1911a1 compact - The Firearms Forum

Strawdog · 02-06-2012, 07:30 AM

I have been looking for a compact 45 for a carry gun mid back, I like Colts new agent, Springfield micro compact, I like the thought of a barrel in the 3-31/2" range, I am not sure about Sig or Glock good guns, I just know a1911. Any. Input would be Appericated.
Strawdog.

murphy's law · 02-06-2012, 07:59 AM

Look at Colt's "Defender" in 45cal. Mine runs flawlessly and on most forums in ref to these type pistols, it gets outstanding reviews. If you're not hung up on big cal's, the new Colt pocket light in 380 would be a nice choice negating the 1911 style handgun. You have lots of choices...... so have fun in your research.

ka64 · 02-06-2012, 08:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by murphy's law

Look at Colt's "Defender" in 45cal. Mine runs flawlessly and on most forums in ref to these type pistols, it gets outstanding reviews. If you're not hung up on big cal's, the new Colt pocket light in 380 would be a nice choice negating the 1911 style handgun. You have lots of choices...... so have fun in your research.

YEP, +1

Double D · 02-06-2012, 08:15 AM

I too have a colt defender and its a great gun.

Alpo · 02-06-2012, 09:11 AM

How big is your hand? Mine is fairly large, and the Officer's model is too small. Uncomfortable. The bottom of the mainspring housing pokes me when I fire.

full size

compact

See how much higher it sits in my hand? Not much, but enough.

CharlieSW · 02-09-2012, 09:28 PM

My experience is the shorter the barrel, the harder it is to get a 1911 to run well. Has to do with the timing. You can get a good one in a 3" to 3 1/2", but it is important to ensure you get a good one, and that generally costs $$$. I have an Officer's size from a Philippine manufacturer that runs well - some do, and some don't.

norahc · 02-09-2012, 10:29 PM

While I'm primarily a Glock person, I've been thinking about getting a 1911 style pistol to add to the collection. The Defender is looking like the leading candidate at this point.

gunr · 02-10-2012, 06:32 PM

I am quite happy with my Kimber Crimson Carry Ultra II.
Very accurate, Never a hiccup ( even with 180 gr. semi wad cutters and 165 gr. witch hat reloads),light weight, and I don't think I would have a defensive handgun without a laser anymore.
Not cheap but neither am I.
gunr

Boogieman · 02-13-2012, 11:33 PM

I have a Colt OM that I put a S&A mainspring housing with the mag. well on it.

It exteneds the grip about 1/4" makes it feel like my 1991a1 sorry no pictures.but it works for me

Boogieman · 02-14-2012, 12:20 AM

S&A makes them with either flat or arched mainspring housings

NGIB · 02-14-2012, 04:48 AM

My EDC is a Colt Defender in .45 and my son's is a Kimber Ultra Carry in .45 - both have been 100% reliable with all the ammo we've tried. I shoot the Defender as well as I shoot my full-size 1911s and I trust it completely...

jacksonco · 02-14-2012, 05:37 AM

I have a 3.5" Citadel 1911 that has been flawless. I carry it when ever I am not toting my P238. It is a Philippine manufactured pistol.

glemon · 02-14-2012, 06:51 PM

I have a Colt New Agent Talo edition in 9mm, Ive run four diff. brands of ammo through with no ftfs so far. Im real happy with the gun overall for carry.

Charles Christensen · 02-14-2012, 06:59 PM

You might also look at a Para-Ordnance P10-45.

gdmoody · 02-14-2012, 10:13 PM

I also have a Citadel with 3.5 inch barrel. It is a fine gun and a very good shooter. I let my son use it for a while as his duty weapon and finally had to wrestle it away from him!!

savage170 · 02-16-2012, 01:35 PM

I really like this Sig C3 aCommander size slide with a Officers Grip

02-06-2012, 07:30 AM	#1
Strawdog Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Texas Posts: 7	1911a1 compact I have been looking for a compact 45 for a carry gun mid back, I like Colts new agent, Springfield micro compact, I like the thought of a barrel in the 3-31/2" range, I am not sure about Sig or Glock good guns, I just know a1911. Any. Input would be Appericated. Strawdog. -->

02-06-2012, 07:59 AM	#2
murphy's law Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Tampa Posts: 10	Re: 1911a1 compact Look at Colt's "Defender" in 45cal. Mine runs flawlessly and on most forums in ref to these type pistols, it gets outstanding reviews. If you're not hung up on big cal's, the new Colt pocket light in 380 would be a nice choice negating the 1911 style handgun. You have lots of choices...... so have fun in your research.

