Colt, Para, STI

[klcmschlesinger]

I am looking at 3 1911's and wanted some input from the brain-trust at TFL. I want a 4 inch 1911 in 9mm so I had narrowed it down to the Para LTC and the STI Guardian. Then I saw the Colt Defender, which is a 3 inch, but if reliable looks fantastic to me.
This is not for CC, just because I want a short 1911 in 9mm.
In round numbers, the STI is a little over a grand. The Para LTC is around $800 and the Colt just under $900. Let's not quibble over the prices but these are what I can get them for locally.
Which one would you choose?

 

[rellascout]

Eliminate the Para.

Colt and Sti. I personally prefer a 4" 1911. You can get a 9mm Colt too.

 

[xr1200]

The 4" model is the way to go for accuracy, and the STI is best, colts are not really known for accuracy in their 3" autos.

The kimbers with out firing pin saftey should also be a consideration, they are quiet reliable and accurate, even the 3" models.

 

[MICHAEL T]

Colt either Defender or Commander size

colts are not really known for accuracy in their 3" autos.

Really I have always considered my Defender pretty accurate Could you point me to your reference. for that.

The kimbers with out firing pin saftey should also be a consideration, they are quiet reliable and accurate, even the 3" models.

Any what New Kimbers is that model I believe they all have the firing pin safety . Now days. unless may be a police order or something . I also don't think the Kimber is any more or less accurate than my Colt.

 

[Zundfolge]

Paras are hit and miss ... if you get a good one it'll be great, if you get a bad one it'll really suck.

Nothing wrong with Colts.

STI is probably one of the best 1911 makers out there so unless you're talking about a super high dollar custom built gun (like a Vickers or Ed Brown) I'd say anytime STI is one of the options it wins automatically (I do wish that they'd let me redesign their rollmarks though).

 

[Pilot]

Apples and Oranges.

 

[RancidSumo]

None of them. Sub 5" 1911's are not reliable in my experience. That said, my dad's Colt Defender has been a very good gun for going on 3-4 thousand rounds. He is pretty accurate with it too (I'm not). It is a .45 though so I can't comment on the 9mm but I'd stay away from the 1911 platform in anything but .45 if I were you and I'd also avoid anything that is not full size.

 

[rellascout]

None of them. Sub 5" 1911's are not reliable in my experience. That said, my dad's Colt Defender has been a very good gun for going on 3-4 thousand rounds. He is pretty accurate with it too (I'm not). It is a .45 though so I can't comment on the 9mm but I'd stay away from the 1911 platform in anything but .45 if I were you and I'd also avoid anything that is not full size.

Commanders are not reliable? I know that a lot of people have had trouble with under 4" barrels but to say that the commander length is not reliable is simply not accurate.

 

[RancidSumo]

In my experience, the 4" guns I've used (Colt) have been less reliable than a 5" gun (also Colt). I'm sure that it is possible to get a high quality 4" 1911 that runs like a champ but I don't think that is going to happen under $1500.

 

[MICHAEL T]

I'm sure that it is possible to get a high quality 4" 1911 that runs like a champ but I don't think that is going to happen under $1500.

I am sure their several 1000's Colt, Dan Wesson , and other Commander size 4 1/4 " owners that will disagree with you. My Dan Wesson CBOB is 2007 my Commanders run from 1951 to 2008 . All the pistols run great and have been reliable as can be . I carrying a Early Dentoics today it a Bellevue Washington state made pistol and after all these years I will still bet If needed it will work . The under 5' doesn't work myth might have had some reason years ago . But that day is long passed Even the compact Philippines made 1911 are reliable today .

 

[Walkalong]

Nothing wrong with Colts.

STI is probably one of the best 1911 makers out there so

Yep.

Consider an EMP. (Although a 3" instead of a 4" gun) It was built around the 9MM/.40 length round. Mine in 9MM runs like a Swiss watch.