Which 3" 45ACP

[Dobber]

I've decide to get a 3" or 3.5" 45 I'm not sure if I want to go Kimber or Springfield. I've owned several Kimbers and Springfields and they were all good guns. I have been looking for a Colt Officers ACP for a while and have given up for now. Which would you get and why? I do like the fact the Kimber has several models to pick from. Show em off if you got em.

[gconan]

I have heard not to go under 4.25 barrel for the 1911. It was designed as a 5" barrel, and some say 4.25 is as short as you can go reliably. I used to se the very short Kimbers selling like hot cakes all over the place, but no more.

[uhlawpup]

I love my Colt Officers Model. Runs like a sewing machine and easy to conceal.

[MrMurphy]

I've never shot a under-Commander size (4-4.25") that I could control well or was reliable. Including an original Detonics Combat Master.

4" is the minimum for me.

[watsoncb]

We need to back the bus up. :whistling:

If your looking for a CCW firearm 3" is fine. If your looking for target or some other function, go with a "full size" 1911.

Kimber, Springfield, Wilson and Colt have engineered in barrel bushings, guide rods and springs to make 3" 1911s reliable and accurate firearms.

I own a Colt Defender and have no problems shooting it straight - every time. But I do not put +P 45 rounds (to keep the recoil down) in it and I do not expect it to be aiming at anything past 25 yards.

[gconan]

Kimber, Springfield, Wilson and Colt have engineered in barrel bushings, guide rods and springs to make 3" 1911s reliable and accurate firearms.



Don't all the very short ones come with bull barrel's? Without a bushing.

[GJ1981]

I went with the Kimber, I liked how they had more models than SF to choice from. I hear how 1911's with a barrel less than 4" might have reliability issues. That may be true but mine has only had one jam in over 1500 rounds. It was a magazine issue so I'm not worried about it.

http://i31.tinypic.com/rrkyde.jpg

[SAWMAN]

.....is a Kimber Ultra Carry CDPII. It has a internal extractor. It has NEVER failed after given a generous F&B.

Will probably be thrown off the forum but will say it anyway,Jeff Cooper WAS WRONG !!

When contemplating buying a 3" 1911 ensure that you have a generous dose of common sense. Without that,the weapon could possibly not run right.

Good luck.

[michael t]

I have Colt officer , Colt New Agent ,Colt Defender , all have been perfect right from the box. I vote Colt .
I also have a old Detonics that has served well.

[na$ty-ta]

Wow..... so many of us think alike LOL

I was looking into the same thing....

I have narrowed my two choices down to....

1. Kimber Ultra Carry II
http://www.kimberamerica.com/images/pistols/ultracarryII.jpg

Shot my Brothers and LOVED it...

$785 Local


2. GI .45 PW9801LP
http://www.galleryofguns.com/prod_images/PW9801LP.JPG

$667

The 4" Barrel id $619


Im up in the air..... Plus id change the grips on the Springfield.

HMMmmmm

[SAWMAN]

Na$ty, iffen your thinking of Kimber,look around for a slightly used,Ultra Carry CDP II. With,and ONLY WITH,a internal extractor. You can find them for around $900 "cuz they are prone to jam". Check out the features between them and the non-CDP's.

[slewfoot]

.....is a Kimber Ultra Carry CDPII. It has a internal extractor. It has NEVER failed after given a generous F&B.

Will probably be thrown off the forum but will say it anyway,Jeff Cooper WAS WRONG !!

When contemplating buying a 3" 1911 ensure that you have a generous dose of common sense. Without that,the weapon could possibly not run right.

Good luck.

I believe Cooper was right at the time. Back when he made that statement, the only compact 1911 in production was the Colt Officers Model. There were many problems with these guns when first marketed.

I believe if he was alive, he would be carrying a Commander size or smaller 1911 pistol.

I own a Kimber Ultra Raptor II. The only problem I had with this pistol was related to magazines, not the pistol.

Having owned a Colt Officer when they first came out, a typical problem was the barrel bushing ending up down range. I prefer the bull barrel set up.

[SAWMAN]

One of the first things that I did re. my Kimber was to swap the mag guts(spring and follower) to the Wilson's. The 47D's IIRC. At that time I also smoothed the underside of the feed lips. This to me is very important. Something this simple can keep the slide from being slowed down. I have also seen something this simple cost a guy $200 in trade in value, at a gun show.

Then a generious smoothing/shineing of the feed ramp,chamber,slide rails,locking lugs,front end of bbl,and other parts,with a "Dredded" Dremmel, turned at the slowest speed,with small felt wheel,and some very fine polishing compound. I shined up everything w/o taking off material.

Never tried full wad cutters,but my 3" Kimber will feed everything else.

Also,please don't get me wrong. Cooper was a great man,however I feel that if he were still alive he would still be carring a 5" Colt,simply because Cooper was Cooper.

[MP1SG]

I have two 3" barreled 1911's, a SA Loaded Micro Compact and a Colt New Agent, not a problem with either.

[Chocobo]

You should look into a 1911 with commander slide and officer frame such as Colt CCO, Kimber compact model.

[MacG22]

I have a Colt New Agent with about 2k rounds through it. It has not only been perfect, it is an excellent carry gun. The gutter sight is fine for self defense range point shooting--more than you might think at first.

I recommend it highly. It's one of the guns I have that I would never consider selling.