02-06-2012, 08:15 AM	#4
Double D TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: North Florida Contributor Posts: 8,070	Re: 1911a1 compact I too have a colt defender and its a great gun. __________________ I own a bunch of scary guns. You want em? Come and take em..... Liberalism is a serious, non curable, mental disorder... NRA LIFE MEMBER Oath Keepers Member NRA Certified Instructor 30 Yr CC permit holder.

02-06-2012, 09:11 AM	#5
Alpo Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: NW Florida Posts: 8,661	Re: 1911a1 compact How big is your hand? Mine is fairly large, and the Officer's model is too small. Uncomfortable. The bottom of the mainspring housing pokes me when I fire. full size compact See how much higher it sits in my hand? Not much, but enough. __________________ Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for thou art crunchy, and taste good with catsup - George of Lod, Year of Our Lord 297 I always take precautions. Beware the Evil Bullet Fairies. Last edited by Alpo; 02-06-2012 at 09:16 AM..

02-09-2012, 09:28 PM	#6
CharlieSW V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 60	Re: 1911a1 compact My experience is the shorter the barrel, the harder it is to get a 1911 to run well. Has to do with the timing. You can get a good one in a 3" to 3 1/2", but it is important to ensure you get a good one, and that generally costs $$$. I have an Officer's size from a Philippine manufacturer that runs well - some do, and some don't.

02-09-2012, 10:29 PM	#7
norahc Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Small town 150 miles from Canada where 90% of population speaks Spanish. Posts: 1,784	Re: 1911a1 compact While I'm primarily a Glock person, I've been thinking about getting a 1911 style pistol to add to the collection. The Defender is looking like the leading candidate at this point.

02-10-2012, 06:32 PM	#8
gunr Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Central Pa. Posts: 2	Re: 1911a1 compact I am quite happy with my Kimber Crimson Carry Ultra II. Very accurate, Never a hiccup ( even with 180 gr. semi wad cutters and 165 gr. witch hat reloads),light weight, and I don't think I would have a defensive handgun without a laser anymore. Not cheap but neither am I. gunr

02-13-2012, 11:33 PM	#9
Boogieman Member Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 28	Re: 1911a1 compact I have a Colt OM that I put a S&A mainspring housing with the mag. well on it. It exteneds the grip about 1/4" makes it feel like my 1991a1 sorry no pictures.but it works for me

02-14-2012, 12:20 AM	#10
Boogieman Member Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 28	Re: 1911a1 compact S&A makes them with either flat or arched mainspring housings

02-14-2012, 04:48 AM	#11
NGIB V.I.P. Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Hinesville, GA/Sumter SC Contributor Posts: 152	Re: 1911a1 compact My EDC is a Colt Defender in .45 and my son's is a Kimber Ultra Carry in .45 - both have been 100% reliable with all the ammo we've tried. I shoot the Defender as well as I shoot my full-size 1911s and I trust it completely... __________________ Proud to be a veteran and still serving (USAF Retired, Army Civilian) I'm old, experienced, grumpy, and jaded - still vertical though...

02-14-2012, 05:37 AM	#12
jacksonco Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Jackson County West Virginia Posts: 2,237	Re: 1911a1 compact I have a 3.5" Citadel 1911 that has been flawless. I carry it when ever I am not toting my P238. It is a Philippine manufactured pistol.

02-14-2012, 06:51 PM	#13
glemon Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 8	Re: 1911a1 compact I have a Colt New Agent Talo edition in 9mm, Ive run four diff. brands of ammo through with no ftfs so far. Im real happy with the gun overall for carry.

02-14-2012, 06:59 PM	#14
Charles Christensen V.I.P. Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 208	Re: 1911a1 compact You might also look at a Para-Ordnance P10-45.

02-14-2012, 10:13 PM	#15
gdmoody Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Northeast Georgia Contributor Posts: 6,327	Re: 1911a1 compact I also have a Citadel with 3.5 inch barrel. It is a fine gun and a very good shooter. I let my son use it for a while as his duty weapon and finally had to wrestle it away from him!! __________________ NRA Endowment Member GeorgiaCarry.Org Member Retired US Army Postal Worker Personally, I carry a gun because I'm too young to die and too old to take an ass whoopin'.....author unknown (but obviously brilliant)

02-16-2012, 01:35 PM	#16
savage170 V.I.P. Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: FL Posts: 385	Re: 1911a1 compact I really like this Sig C3 aCommander size slide with a Officers Grip