Looking for a 1911 that runs like a Baby Glock

Correct me if I'm wrong but I don't believe Glock makes a 1911. The entire system is incompatable. They do, however, make a small 45acp or 45GAP. Lot of people like these 2. Being a 1911 kinda guy, I don't like Glocks so I can't tell you the models but I understand they are very concealable.

If you've decided on a 1911, there are several brands with a 3.5" or many brands with the 4" barrels.

I have one of each and end up carrying my 3" 44 special. I am kinda big and the grip sticks out like a sore thumb when I try to conceal either one.

Your going to have to decide which style of pistol you want, either a striker style (Glock, XD) or a 1911, and then go from there.

Good luck

I like my Kimber Pro Carry. Never had a problem with it.

Be careful how you use the word Glock, it is not some wonder weapon. They have had their share of problems like other guns have.

Let me say, I am a huge 1911 fan and have a fondness for plastic wonder pistol. The best of both worlds may be found in the Glock 36. It is a single stack .45ACP, thinner than the rest of the Glocks, plus it's a Glock! If you want to go the route of the 1911 take a look at the STI line at www.stiguns.com Great company with great products!

Good luck!

Colt Defender's have a great reputation

My every day carry gun is a Kimber Ultra CDP II. I have changed the safety to a strong side only and have put slim grips on it. I carry it OWB and IMHO it's as easy to conceal as a 2" .38 I have found it to be 100% reliable with any of the hollow point factory stuff. I carry 203 gr Gold dots in it. If I went to a 2nd choice it would be the Springfield XD in 45. My buddy uses that for a carry gun, the 13 rd mag is sorta nice.

Kimber, Springfield, Colt, and Para all make small carry 1911s in .45 ACP. However, if you're looking for something as small as a baby glock it aint gonna happen. Even the smallest 1911s still have a taller grip that the G 26/27. You could try a G30 but it's a bit blocky, you could also try a G36 but it's grip is taller as well. Going up to .45 you are just gonna have to deal with a little longer grip. If you want something truly small then stick with 9mm or .40 S&W. If you decide the longer grip length is ok and want a micro 1911 then pick a company that stands behind it's products in case you have problems. I can't speak for all of the companies above but springfield is one of them. You could also have cylinder and slide or springer precision give the gun a reliability run over to help that out. Maybe Kahr has something in .45 to suit your fancy as well? Also be sure if you buy a gun like a 1911 for carry you feel comfortable being able to deactuate that safety lever during stress.

there are some people who insist on .45acp for every gun they use, but look at the ballistics for the .45 before you just go buying that sexy looking mini-1911. From a 3.5 inch barrel (or less), I believe I'd rather have the .40 or 9mm. The .45acp was designed for 5 inch barrels, and still performs very well from a 1911 with a barrel of 4.25 inch. With polygonal rifling (Glock, HK) a 4inch barrel will still provide the needed velocity. Once you go below 4 inches, though, the .45 has lost enough velocity that I wouldn't feel confident about expansion with JHP's. There are always the guys who say "a 9mm may expand, but a .45 will never shrink" ... but really, if we're talking about "baby Glock" sized handguns, I'd rather have 10+1 rounds of 9mm 'may expand' than 6 rounds of .45 hardball.




Just one man's opinion. And this is only wrt: "baby" pistols for CCW. In a fullsize service pistol, I love the .45

Co-sign the post above with one exception: the HK USP compact .45...

Good luck. I haven't found it yet.

Take a look at the STI Ranger. STI is based out of Texas and has an excellent reputation. It is generally considered a top tier production pistol with higher quality than a comparably priced Kimber.

I don't mean to bash Kimber at all... but with their success in the 1911 platform and expansion of their product line, their quality control has suffered and their new pistols are either great or poor, it is a crap-shoot at best. STI's aren't pretty, but their quality control is excellent.

I recently shot a 45 and was very impressed at how minimal the recoil was and how easily I could stay on target .....

