compact .45 1911
- Thread starter Armored farmer
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GJeffB
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Hmm. To me, "compact 1911" has different connotations. A true Commander style (aluminum)? A micro? An Officer? Setting all that aside ...
I've perhaps posted about the almost never mentioned (dunno why) S&W 1911PD, scandium. Apparently discontinued, so I guess used only. True Commander length - 4.25". 30oz unloaded. Standard 8 round magazines. Shoots like a full 1911, weighs almost like a .38 snub, flat IWB, and mine has been (knock on wood) 100% - you read that right, never malfunction - reliable. No be all to end all, but every so often one comes across something that checks all the boxes. https://www.smith-wesson.com/firearms/archive-model-sw1911pd
in my case.
YMMV, no affiliation, yada yada ...
-jb, carries large without noticing
I've perhaps posted about the almost never mentioned (dunno why) S&W 1911PD, scandium. Apparently discontinued, so I guess used only. True Commander length - 4.25". 30oz unloaded. Standard 8 round magazines. Shoots like a full 1911, weighs almost like a .38 snub, flat IWB, and mine has been (knock on wood) 100% - you read that right, never malfunction - reliable. No be all to end all, but every so often one comes across something that checks all the boxes. https://www.smith-wesson.com/firearms/archive-model-sw1911pd
in my case.
YMMV, no affiliation, yada yada ...
-jb, carries large without noticing
Michael Tinker Pearce
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The solution to 'too heavy' is a proper gun-belt. Believe me, it's a life-changing experience! Coupled with a good holster it takes the sting out of the weight. As for a carry gun in .45, you can't beat the classic.
JR24
Member
A good gun belt help, absolutely, but even with good belts my back will simply no longer tolerate more than about 36 oz loaded without nightly and morning pain.
I recently decided that since I've been working out and my back had been on great shape I would try my VBob for a week and see how it went. A single day carrying and I had back pain for two days. It's just not an option for me, and I was using my stiffest nylon/kydex belt.
Michael Tinker Pearce
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Fair enough. I think you may be on the right track looking at a polymer gun then. I'd suggest a shoulder holster, but you may have already tried that, and while I like them I've found there are many situations where it can be difficult to dress around them.
JR24
Member
Yeah I did shoulder for a while and it was ok, though I never found it comfortable, tried suspenders as well and again I didn't love them (though the ones I had weren't great quality). A wider holster that displaces weight helps, such as for OWB but that causes concealment issues with how I need to carry for body type so it's all a balancing act.
As long as I keep it under about 36 oz loaded it's fine, which works for lightweight 1911s but I don't like them in .45, 9mm very much so.
Most days I just stick with a Glock 19, simple, light, effective.
Mainsail
Member
I still haven't been out to work out the kinks in mine, but it's one that will be carried. Picked it up from an on-line police auction in TX, had it shipped back to its home state.
bannockburn
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I have had a Colt Officers Model ACP for many years now and while it hasn't had all that many rounds through it as compared to my other 1911s, it has been remarkably reliable and durable as well. Never could find the alloy frame model so instead I went with the all steel version. I prefer to run 185 gr. and 200 gr. ammo rather than give it a steady diet of 230 gr. hardball every time. I also had a Colt New Agent but sold it when I went even smaller in size and weight with a Kahr CM9.
Colt makes the Defender in .45 and it has a 3" barrel, an aluminum alloy frame, and weighs 24 oz.; the Officers Model ACP has a 3 1/2" barrel, steel frame on it, and weighs 34 oz.
Colt makes the Defender in .45 and it has a 3" barrel, an aluminum alloy frame, and weighs 24 oz.; the Officers Model ACP has a 3 1/2" barrel, steel frame on it, and weighs 34 oz.
JR24
Member
https://ruger.com/products/sr1911OfficerStyle/specSheets/6762.html
Is what I'd be looking at if I went back to an officers 1911
Is what I'd be looking at if I went back to an officers 1911
ballman6711
Member
I also love my 3" Kimber. And it was finicky, but a bit of work has gotten it 100% reliable.
chris
Climb14er
Member
I wanted to drop weight and size from a Govt 1911 .45Auto and bought this gem ten years ago. DW 1911 CCO .45Auto, Lightweight officer's frame, Commander slide. 28 ounces. Based on my history with 1911's, I only wanted to go to a 4.25 commander's slide for reliability, as I had troubles with a Kimber 3.5 inch slide. Yes, there are some exceptional 3.5 inch 1911's... yet this CCO in the Nexus and Axiom holsters from Milt Sparks has been my EDC and bedside pistol all these years. OP... hope you find the best compact 1911 you can. These lighter weight 1911's are great carry and all around excellent personal pistols.
