SPRINGFIELD GI 3" MICRO COMPACT 1911 - Opinions

[CTGunner]

I'm looking for your opinions on the Springfield GI 3 inch Micro 1911 in 45acp. My local dealer just got one in (I have never seen one before in person) and I'm very tempted to pick it up as my first 1911. This gun would replace my Glock 26 for carry so reliability is very important to me. The ability to conceal the gun under light clothing is also crucial. For what it's worth the owner of the shop indicated that while the gun could be made better with a few upgrades, out of the box it was still a great gun to shoot and carry.

What do you think of the Springfield? Are there any major negatives to this gun that I need to take into consideration?

Other guns I have looked at and considered include the S&W Gunsite 1911 (I like the light weight), and the Ed Brown Cobra Carry (I love the look and feel but I'm just not sure my shooting ability really justifies the additional expense).

Feel free to point me in another direction...Thanks for your thoughts.

 

[Full Metal Jacket]

springfield has great cust serv, and well made guns.

you'll like the micro, if there's any issues with it, they'll fix it.

 

[9mmepiphany]

any .45 ACP 1911 will have more reliability issues when the slide/barrel length get shorter than 4.25". it has to do with the timing problems encountered as you reduce slide mass and shorten the travel available for the slide/recoil spring...there is less time for the magazine to push to stack of cartridges up properly for feeding.

this can be addressed somewhat with springs values, but then you're changing springs all the time. of course if you're not going to put it to hard use, you might be able to live with the issues

i would not recommend it as a first 1911, maybe a Springfield in either the GM or Commander sizes. i usually recommend a Dan Wesson CBOB as a 1911 which needs very little to make it "duty ready"...if you'd like something small and to stay with the 9mm round, i'd highly recommend the Springfield EMP

 

[MICHAEL T]

I would get a Colt Defender or the Colt New Agent Both of mine have been 100% reliable . Not to sure about Reliability of the Springer. In Compact 3" 45 seems the Colt and Kimber best choice as reliable

If larger get a Colt Commander I would have said Dan Wesson CBOB a year ago but they are to much money now and the CBOB was dropped Mine is a great pistol,but I will be moving up to a Ed Brown Kroba carry this year

 

[JLaScala]

1911 with a 3inch barrel...................ok

 

[Full Metal Jacket]

springfield armory and colt seem to make the most consistently reliable 3 inchers.

i had a choice between a GI micro for $550, or an emp40 for $1,100 out the door....i sold to polymers to get the emp40.

 

[CTGunner]

Thanks for the replies. I'm going to hold off based on what I'm hearing about reliability and perhaps just go with the fully size.

 

[benderx4]

When it comes to 1911s, the smaller the barrel length, the less reliable gun you're going to have. Consequently, as much as I LOVE my full size 1911s, I don't use this platform for concealed carry. There are a plethora of excellent 9mms and 380s available for that purpose. Good luck.

 

[m2steven]

This may not be relevent, but i have a fairly new Springfield EMP in 9mm and it's such a great pistol I may never have to buy another (just kidding). Of course, you may not want a 9mm 1911 format pistol, but they are fantastic.

 

[9mmepiphany]

This may not be relevent

i would apply only to the extent that a compact 1911 designed for the 9mm round runs better than a compact 1911 chambered for the .45ACP.

the action of the EMP isn't the same as that of a .45 ACP 1911 chambered in 9mm...that was the point of the EMP

 

[Guns and more]

I'm not aware of a "GI" 3". I have the Springfield Micro Compact in .45. I love it.
It had some teething pains at first. It didn't like Wilson Combat magazines although it liked Kimber mags. After a hundred or so rounds, it's 100% reliable. I chose it over the Kimber based on customer service (or lack of, at Kimber). I've never regretted the decision. I don't carry it, but I did get a Don Hume IWB that rode at 4 O'clock and I forgot I had it on. It lays nice and flat.
The trigger breaks cleanly.
I've gone to lighter, smaller guns for carry, but the S/A is still one of my favorites.

