3" .45 acp or ??

[Seabear]

I've done some searching here and elsewhere and have yet to get a whole lot of credible info.

Here's the deal. Like has been discussed in other threads on various subjects I have come to a few conclusions. I prefer .45 if at all possible and 9mm when I can't. I hate that I have many times fallen into the "laziness" of an LCP in the pocket so I think I will follow suit with a couple of you and dump that caliber and pistol from the rotation. Not a bad little gun, so I will more than likely use it as a BUG in the house or truck. (or just dump it all together)

I have full size 1911 in .45 and 9mm. Between those two, duh why would I carry the 9 over the 45? So .45 it is when I go full size. Which I hate to admit I don't carry the full size that much any more. I used to have a compact PT145 and a 24/7 CDSTaurus I just didn't care for .45 in that platform.

One of my favorites now is the PT111 in 9mm in a horsehide Cross-Breed supertuck. Works well for me, and for some reason even though the other two Tauri would fit in the same holster, this is just more comfortable. 12+ 1 of hot 9mm isn't too bad of a start I suppose.

Lately I have gotten the bug to try a 3" 1911 in .45acp. I haven't found one to try but I sure like the looks. So, here is the million dollar question.

Which 3" 1911 is the most reliable? I have heard all kinds of stories, and since they are on the internet they must all be true.

Since I am so used to a full sized 1911 shooting steel etc I am used to the platform and very comfortable with it. I keep shying away from the 3" thinking maybe a 4" would be better. The point being would there really be that much advantage in concealment of the 4 over the 5 ?

In a perfect world I would just buy one of each. LOL I better not though.

TAM I believe you carry a 3", anyone else? How picky are they?

I know, lots of questions. I had a 4 level neck fusion last week, so I have lots of time on my hands to think about the next gun, and plenty of pain killers to cloud my judgement. LOL So bare with me.

[Sidro]

My wife and I both have 3" Kimbers. Hers is edc while I tend to swap between 3" and 4" 1911s. She loves hers and has not had any problems with it. Also eats any kind of ammo you throw at it.

[rcasady]

im in the same boat , carry p238 ...love the gun , will never let it go but a 3" 1911 sounds lovely
heard iffy remarks on the springfield emp . never anything bad about kimbers , but im eyeballing a rock island armory 3.5 tactical (large sights ) and under $400
my full size RIA is a true shooter and keeper ...also looking at a colt new agent but thoses are pushing $900
are they terribly snappy in that short barrel ? i wouldnt be opposed to a 9mm myslelf , if the recoil is enough differece to be more accurate

[TheMilkMan]

I purchased a Sig p220 compact about a month ago and have been carrying it since. I was carrying a full size 1911 before that. I find that the p220c is a lot easier to shoot on than a small frame 1911 in that it is less straining on the hands. Because of this I have been able to shoot the heck out of it. I also like the DA/SA configuration, because I kept finding I was checking to see if my safety was still on, on my 1911. Some people dont dig on the DA/SA, and there is a SAO version of the p220c, but I have not used it personally only held it in a shop. The only caveat is that it is a hair thicker than a 1911 in the slide, but I havent found it burdensome. The only thing I find impedes concealability for me is the length of the grip. Maybe worth a look.

[Excaliber]

My usual carry is a 4" Kimber. It has a full size grip, so when I need a little less bulk in that area I go with either a 3" Kimber or a Kahr PM45, all in .45 ACP. I don't find the recoil to be a problem at all. The Kahr is the "snappiest" of the bunch, but not bad in my paws. That being said, I don't put 300 rounds through it in a single range session either, while I do that with the others.

I use Gold Dot, Golden Sabre, and Magtech defensive rounds most of the time and have no trouble with any of them in these guns, which are all well used.

[AEA]

I have a 3.5" Springer Ultra Compact in .45 for the Winter and a 3" Springer EMP 9mm for the Summer.

Those 2 are my main carries now but I have the EB Kobra Carry .45 and the EB Special Forces .45 for range and BBQ work.

[Seabear]

My wife and I both have 3" Kimbers. Hers is edc while I tend to swap between 3" and 4" 1911s. She loves hers and has not had any problems with it. Also eats any kind of ammo you throw at it.

Good to hear. I keep leaning towards the Kimber .

