Officer size 1911?

[Sammael94]

I need advice on a brand and model for a reliable officer size 1911 for carry. I want something on the nicer side, and my budget will be around $1000. I want somethin I can carry comfortably but also that i can show off to my friends.

And please don't try to suggest non-1911 options, I'm fully aware of the 1911's shortcomings compared to modern designs and am fully at peace with that.

As always, thank you ahead of time for your time and input, and have a nice day.

 

[9mmepiphany]

my budget will be around $1000

Around is a relative word

So I'll recommend what I consider the best value in an Officer sized 1911 and you'll have to decide if it is close enough to be considered "around"

The Dan Wesson ECO

 

[AZAndy]

Sig has an Ultra Compact with a 3.3" barrel, so it's between a Defender and an Officer:


It's been 100% reliable. It's an alloy frame, so it's light and easy to carry-- empty, it's 25oz. Comes with tritium sights. The extractor is on the slide, so it's not a purist 1911. The MSRP is $1119, so you should be able to find one for less than a thousand.

 

[bannockburn]

I have a Colt Officer's Model ACP and it's been great: extremely reliable (has a preference for 185 gr. and 200 gr. ammo), and more than accurate enough for the job at hand. I also had a Colt Agent with the XS sights and also found it to be a decent gun for the money.

 

[Armored farmer]

While my Phillipino made officer has been just fine for me, i can see some minor peening on the internals. I cannot recommend it.
I can recommend the Kimber officer sized 1911. Both my son, and a friend of mine carry the Kimber. I have shot them both. It would be my choice, but at the upper limits of your price range.

 

[guyfromohio]

ECO all day long. I've had several and the ECO was the only 100% reliable out of the box. I sold it not because of its shortcomings, but because of mine. I found that I cannot reliably engage the grip safety during a speed draw with a compact grip. I'm now a Commander guy.

 

[John_R]

Colt Defender gets good reviews.

 

[Fleetman]

Mine are good carrys.....when I'm in a .45 mood. Usually though, I'll carry a PM45 or Shield .45.

My 1911 3" are Kimber UCII, Colt Defender....the next is a RRA 3.5" and then a Springfield Champion 4". Everything else is 4-1/4" (two) and a herd of 5".

 

[JR24]

Sig and Colt make good ones, Kimber is hit or miss.

I would get the DW ECO without a question, best value in that size hands down.

 

[TN Outlaw]

DW ECO
Colt Defender or New Agent
Para Executive
SA Officer
Kimber Ultra Carry

 

[sabbfan]

Ruger has come out with an officer sized one in 9mm, looks nice but have not handled one.

https://www.ruger.com/products/sr1911/specSheets/6758.html

 

[FL-NC]

Have you thought about a "commander-size" 1911? In my experience they have less reliability issues, they don't mind having a barrel bushing, and they use standard size 1911 mags.

 

[Sammael94]

I've been thinking about it and I would not mind a commander size, as long as it has a lightweight alloy frame rather than the steel. I need something to run hollowpoints in for carry, as while I don't intend to have it permanently as my carry piece (I eventually want to get something in the shield size range for that, but not right away), it will have to serve in that role for about 3 months or so after I get it. I'm still a long way off from having the cash together for it which is why I don't want to go over a thousand, which really is my upper limit. Right now I'm looking closely at the Ruger Lightweight Commander and Colt's competing offering, as well as the Kimber Ultra Carry II. I don't much mind a gun not being 100% reliable out of the box as long as I can get it there with some minor amateur gunsmithing. I find that sort of experience to be very rewarding, and in the end it makes me appreciate a gun that much more.

As always thank you for your time and help, it is much appreciated.

 

[TomJ]

If you have a hard cap of $1000, you won't go wrong with the Ruger Lightweight Commander. I've had it for a while now and it's been great. I don't remember it having a malfunction regardless of what ammo I've used. I've heard good things about Colt, although I don't own one. If you're going to get a Kimber I'd recommend doing it through someone like Gallery of Guns, who offers a lifetime warranty on whatever gun you purchase through them. Kimber only offers a 1 year warranty. The a look at some of the Kimber threads on this site, and you'll find that the quality seems to be hit or miss.

