Any Recoil Difference Between 5" And 4.25" 1911's?

Camu Mahubah · 03-03-2012, 22:28

I'm in the market for a 1911 and I'm seriously looking at the STI Spartan. I'm looking at the 9mm version with the 5" barrel for local matches. I'm gonna 9mm for the reduced recoil of the cartridge and ammo costs. This isn't gonna be a self-defense weapon. It is gonna be my Gamer Gun. I been shooting my Glocks in comp and doing decent but this is the researched route I want to go.

I just need to know if the Commander sized 1911 offers any recoil benefits compared to the Five Inch Punchasaurus. Do tell me your experience with any and all cartridges and barrel lengths please...I would much appreciate it.

I have shot several .45 ACP 1911's and I find commercial ammo in these guns to have more recoil than my G23 with commercial ammo. FMJ' I'm speaking off so I guess I don't notice the "Push" versus the "Snap". Even though I'm not recoil sensitive I just want less. I am thinking 9mm in a full-size 1911 would be the bee's knees...accuracy, great trigger, and less recoil than the .45.

tim12232 · 03-03-2012, 23:05

some will say they can tell a difference "very slight" but I could never tell a bit of difference! Both were all stainless "Springfield Armory 5" and Dan Wesson CBOB 4.25" that was also .45. 9mm is gonna shoot really smooth from a 1911, if its not for carry why not get the extra barrel length!

dakrat · 03-04-2012, 00:25

theoretically, the longer the slide has milder recoil than a shorter one. I can tell the difference between a 5" and a 4.25". why would you want to go with a commander size for gamer gun anyway?

Ahmid · 03-04-2012, 06:12

I cannot tell the difference. I still would get the 5"...

melensdad · 03-04-2012, 06:43

For a "gamer" gun, as in IDPA or something similar, the advantage would go to the longer sight plane of the 5" gun.

I have several different sizes of 1911 pistols in 4 different calibers and the recoil difference from one to the next is minimal within each caliber. Switch caliber and you feel the difference. Stay in the same caliber and switch size and its hard to feel the difference.

Camu Mahubah · 03-04-2012, 08:21

What brought me to this dilemma in the first place...I must admit the Commander sized Ed Brown Kobra Carry that Hickok owns. I so heart that gun but I know my budget calls for the STI Spartan. And that's what I'm getting...I read Bac's review and I settled on the Spartan because I cain't find the Deagle in 9mm...

Oh yah...someone on another forum told me the shorter the barrel the less the recoil because of bullet torque...I called BS and just wanted to check in here where I know a company of many 1911 experts would see it...well I kinda know who I can trust here...whereas the other place I dunno so much...

So I guess I'm gonna go 5"...but when I get the funds for the .45 Spartan after the 9mm...prolly gonna look for a chromed out commander...

ipscshooter · 03-04-2012, 11:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by Camu Mahubah

Oh yah...someone on another forum told me the shorter the barrel the less the recoil because of bullet torque...I called BS ...

Good call

5" equal more weight means less FELT recoil, generally speaking. Longer sight plane.

Sometimes you want lighter overall slide/barrel weight. Depends on the game. For major loads in IPSC/USPSA or IDPA, weight can be a good thing.

Many gamers like 6" if the rules allow.

Greyhoundman · 03-04-2012, 17:08

I usually shoot a 6" .45 STI double stack it is a very forgiving gun to shoot and has by far the least amount of felt recoil of any 1911 I have shot. I can tell the difference between 6, 5 ,and 4.25 they get progressively snappier but the difference is minimal between the different lengths.

HAIL CAESAR · 03-04-2012, 09:39

I can tell the difference...if I am looking for it. But it is minimal.

glock2740 · 03-04-2012, 09:51

I can't tell much difference in recoil between the fullsize and the commander. I can tell a difference between steel framed and aluminum framed guns though. But it's still not enough to bother me. I use 200+P Gold Dots as my carry load in my aluminum framed guns and it's just fine.

Camu Mahubah · 03-04-2012, 10:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by HAIL CAESAR

I can tell the difference...if I am looking for it. But it is minimal.

Which way is it more minimal? I just have to ask...I mean I'm doing decent with a G23. And ummm...no I ain't sticking with the G23 just because I'm doing decent. This one guy has a .38 Super 1911 and he is the guy to beat. I think me and a Spartan 9mm plus some range time...next event...I'll will be the guy to beat....

That's just the route I wanna go...just making sure the 5" is where it is at...

glock2740 · 03-04-2012, 10:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by Camu Mahubah

Which way is it more minimal? I just have to ask...I mean I'm doing decent with a G23. And ummm...no I ain't sticking with the G23 just because I'm doing decent. This one guy has a .38 Super 1911 and he is the guy to beat. I think me and a Spartan 9mm plus some range time...next event...I'll will be the guy to beat....

That's just the route I wanna go...just making sure the 5" is where it is at...

The 9mm load shoots like butter out of a 1911. You'll love it. The .38 Super round is an awesome round too.

itstime · 03-04-2012, 10:34

There is a slight difference. Going for the gamer gun get the 5 in. regardless. Longer has a better sight picture.

Lew-G17 · 03-04-2012, 17:33

I have shot both and there is minimal difference if both pistols are steel. The difference is more noticable if the commander is a lightweight commander. I agree with the other posts, go with a five inch barrel for a match gun.

fnfalman · 03-05-2012, 15:41

The difference in recoil isn't enough to matter.

SpringerTGO · 03-05-2012, 15:52

Up until picking up my Nighthawk, all of my 1911 experience was with 5" models.
When I got my Nighthawk (4.25" T3) I thought the sights were off, I shot it so poorly. It was all in my head. I made up my mind that I need to learn to shoot it, since I paid so much for it and it is a carry gun. Now I switch off between a 5" SA (TGO1) and the Nighthawk, and the shorter Nighthawk is every bit as easy to shoot quickly and accurately. Anyone who has read my other posts about Nighthawk knows I am not a fan of the maker, but if my experience is worth anything, either barrel length should be very similar in performance, with a little practice.

nastytrigger · 03-05-2012, 16:27

I shot both a 4" and a 5" Springfield before I bought my 5" Loaded. I'd say the recoil difference was negligible, as I shot them side-by-side. The 4" I shot was the SS, not the LW Champion.