tackleberry45
Member
Can I get some feedback on these 1911s? I am looking at a Kimber Ultra.
3" 1911s?
- Thread starter tackleberry45
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1911s guys love 'em or hate 'em. Many go so far as to avoid them entirely, of all 1911 they're the most prone to be unreliable.
That said, I've had good luck with Colts shorty 1911s, in particular my New Agent and a few Defenders I've tried out. Good mags are a must.
Oops, forgot about my Springfield EMP. It's very reliable in my experience, and I've heard only good things from other owners. But it's not a traditional shorty 1911, it was designed to shoot either .40S&W or 9mm.
That said, I've had good luck with Colts shorty 1911s, in particular my New Agent and a few Defenders I've tried out. Good mags are a must.
Oops, forgot about my Springfield EMP. It's very reliable in my experience, and I've heard only good things from other owners. But it's not a traditional shorty 1911, it was designed to shoot either .40S&W or 9mm.
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WoodchuckAssassin
Member
Any 3 inch 1911 is gunna have the question of reliability with feeding. Some brands do a better job of it than others, but for me there will always be the question of reliability. Why not go with a commander size 4 3/4 inch, or even a 4 inch (which a lot of companies are calling a "commander" length barrel...even though it's not 
)? It's a little longer, but to increase reliability, I think it's an even trade. The only real reason to own a 3 inch 1911 is to increase concealability, but the REAL concealability comes from the 1911's width. I'm a skinny guy (though not quite as skinny as I used to be), and with the right shirt, I have NO problem hiding a full size 1911 in a IWB holster. Again...I think a 3 inch is a bad idea. Others will disagree, but that's what's great about TheHighRoad!
)? It's a little longer, but to increase reliability, I think it's an even trade. The only real reason to own a 3 inch 1911 is to increase concealability, but the REAL concealability comes from the 1911's width. I'm a skinny guy (though not quite as skinny as I used to be), and with the right shirt, I have NO problem hiding a full size 1911 in a IWB holster. Again...I think a 3 inch is a bad idea. Others will disagree, but that's what's great about TheHighRoad!
jfrey
Member
I have, and would rather have the Springfield Ultra-Compact, than any Kimber. I had a Kimber once and the whole gun went south on me. I'll never have another one. Never had a single problem with the Springer.
thedriver101
Member
As others noted, they can be a little finnicky to run, due to the decreased operational margins of the shortened cycle.
That being said, my relatively new Defender has had nearly 300 trouble free rounds (and hopefully more to go until it's broken in and ready to carry), and many others have commented on the Defender's reliability. I'd personally avoid Mimbers, seeing as they're about the same price as a Colt but with inferior parts quality.
That being said, my relatively new Defender has had nearly 300 trouble free rounds (and hopefully more to go until it's broken in and ready to carry), and many others have commented on the Defender's reliability. I'd personally avoid Mimbers, seeing as they're about the same price as a Colt but with inferior parts quality.
Most 3 in 1911s will run pretty well but if you get one that's out of spec it can be a lot of work to make it run. They eat up recoil springs like candy so you must change them every 1000 to 1500 rounds. Cutting a 5 in. 1911 to 3 to 3.5 in. is really pushing the design envelope of the gun.
Stevie-Ray
Member
Never had an issue with mine over the 8 or 9 years I've had it. It is my EDC and has had only HydraShoks and HSTs run through it. Most accurate weapon out of the box I've ever laid hands on. Doubtful I'll ever switch. It replaced and totally outclassed a H&K USP45C. Added hand-filling grips to make up for the lack of an arched MSH. Perfect then, for me.
76shuvlinoff
Member
I had a 3 5/8" Springfield Ultracompact V10. I bought it used, it needed a new recoil spring and extractor. If it wasn't ported I'd still have it. The thing was ungodly painful (to the ears) to shoot but with the tune-up parts it ran flawlessly.
bigfatdave
Member
my 3.5" runs fine, although it does need a new recoil spring once in a while
it is from one of those high-end super-expensive custom places, so they must have done some voodoo to get it to work ... little shop called Armscor. The thing cost me nearly $425, that's a lot of R&D cost passed on to the consumer!
it is from one of those high-end super-expensive custom places, so they must have done some voodoo to get it to work ... little shop called Armscor. The thing cost me nearly $425, that's a lot of R&D cost passed on to the consumer!
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jimbo555
Member
My Colt new agent has been perfect since '07.
The Lone Haranguer
Member
It has been my observation, from one first-hand sighting and numerous Internet anecdotes, that if you get a good one, they are as reliable as anything else, but if you get a bad one, seemingly nothing can be done with it.
I've heard the same internet, 2nd hand comments as well. 3"s don't run. To tell the truth, since I've been visiting this forum, specifically looking for 1911 talk I've NOT seen a thread that went "MY 3" 1911 will NOT run"
Yes it's true a 3" or so has a shorter cycle length, thus more critical on timing. BUT as Tuner says, "it's a machine, it does not have a choice but to run".
My Springer Ultra Compact 3.5" runs GREAT.
