Thoughts on ATI 3" 1911

[thefamcnaj]

Hey guys, I've been wanting a 1911 I can carry. I currently carry Glocks, only.
I have a two Sig 1911's I could carry but I don't want them dinged up. They aren't safe queens but I don't want to carry them.
I do a lot of things out side so my carry guns take a beating some times. I saw a 3 inch ATI 1911 at my lgs for 430 + tax. It's stainless and 7+1. I've got no first hand knowledge of theses guns. I was curious as to the reliability of the fire arms, and if they feed HP's. Any of you guys have any experience, with these guns, good or bad?

 

[surjimmy]

Don't know all the facts or first hand, but I have read that 1911's in 3in have alot of problems. I have always had good luck with LW Commanders

 

[thefamcnaj]

I would go up to the 4 inch, if it would mean less problems.
When I told my gun guy, I wanted a cheaper "knock around" 1911, he picked up the ATI. When I ask about the brand I got the ole generic"its pretty good".

 

[Rail Driver]

While the 3" guns are somewhat more picky with ammo/load and a bit more difficult to shoot well, after they've seen a gunsmith that knows what he's doing, they're great little guns. That said, I'll only carry a Commander or Full size 1911 (and that's all I own as far as pistols, are Commander and full size 1911s... I've sold all my 3.5" and shorter 1911s)

 

[thefamcnaj]

Rail driver, do you know anything about the ATI brand?

 

[Rail Driver]

Rail driver, do you know anything about the ATI brand?

I have little experience with ATI 1911s aside from firing a commander size at the range several times, though I've handled their .22 1911 and a few of their other guns a bit more extensively.

The fit and finish is comparable to most "bottom of the barrel" 1911s, but as with anything, you get what you pay for.

I'm not used to a 1911 that rattles, and the ATI that I shot did rattle. It wasn't exceptionally inaccurate, but it wasn't a tack driver either... If I recall correctly, I think the average group size was around 3-5" at ~40ft.

Personally I'd recommend going with a Rock Island or Springfield instead of the ATI, even if you have to save a bit more money. The Rock Island will need a bit of (careful) polishing here and there, but I daresay it will run just fine on FMJ (even steel cased Tula ammo), and shouldn't have any problems with some of the rounder profiled hollow points. The Springfield will have a bit better finish (though they're comparable to the RIA overall in my opinion).

 

[Blue68f100]

I don't know anything about the ATI. I have the Kimber Ultra (3") Carry II in 45acp and it has preformed flawlessly. Test have show with the right ammo it will shoot <2" at 25 yrds. More accurate than I am. Kimber uses a 2 pc recoil spring assemble. What it does is make the recoil spring the same length as a full size gun. Kimber says to replace the outer spring every 1500 rounds. What I found at that interval was the inner and outer had lost 2# each. Which means it lost 4# of a 18# spring in 1500 rounds. I replace both springs of the assembly every 1500 rounds. The biggest obstical with these small short barrel guns is timing. It's hard to control the slide with short springs. The Kimbers with external extractors have problems more than not. Those returned during warranty had the slide replaced with a internal extractor. Kimber had problems with the early ones, seam to have the problems worked out now.