Does 1" make a difference?

[wamj2008]

Hi all, I'm looking into getting a Kimber 1911, and I'd really like to get the Ultra model with the 3" barrel, but I'm wondering if there is a significant difference in recoil between a 3" and a 4" barrel. I shoot 38's out of a j-frame and while the recoil is tolerable, I'm looking for something much more comfortable to shoot. So, in summation, how would you compare 3" .45 ACP recoil to 2" .38 Special recoil, and should I consider the 4" model? Thanks!

 

[General Geoff]

Recoil will be milder, sight radius longer, muzzle velocity (slightly) higher with a 4" or 5" barrel.

Then again, I don't bother with 1911s unless they're full size (5").

 

[wally]

Reliability of the 4" and 5' is way better than the 3". I've a Kimber Ultra Carry, its usually needs a new recoil spring after 900-1100 rounds.

I'm not particularly recoil sensitive but with full power ammo I prefer shooting the Ultra Carry to a 2" J-frame.

--wally.

 

[Clarence]

I've owned 2 of the Kimber 3" guns. Neither was reliable unless you changed the springs frequently. The first I had was the aluminum framed Ultra Carry. Recoil was snappy with it but not uncomfortable. The 2nd I had was an Eclipse Ultra which was heavier due to the steel frame. The extra weight does soak up some of the recoil. The Eclipse Ultra had to have new springs every 400-500 rounds. The Ultra Carry would go a little longer.

Due to the grips on the 1911 platform the 3" guns didn't sting my hand like a j-frame gun with +P loads.

The 3" guns give up between 100-150 fps in muzzle velocity which can effect expansion of hollow-point bullets. When I carried a 3" I only carried hardball.

I gave up on the short guns and now I carry a 5" 1911 all the time.

 

[mljdeckard]

I was going to say what Geoff said, word for word.

 

[exdetsgt]

I've got a Kimber Ultra Carry II (3" barrel) and my groups at 25 yards are very close to those made with my 5" Rock Island Armory. Both are fine guns and completely reliable. Don't know about the Kimber springs, so far so good after 500 rounds. The Kimber carries better because a) it's lighter, and b)the grip is slightly shorter and thus conceals a bit easier.

As for recoil, I really don't see much difference between the two.

 

[Eightball]

Reliability of the 4" and 5' is way better than the 3".

This. I have yet to hear of a 3" 1911 that did NOT have some type of problem, either in the realm of feeding or reliability in general. In comparison, 4" seem to do quite well on the reliability factor.

 

[SimpleIsGood229]

I would definitely go with a 4 in. 1911 for all the reasons above. Besides, if you need a gun that short, it oughtta be smaller than a 1911 anyway.

 

[Quack]

i used to carry a Kimber Tactical Ultra II (3"). never had a problem with it. Sold it and was replaced with an EMP for when i wanted to carry a small 1911
For .45ACP carry i got a Ed Brown Kobra Carry (4"). there is more recoil with the shorter 3" barrel.

reliablity goes down with the 3" .45. sure some manufactures make them, but if you look at semi-custom 1911 builders (Wilson, Brown, Baer, etc) they only make Govt and Commander sizes. This should say something about what they think about the Officer size.

 

[exdetsgt]

Simple, you've got a point there. I bought the Kimber simply because I've always wanted one, and the price was right. Not much logic there, but it's been reliable, so that's a plus. The R.I.A. is a good combat shoot/range/duty pistol so it's a keeper. If I could find a 4" 1911 I'd be tempted to sell the Kimber.

My partner carries a single-stack Kahr in .45ACP - don't know the model, keep forgetting to ask him. It's much smaller than a 1911. He carries it IWB and you wouldn't know it's there.

For all-around practicality the 1911 4" is indeed the most sensible: Conceals OK and the longer barrel results in an increase in muzzle velocity and distance accuracy.

Glocks are fatter but win the prize for reliability, so maybe a Glock 36 in .45ACP? (1.18" in width, 3.78" barrel, 6+1 capacity).

 

[M2 Carbine]

I shoot the 3-4 inch Kimbers and 2-3 inch S&W 38 J frames a lot.
With the small factory J Frame grips the 38 starts to wear on me after a while. I can shoot the Kimber Ultras with no discomfort.

Most of my J Frame Smiths have either a larger grip or Tyler Grip adapters.

One of my Kimbers has a 4 inch barrel and is all steel. One is the 3 inch steel Eclipse. The other three are 3 inch Ultras.
For shooting, the 4 inch steel gun is the most comfortable to shoot but the Ultras are more comfortable to carry.

Accuracy with all the guns is pretty good.

 

[CPshooter]

Go with a 4" bushingless barrel design (or a 4.25" "commander" length if you prefer a bushing) coupled with a shorter "officers" grip. I believe Kimber offers two models in this configuration. There's the CDP Compact II and a more economical version without the ambi safety and front strap checkering. This combination of a 4" barrel and a shorter grip provides the best compromise between concealability, reliability, and shootability/control. Although most modern JHP ammo is designed to expand reliably over a broad range of velocities, the 4" barrel will still provide you with greater muzzle energy over a 3" barrel.

 

[wamj2008]

Thanks for all the info guys. I'll probably go with the Pro carry model, with the shorter grip and 4" barrel. It depends what Cabela's has in stock after Christmas. I know they have high prices for guns, but when you have about $400-$500 in gift certificates, that will take down the price a bit!

 

[M2 Carbine]

I have 5 Kimbers and friends have about 10 more. I wouldn't give a second thought to using any of these guns if the need arose.


The one top left is the 4 inch short grip Compact Custom ($685 OTD in 1998). IMO the best all around size 1911 but it's all steel and too heavy for my carrying.

Even the least expensive Kimber is very accurate.
$598 Ultra Carry (it costs more now I suspect).

 

[penman53]

The Kimber Ultra uses a double recoil spring assembly that is supposed to enhance fuction and feeding. I have one and I must say that it has been flawless for the first 300 rounds, I will say that there is a significatly more recoil felt with my Kimber Ultra than my Colt lightweight commander. The 4.25 inch barrel is a better shooting platform but lets face it if you are using this gun for CCW, you won't be too far away from the bad guy anyway. You would be shooting bullseye with a 3 inch pistol.

 

[HisSoldier]

Just a note to those needing to change springs often in Officer's sized guns, IMSI springs. They are flat wire springs that supposedly last many times longer. I have them in my Colt Officer's model.