Looking for a 3" 1911 [Archive]

OrangeDonkey

01-19-2011, 22:16

I don't currently have one and really want to add one to my collection. I'm torn between these three, any recommendations? Ultra CDP II, Escort, or maybe even the Smith Pro Series..

glock2740

01-19-2011, 22:30

Of the three you have listed, I would highly recommend the Ultra CDP II. :thumbsup:

ArmoryDoc

01-20-2011, 00:19

Ultra CDP II without a doubt.

stumpjumper

01-20-2011, 06:23

Although not on your list, a Colt Defender is also a good choice.

NDLAWRENCE

01-20-2011, 06:41

i like the looks of the SA emp

Nakanokalronin

01-20-2011, 07:17

The Ultra.

glock2740

01-20-2011, 08:14

The Ultra with night sights or especially the TLE Ultra. It has night sights, checkered front strap and I believe a single sided safety, and it's a couple hundred less than the CDP.

http://www.kimberamerica.com/1911/ultra-carry-ii/stainless-ultra-tle-ii

Hard to beat that for a CC 1911.

ATL_GLOCK

01-20-2011, 13:31

Cobra64

01-20-2011, 14:22

bac1023

01-20-2011, 14:31

what it the main difference between the CDP and the Carry ii?

The CDP is enhanced a bit in the "custom shop". Ambi safety, checkering, melted slide, etc.

http://i636.photobucket.com/albums/uu81/ollituc/000_2245-1.jpg

bac1023

01-20-2011, 14:35

A friend is also looking at a 3" Kimber and mentioned that there's a model with a built in laser (not my cup of tea) that he's interested in.

I thought lasered Kimbers only came with a CT.

Brian, being a Kimber carry fan, any ideas?

Mark, I'm not aware of any Kimber with a built in laser off the top of my head. I'll look, but I'm only aware of the Crimson models.

I hate lasers, so its not something I really pay attention to.

PlayboyPenguin

01-20-2011, 14:38

Is the Colt Officer's model on your radar at all? I have owned several 1911's in the 3" range (Paras, Springers, Kimbers, Detonics, etc.) and it is my favorite. :)

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r89/PlayboyPenguin/Keepers/ColtOfficers-1.jpg

jrs93accord

01-20-2011, 16:06

what about the Kimber Ultra Crimson Carry II?

I've been looking at 3in 1911's myself as well to replace my glock 30 as my daily carry and will be curious to see what others think...

what it the main difference between the CDP and the Carry ii? what about the Super carry?

Here is mine.
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m8/jamesrea_2006/jamesrea_08/jamesrea09/jamesrea10/002-8.jpg

Also have the Tactical Ultra II
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m8/jamesrea_2006/jamesrea_08/DSC00617.jpg

and a Springfield Micro GI
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m8/jamesrea_2006/jamesrea2010/002-12.jpg

In the 3 1/2" category, I have these:

RIA Compacts
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m8/jamesrea_2006/jamesrea2010/007-2.jpg

High Standard Compact Crusader
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m8/jamesrea_2006/jamesrea_08/jamesrea09/jamesrea10/005-2.jpg

Llama MINIMAX .45
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m8/jamesrea_2006/jamesrea_08/jamesrea09/002-1.jpg

jrs93accord

01-20-2011, 16:06

and a Colt Officer ACP
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m8/jamesrea_2006/jamesrea_08/jamesrea09/DSC00706.jpg

EmperorKO

01-20-2011, 16:32

+1 vote on the Ultra CDP. Got mine last year and I'm very happy with it overall.

Only complaint I have is the finish on the receiver. That KimPro finish is NOT DURABLE. Managed to scratch it the first day - not even an "idiot scratch" - the thumb safety wore the frame after the first few dozen clicks. Then the ring on my finger wore off the finish on the frontstrap over time. Oh well. I got the thing to use it.

OrangeDonkey

01-20-2011, 19:41

OrangeDonkey

01-20-2011, 19:44

Is the Colt Officer's model on your radar at all? I have owned several 1911's in the 3" range (Paras, Springers, Kimbers, Detonics, etc.) and it is my favorite. :)

Not really, I'm stuck between the Ultra CDP II and the Escort. Although your's sure is nice....

Cobra64

01-20-2011, 19:54

Mark, I'm not aware of any Kimber with a built in laser off the top of my head. I'll look, but I'm only aware of the Crimson models.

I hate lasers, so its not something I really pay attention to.

Yeah, I'm not real big on lasers either, but I found out tonight that the model he's looking at has a CT in the grip which I was already aware of.

rfe959

01-20-2011, 19:58

+1 for Kimber

PlayboyPenguin

01-20-2011, 22:30

Not really, I'm stuck between the Ultra CDP II and the Escort. Although your's sure is nice....
Of those two I would go with the Ultra.

Agent6-3/8

01-21-2011, 08:31

Friends don't let friends buy 3" 1911's, drive drunk, hook up with ugly fat girls, etc, etc. :supergrin:

Buy, I really need to post something positive this morning. ;)

ATL_GLOCK

01-21-2011, 08:39

for me a laser is not a deal breaker...but I have the ctg on my beretta 92 I carry and it's great for point and click accuracy in the 10ft and under range. I like some of the 3.5 in 1911s shown...I just cant stand the standard "gi" sites on 1911s...I have a springer 1911 gi in OD and I absolutely hate the sites on it..I cant imagine having to quickly acquire a target with them. Anyways great information in this thread!

