4" 1911 vs 5" selection

[y5e06]

All,
The next piece on my list is a quality 1911. This would be one I plan to keep for all of time… or at least until all of my time is up. I don’t have a 1911 currently, nor have I ever owned one but I have shot a few. The biggest conflict I have is deciding on a 5” or ~4” commander sized. Any I choose will have the full size frame due to my hand size. I plan to carry this occasionally and really like the dimensions of the 4” barrel/slide. Heck, I could even end up carrying this all the time (currently CC a J-Frame snub). A few of the people I’ve spoken to say there is no real benefit of going 4” as the difference in CC’ing is minimal and a slim 5” 1911 hides just as easily. I would suspect a 4 o’clock IWB positioning w/ 15-20deg cant would fit me well. I’m not too hung up on the increase sight radius argument for the longer slide although I plan to reload and plink a lot with this piece, maybe even IDPA. The slightly reduced dimensions really appeal to me as well as the proportional appearance. However if there is no functional or practical benefit of going 4”, maybe I should go w/ the classic 5”.

I’m considering an STI Ranger II as its local, [mostly] made in the USA, and a high quality piece. It also uses the full length stroke, if I'm not mistaken. I don’t know if can tolerate the billboard sized engraving on the slide though. However, I’m open to considering other USA Made & USA owned vendors. I still need to do a bit more research to find out what is out there fitting my criteria.

Thoughts?

 

[Dobe]

I was trying to find a DW CBOB, but couldn't, so I picked up another 5". The commander size is only 3/4" shorter. Some say that makes a big difference when sitting. For range work, that little extra sight radius and weight does make a difference to me.

 

[Walkalong]

really like the dimensions of the 4” barrel/slide

There you go.

STI would be a great choice. Quality guns.

I have 3, 3.5, 4, 4 1/4, & 5" 1911's. I like them all. I think the 4 or 4 1/4" 1911 is a great overall choice. I carried a Colt L/W Commander for many years, and still do occasionally. Before that, it was a 5" all steel. These days it's mostly a 3" for carry.

 

[BlindJustice]

Colt trademarked
Goverment Model = 5" Bbl. & Slide
Commander MOdel = 4.25" bbl. & SLide

& Officers MOdel isn't that a 3.5" bbl./slide?

The 4" and 3" are whatever that maker calls them.

Get the STI Rangeer if that's what you like.

WIth an IWB the size of the grip will be more of
an issue than the slide length.

imho

Randall

 

[David E]

If you do not own any type of 1911 now, then the only choice is the full size Govt model.

THEN you can branch out into other lengths for different purposes.

A true Commander length is 4.25", not 4", but many people lump the two sizes together.

 

[jfrey]

I have both the 4 1/4" model and the 5" size. The 4 1/4" barrel on an Officers frame is the better of the 2 for carry due to less likely printing. With appropriate cover, you can hide either one and the extra 3/4" barrel isn't a big factor.

 

[propex]

I carry a 4.25 and love it plus the grip is bobtailed for less printing

 

[mainmech48]

I've owned and carried a stainless "Loaded Model" Springfield Champion (4" ramped 'bull' barrel) for several years now. It doesn't intrude quite as much when I'm driving, or otherwise seated, carried in an IWB rig, and may be just a tad faster for me to present in the draw. Otherwise, it's not any more concealable than my full-sized 1911s.

I stick with it because: A. It's paid for. B. It's proven its functional reliability over > 6K rds to my complete satisfaction. C. It hits where I point it and better than I can generally hold it for. And D. It came with Novak-style tritium sights and neither of my current full-sized 1911's have them.

FWIW, most loads chrono somewhere between 40 and 85 f/s lower from its 4" barrel than the same loads from a 5" do. I don't personally consider this to be of much practical consequence at standard-pressure .45 ACP velocities, especially given modern projectile designs, but some folks might disagree.

Since you'd be well-armed with either, IMHO, choose whichever suits your fancy most.

 

[Straight Shooter]

I prefer the 4"-4.25'' barrel. I agree that it gives the gun a more proportional appearance.

But aesthetics aside, I have never noticed a difference in accuracy or felt recoil between the Commander and the Government models.

My next 1911 will be a Springer Champion Loaded. It's just a sweet pistol.

 

[10-Ring]

I have gov't & commander sized 1911s and really, other than the asthetics, don't notice that much of a differnce.

 

[MICHAEL T]

I perfere the Commander size Dan Wesson current carry love the bobtail I have trouble when sitting The 5 " bottoms when I sit and pushes up . I belive balance is a little better also. Stay with the Commander or Gov. if you have large hands officer frame to short.
Try to Find a Colt Commander , or a Dan Wesson then Kimber , Springfield . Their the best in that order.

 

[KyJim]

I like a 4 or 4.25 inch barrel for concealed carry because a longer barrel starts bumping the chair if I'm seated. This is personal, though, and may not be the same for you.

As Walkalong noted, if the shorter barrel balances better for you, get it. You're going to be the one carrying and shooting it.

 

[y5e06]

all thanks for the replies. I'm still somewhat split but I went to a local shop and handles what they had on hand. I think I'll go with the 4", just don't know which brand yet!

oh, yeah, I know its not 4.00", but rather 4.25" and some cases 4.15" but much easier to just abbreviate...

 

[Walkalong]

A true Commander length is 4.25", not 4",

True. The Colts were 3 1/2", 4 1/4", and of course 5".

Kimbers Commander length pistols are 4". I don't remember about SA.

 

[weisse52]

I have gov't & commander sized 1911s and really, other than the asthetics, don't notice that much of a differnce.

Yeah, what he said....

And that means Colt...

 

[orionengnr]

One thing that has not been mentioned is the weight difference. I believe the difference between a steel Gov't vice Commander is about 39 vice 35 oz. (weights taken from Kimber website, as most of my 1911s have been Kimbers).

That said, an alloy framed Commander sized 1911 weighs ~28 oz. If you are using it for a carry pistolm that difference is substantial.

 

[modifiedbrowning]

Check out the S&W 1911PD Commander. 4.25" barrel and scandium frame. Nice and ligh for carry and the recoil is not bad at all.
I have the older 1911Sc (stainless version) and it has been great so far.

 

[y5e06]

I have handled a couple 1911PD's and really liked 'em. they're sharp. I was thinking along the lines of a steel framed piece as I intend to put thousands and thousands of rounds through mine over its life time. How well do the scandium versions hold up that abuse? I've been hesitant of aluminum for that purpose