 

[Full Metal Jacket]

Springfield GI micro:

(actually comes with a lowered and flared ejection port now)


saw one not too long ago for $550. shoulda grabbed it while i had the chance, now that i think about it lol

 

[NelsErik]

GI .45 3"

 

[Balrog]

My personal experience is that the shorter the barrel on a 1911, the less reliable it is. This is of course a generalization.

 

[Guns and more]

I'm not aware of a "GI" 3". I have the Springfield Micro Compact in .45. I love it.

Well, I'll be darned.
Mine has a stainless slide and is minus the "GI" on the grips. Also the beavertail looks somewhat different on mine.



It is surprisingly accurate for a 3" barrel.

 

[Hatterasguy]

I love the 1911 but IMHO to bulky to carry, even the shorter ones. I'd prefer a Kel-tec or Sig232.

 

[Full Metal Jacket]

Well, I'll be darned.
Mine has a stainless slide and is minus the "GI" on the grips. Also the beavertail looks somewhat different on mine.

you have the "loaded micro". it's higher end model.

there's also a railed micro, called the "micro operator", and it comes with a tac light from springer (most expensive springer micro):

the GI line is springer's cheapest price 1911's.

all great guns though.

 

[Guns and more]

I love the 1911 but IMHO to bulky to carry, even the shorter ones.

They actually carry quite well because they lay flat, having a single stack magazine.
I'd dare say the Springfield Micro is the same size as the Sig 232.

(I've switched to the Sig 238 as it's easy to slip in a pocket.)

 

[bigfatdave]

I love the 1911 but IMHO to bulky to carry, even the shorter ones.

You need better carry holsters and a better belt, with a quality rig an Officer's size conceals under an untucked T-shirt, and a gov size under an untucked button-up shirt.

 

[HexHead]

Colt's the only manufacturer that seems to have figured out how to make a 3" 1911 reliable with their Series 90 guns.
My New Agent's been as reliable as my G26.

 

[Hatterasguy]

You need better carry holsters and a better belt, with a quality rig an Officer's size conceals under an untucked T-shirt, and a gov size under an untucked button-up shirt.

Probably, but I still don't want a two pound brick on my hip. The kel tec p3at is more for me, I want something light.

 

[CWL]

As an owner of a Kimber 3" M1911 that has been returned to their Custom Shop 3x and then to a local smith because Kimber couldn't do get it working reliably, I'd suggest that you stick with Govt. or Commander sized M1911s for reliable carry.

The Officer's/micro are a toss-up when it comes to reliable functioning. Just too small a slide & too short a travel leads to unpredictable operation when cycling fat 230g. bullets. (yes, I have also tried 200g and 185g bullets in EFMJ & JHP)

 

[bigfatdave]

Hatterasguy, if you've never tried to carry something bigger than a p3at, then perhaps you shouldn't be weighing in with opinions on the appropriateness of those larger guns for carry.
It isn't hard, it just takes the right gear and actually doing it.

CWL, your one lemon is hardly an indicator for an entire class of handguns. Perhaps it is an indicator of lousy QA/materials at Kimber.

 

[CWL]

bigfatdave,

Funny how some members get defensive...even if it isn't their posting.

Isn't the OP asking for opinions?

BTW, I collect M1911s, from bone stock to $5K+ customs. My opinion comes from 2 decades of ownership.

 

[ar10]

any .45 ACP 1911 will have more reliability issues when the slide/barrel length get shorter than 4.25". it has to do with the timing problems encountered as you reduce slide mass and shorten the travel available for the slide/recoil spring...there is less time for the magazine to push to stack of cartridges up properly for feeding.

That's a very interesting statement and seems to make sense, but I'm still a little confused. I do know accuracy falls off with a shorter barrel, I shoot an XD 40 3" and and XD 40 4" and I can see the difference when I shoot at 25' targets. I've put thousands of rounds through my 3" and never had a single failure. It is because the .45 APC has a lot less muzzle velocity than the .40?????. I know there's no timing problem with my sub .40 because I shoot it all time.