compact, metal .45acp options?

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justin22885

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im looking for some options for a compact 45acp for concealed carry and home defense, i dont want anything with a plastic frame, and something with a sub-4" barrel.. two options that come to mind is the officer size 1911 and the bersa thunder 45acp model, and i like the bersa thunder 45acp model more as it does have a rail for a flashlight, which i prefer for home defensive purposes but i dont have much experience with their quality

any other options i should consider?
 
I have an older Colt Officers Model that has been a reliable and fairly accurate gun. You might want to check out their Defender and New Agent models as well.
 
the defender appears to have a rail under the barrel, or at least some of them do, this is good, i want something i can put a light on, and i am a fan of the 1911, i also prefer single action or DAO triggers, i prefer the consistency between the first shot and the last
 
Some flavor of 1911 would be the obvious choice, however, I will caution you that 3.5" 1911's will tend to exhibit problems a little more frequently than their larger brethren.

You may also want to have a look at the Sig P220 Compact SAS.
 
You could always look for Star PD in good shape. They show up at pawn shops and on the auction sites for <$500.
The Star PD is a great gun.
 
A Colt 1911 Officers Model has a 3.5" barrel. The Bersa Thunder 45 ACP has a 3.6" barrel. You say you don't want sub 4". Or you do?
Loss of velocity makes some difference too. An HP, for example, requires velocity to reliably expand upon impact. Muzzle flash and blast won't be pretty with a wee barrel either. If a pistol isn't fun to shoot, you won't practice with it. If you don't practice regularly, you're better off with a stick.
Rethink the light. It just adds weight and you need a specially made holster.
 
i think 3.5-4" for the barrel length would give me good compactness and decent performance... i actually forgot about the sigs, and the sigs have a lot of options and different trigger mechanisms.. i think one of the compact P220s with the SAO trigger would be perfect.. so, i'll make that number 1 right now, unless i can find a reliable, less expensive alternative

anyone know anything about the bersa thunder 45 compact pro?.. it looks like a decent handgun
 
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I have the ATI Titan, a true officers model.
no problems in 3 years. A dream to carry. Up grade the actmags and you got a winner.
 
I have a sig 1911 Fastback Carry; 4.2 inch barrel and "bobbed" grip. If you're not a 1911 purist, and can live with the external extractor, its a great gun. Its in my carry rotation in Garret holster.
 
I'll pass on a 1911 with a barrel shorter than 4.25". The issues grows larger with barrel lengths less than 4.25".
 
i dont really like how any of the 1911s shorter than a commander size looks or feels, i think i've narrowed it down to the sig P220 compact and the bersa thunder 45 UC pro, and unless someone has a solid reason not to give the bersa a try, im inclined to save the $400 difference for a sig, and get the bersa
 
I would recommend a Springfield Range Officer Compact (4" bbl.), l've had a few chances to shoot a couple of these in .45 ACP and it is a excellent EDC / CCW alternative, I plan on getting a 9mm version. I have a Ruger SR1911 Commander length (4.25" bbl.) which is just one of the coolest guns I own.

BTW, there is a lot of internet tribal knowledge about short barrelled 1911's and I take that stuff with a grain of salt. Regardless of barrell length, a properly tuned and maintained 1911, using quality ammo and aftermarket magazines, in the hands of a competent shooter, will work just fine!

But it looks like you've answered your own question, and I hope the Bersa works for you.
 
Bersa for carry. Adding a flashlight to a carry gun causes issues for me. I like the idea but not the applications I have seen. For HD I do have a 9mm carbine with a light and really like it for that scenario.
 
jrdolall said:
Bersa for carry. Adding a flashlight to a carry gun causes issues for me. I like the idea but not the applications I have seen. For HD I do have a 9mm carbine with a light and really like it for that scenario.
Click to expand...
the flashlight would be for home defense, like if i need it at night, i wouldnt use it for conceal carry out of the house
 
bikerdoc said:
His is a 40 cal
Click to expand...
i see, so he has the 40 cal version of the same pistol im looking at, nice to know his has been pretty reliable.. with that in mind, the price, it has the features i look for, the size i want.. i think i'll go with that for a concealed carry piece.. i already have a commander size 1911 on my short list so i didnt see a need to add another 1911 by geting an officer size
 
Dusty said
Quote:
Originally Posted by bikerdoc
I have the ATI Titan, a true officers model.
no problems in 3 years. A dream to carry. Up grade the actmags and you got a winner.

I agree. Mine has been great after replacing recoil springs with Colt Defender set.
Click to expand...

Indeed, a needed mod. According to the importer in Rochester NY the new ones have been upgraded
 
OP dude initially said he was looking for "something with a "sub-4" barrel."

So, as Deog mentioned, a Colt New Agent or, if it has to have traditional fixed sights, something like a Defender model fits that criterion. Both are 3", 7+1 1911s.

I've gotten used to my NA's trench sight system, and it's now sent about 500-rds down range without a hiccup.
With these 3" 1911s you do have to watch the recoil springs. Change them out about every 600-rds or so and you're GTG.

New Agent.

NA2.jpg
 
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