[Seabear]

im in the same boat , carry p238 ...love the gun , will never let it go but a 3" 1911 sounds lovely
heard iffy remarks on the springfield emp . never anything bad about kimbers , but im eyeballing a rock island armory 3.5 tactical (large sights ) and under $400
my full size RIA is a true shooter and keeper ...also looking at a colt new agent but thoses are pushing $900
are they terribly snappy in that short barrel ? i wouldnt be opposed to a 9mm myslelf , if the recoil is enough differece to be more accurate

It's funny, I have heard from both sides. Some "big time Tactical instructor" feels the EMP way out performs the Kimber. I tend to go with what I see, and I have yet to see anyone bring a 3" Kimber to class. The one that brought the EMP was in 9mm.

I also have a full size RIA 1911 Tactical that will outshoot most right out of the box. That being said there are obvious quality/fit/finish differences. I had also thought about the smaller RIA just haven't pushed myself over that edge yet.

[Seabear]

My usual carry is a 4" Kimber. It has a full size grip, so when I need a little less bulk in that area I go with either a 3" Kimber or a Kahr PM45, all in .45 ACP. I don't find the recoil to be a problem at all. The Kahr is the "snappiest" of the bunch, but not bad in my paws. That being said, I don't put 300 rounds through it in a single range session either, while I do that with the others.

I use Gold Dot, Golden Sabre, and Magtech defensive rounds most of the time and have no trouble with any of them in these guns, which are all well used.

So, if you had to pick just one for EDC which would it be?

[Seabear]

I have a 3.5" Springer Ultra Compact in .45 for the Winter and a 3" Springer EMP 9mm for the Summer.

Those 2 are my main carries now but I have the EB Kobra Carry .45 and the EB Special Forces .45 for range and BBQ work.

Sounds like you may "almost" have the variations covered. LOL

[Pawpaw]

I have a Kimber Ultra CDP II that has been my EDC for a year now.

More and more lately, I'm carrying my Dan Wesson V-Bob. It has a true Commander-length 4-1/4" barrel and a full sized bobtailed frame.

I thought the weight difference between the aluminum framed Kimber and the all stainless V-Bob would be very pronounced. As it turns out, I barely notice the difference.

If I could only keep one handgun, it would be the Dan Wesson... no contest.

[RiverRat]

I highly recommend the Colt Defender in 45acp for 3". I carried one for a year, put about 700 rds through it with no failures. My wife carries a Colt New Agent as her purse gun, same story, about 700rds, no failures. I have no complaints with either 3" Colt......I wouldn't consider ever getting rid of either, as well. Both are light weights and not super range or target pistols for shooting hundreds of rds at a sitting.

Having said this, I have been carrying 4" (short grip) 45acp's....either an STI Guardian or Bill Wilson Carry (compact CQB with Officer short grip) for the last couple of years because of the increased accuracy. The 4" is much easier for me point and shoot well. Of course I am more accurate with a 5" but I find myself taking longer get off shots under 15 yds. I had another compact CQB made for my wife for her on body carry (with short trigger and Officer grip). We both have small hands and the short grips work well for us for concealment and carry. Both the STI and the Wilson's are over 1500 rds without failures of any kind....eating any ammo without issue. Either STI or Wilsons are Extremely accurate shooters to 25 yds...I am the weak link.

Not sure if that helps. Good luck with your decisions.

[The Annoyed Man]

TAM I believe you carry a 3", anyone else? How picky are they?

Mine is a Kimber Stainless Ultra Carry. It is utterly reliable. When I first bought it, it was delivered with a faulty part—the slide stop lever, which caused it to lock open on about every 3rd shot. Several days after I bought it, I phoned Kimber, and it turned out they were already aware of the issue, and they sent me a free replacement part right away which dropped right in. This pistol has functioned absolutely flawlessly since, to the tune of a couple of thousand rounds by now.

[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. After speaking w Teddy Jacobson, my lingering issue with the 3" 1911 pattern guns is the underwhelming muzzle velocity with 230gr ammo. Teddy suggested using less than a 200gr bullet to get the speed up.

Because of this, I would prefer a bobbed commander or a CCO patterned gun.

[Munk]

Over 1000 rounds through my EDC Kimber Ultra CDPII and zero issues.... Ever. I do have a P238 as BUG that gave me all kinds of trouble at first before the spring change. It is now flawless.

For me, it's the Kimber on my hip.