Is this about all the Compact 1911 styles currently out there??

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Float Pilot

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I am reviewing the 1911 compact frames out there. I did not include the Springfield EMP series since they are a slightly smaller size and not interchangeable with standard size 1911s.

Did I miss something...?? It looks like Sig does not offer a chopped 1911, nor does Ruger. At least that I could find.

Any thoughts on what to avoid below ???

Springfield Range Officer Compact
4 in BBL 28.5 oz
5 inch tall 7.6 in long


Springfield Range Officer Champion
4 inch BBL 30.0 oz
5.5 tall 7.6 long


Kimber Ultra Carry II
3 in BBL 25.0 oz
4.75 tall 6.8in long


S & W 1911 Pro Series
3 in bbl 26.5 oz
?? 6.9in long


Colt Defender
3 in BBL 24 oz
5.1 high 6.75 long


RIA Rock Standard COMPACT( thought I would stir the pot)
3.6 in BBL 34 oz
5.1 high 7.1 long

RIA The Rock Ultra CS Lightweight
3.5 in bbl No weight listed
5.1 high 7.1 long
 
SIG offers the C3, which is a CCO like the Range Officer compact I guess.

It seems your requirement is an officer frame as a COMPACT, if I'm looking at your options correctly. I know you can get a Colt CCO from somewhere, Gunsite maybe?

Dan Wesson also offers the ECO, which is a pretty darned nice option.

As to avoid? Everything you have listed is of reasonable quality. There are Kimber and RIA detractors, but I've had good luck with both myself. You will have more issues with the 3 inch barrel 1911's than the longer lengths, its just the way it works. Could get a gun (any brand) that runs perfect, or one that needs some work at the dealer. I personally now avoid anything shorter than 4" as a general rule.
 
RIA Rock Standard COMPACT( thought I would stir the pot)
3.6 in BBL 34 oz
5.1 high 7.1 long
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Here's .45 and 9mm Spoons to stir that pot with. I had a Kimber Ultra Raptor, but sold it and kept the Rocks...mostly because the Kimber was worth more to the new owner than it was to me.
 
Float Pilot

If you decide to go used there's also the Colt New Agent still out there.
 
I bought a Colt Officer's 1911 .45 ACP in 1985. We were on a job in Utah's San Rafael Swell. Not much to do for fun in that isolated Desert. I took the Colt and an ammo can of reloads.
That early model Officer's was terrible. The barrel bushing broke the trigger was awful. I dropped it off in Salt Lake City on my way back to Wyoming. The .45 Shop modified the barrel did away with the barrel bushing. They installed a Wilson trigger. I still own that old Colt it is great.:)
 
My computer had a hard time finding this on the Sig web site.

Sig Sauer 1911U-45-BSS 1911 Ultra Nitron 7+1 45ACP\
3.3 inch BBL 28 oz
4.8in tall and 6.8in long.

Dan Wesson ECO
3.5 inch bbl 27.1 oz
5.0 inch tall 7.25 in length

From what I can tell the Colt New Agent is a Defender with no real sights.
 
STI makes some small 1911s as well, Escort, Elektra, and think they have one called the Guardian.
 
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Here's .45 and 9mm Spoons to stir that pot with. I had a Kimber Ultra Raptor, but sold it and kept the Rocks...mostly because the Kimber was worth more to the new owner than it was to me.

I was trying to find that model in 9mm, but it appears they discontinued it.. How does it shoot? I have basic 9mm Ultra Carry SS, I like it a lot and want a couple other small 1911s in 9mm. :)
 
I read that small 1911s from Wilson Combat work out of box. Didn't Rob Pintus state at one time that from among students taking his classes most reliability problems occurred among 1911s guys using compact guns with short barrels & slides? Si or no?
 
I read that small 1911s from Wilson Combat work out of box. Didn't Rob Pintus state at one time that from among students taking his classes most reliability problems occurred among 1911s guys using compact guns with short barrels & slides? Si or no?
You are correct, I remember watching that video on YouTube. I think he even had a deal where if someone completed the course successfully and their small 1911 functioned flawlessly throughout the course, he'd give them their money back.

I have a 3" Kimber Ultra Carry in 9mm. As long as it's properly lubricated, it's reliable. When I first rented one I had a few issues with it. Gun was bone dry. Add some lubrication, and the issues went away completely.

While I moved on and decided to carry a G43 instead, I still keep the ultra around for range shooting as it's just a sweet shooter.
 
I've had both the RIA CS 45, and the lightweight Smith & Wesson compact. Both were very accurate and reliable, just that size didn't work very well for me, I'm now looking for a lightweight commander with a bobtail, seems their hard to find under 1k
 
ATI, makes a full line of 1911's including the officers model.The parent company is Sporting Arms in tbe Phillipenes and imported by Amchar in Rochester NY.
 
Sig has a 3.3" Ultra Compact in either two-tone or nitron. Here's mine:

SIG.JPG


And here's what the C3 looks like (not all have a green frame, that's a TALO thing):

sigcco.jpg


In addition to your list, there are still some Colt Compacts floating around out there-- basically a cheaper version of the Officer model, with plastic MSH and trigger. I have one, but haven't taken a photo of it.
 
I've got a Citadel 3.5CS, which has an Officer's sized frame and a 3 1/2" barrel.

It has, bar none, the best out of the box trigger of any M1911 I've ever owned.

Citadel is a step up from Rock Island, albeit another Philippine brand.

I've never had a Commander size gun. If I get one, Citadel will be at the top of the list of candidates.
 
I was trying to find that model in 9mm, but it appears they discontinued it.. How does it shoot? I have basic 9mm Ultra Carry SS, I like it a lot and want a couple other small 1911s in 9mm. :)

I have a LNIB Colt New Agent in 9mm with Crimson Trace that I'm thinking of selling if you're interested. $850 +shipping.
 
Here's on that hasn't been mentioned, it's a Metro Arms American Classic Amigo.
A 3.5 inch, 7rd, .45acp. Made in the Philippines.
An entry level officer model. However, it has ran perfectly since I replaced the recoil spring. 20170113_144710.jpg
...not too bad for the $$.
A heavy bugger though.
 
I was trying to find that model in 9mm, but it appears they discontinued it.. How does it shoot? I have basic 9mm Ultra Carry SS, I like it a lot and want a couple other small 1911s in 9mm. :)
It shoots about the same as the .45 model. Like most non-Kimber compact .45s, it likes having a Kimber recoil spring. Oh, and the factory grips were bad.

I didn't know they were discontinued. It is a handy little range gun. I just like the balance of compacts better than FS 1911s.
 
I do too, I bought used Pro Carry a few days ago, and already find myself preferring the Ultra.
 
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