Author Topic: Short barrel 45 for carry (Read 3372 times)

Incitatus · « **on:** January 07, 2012, 01:22:49 PM »

I was wondering if you folks have some observations on the issue. I'd like an ambi safety OOTB and a barrel length of 3-4". Kinber Colt others?

I'd like to narrow it down a bit.

Thanks.

williamlayton · « **Reply #1 on:** January 07, 2012, 09:36:36 PM »

I like the Colt Commander---but the Government model is not a bad choice.
Blessings

Bigeasy · « **Reply #2 on:** January 07, 2012, 11:29:24 PM »

My only experience with a 3 inch 1911 is a Kimber Ultra Carry. Mine has over a thousand rounds of reloads and factory without one problem, and is as accurate as most full sized 1911's. My experience with several Commander leingth guns has been positive, but to me, the real difference in concealability isn't so much with barrel leingth between the two, but grip leingth, as the Ultra is noticeably shorter and less likely to "print". Still, any 1911 conceals pretty well with a good holster. I have big hands, and have found by wrapping my little finger under the grip of the Ultra, I am able to maintain good control during firing.

Larry

Savage · « **Reply #3 on:** January 08, 2012, 05:27:39 AM »

My experience has been similar to Larry's. The short grip of the Ultra makes a big difference in concealability. I have found the Pro Carry totes pretty well also. I don't think my Pro Carry gives up anything to my fullsize 1911s.
Savage

longwinters · « **Reply #4 on:** January 08, 2012, 12:04:31 PM »

I have the Kimber CDP Pro II with 4" barrel. Have had no hiccups at all and it carries very well with your typical high carry holster. Accuracy with Win white box and the cheap Rem FMJ has been good also.

Long

PAHUnter04 · « **Reply #5 on:** January 08, 2012, 12:29:50 PM »

Count me in as a new Kimber CDP II .45 ACP owner. Mine is 3in barrel and shoots great even at 25 yards with anything I run through it. The fit and finish is outstanding to boot.

Regards PAH..

anachronism · « **Reply #6 on:** January 08, 2012, 04:25:11 PM »

Colt Defender. Relatively inexpensive, powerful & reliable. Plus the Series 80 safety has the bugs worked out of it by now. Kimbers Schwartz safety still deals some people fits.

Cheesehead · « **Reply #7 on:** January 08, 2012, 05:29:34 PM »

I know it is not a 1911, but I handled a Glock 36 the other day, and it seemed nice.

Cheese

Mikey · « **Reply #8 on:** January 09, 2012, 01:06:17 AM »

I believe that Kimber's version of a Aluminum framed 4" (Commander length) 45 would be your best bet. JMTCW.

Hafast · « **Reply #9 on:** January 09, 2012, 02:27:18 AM »

I can highly recommend the Colt Defender. Mine eats anything I load into the magazine. The trick I've learned to keeping a short barreled 1911 running is to replace the recoil springs about every 600 to 700 rounds. And yes, I do use the dual springs from Colt. The single spring replacements that are out there are not as reliable.

GLShooter · « **Reply #10 on:** January 09, 2012, 07:50:07 AM »

Not a 1911 but one that Col. Cooper pushed hard back in the early 70's. A Star PD. I have a pair of them. One is my daily carry and the other is "handy" in the house. I have seen them go for $250 at many gun shows. They way 21 ounces IIRC. Mine will shoot anything I feed it from Hardball to 185 SWC's.

Greg

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #11 on:** January 10, 2012, 02:14:44 AM »

ive got two cdps. One a 3 inch officers grip framed gun and the other a 4 inch with an officers grip frame and they both run like a top and will give my full sized guns a run for there money on paper at 25 yards. Ive said many times that the cdps are probably the best bang for the buck in a ccw 1911. there not cheap but compare in features and reliablility to guns that cost 2 to 3 times as much.

Quote from: longwinters on January 08, 2012, 12:04:31 PM

I have the Kimber CDP Pro II with 4" barrel. Have had no hiccups at all and it carries very well with your typical high carry holster. Accuracy with Win white box and the cheap Rem FMJ has been good also.

Long

1911crazy · « **Reply #12 on:** January 10, 2012, 01:52:34 PM »

I did have a colt combat commander 1911/45acp at one time. With an in the pants holster it did holster well.
The star PD in the pic looks similair to a star bm in 9mm only a tad larger. I think the spanish pistols are overlooked and under rated.

drdougrx · « **Reply #13 on:** January 10, 2012, 02:36:45 PM »

I has 2 Star PDs....great guns that I so stupidly traded. Will buy another as soon as I can find one!

reliquary · « **Reply #14 on:** January 11, 2012, 02:38:36 PM »

I've carried a mostly-stock Commander .45 ACP since about '82. I did a modest sear bevel to bring it to about 5#, have Hogues on it, and opened up the rear sight notch a bit; I like lots of daylight when lining up the sights. Oh, and some Day-Glo stuff on the front sight.

The key is getting the right holster. I like the "slides" with a good belt.

Incitatus · « **Reply #15 on:** January 14, 2012, 01:29:16 AM »

I have been reading some very good things about the Defender by Colt. I think that if I were to back off of a full size 1911 I would probably go to a 3" barrel.

I have looked at the Kimbers and they strike me as enjoying a trendiness that allows them to price pretty aggressively. It looks like I could pick up a Defender for ~$800 or less used.

