3" .45 acp or ??

[Seabear]

Also get yourself a Crossbreed Supertuck Deluxe. Great holster. Its comfortable and conceals great.

I completely agree. I carry my PT111 in one. Love it. Was thinking I would like the Ultra in Supertuck even better. Of course my PT111 has 12+1 and I shoot it very well. SO I think the Ultra is more of a want than a need.

[gigag04]

The 3" 1911 platform is inherently less stable than its full size brothers (commander and govt). That said, with either lots of luck, or a small investment with a reputable gunsmith, they can be made serviceable.

Nobody said 3" ers don't work. I simply compared their reliability against the original JB design. If you feel comfortable with it, great. I even carried a couple different flavors of the design. However, it is a deign compromise in timing. Know that before you buy.

I would send any off the shelf 3" 1911 to have a reliability package performed on it.

[Bear67]

I have 1911s in 3,4, and 5" and have carried them all at one time or another. My winter carry is a Kimber Ultra tactical and it has never had a hickup of any kind with factory ammo or reloads at the range. I prefer to shoot the Colt Commander over the 3" ers, but prefer the full size over the 4' ers and prefer the longslide most of all. Carry what is comfortable, shoot often and be kind to small dogs and children.
God Bless the memory of John Moses Browning.

[Matto79]

Seabear,

Also, one other thing I'd mention. I know you don't like/would prefer to not carry the 9mm cartridge. Which is fine. I just bought a Springfield XDM Compact in 9mm and I love it. The weight, balance, look, feel, and the compact/full-size mags really make it a multi-purpose gun.

With that, they just released the XDM Compact in .45. I can imagine it feels equally as good as this 9mm does, and you get 9+1 with the short mag, and 13+1 with the full size. Just something else to look at.

[glbedd53]

My Colt Officer was very unreliable when I bought it about 25 years ago. Teddy Jacobsen did a ramp job on it and it's been perfect ever since and it's the only thing I ever carry, and I only carry OWB, in a Bianchi 82.

[MoJo]

After reading all the above I've decided to toss in my 2¢ worth.

Several people who know much more than I do about 1911 pattern guns say to stay away from the 3 inch guns. If you want a shorter barrel get the 4.25" Commander length. According to these folks anything shorter is asking for trouble as the platform's geometry doesn't support reliable functioning. I know, I know everybody who has a 3" barreled "1911" has flawless functioning and shoots 100 rounds a week with no problems. That may be true but, ask anyone who carries a 1911 into harm's way for a living and 99% of them will tell you the same thing I'm telling you.

The short barrel does have a detrimental effect on the external ballistics of the .45 ACP round. If I were carrying a 3" .45 (not a "1911") I can assure you it would be loaded with +P 185 or, 200 grain ammo. I like the 1911, and really like the .45 ACP but I carry a 5" steel framed gun and have no problem concealing my gun in either an IWB (Kholster) or an OWB (Don Hume 721 OT). You may disagree with me and you have that right but, If I want a smaller gun I'll carry something else than a 3" "1911" and a different caliber like 9mm or 40 S&W simply because of track record on the streets.

[Seabear]

Seabear,

Also, one other thing I'd mention. I know you don't like/would prefer to not carry the 9mm cartridge. Which is fine. I just bought a Springfield XDM Compact in 9mm and I love it. The weight, balance, look, feel, and the compact/full-size mags really make it a multi-purpose gun.

With that, they just released the XDM Compact in .45. I can imagine it feels equally as good as this 9mm does, and you get 9+1 with the short mag, and 13+1 with the full size. Just something else to look at.

I never said I didn't like 9mm. I love my PT111 which is a 9mm 12+1. I shoot it VERY well and have no doubts when I carry it loaded with Gold Dots . Heck I even felt safe with the LCP with Crimson Trace. I'm just tryingto consolidate a little. SO the Kimber UltraII I picked up is welcome and it is very reliable so far. Did I mention I also picked up a PF9 to replace the LCP?

[Seabear]

Mojo, that is the beautiful thing about living in this country and especially TEXAS!!! We all have a right to carry what we want, and we have the ability to have multiple carry weapons. I have full size 1911's, however I'm a big guy and it is a little more difficult to conceal than a smaller weapon. I know guys that are VERY thin that carry full size with no issue. Us fat guys have love handles that get in the way and push the gun out unless we tighten way the heck up on our belts and then it digs into our sides. Skinny guys don't have that issue.