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You don't say what size 1911 .45 you shot but when you shorten and lighten them up the handling characteristics change dramatically. The small and light weight 1911 system .45's I've shot can be brutal in recoil and certainly not easy to keep on target, esp with defense type ammunition.

I meant I am looking for a 1911 small for ccw that has the reliability of Glock

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Cant help you there. I haven't had a front sight fall off of a 1911, nor have they launched the slide downrange. They don't jam when I limp wrist them either.

As for a carry gun, I use a 5" 1911. It conceals pretty well on my 6ft, 155lb frame.

It is not a suprise I love the 1911 platrform. But, to me the 1911 is a full size GM, or at the least a Combat Commaner length.

MY experience (yours may vary) is that when you go below the CC you will have issues. Now, that can happen in all kinds of ways. Some may have a "mini" 1911 pattern pistol that works just fine. Of course they have to change springs more often to keep it that way. You can pick your own version of what has to happen for them to run 100%, but it will be something.

In the mini arena the Glock 30/36 seems to have a much better track record. You can buy one if you want, but do not expect it to run like a Glock, or a full size 1911 ( a real 1911).

Of course, you experience may be different........

i'm a bit confused here...it's tough when all you have to go by is the written word...can you clarify please

are you saying that a STI is comparable to "top tier production pistols"...like the Brown, Wilson, Nighthawk and Baer

or

are you saying that a STI is just of "higher quality" than a mid-grade 1911 like a Kimber

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Sorry, English is my second language. I speak Texan at home and it doesn't always translate well.

I consider STI, Kimber, Dan Wesson, Colt, Springfield, et al... all to be "production" pistols.

Brown, Wilson, Nighthawk and Baer are "custom" pistols.

My opinion is that among the production pistols being manufactured today, STI is among the best. The finish is ugly, but the fit is fantastic. It feels like the slide runs on ball-bearings... and they are accurate and reliable. I think they are a bargain at their price. I hear great things about Dan Wesson, but I haven't shot one and can't give an honest opinion.

You really can't compare 1911's to Glocks. I have both and both are excellent pistols. I have a Glock 17 that I leave at home for my wife and my SA 1911 mil-spec goes with me. The Glock 30 and 36 are excellent but some people have large hands and they might not fit right. If it fits you, good luck trying to control the recoil on that light pistol. My 1911 is better at it because of the weight.

I've thought about buying a Kimber, but I can't see paying that much money for a pistol when I can get 2 that are just as good. I've never shot and Smith .45's, just a Kimber, SA and Llama. You can forget Llama as it is a cheap P.O.S. and you do get what you pay for. I had misfeed after stovepipe. The only problem I've had with my SA is when I switched out the 16lb recoil spring for the 18lb, trying to lessen the recoil. The 18 is good for +p rounds, not plain old target FMJ. The 16lb is back in and performs flawlessly.

I do love Glocks because we carry them at work. A nice Model 23 S&W .40 would be a good choice too. Just as reliable and hard hitting as a .45 but with higher muzzle velocity.

Consider the Dan Wesson CBOB. Mine is perfect for carry. Bobtailed govt frame with 4.25" barrel. In fact I would strongly recommend getting a bobtail on any 1911 meant for carry.

CBOB's the one on the bottom. Zero failures of any kind in 3,500+ rounds, and carried almost daily.

I've heard many claims of the little pistols being un-reliable but I have yet to experience it personally. We have two of the little Kimber Ultra II pistols and both have run flawlessly since day one. I carry this one:



My wife carries a Crimson Ultra Carry II with Crimson trace grips and an aluminum frame. I have shot frangible, ball, hollow points, and lead bullets through my gun. It doesn't seem to care what I feed it.
I also have a bobbed Springfield Champion (loaded):

This little pistol is only an inch longer than the Kimber Ultra and is equally reliable and just as accurate.
Common sense says that the further you stray from the original design, the less reliable the gun will be, but I have not found that to be the case in the real world.

Bill.