45ACP 3 inch vs 4 inch

[cracked junior]

I am looking at buying a 45acp pistol for conceal carry. Already have a Springfield XD 45acp 5 inch barrel. In over a thousand rounds never had a problem. Its just that its heavy and bulky for conceal carry.

So I am looking for a smaller 45. I would like to go to a 3 or 4 inch barrel and wondering how much power do I lose in going to a 3 inch barrel?

 

[HexHead]

Go from a 230 gr bullet to a 200 gr (or 185) and you'll make up for a lot of the lost velocity from the 3" barrel. I carry 230gr +P in my Commander size and 200 gr +P in my 3".

 

[Pistol Toter]

50 to 75 feet per second per inch. From a 5" down to a 3" that equates to 100 to 150 feet per second in velocity. Here is formula: to convert the kenectic energy: IPSC's Power Factor, Bullet Weight in Grains, Times Velocity, Divided by 1,000. The .45 ACP was designed to handle the 230 grn from a 5" barrel. Many, me included consider that to be the optimum and any time you start messing with perfection your messing up. I carry a Glock 21 which is 4.6" barrel loaded with 230 grn Gold Sabre. Polygonal riflings was designed to optimally fire a projectile with a driving band, which the Gold Sabre is. Additionally that type of rifleing reportedly gives a bettter gas seal and inproved performance. My gun at 25 yards makes a single ragged hole about 2" in diameter. I ain't worried about it doing its job. Plenty of power, plenty of penetration, big bullet wheather it expands or not.
Hexhead is correct; if you go to a short barrel drop to the lighter projectile. Do the math and you'll see why.

 

[BlindJustice]

I have a full size = 5" Bbl. 1911 and imho it's the grip size that is more
problematic in Concealed Carry than the slide length.

I like the Format that Colt Offered as the CCO aka Combat Carry
Officers. THe COlt CCO has a Commander length ( 4 1/4" ) Length
slide and barrel on an Officers frame. The lesser size ( height) of
the grip makes it easier to conceal than the full size grip /frame of
a true Commander or even the Dan Wesson CBOB

Sig makes 3 CCO format models with a steel frame, as well as their
C3 model with an alloy frame and night sights.

STI also makes one but I forget the model designation.

S&W ealier this year relased their version with a Scandium
frame called the Compact ES

Kimber and Wilson make similar models with a
4" Bbl/SLide.

Most knowledgeable users/writers recommend
staying with 230 gr. loads for less than 4" Bbl. due to
velocity losses with the shorte5r 3 1/2"/3" Bbl.

Most CCO format 1911s are mid to upper level in price,
seems an empty niche in the marketplace for some manufactuere
to fill with a lower end/priced model with say more standard
features like a Cmdr style hammer but Gi grip safety,
and GI style sights. leaving the buyer to mod as they want.


My $.02

Randall

 

[bluetopper]

I've always wanted to try out the Para Stealth Carry model with the 3'' barrel. I have plenty of carry guns so I don't guess I'll ever fork over the money for one though.