[okie]

Can you say Kimber Covert:whistling::supergrin:

[G26S239]

Recently bought an Ultra CDP II, 372 rounds so far very reliable. I had wanted a SIG P239 in 40/357 to compliment my 9mm P239. But I am happy with the Ultra.

[paul45]

I suggest a Colt.

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k57/paul10mm/100_0161.jpg

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k57/paul10mm/100_0071.jpg

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k57/paul10mm/100_0066.jpg

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k57/paul10mm/100_0303.jpg

[kkramer673]

I bought a Kimber SIS Ultra (3") because it was an all-steel frame and does not have the Swartz safety. 700 or so rounds later, I have yet to experience a malfunction. It's very accurate and the steel frame makes the .45 ACP recoil more manageable.

[Dobber]

I suggest a Colt.

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k57/paul10mm/100_0161.jpg

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k57/paul10mm/100_0071.jpg

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k57/paul10mm/100_0066.jpg

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k57/paul10mm/100_0303.jpg


You have some good looking Colts.

[Dobber]

Thanks for the input........... I'm going to the Ft Worth gunshow this weekend and I'm buying something I just don't know what one yet. I hope I can find a nice Officers ACP, second will be a Springer but just about all Springfield 1911's seem to be in short supply so I would bet I end up with a Kimber. My EDC is a Les Baer TRS so it's not going to be for carry I just want one. I'll post some pics this weekend.

[Dobber]

I ended up with a Colt Defender. I found a new set of grips now I just need a couple of things from Brownells and it will be good to go.
http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w286/cdobber/DSCN0379.jpg

[sniper350]

kkramer673 --I bought a Kimber SIS Ultra (3") because it was an all-steel frame and does not have the Swartz safety. 700 or so rounds later, I have yet to experience a malfunction. It's very accurate and the steel frame makes the .45 ACP recoil more manageable.

The all STEEL FRAME is the key to these compact 45 acps !! I bought a used S. A. Ultra Compact 3.5" barrel .......and have fallen in love with this pistol. The control you are able to have is remarkable with the balance and weight of the all steel frame. This little beast left the factory with a too tight extractor ........... but I caught that before I even went to the range to test fire it. The previous owner probably got rid of this fantastic pistol, because it probably jammed a lot due to the improper tuned extractor. After a quick adjustment ......... this pistol has not jammed once feeding it hardball & JHP's from 3 different kinds of magazines !!

500 rounds of pretty hot hardball ammo and the Ultra Compact is still out performing many full sized brothers on the Range. The accuracy is amazing from this 3.5" barrel ........and head shots from 25 yds away are not all that hard to accomplish. Thanks to S. A.'s improved high profile sights ......... the shorter sight radius is not that much of a bother.

Tuck this little monster into a Milt Sparks [IWB] Holster ....and it dissappears under a pull over t-Shirt. I wouldn't leave home without my Ultra Compact, nor would I sell it for any amount [ under a Grand ].

JF.

[Dobber]

The all STEEL FRAME is the key to these compact 45 acps !! I bought a used S. A. Ultra Compact 3.5" barrel .......and have fallen in love with this pistol. The control you are able to have is remarkable with the balance and weight of the all steel frame. This little beast left the factory with a too tight extractor ........... but I caught that before I even went to the range to test fire it. The previous owner probably got rid of this fantastic pistol, because it probably jammed a lot due to the improper tuned extractor. After a quick adjustment ......... this pistol has not jammed once feeding it hardball & JHP's from 3 different kinds of magazines !!

500 rounds of pretty hot hardball ammo and the Ultra Compact is still out performing many full sized brothers on the Range. The accuracy is amazing from this 3.5" barrel ........and head shots from 25 yds away are not all that hard to accomplish. Thanks to S. A.'s improved high profile sights ......... the shorter sight radius is not that much of a bother.

Tuck this little monster into a Milt Sparks [IWB] Holster ....and it dissappears under a pull over t-Shirt. I wouldn't leave home without my Ultra Compact, nor would I sell it for any amount [ under a Grand ].

JF.


I like the all steel Springers but I have not seen one around these parts in a long time. I know Springfield sales a lot of guns but if they could/would up production they would move a lot more.

[sniper350]

You are correct ............ I had to buy this Ultra Compact "used", so the all steel models are hard to come by. Don't know why S.A. discontinued production of this model..........unless it was getting too expensive to make and they are very sensitive to a certain price point?

There is nothing wrong with your Colt Defender, my friend !! I was looking for one when I stumbled onto the Ultra Compact. Like you I found it hard to find an all steel frame, in a quality brand name.

If I were you, I would change that MSH unit to an "Arched" design with the Magwell as one unit. Smith & Alexander sells them for the 3" compacts and that is what I installed on the Ultra Compact. Extremely high quality part in all stainless steel. Adds a bit more weight to the heel of your hand and keeps the pistol balanced - at least for me. The arched MSH unit makes for a higher hold on the weapon as soon as you grab it from the holster.........I just find it "seats" the pistol in my hand quicker and speed can be a life saver at times!

I know you said you found a set of grips ........... but please try the Hogue Rap around finger groove grips for the compact pistols. They are not extremely pretty .......but they certainly get the job done. Again, they help seat the pistol in your hand and keep it indexed as you shoot rapid shots. It also helps fill the void with that smooth front strap on the defender ........ and adds a lot of control in your hand. Every little trick is needed to make you successful with these little monsters, but once they are tamed ........ there is nothing like them for speed, concealment, and accuracy !!

JF.