CC 1911's

[Bang Bang]

I'm looking at alum. frame/3"bull barrel 1911's. A friend in Co. has a Colt defender/crimson trace grips - I handled it and I really liked it but didn't have time to shoot it. Colt is out-of-stock and not taking orders so I've been web searching and found the Kimber Ultra Crimson Carry. Has anyone shot either of these 45s and what do you think of it/them? I love my full size 45 but I'm wondering what the little ones shoot like. The Kimber is only 25oz. empty. My Colt is 43 oz. and my Baby Eagle 9mm is 42 oz. and I need suspenders if I carry them on my belt! TIA! Craig

[Shovelhead]

I'd shoot several boxes of ammo through a 3" .45 before I'd trust it as a "Last Chance" carry weapon.
Three inch .45s have a reputation for being "Jam-o-Matics" until all the kinks are worked out.

I carry a 4 1/4" Commander .....the extra 1 1/4" helps make the slide cycle timing a little less critical.

My alternate is a 3" Springfield Armory EMP.
A 9mm designed from the ground up as a 3 inch 1911.

http://web.mac.com/mj_lauer/iWeb/RangeDiary/Range%20Log/DDBB74F4-5338-4A0C-8EBC-0CEBD203DA9D_files/STspemp_010807Binset.png

[MikeyB]

My Taurus PT745 45acp weights in at little over 20oz and still very controllable. Recoil is a little more than a 1911 Government model.

As being jam-o-matics, shouldn't be an issue with proper break in and lubrication. Make sure the feed ramp is highly polished so it can eat all types of hollow points.

MikeyB

[tightgroup]

I agree with Shovelhead, go with a 4" gun at a minimum. It seems that on the smaller guns there are those that have success and some that don't. My wife has the EMP and it has had issues. We sent it back to Springfield once which really improved things but is still finicky with certain ammo.

Kimber has the Tactical Pro (http://dynamicarmament.com/items/handguns/kimber/tactical-pro-ii-3200060-detail.htm) which is a 4" 1911 with an alloy frame:
http://dynamicarmament.com/images/kimber_guns/tacticalpro_II.jpg

[Shovelhead]

I've heard the same about the EMPs.
Some are pickey eaters, others digest every thing you can load into the magazine.

Mine has been the latter.....and danged accurate to boot.:cool:

[Boatnik]

My Colt Defender so far has digested factory ammo with little trouble. Normally it takes a few hundred rounds for a gun to seat and function flawlessly. To date I carry and shoot it with 230 grain hollow points. As long as it is clean and lubed properly it will shoot every time I want it to. It is my first choice for concealed carry only because a 105 mm howitzer won't fit my holster.:cool:

[dg527]

My ultra carry is old, worn and reliable. The key is to keep it clean, well oiled and don't purchase cheap ammo.

[Boatnik]

My Colt Defender is my first choice for concealment. It is reliable digesting 230 grain hollow points as well as 230 grain round nose FMJ and lead ball. It is ported but otherwise stock. I have put several boxes of ammo through it and it only jams ocassionally after about fifty rounds. After a good cleaning it worked flawlessly until it got dirty again after another fifty or more rounds using Unique and factory ammo. I can't carry fifty rounds concealed so it does just fine. :D (My drum mag won't fit under my shirt).:D

[Kill Ya]

Just carry a Springfield Armory long slide and fagetaboutit!

[Boatnik]

Just carry a Springfield Armory long slide and fagetaboutit!

I'm five foot nine and 200 pounds. The full size 1911 or Glock 21 only hides well under bulky clothing. Shoulder holsters are literally a real pain in the neck for me so I use a paddle holster or belt holster. The smaller guns are less obtrusive.