Mike in Virginia · « **Reply #16 on:** January 26, 2012, 08:06:48 AM »

My last one was a Kimber Ultra, 4". I still can't believe I got suckered into another 1911. It jammed with all ammo tried, even hardball. It like 185 grain hp's the best, but still, no reliability.
But boy was it accurate. No problem hitting a milk jug at 50 yards every time it didn't jam. Needless to say, it's gone. I'd say the day will come when I'll try it again because they sure are flat and pretty.

the jigger · « **Reply #17 on:** January 31, 2012, 08:03:16 AM »

I also have just caught the 1911 bug. What about the Springfield GI champion?
GOOD LUCK and GOOD SHOOTING!!!

saltydog · « **Reply #18 on:** February 04, 2012, 02:49:44 AM »

Firestar 45 ACP - overlooked and underrated pistols. Compact but have some weight to them to aid in firing.

Steve E · « **Reply #19 on:** February 07, 2012, 03:32:11 PM »

I have an ATI Titan in stainless which has a barrel a hair over 3 inches. I really like this 1911 and shoot it quite a bit. At one time it was my CCW gun but now I carry a Kahr CW45.

Steve E.............

bobthenailer · « **Reply #20 on:** February 15, 2012, 08:21:40 AM »

Since the mid 1970's until 1994 i carried a all steel satin nickel Colt commander with some modfications s&w adj revolver rear sights melted into slide , beavertail grip saftey , vedecki trigger , fitted barrel bushing , swenson ambi saftey .
In 1994 i bought a Para ordance P12 3.5 inch barrel alloy frame to take the place of the heaver commander for carry. I installed trijucon night sights ,Ed brown grip saftey & tatical ambi saftey . I carried it until 2011 then i bought a Kahr P45 and i really like it for daily carry over the PA as its a single stack , and easier to conseal , lighter weight , good night
sights, and i like having no safteys to disenguage , and the excellent 5 to 6 lb double action type trigger pull ,
Ive found with the Kahr P45, i carry my handgun evertime i leave the house & at times just leave it on when in the house, i forget im even wearing it. with the other 2 i allways knew i was carring a handgun. and carried them less frequent.

1911crazy · « **Reply #21 on:** February 16, 2012, 07:36:11 AM »

The hot ticket right now in a shorter barrel auto with an in the pants holster is the czech surplus military CZ82 in 9mm mak with two 12rd mags for around $189 to $250 depending on the condition you want. Its almost the same pistol as the CZ83. If the size and weight is a problem.

AR50shooter · « **Reply #22 on:** February 16, 2012, 02:35:15 PM »

I carry a Colt Defender. It's easy to hide in a high ride holster. Eats everything I've put through it just fine.

rem700-3 · « **Reply #23 on:** February 17, 2012, 03:56:16 PM »

Kimber ultra carry like mine almost as much as my 220 and my 220 was my go to for a long long time and in some bad places.

bubbinator · « **Reply #24 on:** February 25, 2012, 08:30:09 PM »

My 1911s were GI+5>Colt1970>Para P13Kit>SA 1911>Detonics Combat Master MkVISS>Para WartHog. Never failed to qualify @ 96% or better with any one 4 times a year. Never owned a Kimber-local SO SWAT returned all theirs due to poor performance and poor warranty issues-went back to Springfield Armory (had guns with 50K rds still running with routine maint!) My 3" Detonic and Para WArt Hog have fed and functioned reliably in LEO quals using any ball/HP/HP+p I fed them w/o issue. The Detonics will use any single stack 45 mag and the Wart Hog feeds from my stolen P13 mags! I reload for allI shoot and experienced no issues with my loads. I am not a competitor-I shoot loads for HD/Hunting.

popplecop · « **Reply #25 on:** April 15, 2012, 02:54:03 AM »

I have 2, an old Colt LW Commander in 45 acp and one I just built. Took a Springfield Champion 4"er and changed hammer, trigger kit, and sights. Results is a very nice all steel accurate 1911. Had some problems with a 3" 45 and after 2nd trip to factory sold it, besides in 45 my old eyes need the longer sight radious. I installed XS Sight Systems Dot Express sights, very fast and accurate.

SM Bob · « **Reply #26 on:** April 26, 2012, 10:30:39 AM »

Quote from: GLShooter on January 09, 2012, 07:50:07 AM

Not a 1911 but one that Col. Cooper pushed hard back in the early 70's. A Star PD. I have a pair of them. One is my daily carry and the other is "handy" in the house. I have seen them go for $250 at many gun shows. They way 21 ounces IIRC. Mine will shoot anything I feed it from Hardball to 185 SWC's.

I too used to own a Star PD. Loved that pistol! Like a knucklehead I sold it. Wish I could get another one, but here in the People's Republic Of Kalifornia they are not on the list of handguns certified for sale. Everytime I see a picture of one I kick myself in the rear end.

Robert

Greg

GLShooter · « **Reply #27 on:** May 01, 2012, 06:19:26 AM »

They are a nice pistol. I would say they present with the best bang for the buck on the market. I have seven or eight magazines so I think I am set for life on them. The weight is so little you almost forget you have one on you.

Greg

loner5667 · « **Reply #28 on:** July 29, 2012, 03:23:08 AM »

Sorry to dredge this one up again....

I read through the posts and no one mentioned the 3" Para's. I have two of these 10+1 double stacks that I carry (Not the newer alloy frame versions). This one does not have the ambi-saftey you were talking about, but the second one does.

David

demented · « **Reply #29 on:** July 29, 2012, 05:55:22 AM »

I've a 20 some odd year old Smith 4516-1 that has served me well. It shoots better than I can, has never malfunctioned when not using some of my grungy swc reloads. These can be had well under $500 these days and imo are worth every cent,