Compact and inexpensive 1911?

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parsimonious_instead

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Anyone have an opinion on a compact (fairly easily concealable) 1911 - style .45?
The Springfield GI Compact seems to fit the bill... any other ideas, folks?
I'd like to try to spend less than $700 on the gun...
I live in a rights-restricted state - any mags over ten rounds are verbotten...
 
Springfields are probably going to be your best bet in that price range (which is my preference too). Search around and get a deal on a used gun. They are out there. Most used guns are fired very little and you don't pay retail. Check out the pawnshops.
 
If you might be interested in an entry level 1911, check out the Rock Island Armory compact. I bought the full size model a couple of months ago and after 500 rounds through it, not a single problem and it's a dream to shoot.

Edit to add that I didn't type fast enough. :)
 
Great suggestions, guys - thanks! Also prob. going to buy a Chiappa 1911 in .22lr - not a conversion, and also very inexpensive. That will be a range/target gun, not a CCW gun...
 
A lady at Pizza hut once asked me.... Do you want that fast or fresh. :what:

At $700 there are a lot of options. If this is a defensive weapon be careful of very compact 1911s. I have found that mass produced lower end ones seem to be less reliable than their longer brethren.

SA Champion is under $700 http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/21_24/products_id/32585

Colt will run you $800+ but IMHO is worth it. http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/21_141/products_id/36008
 
i saw a springfield armory GI micro for $550. almost bought it (decided to spend twice as much on an EMP lol).

(it actually comes with a lowered and flared ejection port now)
main-1765.jpg




or the springfield gi champion is excellent too (would be my choice of the two):
springfield-gichampionpw9143lp.jpg
 
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I'd have to vote for Rock Island. Bought a used 3&1/2 version with aftermarket Ashley Express sights. I was amazed at the fit and function and accuracy. I have Kimber's Sigs and Taurus 1911 and this gives up nothing to any of them.
 
I carry a RIA Compact every day. Basically a clone of the Colt Officers ACP. Great little gun, and affordable at ~$400. Think I got mine from Sarco, it's been awhile.
 
I have an officer's-size Citadel, another Armscorp product like RIA.
It was just a hair over $500 OTD and seems to be well-made, although the mags it came with aren't perfect. (they aren't crap either)
 
I'll vouch for the Rock Island Armory. Although I have the box-stock GI model 1911A1 for a duty gun, it's as trouble free and accurate as my Kimber - and there's a world of difference in the price.

During yesterday's weapons training session at the police outdoor range we shot 250 rounds under highly adverse conditions (at twilight and in a fierce wind, advancing toward the threat over rocky terrain while shooting, retreating from the threat while shooting; shooting at angle approaches, timed shooting, moving sideways, etc.) and the R.I.A. never malfunctioned.

I paid under $500 for mine. Plus they have great customer support, or I should say that I keep hearing that they do. I've never needed it so far.
 
After reading this thread I handled a Citadel Officers sized model yesterday at the LGS. They are made in the Philipines, I assume by Armscor, but I hadn't heard of them before yesterday. I was really impressed, especially with the $499 price tag. I took the Legacy catalogue home and took a look through it. They have series 70 firing systems, and the slides/barells are forged (cast frame). I was impressed with the trigger, but it is hard to really screw that up on a 1911.
 
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+1 for Citadel.

a friend bought one on my recommendation since he was on a limited budget.
the problems that i found with it was that the trigger bow was parkerized and was dragging on the frame. on his 1st outing the firing pin stuck in the forward position causing the firing pin stop to drop down and catch on the hammer. it turns out that the firing pin channel was gunked up with oil. this was in the first 150rounds. he detail stripped & cleaned it and i replaced the trigger with one of my spares (from a Loaded) and cleaned up the sear and hammer engagement. he ran 500rds through it in a Fighting Pistol class (it was cold, and rainy) the next day and had no failures.

here are some pics after we were done with the class.
(Note: the Wilson ETM mags in the picture are from my 9mm Loaded. Besides the factory mag, he was using my Wilson 47D mags)

DSC_2068.jpg

DSC_2073.jpg

DSC_2069.jpg

DSC_2071.jpg
 
Another note on my Citadel ... I have tried to induce a limp-wrist malfunction and failed. The only issues I have had were a few times when the magazine's top round would nosedive when the slide was hand-cycled (does NOT occur when cycling on recoil).

I swapped in some slimline aluma-grips for my personal preferences for extremely thin handguns, and added some McCormick magazines, next time I'm trying Wilson just to make sure I've tried everything and know what runs best ... then I'm stocking up.
 
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