Just in general, with otherwise similar guns, will a standard-size (5") always be more accurate than a Commander- sized or Compact model? Is the main difference going to be sight radius?

Personal observations :

In a ransom rest, the difference seems too little to care about. (but ransom tests mean nothing once you have to hold the pistol yourself)

This leaves sight radius and recoil characteristics.
Sight radius is somewhat important, and it does mean that sighting errors are magnifed. It's not less accurate, just less forgiving.

For me Recoil characteristics are the most important, not only how a lighter pistol may recoil a little more, but mostly how the pistol sits in your hand, and how it shifts in your hand under recoil.

I was wondering about this myself, having seen a SA 'Long Slide' model.

Outside of the less forgiving to aim thing (which might be a plus if you're a dead shot, I'd imagine), and the weight / recoil thing, what other benefits would you get? There must be a couple of reasons why I've seen such a very low number of these...

Quick guess would be harder to conceal and higher cost.Most longslides I have seen are anything but inexpensive

Too many things affect accuracy. I have fired an Officers-length pistol, of a friend of mine in Las Vegas, some years ago, which was equipped with a Schuemann bull barrel and that thing was amazingly accurate. It even made me look like a good shooter

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John Caradimas SV1CEC
The M1911 Pistols Organization
http://www.m1911.org

Hi Northman,

dont take it as offense, for its just a matter of personal taste:
Longslide 1911 just dont LOOK like real pistols...(to me).

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"............................" (Charlie Chaplin)

(Could I get the Smilies black and white?? )

It doesn't seem like there are allot of longslides around but I do seem to run into them more and more. I was just looking over Caspian slides the other day and they have a 6" model now.

Here is a link to the one Rob Leatham has.

http://www.robleatham.com/vaultequipuspsalimited10.htm

The longer barrel would give you some additional velocity with a given load allowing you to back off slightly to make your power rating. One would have to try it to see if the difference has any benefit.

Longer barrel=longer slide=more weight+Longer sight picture=More accurate!
Ivan

The different lengths (Officers, Commander, GM, Long Slide), assuming the same quality of parts and tolerances, will have the same mechnical accuracy potential. The longer guns will however be easier to shoot more accurately because of the longer sight radis.

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Bob Hostetter

Well I will add my opinion here. A longer barrel has the potential for more accuracy. My Gold Cup Commander (4 1/4" barrel) is as accurate as several of my other Gold Cups (5"). I also have a Colt Compact (3 1/2" barrel) and though she is plenty accurate it will not hold the groups of my Gold Cups (I understand that barrel length is not the only difference in these pistols). My shooting buddy as the Springfield Micro (3" barrel) and it is almost on par with my Compact. The sight radius (as has been mentioned) also effects aiming (but plays no part in mechanical accuracy). I believe everything else being equal below a 4 1/4" barrel accuracy will suffer. My thoughts anyway.

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From my cold dead hands.
If it ain't a Colt its a copy.