Compact 1911

JTLIII · 06-01-2010, 13:15

I want to buy a compact 1911 for concealed carry. 3in barrel, either 9mm 40 or 45. I've seen the Kimber and sPringfield armory.

Any other options around that prices range ~$1k?

MoBill · 06-01-2010, 13:19

I carry an STI Escort in .45. It was just over $1k OTD. I've been very pleased with it.

bill

Cerebrus · 06-01-2010, 13:28

I hear that Rock Island makes some decent compacts..
http://www.gundealeronline.com/Produ...ductCode=54183
http://www.midwesthuntersoutlet.com/...%2BJDyOLrQE%3D

Tactical black · 06-01-2010, 14:12

The only micro 1911 I'm interested in is the Springfield EMP

Hokie1911 · 06-01-2010, 14:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tactical black

The only micro 1911 I'm interested in is the Springfield EMP

What he said.

Cerebrus · 06-01-2010, 15:04

I love my Kimber UC II that wears a set of CT grips.. it has been my edc for the better part of 5 yrs now.. granted it was about $1,200.. but the CT's are worth it

it aint the prettiest but it goes everywhere I do

BubbaShoots · 06-01-2010, 15:27

My Colt New Agent has been flawless. The alloy frame makes it easy to carry. No sights to snag.

***1time*** · 06-01-2010, 17:53

I have the RIA cs and I love it. It is accurate dead reliable and it won't bother me too much if the finish wears off or it ends up I'm an evidence room for a year or so.

SIG-SOG · 06-01-2010, 20:05

I would recommend the Colt Defender because I own one and it has been flawless. But, don't take my word for it. Check out forums.1911forum.com in Colt Mfgr's section. Lots of good things said about the Defender and New Agent. Some will say that Colt has got the 3" design nailed; plus, its a Colt.....

Johnspark · 06-01-2010, 20:37

Just over $800 and 75 rounds down range. Perfect so far. Kimber Ultra Carry 2.

Substance-P · 06-02-2010, 18:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by SIG-SOG

I would recommend the Colt Defender because I own one and it has been flawless. But, don't take my word for it. Check out forums.1911forum.com in Colt Mfgr's section. Lots of good things said about the Defender and New Agent. Some will say that Colt has got the 3" design nailed; plus, its a Colt.....

+1 both my good friend and I used to have Colt Defenders and neither one of us had ANY problems with them. Good solid carry 1911.

ar15 · 06-02-2010, 19:15

I have the Kimber Eclipse UCII.
Love it very comfortable

glock2740 · 06-02-2010, 19:37

Rock Island makes a nice compact. I have one and like it alot. But it's a steel framed gun and I like the weight of the alloy framed Kimber Ultra models better. SA makes a nice little compact too.

BlayGlock · 06-03-2010, 07:28

STI Shadow

Quack · 06-03-2010, 07:55

my EDC EMP

or for the cheap:
Citadel

Cobra64 · 06-04-2010, 02:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tactical black

The only micro 1911 I'm interested in is the Springfield EMP

1911s aren't conducive to downsizing. The EMP got it right.

JTLIII · 06-04-2010, 10:35

The EMP is a 40 right?

farscott · 06-04-2010, 10:41

EMP is available in 9x19 or .40 S&W.

Hokie1911 · 06-04-2010, 10:48

I'd go with the EMP or this in 9mm.

jdodd · 06-04-2010, 12:54

I just went through this exact same thing. The main contender was the springfield EMP but I have read WAY to many reports of reliability that required several trips to SA. NOW...those people who did send them in after 1 or 2 trips always seemed happy if they didnt sell it. I just couldnt stand spending 1k+ on a gun that has repeated reports of out of the box failures. Heck, on page 1 in this forum you can see a guy who has a brand new EMP that has to go in for work.

Take a look at the Colt Defender in 9mm thats where my search ended.

Goodluck,

-J

Quack · 06-04-2010, 13:04

One has to remember that most of the things we hear on the net are problems. The only issue I had was the extractor was a lil too tight. Quick adjustment and its been 100%. I started carrying my EMP after the first 250 rounds and have around 1500 rounds through it now.

MD357 · 06-04-2010, 13:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdodd

I just went through this exact same thing. The main contender was the springfield EMP but I have read WAY to many reports of reliability that required several trips to SA. NOW...those people who did send them in after 1 or 2 trips always seemed happy if they didnt sell it. I just couldnt stand spending 1k+ on a gun that has repeated reports of out of the box failures. Heck, on page 1 in this forum you can see a guy who has a brand new EMP that has to go in for work.