DocRock
member
Flatbush Harry
Member
I love, and frequently carry either my Colt Defender (Al frame, 3" bbl) or my Colt CCO model (Al frame, 4.25" bbl). I use Federal 230gr HST and find them both comfortable to shoot, very easy to conceal, and a joy to carry. If open carry or I want an extra round, I'd still carry my LW Commander. For all 3, a Yaqui slide works well with a sweatshirt, and an IWB with a tucked shirt and a sport coat. YMMV...mine won't.
Harry
Harry
nettlle
Contributing Member
Although nothing wrong at all with a CCO I have huge hands a CCO size grip doesn't work for me. Same with the Ultra small carries. I afraid of some hand flesh launching with the bullet. And that could happen. In the smaller guns there is a lot to be considered. I think we are all on a quest for the lightest weight and what shoots well.
FL-NC
Member
There's something about 1911's in any caliber except 45- or possibly 38 super- that seems "unseemly" to me. Just my opinion.
Oldschool shooter
Member
I have a Springfield XDs in 45, nice carry gun. Also havea 1911 Commander that I carry sometimes. Most times, the lughter weight of thee XDs gets the nod.
nettlle
Contributing Member
I have both 9mm and 45 acp 1911's. Weight is an important consideration for carry for me unless I decide I like droopy drawers. The weight of a mag of (8) 45ACP rounds vs (8) 9mm is something to consider.
Is the 45acp a more powerful cartridge than the 9mm? It certainly is. Is a 45acp heavier to carry than a 9mm? It certainly is.
Is the 45acp a more powerful cartridge than the 9mm? It certainly is. Is a 45acp heavier to carry than a 9mm? It certainly is.
I have a stainless American Classic Titan...basically a Colt Defender clone...has been a fun gun for me, and now it is going to my only grand daughter..she shoots it extremely well...she's focused and very accurate with the short platform. She turns 21 next month, gets the gun two new 6 round mags from Sig, 200 rounds of factory, and 300 rounds of her reloads. A iwb holster, range bag and speed loader are also in the mix. She's only been shooting about a year, and is hands down a more focused accurate shooter than any of my grandsons...already has a License to Carry.
SwampWolf
Member
Well, I wish I could find a "micro" 1911 pistol, chambered in .45 ACP that weighed anywhere close to what two of my edc, six-shot snub-nose revolvers, chambered in .38 Special, do: a Colt Cobra, weighing 15 ounces and a Smith & Wesson Model 12, weighing 18 ounces. But then there's the admonition "be careful what you wish for"; as the recoil on any 1911 .45 ACP pistol weighing a pound or so might need an hourglass to time how long it would take to make a quick follow-up shot.
nettlle
Contributing Member
A Colt or anything else weighing 15 OZ is not going to be pleasant to shoot.
entropy
Member
My 15 oz .38 definitely isn't fun to shoot. My compact .45 weighs 26 oz., it's not exactly a joy to shoot either, but I do so, for both, because they are my carry guns. I'd shoot my 1911 whether I carried it or not, which I do, but rarely.
Howland937
Member
Better have some extra grippy grips or you may need a flashlight to find it when the muzzle flip launches it over your shoulder.Well, I wish I could find a "micro" 1911 pistol, chambered in .45 ACP that weighed anywhere close to what two of my edc, six-shot snub-nose revolvers, chambered in .38 Special, do: a Colt Cobra, weighing 15 ounces and a Smith & Wesson Model 12, weighing 18 ounces. But then there's the admonition "be careful what you wish for"; as the recoil on any 1911 .45 ACP pistol weighing a pound or so might need an hourglass to time how long it would take to make a quick follow-up shot.
nettlle
Contributing Member
Carry guns are not an abomination unless one want's to settle for that.
.455_Hunter
Member
My experience with my Springfield Micro-Compact GI was less than stellar. The LGS I purchased it NIB from had an attached range. Even fully lubricated, the gun would have multiple going into battery failures per mag. Back in case it went, shipped to the Mothership by the LGS. Upon return, after about 500 rounds, it locked-up solid about half stroke- something broke with the linkage. The gun was repaired, returned, and put right into the consignment case with full disclosure.
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