You have the right to dislike the 3" 1911. I understand some have issues with it. Well, if you read my range report, you would know that this pistol has eaten and spit out everything I have thrown at it. From 230 FMJ in 3 brands, 200 gr lead SWC handloads, 230 grn LRN, 200 grnLRN reloads. I can't make it hickup. So should I be afraid to carry it? Is the performance from the short barrel going to be less effective than a 9mm from a short barrel ?

I have put enough rounds through this 3"er to know that anybody in front of it should not only be afraid, but say their prayers. I shoot my PT111 very well, and the new PF9 does well, however I can shoot this Ultra Carry much more accurately. I'm talking 8 shots from 10-12 yards you can cover with a 50 cent piece. That would be 1840 grains of lead punched through that hole versus 920 grains if I could make the 9mm's do the same.

OUCH.

[MoJo]

Seabear,

I'm no small guy myself. I'm 5'11" 252# (down from 285#) the full size guns are no problem for me to conceal and to carry. It's a mindset thing I think. I know skinny guys that can't carry a full size and rather robust folks that are in the same situation. Do what works for you and if you have confidence in your shootin' iron that's what matters. I just have seen too many 3" "1911" guns choke, break and generally become high dollar paperweights for me to even consider one.

BTW - - - it's only a 1911 if it's a 5" .45 like St. John Moses Browning designed.

[Seabear]

Seabear,

BTW - - - it's only a 1911 if it's a 5" .45 like St. John Moses Browning designed.

I bet you are part of the "1911's should only come in .45acp" croud too huh? LOL

If I ever see a reason to doubt my 3", I'll be sure and post it here so you can say "I told you so" until then, tell the BG's to stay away.

As far as carrying full size, I have done it many times, I was just looking for smaller and lighter without having to go to a different type of pistol.

[Matto79]

I never said I didn't like 9mm. I love my PT111 which is a 9mm 12+1. I shoot it VERY well and have no doubts when I carry it loaded with Gold Dots . Heck I even felt safe with the LCP with Crimson Trace. I'm just tryingto consolidate a little. SO the Kimber UltraII I picked up is welcome and it is very reliable so far. Did I mention I also picked up a PF9 to replace the LCP?

[/quote]


Oh ok. Sorry that I misunderstood you. Well then that's awesome!

[MoJo]

Seabear,

BTW - - - it's only a 1911 if it's a 5" .45 like St. John Moses Browning designed.

I bet you are part of the "1911's should only come in .45acp" croud too huh? LOL

If I ever see a reason to doubt my 3", I'll be sure and post it here so you can say "I told you so" until then, tell the BG's to stay away. or 1911

As far as carrying full size, I have done it many times, I was just looking for smaller and lighter without having to go to a different type of pistol.

No, just to be called a 1911 it needs to be a 5" .45. Everything else is a "1911" or a 1911 platform gun.

Some of the calibers that have been put on a 1911 platform really challenge the geometry of St. JMB's design. The gun was designed for the .45 ACP and the .38 Super was designed for the 1911 platform some, like the .38 Special were a bad idea from the kick off.

[Seabear]

Seabear,

BTW - - - it's only a 1911 if it's a 5" .45 like St. John Moses Browning designed.

I bet you are part of the "1911's should only come in .45acp" croud too huh? LOL

If I ever see a reason to doubt my 3", I'll be sure and post it here so you can say "I told you so" until then, tell the BG's to stay away. or 1911

As far as carrying full size, I have done it many times, I was just looking for smaller and lighter without having to go to a different type of pistol.

No, just to be called a 1911 it needs to be a 5" .45. Everything else is a "1911" or a 1911 platform gun.

Some of the calibers that have been put on a 1911 platform really challenge the geometry of St. JMB's design. The gun was designed for the .45 ACP and the .38 Super was designed for the 1911 platform some, like the .38 Special were a bad idea from the kick off.

Ok, I'll give you that one. I love the "Platform".

I

[EricB]

Wondering if anyone has some insight on the Para Ordinance "Slim Hawg" piece. Handled one at the Lewisville gun show a couple months back, and it really felt good in my hand. Love the 1911 platform, and it seems to be a great size for my CC purposes (I'm not a big guy).