1911 Frame Sizes

[gwashorn]

I am wanting to add a couple of 45acps to the family. One will be an XD45c and the other a 1911. I carry an XD9SC and love the size. Fits and shoots great for me, better than my 92FS. 1911 angle is same as XD so should be good and handling different ones they feel good. Question is I do like the more compact size models (not the cost). Looking at several versions but reading the last two months about "some" issues of the shorter units. 4" and 3" having feed problems and less able to handle any ammo. I know the XD45's seem to eat anything. So I would like the 1911 to be pretty apetite easy as well. What are the issues and concerns on the shorter units? If dollars were not a problem then an SA Ultra or Micro compact would be nice. Looked at the Kimbers as well and Colt. I am not opposed to a good 5" inch unit but if looking then any can be on the table right? Thanks

Gary

[longtooth]

Kimber is fin-e-kie a lot of times, especially dirty.
Today I believe the best $ value is Springfield Armory. I know of no one that has had any issue w/ feed on any of them.
I have a Champion & it eats anything I put in it. Kimber is reserved for shoulder Carry due to being CDP & lighter. When I head for an all day shoot 500+ it is the Champ.

A little easier to find I think too than the K's.
My .02cents & some think it worth about half that.
LT

[MoJo]

Also, many 1911 purist say if it isn't a .45 caliber 5" it isn't a 1911. I've never been enamored with the mini "1911" pistols I've seen too many of them choke in competition. Competition is one thing life is another.

[CompVest]

Just to offset the above. I frequently shoot my Kimber Ultra Carry at IDPA bug matches. I haven't had any issues and have even won them with it!

[The Annoyed Man]

Just to offset the above. I frequently shoot my Kimber Ultra Carry at IDPA bug matches. I haven't had any issues and have even won them with it!

I'm not an IDPA shooter, but my 3" Kimber has been utterly reliable, handles recoil surprisingly well, and it is even pretty accurate too. In fact, I shoot better with my 3" Kimber than with my 5" Springfield. Go figure.

[gwashorn]

I apreciate the replies. I know Annoyed Man has said this before and I am glad. I really think I want to add a full 5" 1911 to the collection just because as said that is what a 1911 was meant to be. Still if I were to carry it I would like a smaller one. Course, in reality if I carry a 45 I would probably default to the XD45c in a 4" I want to get. So the 1911 would probably not be a carry weapon therefore making the 5" full size the one I would go with not to meantion again the price. Was looking at a mid range SA for a full size. Probably looking at a Loaded version or just a mil spec. Depends on price and what I can muster really. Just wanted to get a sense of how problematic the shorter 45s were for folks regardless of brand. Yet my 3" XD9SC eats it all just fine. Thanks again.

Gary

[CompVest]

Everyone should have at least one 5" 1911!!!!!

[karl]

I have a S&W 1911PD. Eats anything that I put through it.

[The Annoyed Man]

I apreciate the replies. I know Annoyed Man has said this before and I am glad. I really think I want to add a full 5" 1911 to the collection just because as said that is what a 1911 was meant to be. Still if I were to carry it I would like a smaller one. Course, in reality if I carry a 45 I would probably default to the XD45c in a 4" I want to get. So the 1911 would probably not be a carry weapon therefore making the 5" full size the one I would go with not to meantion again the price. Was looking at a mid range SA for a full size. Probably looking at a Loaded version or just a mil spec. Depends on price and what I can muster really. Just wanted to get a sense of how problematic the shorter 45s were for folks regardless of brand. Yet my 3" XD9SC eats it all just fine. Thanks again.

Gary

I'm actually going to pick up an XD-45 Compact this coming week and sell off my USP Compact .40. I'm a 1911 guy at heart, but there is something to be said for higher capacity, which was why I had the .40. But I'd like to simplify my caliber picture a little bit, so selling the .40 and buying the XD-45 makes sense to me. That said, it will simply enter the rotation. It's replacing the .40, but not the 1911s.

[Excaliber]

Everyone should have at least one 5" 1911!!!!!

[gwashorn]

Simplify ammo is one of my reasons for what I have now. I am 357/38/9mm simplified weapon person now. Plus, if I had to get back in to reloading and casting, I can do it with a minimal set of casts and dies. Done it before and can do it again. But wanted to add a higher power pistol caliber to the group so that is one reason to look at the 45acp. Still looking around and that SA Micro Compact sure calls to me. Smaller than the XD45c and that means I would carry it too. Not sure I fully understand all the variations SA has on their 1911s. Mostly not getting the fine point of the GI/Mil Spec/loaded/operator. I see some are the fit and such but looking for a comparison list to know what you get for your buck so to speak. But regardless, I have read other reviews and the SA 3" models do get good reliability reviews. May have to get three! A 3", a 5" and the XDc. Oh well, that would be fine too.

Gary

[gwashorn]

Annoyed Man, did you get the XD45 compact yet? If so, may I ask where and cost range? I still want one too. I have my Tomcat up for sale but may have to put it up at Gunbroker. Thanks

Gary

[DONT TREAD ON ME]

I believe he went with the M&P over the XD.

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[MojoTexas]

I have a commander-sized Kimber Eclipse Pro II (4" barrel) that I recently acquired and I haven't had any problems with it. I've put about 500 rounds through it in the past month or so, and despite what I've heard about a "break in" period, I have yet to have any problems or FTF whatsoever. The last time I went I easily put 250+ rounds through it in about an hour, and it was still firing and feeding flawlessly.

Your mileage may vary, but I love my Kimber so far, and it's my favorite carry pistol. If I were to buy a 5" 1911, however, I'd probably look at Wilson Combat or STI. They're nicer, but correspondingly more expensive.

MojoTexas

[DONT TREAD ON ME]

I love my 5" Springer. Never a problem and a great shooting gun. VERY easily concealed in an OWB Galco. If you want to carry a 1911 but are afraid of the short versions. Look at a 4.25" bobtail. The 4.25" is the shortest you can go and maintain the accuracy of a 5" barrel and the bobtail helps with concealment.