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For the 1911 experts - what would be the shortest barrel (reliability wise) for carry? I am thinking 4 inches but I am not sure. I am looking at Springfield (all steel) but maybe you guys/gals have other ideas.

I agree with Wilson Combat. 4 inches is the shortest .45 ACP they make.

I have carried 3", 3-1/2", & 4-1/4" and haven't had issues with any of them after break-in and using high quality mags. In fact, the 3" and one of the 4-1/4" pistols have aluminum frames. To hear some tell it, that is the kiss of death for a 1911, but not in my experience.

Find the pistol you want, break it in at the range, & then figure out what kind of SD ammo it likes.

Not a 1911 expert but have them in every platform from 3" to 5" and all are very reliable. My edc is a 4.25 bbl but I often carry the 3". My wife carries the 3" platform daily and like mine they are both super reliable. Both have several thousand rounds through them and have not had any problems with either. The main factor will be what you are comfortable with, that is what you will have to answer. The 1911 in my opinion is the best platform for different bbl lengths and reliability while also being comfortable to shoot. (Bet I catch some different opinions on that.) I like them all in every bbl length.

I carry a 3" Kimber Ultra on a regular basis. Accurate and reliable.

I carry a 4.25 with no problems. Sometimes I carry a 5 inch.

It's up to you. I own and carry Compact, Officer, Commander and Government models with no problems. As AndyC mentioned recoil springs in short barrel pistols are a maintenance issue that can't be ignored.

Thank you AndyC, I was not familiar with whybthe OP said this. I understand now.

Since I'm posting, can anyone give an informed opinion as to the typical differences in velocity that may be affected by the shorter barrels?
(For 45acp of course)
Thanks

AndyC wrote:It's more a matter of the reliability/longevity of the recoil-system in the shorter-barreled pistols - it's necessarily a different design to a regular 1911 due to the smaller space available, and a shorter barrel and slide means a shorter (and usually sharper) recoil-stroke, which puts more pressure on the recoil-spring/s, etc.

I'd have no issue carrying a shorty 1911 assuming that I'd run plenty of rounds through it first to find its dislikes/perform any needed tweaks, bought a bunch of spares and kept to a strict maintenance schedule particularly w.r.t. the recoil-system.

Sidro wrote:Not a 1911 expert but have them in every platform from 3" to 5" and all are very reliable. My edc is a 4.25 bbl but I often carry the 3". My wife carries the 3" platform daily and like mine they are both super reliable. Both have several thousand rounds through them and have not had any problems with either. The main factor will be what you are comfortable with, that is what you will have to answer. The 1911 in my opinion is the best platform for different bbl lengths and reliability while also being comfortable to shoot. (Bet I catch some different opinions on that.) I like them all in every bbl length.

I agree with both AndyC and Sidro. I've carried 3", 4.25", and 5" 1911's extensively over a period of 40 years and found them all to be highly reliable guns. My current ones are Kimber and Springfield.

I keep them clean and well lubed, and I am religious about maintenance. I replace springs and recoil assemblies a little more often than recommended after I experienced a recoil system rod breakage in a Kimber Ultra Carry due to my own failure to replace it according to the manufacturer's clearly posted schedule. That gun now has about 6,000 rounds through it and just keeps chugging along.

Estand wrote:Thank you AndyC, I was not familiar with whybthe OP said this. I understand now.

Since I'm posting, can anyone give an informed opinion as to the typical differences in velocity that may be affected by the shorter barrels?
(For 45acp of course)
Thanks

The short answer is not enough to worry about for defensive purposes.

The more precise answer is roughly 80 feet per second per inch between a 5 inch barrel and a 3 inch barrel. This of course varies somewhat with the bullet weight, powder, etc. in a given load.

Thank you all for the good info. I was thinking of the Springer Champion in a 4", but I am not sure it is made anymore.