DeepBlue

01-21-2011, 13:43

Friends don't let friends buy 3" 1911's, drive drunk, hook up with ugly fat girls, etc, etc. :supergrin:

Buy, I really need to post something positive this morning. ;)

:rofl::rofl:

Hokie1911

01-21-2011, 13:47

Friends don't let friends hook up with ugly fat girls

Sometimes it's necessary for someone to jump on the grenade bro. Just don't ever forget their sacrifice for the good of the squad.

PlayboyPenguin

01-21-2011, 13:50

Friends don't let friends buy 3" 1911's, drive drunk, hook up with ugly fat girls, etc, etc. :supergrin:

Buy, I really need to post something positive this morning. ;)
Fat chics need love too...and it isn't like most of you guys are winning first prize in any beauty contests yourselves. :)

Hokie1911

01-21-2011, 13:54

Fat chics need love too...and it isn't like most of you guys are winning first prize in any beauty contests yourselves. :)

Speak for yourself...

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs016.snc1/2637_59412843946_608698946_1682720_1114153_n.jpg

ATL_GLOCK

01-21-2011, 14:01

Fat chics need love too...and it isn't like most of you guys are winning first prize in any beauty contests yourselves. :)

Sleeping with a fat chick is like riding a scooter...it's always fun until someone sees you!

Agent6-3/8

01-22-2011, 10:19

Wow, I managed to completely derail this thread. Perhaps I'm move up from thread killer to thread derailer...:supergrin:

oldsoldier

01-22-2011, 10:29

I suggest you consider the Colt Defender too.

Cobra64

01-22-2011, 13:13

Fat chics need love too...and it isn't like most of you guys are winning first prize in any beauty contests yourselves. :)

Yeah, but we'll take a fat chick over any guy though. :tongueout:

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c2/Davis1950/Weapons/Girls%20-%20Children%20Shooting/FightingPistol4.jpg

OrangeDonkey

01-22-2011, 20:40

I suggest you consider the Colt Defender too.

Maybe I will, I looked into the New Agent models months ago. I'm surprised nobody has recommended the Escort..

G27RR

01-23-2011, 08:00

Maybe I will, I looked into the New Agent models months ago. I'm surprised nobody has recommended the Escort..

Part of that is probably that they are less common. I bought my Escort as a backup to my Shadow and would carry it if I stopped carrying the Shadow for some reason.

I'd rather carry the Escort than the Defender because I don't like the rubber grips on the Defender, and if you take them off the front strap is a little slick for me. The Escort has STI's version of stippling and is less slick. The Escort was the same price as the Defender, too. I bought the Defender first though, and it has been very reliable for me.

Bai Qui

01-23-2011, 14:35

I'll add another vote for the Escort. Mine has been flawless. I bought mine mainly based on the praise for STI on these boards. Haven't been disappointed.

OrangeDonkey

01-23-2011, 21:32

Thanks guys, I think I'm going with the Escort. It has everything I'm looking for. I really appreciate the feedback...

Hokie1911

01-23-2011, 21:36

Thanks guys, I think I'm going with the Escort. It has everything I'm looking for. I really appreciate the feedback...

Good choice OD. :thumbsup:

ashvillemark

01-23-2011, 22:02

not exactly a 1911 but great guns at price.bersa thunder is a nice gun have one in 9mm and 45.

Agent6-3/8

01-24-2011, 12:29

not exactly a 1911 but great guns at price.bersa thunder is a nice gun have one in 9mm and 45.

Yea, definitely not 1911's but they are what you might call "sleeper guns", IMO. I've shot a couple of the .380's and looked at the fullsize 9mm. For the money they're nice.

Pima Pants

01-24-2011, 13:37

Another vote for the Colt Diefendorfer.

KC Kahr

01-25-2011, 17:48

Although not on your list, a Colt Defender is also a good choice.
Agree 100% Had 2, both fed/feed perfectly. Accurate and very manageable. Get the slim grips if you're going to carry it.
http://i901.photobucket.com/albums/ac215/tomwalshco/1911/Defender10.jpg

PlayboyPenguin

01-25-2011, 17:55

Agree 100% Had 2, both fed/feed perfectly. Accurate and very manageable. Get the slim grips if you're going to carry it.
http://i901.photobucket.com/albums/ac215/tomwalshco/1911/Defender10.jpg
Yeah, the slim grips do make a difference. I bought mine from Sarge over at thefinergrain dot com. He makes the best ones I have ever owned.

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r89/PlayboyPenguin/Misc/CustomgripsClose.jpg

anyplainjoe

01-25-2011, 19:27

I handled a 'melted' Kimber, it was amazingly smooth.

Ascout

01-26-2011, 15:09

I've had a CDP II Ultra for a little over a year and it has successfully cycled 10 of 11 ammo types (commercial and my own reloads) without a hiccup (Mine didn't care for Mag-Tech, and neither do I, really...it's rather smoky, your mileage may vary).

I've had and had other .45's (traded a Colt M1991 Compact Model for the Kimber, plus some money) and will never let this one go. Light, reliable, accurate...what's not to like?