Okay guys---which 1911 do I choose?

[heavyshooter]

I went to the range the other day with 5 friends and it was a man day for the record books. We hit an outdoor range in Colorado Springs so there was no Range Marshal looking over our shoulders. Between the six of us we had about 35 guns that ranged from an authentic civil war musket to the obligatory AR-15.

One of the guys had a new gun that he wanted us all to shoot so we could break it in and I fell in love with it. It was Kimber Ultra Carry II / Night Sights (.45 ACP). It was his conceal carry weapon and it was the perfect size. I have always wanted two 1911's; one for conceal carry and another for competition shooting. I had become lazy about acquiring them but after shooting his, the desire has returned with a vengeance (BTW - He also had a Wilson Combat 1911 that was a flippin' tack driver at 25 yards). I have not heard great things about Kimbers but his was a great weapon (He had about 5 malfunctions out of 75 rounds, but that seemed to be the typical drama associated with a new 1911).

I have decided to get the smaller one for concealed carry first but I wanted some insight from you guys. I have noticed that Springfield has jumped into the sub-compact game as well (3 Inch EMP Enhanced micro pistol - 9mm or .40 S&W). What is you evaluation of the two weapons?

Also, please give any insight that you have about the Springfield Armory Champion as well.

 

[LSCurrier]

I chose the Springfield EMP. However, if I were buying for myself I would buy one of the following:

Dan Wesson CBOB in .45ACP
Les Baer TRS Commanche


YMMV, but I believe 3" guns lose too much velocity for the slightly smaller size.

Luke

 

[Baldy]

My wife has the Ultra CDP and it is a little shooter. It's very accurate for it's size and a real pleasure to carry. Here's a picture of it.

 

[EHL]

I have a Kimber ultra EclipseII, and she has been a great little gun!! I was torn between Ultra CDP and this one. Ultimatly, the thing that sold me on my gun was the all steel frame versus the aluminum one and the solid good looks. Both of them are lookers though. I'm building up my Commander Fusion Firearms into an exact clone of the CDP except the frame is made of forged steel! The problem with the EMPs is that they are tough to customize or work on because the gun was redesigned and has different size parts that are unique to it, as opposed to the generic and very common parts available for a true 1911.

Kimbers ultra guns are solid shooters, I've shot quite a few and they have all functioned great after their initial break in.

 

[benderx4]

I don't trust 3" 1911s - especially for CCW. Just too many problems with reliability at that size.

My recommendations:
1. Les Baer TRS Commanche
2. Ed Brown Kobra Carry

 

[Whitman31]

Dan Wesson Bobtail...

Most bang for your buck, IMO...

 

[Lone_Gunman]

Beware of 1911s with barrels shorter than 4".

Not all of them are crap. Probably not even a majority. But for sure, without a doubt, you can take it as gospel, anything less than a 4" barrel will have a higher than average chance of not running right. Thats just the way it is, and nothing can change the inevitiability of my statement. You just have to accept it, and move on.

 

[model of 1905]

Dan Wesson Bobtail...

Most bang for your buck, IMO...

Doesn't have to be a CBOB, but get a Dan Wesson 1911. I have three and there is a reason for that.

Besides, if for some reason you didnt like it or down the road had to sell it, the DWs resale is much better than either of the two you mentioned. I would own a Kimber (but I wouldn't buy one). I own a SA and its a great gun but it's not a 1911 (too many better choices).

 

[jaybr]

I also have an Ultra CDP and use it for carry. I had a couple malfunctions in the first 100 rds, none since with around 600 total. It is very accurate for it's size and a pleasure to carry.

 

[lev83]

I agree with the others too many reliability issues with 3" guns. Stick to 4.25" or 5" models and you will be much happier. Great values in Colt, S&W lines.

 

[PRE 64 JOE]

Colt combat commander.

 

[loop]

I love tiny 1911s, but that is not to say they do not have their issues. I know how to fix them, but most folks don't so you have to consider that before you get into them.

They also require more careful upkeep on springs and small parts and more careful inspection between outings.

You asked for opinions so here is mine: Go with the Kimber. Springfield takes some shortcuts, like gluing in the ejector rather than pinning it, and you can't always use Colt-spec parts to fix them. Kimber has its share of complaints, but I've never run into one I can't fix for the cost of a couple of springs or a bit of hand polishing.

The fact is, I won't own a Brazilian gun for any longer than it takes me to trade it. I have about 50 handguns and the only one that I will never sell is a Kimber.

FWIW...

 

[Walkalong]

I have a Kimber CDP II Ultra and an EMP. Both are super guns. I voted for the .45.

 

[krs]

I would have never known that a 3" 1911 could work until I became intrigued by Colt's New Agent and bought one.

although I've never gotten completely natural with their trough sight and broke down to a pair of Crimson Trace grips I sure can't fault the little sucker's reliability.

I've never even cleaned it thoroughly but it just keeps on running. In fact it's never skipped a beat whether I was firing HPs or my lead 200 gr. SWC light target reloads. It doesn't seem to notice any difference in ammos - feeds everything the same and fires with every pull.

Surprisingly accurate too, on top of it all. Mine's getting kinda' beatup looking because it's been my first choice carry pistol for more than a year now after taking over for my series 1 Kimber Compact Custom 4"er that's a lot heavier.

 

[Redhawk1]

My Kimber Ultra-carry II shoot like a dream. Not one problem to report. I use my reloads for practice, and keep the gun loaded with Speer Gold-dot Short Barrel ammo. They function flawless in the gun as well.

 

[jonc]

I would go with a springfield champion sized gun.

 

[sohcgt2]

He had about 5 malfunctions out of 75 rounds

I practice malfunction drills, but at that rate just shooting would be practice enough. That is IMO very poor reliability for a carry and I would use something I could count on.

 

[Lone_Gunman]

I have not heard great things about Kimbers but his was a great weapon (He had about 5 malfunctions out of 75 rounds, but that seemed to be the typical drama associated with a new 1911).

His Kimber is a POS if he is having 5 malfunctions per 75 rounds.

 

[weisse52]

Colt Combat Commander....or Colt New Agent.

 

[EHL]

His Kimber is a POS if he is having 5 malfunctions per 75 rounds.

One of the guys had a new gun that he wanted us all to shoot so we could break it in and I fell in love with it. It was Kimber Ultra Carry II / Night Sights

It was new. Mine had about the same, maybe a little less errors when I barely started using mine. After about 150, I haven't had one hiccup at all. 1911 parts need to mate and the more you shoot them, the better the gun will work. I wouldn't trust the gun if after it's break in it was still having an error ratio like the one he had when it was brand new though.

 

[hobgob]

+1 on the Dan Wesson suggestion. I bought mine through a group buy here on THR. It is a CBOB and my main carry gun. Great pistol, never a hiccup!

 

[Kind of Blued]

I can understand your want of an Officer's frame for concealment, but .45 ACP really starts to lose a lot of potential out of a 3" tube. The bobtailed Dan Wesson will help a bit with concealment, but the grip length is still as long as a full-sized 1911. The CBOB does give you a 10mm option though.

My suggestion is to take a look at the new Dan Wesson CCO. It's a Commander slide (4.25") on an alloy Officer's frame. The best of both worlds in my opinion.

 

[DRYHUMOR]

Get the one that fits YOU, that is the best you can afford.

I'm partial to Colt's.

I would like to try a Nighthawk Custom, but I can't justify the money (nor can I afford it).

 

[paul45]

I suggest you look at the Defender or New Agent from Colt.

 

[jhco]

I voted kimber ultra with ns but you should get laser grips also