Yes it's true a 3" or so has a shorter cycle length, thus more critical on timing. BUT as Tuner says, "it's a machine, it does not have a choice but to run".
My Springer Ultra Compact 3.5" runs GREAT.
The Bushmaster
Member
Kimber UCC II. 185 grain XTP/HP handloads. Runs perfect and is my carry piece for the last 3 years.
"The problem with quotes on the internet is you cannot verify their authenticity." - Abraham Lincoln
That said, I am sure there are issues with any short barreled semi auto firearm. Kimber did have issues early on with some of the 3" 1911's they produced with external extractors. Kimber replaced or repaired those guns on request of the owner. My Ultra CDP II has givem me ZERO issues. When working as a instructor and RSO it is on my hip. I agree with the recoil spring comment. I purchased an extra spring assembly and keep one for the range and the newer one for carry. No need to change until the gun starts giving you trouble. I reload and also shoot range pickups. My gun shoots them all. Takedown for the Kimber will be MUCH easier with one of these tools. My 2¢
That said, I am sure there are issues with any short barreled semi auto firearm. Kimber did have issues early on with some of the 3" 1911's they produced with external extractors. Kimber replaced or repaired those guns on request of the owner. My Ultra CDP II has givem me ZERO issues. When working as a instructor and RSO it is on my hip. I agree with the recoil spring comment. I purchased an extra spring assembly and keep one for the range and the newer one for carry. No need to change until the gun starts giving you trouble. I reload and also shoot range pickups. My gun shoots them all. Takedown for the Kimber will be MUCH easier with one of these tools. My 2¢
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srkavanagh6621
Member
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- Jun 8, 2010
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- 131
I recently bought a S&W 1911 with a 3" Barrel. I am usually a springfield guy but after holding the smith I loved it. I have only shot about 200 rounds through it but I love it with 0 malfunctions so far. Sweet, fun shooting little gun thats for sure.
bluecollar
Member
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- Mar 18, 2006
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I have three. A Kimber Ultra CDP ll, an R.I.A. CS, and a Colt Defender. Guess which one is finicky? The Defender. The other two run great. Go figure
ljnowell
Member
I paid a whopping 375 dollars for my 3.5" 1911. NIB. Its never choked on a single round, over 1500 through it now. Shoots accurate too. I guess RIA/ARMSCOR can do it way cheaper than everyone else, as far as reliable compact 1911s.
Old Dog
Member
No disrespect intended toward the OP, but we've had a gazillion (okay, maybe only a couple hundred) threads on the topic of 1911s with barrels under four inches in length, since, oh, about the inception of this forum ...
That said, I've owned two Springfield Armory Loaded Lightweight Micro-Compacts for almost then years now. Fit and finish superb, wonderfully built and beautiful little pieces. Both are totally reliable and one is more accurate than a couple of my full-size 1911s.
Not as fun to shoot with lighter weight (165 - 185 grain) +P, must be kept clean and well-lubricated, will shoot any 230-grain JHPs (including the Golden Sabers with those long fat noses) all day long.
However -- the shorties WILL clearly display the results of limp-wristing. I suspect this is the cause of a lot of the aspersions cast toward the 3-incher's reputation for reliability.
That said, I've owned two Springfield Armory Loaded Lightweight Micro-Compacts for almost then years now. Fit and finish superb, wonderfully built and beautiful little pieces. Both are totally reliable and one is more accurate than a couple of my full-size 1911s.
Not as fun to shoot with lighter weight (165 - 185 grain) +P, must be kept clean and well-lubricated, will shoot any 230-grain JHPs (including the Golden Sabers with those long fat noses) all day long.
However -- the shorties WILL clearly display the results of limp-wristing. I suspect this is the cause of a lot of the aspersions cast toward the 3-incher's reputation for reliability.
Old Dog
Member
Comes now "TonyT" asking
Is one allowed to become offended at the standard response of "get a Glock" whenever someone asks handgun questions, even going so far as to specify a non-Glock?
Back on topic, I forgot to add that the SA Loaded LW Micros are essentially the same as the Kimber CDP Ultra, sans frontstrap checkering, and the SA Micros tend to be retailed a smidge less expensive. Kimber uses the superb, highly visible Meprolights while SA has the Novak Trijicons ... I've shot the Kimber Ultra, and it seems to be basically the same pistol as my SA Micros, and a couple buddies that own Ultras report no problems, and have been pleased with, their shorty Kimbers.
Uh, it did appear to me that the OP was specifically asking about the 1911 platform, in particular the Kimber Ultra ...
Is one allowed to become offended at the standard response of "get a Glock" whenever someone asks handgun questions, even going so far as to specify a non-Glock?
Back on topic, I forgot to add that the SA Loaded LW Micros are essentially the same as the Kimber CDP Ultra, sans frontstrap checkering, and the SA Micros tend to be retailed a smidge less expensive. Kimber uses the superb, highly visible Meprolights while SA has the Novak Trijicons ... I've shot the Kimber Ultra, and it seems to be basically the same pistol as my SA Micros, and a couple buddies that own Ultras report no problems, and have been pleased with, their shorty Kimbers.
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