Experience
Dave T said:
Perhaps you should have some personal experience with a particular weapon before making unfounded statements like the above.
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May I? Not to hijack...Just to offer another view.
I've been involved with 1911-pattern pistols since 1964, and one of the
things that I became acutely aware of was that as the slides got shorter,
the more tempramental the pistols got. I've never been a "Custom"
builder, per se...but rather more of a troubleshooter/repairman.
Whenever addressing a reliability issue on a 1911, the 5-inch guns
provide a much wider window of opportunity and margin for error.
While there are some examples of the micro and compact variety that are
boringly reliable, these don't tend to be representative of the breed...just
like there some full-sized pistols that are problem children from GO street.
They can be convinced to be reliable, but some of them can drive a troubleshooter nearly 'round the bend in the process. Some respond pretty quickly to conventional methods, while with others you have to get outside of the window at times.
Therefore, I'll go out on a limb and make a flat statement. No flames, please. This is a result of my own experience with the chopped pistols,
and is therefore subjective.
You will have a MUCH greater chance of getting a functionally reliable pistol with a full-sized model, and with most in the Commander class...4.25 inch
barrels. Below that line, things can get iffy...and even when you get one
that runs, a simple recoil spring change can throw it out of whack. A
fatigued magazine spring, likewise. Even a tired mainspring can have a
negative effect, since it plays a part in the slide velocity, too.
Just my nickel's worth...Be of good cheer and mindful of six.
Tuner