Take a look at the Colt Defender in 9mm thats where my search ended.

Goodluck,

-J

Just curious if you actually read what that individual said about his EMP.. "The good news is that it eats everything that I fed it." He's sending it back because the front sight is off center and he thinks the safety isn't smooth?

FWIW, I have two EMPs. One in .40 for me and one in 9mm for my better half. The .40 is the softest shooting micro I've ever felt. I've had no significant problems with either of them.

Hokie1911 · 06-04-2010, 13:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdodd

I just went through this exact same thing. The main contender was the springfield EMP but I have read WAY to many reports of reliability that required several trips to SA. NOW...those people who did send them in after 1 or 2 trips always seemed happy if they didnt sell it. I just couldnt stand spending 1k+ on a gun that has repeated reports of out of the box failures. Heck, on page 1 in this forum you can see a guy who has a brand new EMP that has to go in for work.

Take a look at the Colt Defender in 9mm thats where my search ended.

Goodluck,

-J

You can say that about ANY gun. I've been researching 1911s for the better part of a year for my first 1911 purchase. Multiple forums and TONS of differing opinions. I was pretty deadset on a Kimber ProCarry for a while then read a CRAPLOAD of Kimber horror stories. Granted, Kimber sells more 1911s so the higher gun count, the higher probability of guns with issues. I decided to pass, spend a little more and not take my chances with a Kimber. Like Quack said, how many people take the time to write about their guns online unless there is an issue. For every problem Kimber, there's probably hundreds or thousands of happy Kimber owners. I've heard horror stories about Baer, Wilson, Fusion, Brown....etc etc etc. Exeter Sigs apparently suck, but I had no problems with mine. So who's to say what you will get or not get. High price should, but does not guarantee a zero problem firearm. Just my $.02.

NYS Ret.5763 · 06-04-2010, 13:42

Have a Colt OM(25+ yrs.old). Colt makes a Defender and an Agent(I bekieve)that are compact 45ACP platforms.

jdodd · 06-04-2010, 14:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quack

One has to remember that most of the things we hear on the net are problems. The only issue I had was the extractor was a lil too tight. Quick adjustment and its been 100%. I started carrying my EMP after the first 250 rounds and have around 1500 rounds through it now.

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Very true, but when I read up on a gun I look at what type of issues and the volume I see them in. I also try to get a feel for technical knowledge of the operator; an idiot can make anything fail. <o:p></o:p>

Quote:

Originally Posted by MD357

Just curious if you actually read what that individual said about his EMP.. "The good news is that it eats everything that I fed it." He's sending it back because the front sight is off center and he thinks the safety isn't smooth? <o:p></o:p>

Quote:

Originally Posted by MD357

<o:p></o:p>
FWIW, I have two EMPs. One in .40 for me and one in 9mm for my better half. The .40 is the softest shooting micro I've ever felt. I've had no significant problems with either of them.

<o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
I did read his post…but what worries me is what kind of quality control lets a sight like that go? How many people looked at the sight or flipped that safety and said “bah, good enough” and let it go. Those are two things that could have been noticed AND corrected during the test fire, but no. So what else was “good enough?” A design is only as good as the people who make it.<o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
I love the design of the EMP and it has a lot of great features. I just expect if I drop 1k+ on a gun the sights at least ought to be put on straight.

<o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>

Quote:

Originally Posted by hokieshooterG23

You can say that about ANY gun. I've been researching 1911s for the better part of a year for my first 1911 purchase. Multiple forums and TONS of differing opinions. I was pretty deadset on a Kimber ProCarry for a while then read a CRAPLOAD of Kimber horror stories. Granted, Kimber sells more 1911s so the higher gun count, the higher probability of guns with issues. I decided to pass, spend a little more and not take my chances with a Kimber. Like Quack said, how many people take the time to write about their guns online unless there is an issue. For every problem Kimber, there's probably hundreds or thousands of happy Kimber owners. I've heard horror stories about Baer, Wilson, Fusion, Brown....etc etc etc. Exeter Sigs apparently suck, but I had no problems with mine. So who's to say what you will get or not get. High price should, but does not guarantee a zero problem firearm. Just my $.02.

<o:p></o:p>
I just offered my $.02 and will not lose any sleep over the OP taking it or not. I just wanted to toss in a contender not previously listed. As we all know though…the internet is serious business.

-J