Compact 1911

**Devilpup** · 05-03-2012, 05:15 AM

Hello gents, I'm looking for compact 1911 on a budget. I'd like a 4"- 4 1/3" barrel with the smaller officer size grip and if at all possible non-reflective stainless steel finish. I've looked at the RIA, Citadel, Desert Eagle 1911c, and the Sig Sauer c3. I really like the feel, fit and finish of the Desert eagle (laugh all you want but it was a great pistol aside from the billboard on the side) and sig, but I was not a fan of the RIA and citadel. To me there seems to be too much variation from one to another, it seems to swing excellent to pretty crappy (even at their table at the NRA show). My big hiccupp is being in college I'm on a budget, and while I understand the marits of buying a $1,500 pistol but it's not logical for me at this time. I'd like to come in under $700, and am open to just about any brand. Thanks for the help gents.

**Gustav Halbach** · 05-03-2012, 07:16 AM

If you could find a well loved Colt Officer or Defender (3 in barrel) I think you would be pleased. I have both and have never had a hiccup with either. Actually, even a Government size 1911 is not hard to conceal and carry. They are very thin and in the proper IWB holster can disappear even under shorts and t-shirt. Keep looking and you'll find one that'll fit your budget.

-G

**saf** · 05-03-2012, 07:56 AM

Got no help for you on the gun front but MIZ

**snatiep** · 05-03-2012, 08:54 AM

I too love my Colt Defender in 9mm! Beautiful pistol. Amazing trigger!

**hig789** · 05-03-2012, 09:19 AM

If you could swing it and you bump your price up a little I would go with a kimber ultra carry 2. My cousin has one with the red dot grips and that is the sweetest little gun I have ever held.

**Devilpup** · 05-03-2012, 11:00 AM

Originally Posted by Blue Raccoon

I know you said 1911.. but a good compact 1911 is going to start close to the $1k range. If you said 1911 becuase you want a 45acp that a look at the Springfield XDm compacts.

http://www.the-m-factor.com/html/specs_11.html

I love the 1911 platform, and will be using it as my edc. I've tried a glock and it was too wide and bulky for my body and the XD's I've tried just don't feel right in my hands.

Gustav Halbach
I've got a full size Norinco that I can carry well, but when I sit it pushes it up so that the grip silhouettes.

saf
ZOU!

hig789
I'd prefer $700 but I could do as high as $800

**Subrage** · 05-03-2012, 11:47 AM

Originally Posted by hig789

If you could swing it and you bump your price up a little I would go with a kimber ultra carry 2. My cousin has one with the red dot grips and that is the sweetest little gun I have ever held.

Those are really nice!! I was looking at one about a week ago, and decided that it is next in line.

**tomjr** · 05-03-2012, 12:42 PM

i have used and carried a 45 acp 4 30 yrs. i have 4 the one that has seen the most use is my carry gun a colt officers model. it has been almost my constant companion for near on 20+ yrs. i guess i change the recoil spring from a nested to a straight spring and added nite sights. it is far more accurate then needed and very reassuring in its dependability when i first got the gun i went thru it. it malfunctioned once with the nested spring when the 2 springs got intertwined thus the non nested spring. other than that it has seen heavy use with no problems. when i first got the gun i went thru it and checked everything out it passed my reliability tests, but the nested springs failed thus the change in the recoil spring. this was new at the time in this pistol model. i later added ambi safety just 4 my peace of mind. it still rides on my hip with no reservations. it with 2 extra mags makes a potent combo. it has always like 200 grain speer jhp and that has been my preference. tom

**Acmemfg** · 05-03-2012, 01:28 PM

Para Ordnance (now known as "Para". Canadian company who now manufactures their weapons in Charlotte, NC. Exceptional finish and fit, deadly accurate out of the box. They do take a while to break in though. Price was less than $700 new, out the door. http://www.paraord.com/

**MrMurphy** · 05-06-2012, 09:59 PM

If you want one that actually works......

Skip Para. When Ted died, so did the company.

Skip Kimber. After they went to the II series guns, their QC has never recovered, they went from being awesome to craptacular and unable to be trusted. Some gunsmiths will now refuse to work on either brand due to this. Their former reputations do not stand up to current lack of QC.

On a budget, check out a Springfield Milspec or Loaded Champion. 4" Commander size, they have most of the basics you want and don't necessarily cost a fortune. They also come in stainless. And of course, they work.

STI makes a fine CCO/Officer size gun but they're outside your budget range. So is a Colt, still the all time favorite original.

There's some other 1911 manufacturers out there with a clue, but on your budget, the Springfield is what I'd recommend. If you can handle the 5" full size, STI makes a model called the Spartan (around $600 last i heard) which is only available one way. It's made in the Phillipines by Armscor, but final QC/inspection/fitting is done in the US by STI. From all i've seen, on a budget, they work well. But it only comes one way, no variations.

I've never found anything below Commander size worth messing with for reliability, 3" guns eat springs and still have issues most of the time. My only 1911 is a 5" range queen, but i've been shooting them on and off for over 20 years, and my all time favorite is the Combat Commander (4.25" all steel) for carry. That said, a full size Government isn't much harder to carry.

**xjrob85** · 05-07-2012, 11:03 AM

I've heard good things about the Commander sized 1911 from ATI, and they run in the $400 price range. They are made in the Philippines, and that turns some people off, but Hickok45's review of it was mostly positive. Naturally, there are much nicer 1911s available from other manufacturers; but if your budget is preeminent, you might want to give these a look. I have a full-sized Ruger SR1911 myself.

**intheshaw** · 05-09-2012, 11:04 PM

I would say look for used guns, you could check out armslist.org which i've been monitoring for the same thing. I really wouldn't go smaller than commander like already said, and I also wouldn't want to get something cheap if you're planning on it being a carry gun. With that being said, 700 should be plenty to get you into a decent 1911, ive seen some barely used SA GI's going for less than 500 here.