Springfield Micro Compact 1911 range report

[distra]

I just picked up a sweet SA Micro compact 1911 off Gunbroker. I got it for a fair price. It has Novak low mount night sights. I shot it this weekend and it is a nice shooter. It didn't like my polymer coated RN bullets 'cause I loaded them to 1.273" OAL, too long for the chamber taper. The Rainier TMJ loaded to the same length worked great. They have a sharper taper on the bullet from nose to base than the poly coated bullets. I shot some Hornady 230gr XTP +P through it to make sure it likes my carry ammo. It ate it like candy. Needless to say I'm VERY pleased. I love 1911's and .45ACP so this a great addition to my carry collection. Here is a pix or two.



Here it is next to my commander

 

[littlelefty]

I had to wipe the screen from drooling on those pics. Beautiful gun! I want one! I tote a SA loaded (full size) without too much difficulty but just imagine how that micro would hide!

 

[KenW.]

just imagine how that micro would hide

I'm sure it conceals as easily as my Colt Defender; the first 3" 1911.

 

[distra]

Ken, I was out bid on the Defender.:banghead: It was my first choice, but I don't think my second choice is too bad

 

[KenW.]

I just put some XS Express sights with the "Big Dot" on it. Still trying to get consitant head shots @ 15 yds.

If other 1911 companies had 3" out there when I bought the Defender, I'd have had to compare them all.

Some 1911 owners will tell you that anything as short as a 3 or 3.5" barrel is not realiable... Well, mine's been 100% reliable. no troubles at all. I did upgrade to Wilson mags though.

 

[distra]

I tried a big dot once, could not get the hang of it. I'm a three dot guy right now. As for the troubles with 3" 1911, I think some of the problems might be due to the steep feed ramp and tapered chamber. I had a few failure to go into battery with my longer OAL loads. I tried a 200 gr poly coated bullets loaded to 1.240"OAL and they cycled just fine.

 

[Lone_Gunman]

I had one of those for a while and it was a Jam-o-matic. Springfield could not get it working right either.

 

[distra]

... it was a Jam-o-matic.

That's what made me a little nervous about buying one. The seller had a three day return policy so I hit the range ASAP to run some of my loads and carry ammo through it. I just need to shorten my OAL on my ball loads to accomidate the taper of the chamber. The only other thing is to replace the ambi safety with a single side. Ambi is ok, but I feel more comfortable with a single side safety up against my hip.