 

[ms6852]

Can not go wrong with Springfield, great reliable firearm and great company.

https://www.springfield-armory.com/products/1911-range-officer-compact-45-acp/

 

[AZAndy]

I've been thinking about it and I would not mind a commander size, as long as it has a lightweight alloy frame rather than the steel. I need something to run hollowpoints in for carry, as while I don't intend to have it permanently as my carry piece (I eventually want to get something in the shield size range for that, but not right away), it will have to serve in that role for about 3 months or so after I get it. I'm still a long way off from having the cash together for it which is why I don't want to go over a thousand, which really is my upper limit. Right now I'm looking closely at the Ruger Lightweight Commander and Colt's competing offering, as well as the Kimber Ultra Carry II. I don't much mind a gun not being 100% reliable out of the box as long as I can get it there with some minor amateur gunsmithing. I find that sort of experience to be very rewarding, and in the end it makes me appreciate a gun that much more.

As always thank you for your time and help, it is much appreciated.

Maybe a CCO would suit? Officer frame, commander slide:

 

[9mmepiphany]

Maybe a CCO would suit? Officer frame, commander slide:

One of my favorite combinations for carry, combining the reliability of the Commander slide and the concealability of the Officer butt...especially if you also go with the bobtail heel

 

[oldandslow]

s94,

I was in the same boat a few years ago and after extensive research chose the Sig C3. It has an officer sized frame and 4" barrel and has worked flawlessly out of the box. It also has an external extractor so no need to mess with extractor tension. I paid $804 for mine but I see them on Gunbroker for somewhere in the mid to high $800's now. I have also tried a couple of other 1911's for carry- a full sized SA govt. model (too big) and an officer sized model SA (too unreliable). Take a look at the C3 and see if it fits your needs.

best wishes- oldandslow

 

[Coop45]

ECO all day long. I've had several and the ECO was the only 100% reliable out of the box. I sold it not because of its shortcomings, but because of mine. I found that I cannot reliably engage the grip safety during a speed draw with a compact grip. I'm now a Commander guy.

You didn't have surgery to build up your palm there?

 

[TomJ]

Can not go wrong with Springfield, great reliable firearm and great company.

https://www.springfield-armory.com/products/1911-range-officer-compact-45-acp/

I'll agree with you about their guns being good, but can't call them a great company. We're a democratic governor away from losing many, if not most of our gun shops in Illinois due in large part to them sticking it to gun owners here.

http://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/20...-illinois-ffl-licensing-scheme-for-carve-out/

 

[Garandimal]

​

GR

 

[ms6852]

I'll agree with you about their guns being good, but can't call them a great company. We're a democratic governor away from losing many, if not most of our gun shops in Illinois due in large part to them sticking it to gun owners here.

http://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/20...-illinois-ffl-licensing-scheme-for-carve-out/

Wow did not know about that, thanks for the links. Too bad, I had been looking at the TRP but now I may go with another manufacturer. I own two Springfield’s 1911 that I bought years ago now I may go with my 2nd choice from Smith and Wesson performance center. Dang, it really sucks.

 

[Bartojc]

I've been thinking about it and I would not mind a commander size, as long as it has a lightweight alloy frame rather than the steel. I need something to run hollowpoints in for carry, as while I don't intend to have it permanently as my carry piece (I eventually want to get something in the shield size range for that, but not right away), it will have to serve in that role for about 3 months or so after I get it. I'm still a long way off from having the cash together for it which is why I don't want to go over a thousand, which really is my upper limit. Right now I'm looking closely at the Ruger Lightweight Commander and Colt's competing offering, as well as the Kimber Ultra Carry II. I don't much mind a gun not being 100% reliable out of the box as long as I can get it there with some minor amateur gunsmithing. I find that sort of experience to be very rewarding, and in the end it makes me appreciate a gun that much more.

As always thank you for your time and help, it is much appreciated.

I picked up a Springfield Champion RO a month ago. The Champion is their Commander size. I got the Elite model. It has been 100% reliable with 115gr and 125gr reloads. I am close to 500 rounds, and I'm convinced it will be one of the most reliable pistols I own. Very well balanced with the 4" barrel and alloy frame. For $100 or so less the Ruger is a nice solution as well.

-Jeff

 

[Iggy]

I carry a Colt's Defender 3" barrel. Never had a hiccup.

 

[Sistema1927]

I have an older Officer's ACP. Uglier than home grown sin, but utterly reliable once I replaced Colt's part with the EGW reverse plug/guide rod/spring.