Which Compact 1911

[gqucool1911]

Hi out there!!!! I hope I am posting this question in the right forum. I have been giving alot of thought to obtaining another 1911 but in a Officers size for CCW. I have considered SA in the Micro Compact & Ultra Compact, also the Kimber equivalent, or a Colt Officers or Defender, the other choice I have also considered is a Para- Ordinance. One thing I am concerned about is the felt recoil in a alloy framed Officer's size vs a all steel frame pistol? By the time I am ready to really start looking I will be figuring in about the $500-750.00 range. I would greatly appreciate any ideas and feedback thanks!!!

[Hunter]

I have a Colt 1991A1 Compact (same size as Officer's) and it is a quality compact 1911. She feeds everything from JHP to LSWC without fail. If it were me I would stick with Colt and on a budget a Compact is as good as any other and better than some. It is of all steel construction. In a quality conceal holster like Wild Bill's leather an untucked tee shirt will conceal the little Colt well. Recoil is a little stronger than a full size but not bad.
http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h264/Hunter1911/Gun60.jpg

[John]

I would go for a Colt Officers model. Small barrel 1911s tend to be finicky, so that .5" compared to Springfields etc, may be significant. Also, I find 3" barreled pistols to look a little of scale, like Commanders with 4" (instead of 4.25") barrels.

[dogdollar]

I would move up to a Commander if you can for the sake of reliability, if nothing else. Hunter seems to have had a good experience but I am sure that even he would agree that, generally speaking, the longer the barrel, the more forgiving the gun....remember you are trusting your LIFE to this gun.

[Hunter]

dogdollar I do agree there is a noticeable difference in recoil and sight radius from my Compact to a fullsize 1911. My Compact with 230 Federal Hydra Shocks JHP is a handful. I also have a Ruger SP 101 and the difference between that and my GP 100 (both in .357 mag.) is night and day with recoil and sight radius. I think the longer the barrel the more forgiving the gun holds true with all firearms. Even the difference between my M1A and my buddys M1A Scout is somewhat noticeable though it is not as pronounced as in handguns.

[dogdollar]

Yeah, I think we all get a little complacent using our range rounds 99% of the time. My beautiful, elegant Commander transforms into a fire breathing, flame throwing, kicking MULE with hot personal defense or (God forbid) +P loads.

Hey Hunter, check out my other post here (straighten me out) and give me your thoughts, please. I am trying to sort out what to do in this situation and respect your opinion.

Thanks..............

[gqucool1911]

Hunter I really lkke your Colt Compact nice gun. Where it is the same size as a Colt Officers I am assuming that this model came out after the Officers? How is this gun with Hollow Points? I have read some threads on having to replace the recoil springs perodically? I do really like the Commander size gun but I prefer the Officers Size for conceilment purposes. Right now I am still leaing towards a all steel frame Compact vs. a alloyframe steel slide gun though because of recoil.

[Hunter]

Yes it came after the Officers but is the same size. The Compact is designated a 1991A1 and it is all steel as with the 1991A1 Commander. I have shot Federal Hydra Shocks 230gr JHP and the Remington hollow points through my Compact without any trouble. She will feed and cycle 185 LSWC (which surprised me) as well. I do believe you should change the recoil spring more often than a 5" 1911 (thousand rounds maybe?). The only thing I caution against the Compact is the recoil plug. The recoil plug is not held in place by the barrel bushing but by a tab on the bottom of the plug that indexes a slot cut in the bottom of the spring tunnel. My gunsmith buddy told me that tab can sheer off under recoil and the recoil plug would launch out the pistol. He was not sure how often this has ever happened but was a possibility and since this is my primary gun he suggested an Ed Brown reverse plug be fitted. The Ed Brown reverse plug came with a FLGR (yea I know) and a new recoil spring. It involved taking off between 90 and 100 thousands off the spring tunnel (which I did with a file in about 30 minuets as I was being very careful). I would file and check. I think I would up taking off close to 100 thousands to prevent any kind of spring bind and so the whole recoil system would easily slip into place. A little touch up and a few tests later and I do feel better about it. It would be about a $25 dollar job from a gunsmith (and my buddy told me he would fit it up for free) but I wanted to do it myself. I do trust my little Compact and she conceals easily with Wild Bill's leather under a tee shirt. I want a Commander size as well but have talked myself out of an alloy frame with the help of John. Your carry gun should be one you practice with as much (or more) than any other and I have heard steady use of an alloy framed gun can wear much faster than steel.

[Lloyd Smale]

ive had good luck with kimber cdps and colt defenders. Right now im playing with a a springfield micro (jury still out on that one) and a detonics combatmaster (good gun but heavy)

[dakota1911]

I have had good luck with my Colt Defender for the last couple years and couple thousand rounds or so. Mine has digested everything I have fed it so far, although I have not tried a huge assortment of ammo. Other small .45 ACP autos I have used (PO, Kimber, Detonics, Glock, S&W) usually are dependable once you find the ammo or loads they "like".

Saying that, I will probably start carrying my Colt Commander XSE LW I bought recently once I have put more rounds through it. It is only a few ounces heavier and a little larger than the Defender, but has better accuracy further out.