Quote: (But I bet somewhere, sometime, someone has cut down a Gov't grip frame and tried it.)
Quote: I wish I had more money than sense. James Bondrock, you have not been talking to my wife about this, have you...
The chopped Kimber James Bondrock made reference to is mine.
To give everyone the scoop on the modifications done to the gun (which started life as a series 1 Kimber Classic Stainless), in addition to having the grip cut down to officers length, I had Cylinder and Slide do all the usual 1911 things to the Kimber; Barsto Barrel, trigger job, checkering, nite sights (green front/yellow rear), bead blasted finish, spring steel extractor, and a C&S narrow thumb safety. The slide to frame fit was left as is. It shoots right to the point of aim and, if I am doing my part, into a single ragged hole. The cost for the work was $1,400, of which $350 related to the grip shortening.
The gun runs like a champ, even in rather nasty conditions. For example, I fired 350 rounds in a steady rain and 40 degree temps (LFI I) without a failure of any kind. About 4k rounds through the gun now and it continues to run without any issues.
Ok, to answer the "Why?" question, I had been carrying a fullsize Wilson, but I wanted a shorter grip for better concealment. I did not, however, want the potential reliability problems short 1911s can sometimes have. As I have no problem concealing a 5 inch barrel, this gun gives me the same concealability as a compact 1911 with the reliability of a 5 inch gun.
The beauty of the 1911 platform is that you can tailor the gun to your preferences. This gun suits my needs to a T.
Pic is attached.
