1911 3 1/2"

[Robert J.]

As soon as our new porch and sidewalk are complete I/ll have enough leverage to tell the wife I am going to purchase a 1911. I would like to get one of the 3 1/2" bbl models, just for fun, sometime carry. Don't think I wand to spend thousands though. Anybody have experience with the new High Standards, other recommendations ?
Thank you.

"Be Thankful you're not getting all the government you're paying for"
Will Rogers

 

[needmorecowbell]

If you're main objective is for fun, I would go with the commander size (4.25) instead of officer. You can keep it around $400 with a nice Rock Island Armory.

 

[Drail]

The short 1911s demand a much higher degree of precision fitting and correct timing to be reliable. It's not that they cannot be made to function 100% but there is so very little room for error. When mass produced by a factory there will be problems and you may buy one. If you want reliability in a 1911 go for the 4 in. or more barrel. The Commander is not really any harder to carry than the 3 or 3 1/2 in models.

 

[MICHAEL T]

Buy a 3" Colt Defender their lighter and just as accurate as my 3 1/2 officer . But really a LTW Colt Commander is way to go.

 

[bigfatdave]

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=605609

 

[Captain33036]

I just got a Kimber Eclipse Ultra and just love it. It has great balance and it great for carry. I has been 100% the few times I have shot it thus far. I got a good deal used, but still outside the range you want to spend. The reason I am posting is because one of your stated purposes is fun...and I wanted to tell that shooting one of these IS FUN!

ROck Island Armory makes a 3.5 inch barrel compact 1911. I do not know anything about it but you could research it. I had a filled sized RIA 1911 and it was a very good gun, great for the price. 100% reliable and the company has excellent customer service. I think the same gun is produced by Armscor under a couple other brands.

Anyway...just wanted to tell you....IMHO....these guys CAN be made to be reliable and...they really are fun to shoot.

Best of luck to you.

J

 

[tinker1967]

i have the ria compact had it for about a month around 600 rounds through it with no problem

 

[Zerodefect]

A CCO is going to conceal just as well and be more reliable. Not to mention easier to aim.

 

[Greg528iT]

I have a Springfield Ultra Compact, 3.5".. Loaded. stainless.. it's a very very sweet gun. performs flawlessly. WHEN you can find them, they are about $800- $900. I highly reccomend it.

 

[Blue68f100]

I have the 3" SS Kimber Ultra Carry II TLE w/CT in 45acp. This has run flawless right out of the box. If you have small hands don't over look this little gem. It has a dual recoil spring setup that tames the recoil very very well. It's 230gr ball ammo softer than a a Sig 229 in 40 cal. I have tried several different mfg of ammo and it just keep on clicking with no feeding problems. The only thing I have done is polish the feed ramp and that's it. My carry ammo is Hornady Critical Defense and CorBon PowerBall. It has worked fine with the Fed HST too.

 

[KenW.]

I have a Defender and really like it for OWB carry. IWB is PAINFUL though. Muzzle gets pressed into my hip rather forcefully when seated. A 5" conceals better IWB.

 

[Noggles]

well Xmas has come and gone did you get one? I love my Springfield v10uc 1911. Would recommend in a heart beat. But if its for fun and occasional carry why not a full size? Easier on recoil and just as slim for conceal carry without all the pickiness the compacts can have.

 

[uberberzerker]

STI is/will be offering their Spartan model with a 4.25 and 3.24'' barrels. I'm looking into both, one for home/range and one for carry. Price is around 630'ish from dawson precision.

 

[PabloJ]

The 3.5" 1911 style gun is pointless concept with zero benefit. I would never buy one.

 

[Red Cent]

If you competed in PCCA,you would

 

[uberberzerker]

Any reason for that line of thinking, PabloJ?