Is the Kimber Ultra CDP II the same size as G19?

[G.C.Montgomery]

I think he's talking more about the trigger.

G.C.: Do you have the same concerns about a Commander-sized or full-sized 1911? Or is it just the three-incher (and a slide-stroke length that JMB probably never foresaw)?

You are both right. As mentioned above, I have concerns about the short guns. But I am also constantly re-evaluating whether or not the short trigger of the 1911 is a good idea for a defensive firearm in the civilian world. I find myself unable to recommend the 1911 to the general public and even law enforcement when asked about buying a defensive pistol. The closest analogy I can come up with is race-cars versus sports-cars.

Everyone THINKS they want the race-car for it's power, speed and agility. But the reality is, race-cars require insane maintenance and truly expert technique to be driven safely at the limit. The race-car also offers infinite adjustability to suit the driver and environmental conditions on any given day. When it comes down to it, most folks don't want to put up with all the effort it takes to run a race-car correctly...Sounds like a 1911 if I ever heard of one.

Sports-cars on the other hand are perfectly suitable for just about any competent person to drive. These days, they've got completely automated safety features built into the car to save you from your own stupidity within reasonable limits. And finally there's a huge safety margin built into the design to handle abuse and poor maintenance for extended periods...Sounds a lot like a Glock to me.

[KRM45]

Now I’m probably starting a war here, but my G19 has proven to be more reliable then my Kimber .

I too hate to admit this on an open forum, but I have to agree. I have my G19 in a lock box under my seat in my car. I have no problem firing several hunderd rounds through it an putting it up without cleaning it. I know it will still fire when it needs to. I don't have the same confidence in my Kimber.

If it's cleaned and lubricated regularly and has the right ammo in it I am confident in the Kimber.

C.G. has an interesting point about displaying the weapon. I would actually lean the other way though. If we're talking about presentation being a deterrant I think the 1911, especially in stainless steel, would be more likely to convince the offender to move along than a flat black Glock in 9mm.

I'm not concerned about the light short trigger pull, because the only time my finger will touch the trigger is when I expect the gun to fire. Until I have made that decision my finger will be indexed along the frame.

[G.C.Montgomery]

I'm not concerned about the light short trigger pull, because the only time my finger will touch the trigger is when I expect the gun to fire. Until I have made that decision my finger will be indexed along the frame.

I've obviously mis-communicated something. I'm not talking about just pointing guns at people for the sake of "creating the apprehension of" deadly force here. I'm talking about recognizing in a split second that you must recind your decision to fire AFTER starting the firing sequence. When I had my confrontation last year, I'd made the decision to shoot because I honestly believed my skull was about to get cracked open. I didn't have any OC on me, terse language and lights had failed to get me de-selected and I couldn't run away.

In the time it took to acquire my sights and begin applying pressure to the trigger, the threat stopped. The shot hadn't broken yet but I was probably down to the last few ounces when I saw my guy's whole demeanor change. I recognized, mid-stroke, that I could no longer fire because now he was turning to run away. I'd be splitting hairs to say I was justified because four video cameras all would have supported a shooting. Still, I know within my own mind that I no longer had justification and had to abort and that's where my concern lies.

[KRM45]

I'm not concerned about the light short trigger pull, because the only time my finger will touch the trigger is when I expect the gun to fire. Until I have made that decision my finger will be indexed along the frame.

I've obviously mis-communicated something.

I don't mean to imply that I know anything about the situation you described. Of course only you were there and only you know what may have been different with a different weapon.

Along the same lines, only I can decide what will be the appropriate weapon system for me in my situation.

I appreciate the insight you have provided by sharing your experience with the rest of us.

[Greybeard]

Quote: " I recognized, mid-stroke, that I could no longer fire "

Hmmmm ...

' A young lady cop friend told me something similar a couple of years back. Only she had recently transitioned from Glock to Sig.

An old coot, at gunpoint after a traffic-stop-gone-bad, was taunting her, refusing to show his hands, then suddenly did so - empty. She said "If I'd still had the Glock, I'd have shot him." (The ordeal sounded almost like an attempt at "suicide by cop".)