3" almost as well.

Really, the recoil in any of them is a non-issue.

I also own a Kahr P45 and had a Kahr PM45. Both were a bit snappier, but not at all unpleasant.

I have owned a number of Scandium AirLite revolvers. Now those could be downright unpleasant. Try an S&W M340 if you want to gain some persective.
 
I've carried a Glock 36 for CCW for several years now. it's a bit lighter than a micro 1911, so the recoil was just a bit more. not too bad though and very manageable.

That being said, it's not really "fun" to shoot. it's comfortable enough for yearly quals and training drills, etc... but it's not a go to gun to take out to the range or woods to have fun with. IMO, it's a gun for work, not for play.

very nice and comforting though to pack the .45 in a light and concealable package. great gun, and about half of what you'd pay for a good micro 1911.
 
Right now I am switching up daily between a Glock 36 (6 round mags), Glock 30SF (10 round mags), and an HK45C (8 rounds mags) for CCW. I have run 280 rounds through the G36, 600+ through the HK45C and 300 through the Glock 30. In these experiences, the HK45C has the smoothest and most manageable recoil. I like the ergonomics of the HK45C very much. I am a big fan of the Glock ergonomics, G36 is single stack and G30SF is double but not overly thick. As matty-vb stated the G36 is not a lot of fun to shoot but it does the job for sure. Heckler and Koch developed the HK45C with a plastic spacer on the spring that is about 1/2 thick. The idea is that it reduces recoil approximately 30%. After shooting these guns for a combined 1000+ rounds in the last 6 months I would say the HK is the best in terms of managing recoil. The price difference was significant as the 2 Glocks combined were just about $100 more than the HK45C alone. Hope this helps.
Top to bottom in pics:
G36
G30SF
HK45C
 

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There are issues that a 3" 1911 have that are usually not a concern with a 5". I do not own a 3" but have shot more than a few of the little buggers, I really do not mind recoil but if I want a handgun this small I would get a revolver. The issues of accuracy, recoil and slower follow up shots, decreased velocity on marginal velocity ammunition, on a defensive pistol, keep me from wanting a 3" 1911. The reliability factors that many have raised are a key point to consider with the Officer size pistols. I split the difference and holster carry a SIG RCS 1911, http://www.sigsauer.com/CatalogProductDetails/1911-rcs-nitron.aspx I have confidence in this pistol, it is compact enough to easily conceal and large enough to engage out to 25 yards or beyond. I question comments that a 3" shoots as good as a Government size pistol,or has no more recoil, must be something wrong with their 5" IMO, perhaps it needs a new recoil spring, or has timing issues.
 
I carry 185+P DPX in my Defender When firing that load I don't see recoil as any worst than 230 ball. Again no worst than any of my 5" or Commanders . Remember the compacts have heavy recoil springs .Way more than the 16 # of a Government. I have never found the small Colts to be that bad I have officer. defender. and new Agent My old Detonics weights more but feels like more recoil I belive its because of the stubby grip.
3 " is more than accurate enough for a self defense gun It it a Target pistol no. but I believe you can still hit a man a 25 yds with little practice . Better have a good reason to tell cops even in Ky for 25 yd self defense.
 
I also have a Kimber Ultra Crimson Carry II and the recoil doesn't bother me a bit. Possibly because it's the only .45 1911 I've ever owned, so I don't know any better.

But, according to Kimber, the gun has a 'bull barrel' that increases the weight in the front of the gun to lessen recoil.

Regardless, it's a fun gun to shoot.
 
I was going to buy an EMP 9mm, but found a deal on a Colt Defender 45.
It is $250 less.

What to do.
Click to expand...

New or old Defender. I would be careful with the older Defenders. New ones seem to be rock solid. I hear very few reports of issues with the newer guns.

They are stiff but not too bad to shoot IMHO. They are about the same as shooting 38 SP out of airweights like the 642. Not an all day range gun but you can shoot a box or two without pain IMHO.
 
I regularly shoot a Colt Defender, and use the 185 grain bullets. The Defender seems to function more smoothly with the 185s, and they produce higher velocity. The cycle time is quick on the Defender, but the recoil isn't a problem.
 
It is a new in the box Defender.

How accurate are they say at 10-15 yards?
I am sure it won't be like my Kimber Goldmatch, but at least 3" groups possible?

Thanks
 
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