Springfield Micro Compact questions.

[Mikhail Konovalov]

Alright, so Charter Bulldogs rattling themselves apart or slipping out of time scared the **** out of me, so I decided to consider something else, something familiar, something Springfield.

I have fired Springfield 1911's and XD's before and am satisfied with their quality. By satisfied I mean the very mention of Springfield makes me nod in approval.

That being said, I have never fired or inspected one of their Officers model-sized handguns. Are they as good as the Government models? Do I need to watch out for specific magazines or accessories? Does it only work if I tap the left side three times before use?

For reference, I am eyeballing the GI Micro Compact, 3" Barrell, .45 ACP.

Let me know. Other comments or suggestions are perfectly welcome. Make me smart.

 

[Walter]

Mikhail, I bought a "Loaded" model Springfield 3" Micro-compact
last year specifically for concealed-carry. I looked at the Kimber
3" 1911s, but decided on the Springfield.
I have put almost a thousand rounds through my gun with no
stoppages, except for some problems I had with some extra
magazines I ordered from Springfield. As long as I used the mags
that came with the pistol, I had no (zero) malfunctions.
I love the gun, and carry it every day.

Walter

 

[ChuckB]

I had a Micro once. It was a beautiful two-tone pistol. Unfortunately, neither I nor Springfield could get it to run anywhere near 100%, so I sold it. I currently own a Loaded 5", and an XD9, and they are both wonderful. Some folks have had excellent service with their Micros, so YMMV, for sure.

Chuck

 

[distra]

I picked up a used micro compact two tone last year. It's been running fine since I got it. My wife has now taken a liking to it...I told her to get her own! My micro is not finicky about ammo as some 3" 1911's are.

 

[rcellis]

Had a micro-compact and loved it. Handled JHP and FMJ equally well - wish I hadn't traded it. One of my greatest gun-trading regrets. It *did* go for an HK so it wasn't a total waste.

 

[Mikhail Konovalov]

Whew. For a while there I was nervous. Thanks for the input.

I'm not planning on doing much custom work on it, different grips for sure, maybe a new set of sights in the interest of non-snag draw. Perhaps a different thumb safety.

I would like to match up a Commander slide assembly with an Officer's frame, (I'm told this is good for the reliability and ease of mantainence.) but that's a bit too high-doller for any immediate benefit. Besides, maybe the Officer's slide will work for me.

 

[Sylvilagus Aquaticus]

Wife has a Loaded Micro. She picked it out herself over several other excellent options. I like it and a 1911 isn't my personal first choice in carry pieces. She's had an occasional failure to extract in it, but I've observed that it's due to limp-wristing it a bit. Myself, I've never experienced a failure with it and I'm close to as many rounds through it as she. It also feeds anything that she's run through it.

I think the thin grips that came on it were the deciding factor. She thought it was thinner than either the Kimbers, Baers, Wilsons or other (more expensive!) 1911's she had a selection of. She made the choice, I only carreid the checkbook.

Regards,
Rabbit.

 

[MNBud]

I have one of the early all stainless micro compact and have had no issues with it at all.

 

[ChuckB]

Boy- am I envious! I truly wish I had a 100% Bi-Tone Micro.

Chuck

 

[pajohnohio]

There was a reference to the Springfield Micro Compact being finicky about some ammo. Please elaborate. I have a newer model Mocro with the light rails built in. When I first got it, it would fail to go into complete battery at various rounds. I have not yet found the right practice ammo that will feed 100%.

What ammo are the other Micro Compact owners using for practice rounds here?

 

[MNBud]

Funny that you brought this post back to life,I had posted that I had no issues with the micro compact but I have since purchased a Springfield EMP and it is giving me problems with some brands of ammo after I reload it.I had read about early EMP's having problems with tight breeches but mine was a newer one. Some of the rounds wouldn't allow my slide to go into battery. I called Springfield and they said send it in. It was a fast turnaround and they said they had reamed the breech and because of the inconvenience they had polished the feed ramp and tuned the ejector for no charge. I got it back and it is still hanging up with some of my reloads. I have since sent my carbide sizing die to RCBS to see if it was possibly on the upper end of tolerence and my breech on the lower end. I have access to a case gage and the rounds would all fit into that. RCBS stated that there is always some spring back when you are resizing.They said the die was fine. I'm now up in the air as to whether to call Springfield or just test each round I reload prior to using it in that gun. I didn't state before,everything that won't go into the EMP gets eaten up in the Glock 26 with no issues at all.
I hope I'm not hijacking this thread,I just thought this might fit in.

 

[pajohnohio]

I cannot figure it out. But, I only have about 300 rounds through it. I recently moved to a different state and just haven't gone shooting in quite some time. From other sites I have gathered that I just need to get many more rounds through it.

I had sent my Micro back to Springfield for the problem and they did all you mentioned and it still did the failure to go into full battery thing a few times.

I guess it will be trial and error. I love the gun for carry.

 

[MNBud]

Are you having problems with factory ammunition or with reloads? Does it go all the way forward until within an 1/8 of an inch, or is it stopping before that?
You may end up doing the same thing I'm doing with my EMP. I remove the barrel and test each round to insure it will drop all the way into the breech and then keep this ammunition separate from the stuff that won't drop all the way in.

 

[jeepmor]

pajohnohio,

start a new thread with pictures of the specific issue when it happens. Lots of advice will pour in on how to solve your problem.

 

[ulflyer]

I have a "micro"...a Colt Defender that has never given me any problems. However; in general micro's are sorta like many of the Kahr's....some run good, some don't. Depends on how lucky you are, or how tolerant in dealing with manufacturers.

 

[geekWithA.45]

Personally, I am very skeptical of 3" barrels for defensive purposes.

If you -do- decide to go that short, remember to adjust your ammo weight downwards to keep your velocity at some effective level.

 

[Ghost Tracker]

Any, every, all 1911 designs with a barrel length of > 4" are more inclined to have feed/function problems than Commander or longer length barrels. Now before anyone gets their boxers in a wad, I have owned a Springfield "Loaded" two-tone Micro Compact and it was a perfectly fine pistol. And I'm sure there are other 3-4" 1911 designs that perform equally well. But NONE-THE-LESS, you are taking a calculated risk when carrying the sub-compact 1911 design. And you best keep an accurate round-count because the dual-compound recoil springs (Seecamp design) are supposed to be replaced as often as every 500 rounds.