Need suggestions for Ultra compact 1911 for carry use.

The Springfield EMP comes to mind, though you didn't mention a caliber, so I assume you are looking for 45ACP. I believe the EMP only comes in 9mm and 40S&W. I have an RIA compact model, and while it was about half of your proposed budget, it's a pretty nice compact 1911.

I personally would suggest you look to a different platform if you want to go that small. I carry a Bill Wilson Carry pistol, which is a 4" slide on an Officer size frame, and that is as short as I think is prudent in a 1911. I know that many sub-compact 1911s from various manufacturers perform fine, but the geometry of chambering plus the recoil impulse seems like it gets pretty sketchy in the 1911 once you get under 4". In fact, I had to be convinced on the BWC - I had always carried a full sized 5" and was only interested in seriously considering a 4-1/4" Commander model as an alternative. If you really want to get something shorter than the 4" BWC, I'd stay with one of the manufacturers that have been doing it for awhile - not one of the newer companies on the 1911 scene. Again, a Commander length model is going to carry awfully well; do you really need to take another inch off the slide for your purposes?

I'm a 1911 guy, but you may want to read through this thread.

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=731940

You're rolling the dice with those 3" guns. The 1911 works best as a 5" gun. Commander length, 4.25" are OK.

crash32 said:

I looked into the EMP and it seems as if it is either an absolute hit or miss. Some people with the EMP love it to death and others say that even after sending it to the factory twice it still does not function (stove pipes etc). I am not set on any particular caliber and am perfectly fine with 40 cal.

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Well, that's more or less the story with all Officer- and Defender-sized 1911s, so you pays your money, and you takes your chances...

At least with a Springfield you know that if it doesn't work, they'll make it right.

crash32 said:

Although my Glock 23 is technically a compact, it is too big for me to fit into my hunting pack when I go hunting so I am looking for a ultra compact.

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Seriously?

Consider the obvious: a Glock 27

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crash, 10/24/13

I have a Springer Ultracompact .45 as well as a full size Govt. model and other non-1911's. Even after four thousand rounds and different mags, springs and extractor it still has a 3% failure to feed rate. In my reading from different forums the sub-4" 1911's are often problematic. The one pistol I see consistently good reviews on is the Colt Defender. So as others have said in the above posts it may be wise to consider other options. Good luck.

best wishes- oldandslow

I would go with a Colt Officers. If you want lighter get a Colt New Agent.

When hunting I always have a side arm but I focus on lighter and even my Colt Officers weighs too much to lug all over the woods.

So I have a Glock 27. If you want .45 and capacity is not a problem look at the 36 or for capacity a 30.

I know you said 1911 and I think hunting is a great reason to buy any 1911.

Let us know what you decide on.

Dan Wesson ECO.

A 4" 1911 is about the same size as a Glock 23. The above is a hair smaller.

I've got three 1911s that are compact (less than 5"):

A 9mm Springfield EMP, a Kimber Ultra CDP II, and a stainless steel Colt Commander XSE.

I don't have a high round count through any of them, less than 1000 rounds each, but I am confident enough in any of the three to bet my life on them. All three are in my regular carry rotation.

All of them fit your budget.

Yeah, I said it: I carry a Kimber.

^^^^^^^

I've got three 1911s that are compact (less than 5")... :A 9mm Springfield EMP, a Kimber Ultra CDP II, and a stainless steel Colt. Yeah, I said it: I carry a Kimber.

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Crash32- I agree with the above, check your PM please.

Coltdriver said:

If you want .45 and capacity is not a problem look at the 36 or for capacity a 30.

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Except these are very, very close in size to the 23, which he says is too big to stow in his pack...

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Kimber has been making small 1911's longer than anyone else. I would stick with them when it comes to a 3 inch size.

Im sure you have your reasons. However I have to ask, why would you not want a full size pistol for use while hunting? The longer sight radius would be ideal in the great outdoors.

I've carried my Kimber UC II for quite a while now. I have over 1,000 trouble free rounds thru it. I have plenty of others that I could carry, but I have 110% confidence in my Kimber.

I agree with the Dan Wesson ECO

Hunting pack carry, haven't heard that one yet.

Consider the SIG P938. If you want small, then it's about making the frame and slide smaller, too. Cutting down .45's makes them notoriously finicky, but when they are engineered from the start as a compact 9, it's different. The slide weight and style of lockup work better rather than forcing a traditional 1911 to work against it's design.

Most of the 1911's on the market have a wide variety of deviations, up to and include DA and double stack. I know "1911" has a recognizable look, but it's the controls that really define it's operation. The P938 has those controls in the same locations, just right sized for a small pistol. It's worth a look and it fits the budget realistically, cause after a few more mags, a couple new holsters, etc, tell me we don't overspend our budgets 25%.

http://www.sigsauer.com/CatalogProductList/pistols-p938.aspx

STI Spartan III. 3" .45ACP.

I have owned, carried, and shot a Springfield Micro, Detonics Combat Master, Para P-12, and currently the STI.

The Detonics was ammo sensitive it didn't like truncated bullets but otherwise was a 100% reliable. No problems with the Springfield. The Para was a piece of junk.
The STI has functioned with every type of bullet I have put through it so far, with no malfunctions of any kind.

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Or just get a bigger pack....

I just take that as a given "9". Kimber does make a variety of small guns though. I would think they outsell the other gun makers in that area. I remember about 3-4 yrs ago, Mass saying we have Kimber to thank for bringing back the 1911 craze. Since then it's gone even crazier. No doubt Colt has time and grade, in as far as the 1911, being the original manufacturers, but without getting into a long scenario, I would think that right now, Kimber make the best 3" gun out there. Unless you want to step up to the super grade guns, like the Wilsons Fusions and 5 thousand dollar toys that are hand crafted.
Kimber has had ups and downs but I would still opt for a 3" Custom Carry for the money. Or the no longer in production SIS, CDP, and a few others that are like a fine watch.
Just my 3 cents, An old German, gunsmiths wife once told me "Gun is like fine Jewlery for man". She was right.
I also would opt for a Cobra Custom Carry, from Ed Brown, if we could push the size up a notch.

Here you go...

Kimber Ultra Raptor II

I have to agree on the EMP -- if you can get it to work reliably, it is an awesome little carry pistol.

Mine jammed on day one. It worked perfectly for six months after it came back from the Springfield factory, then it started with the FTE's all over again. (Ammunition was not a factor.) I ended up trading it in, and now carry a Glock.

Lovely little gun, though. Shot wonderfully. Very little felt recoil, and fit my (smaller than average) hands quite nicely.