looking for advice on 3" 1911

[45Badger]

Anything less than 4" is an abomination

[Chevydude]

We were talking handguns, not what you were handling in your pants.

[walstien]

I have Rock Islands in 9mm and 45. Flawless and $450

[gun_fan111]

One word KIMBER
One more ULTRA
Last word COMPACT

Which one? They make a few Ultras...

Too many choices!!!!!!

[Currahee]

3 inch = NONE.

[Npederse]

You will likely get a lot of negative feedback on the 3" 1911, based on general perception. My personal experience, I have a 3" Kimber ultra cdp II and it has been 100% reliable with every type of ammo I have fed it.

+1 on the ultra cdp II. Mine has been great

[tman]

Food for thought.

[Rem700]

I HAD two Kimber Ultra CDPs a pre series II and a series II after putting appx 1000rds thru each trying to get them to run with several trips back to Kimber I got rid of them, I still love my other Kimbers 5 in total and a Pro CDP is my EDC just never any luck with the Ultra CDPs YMMV. All remaining Kimbers are pre series II not that it matters Gold Match, SS Gold Match, Custom CDP, and 2 Pro CDPs. also own other mfgs as well just no more 3" 1911s for me the 4" carries better anyways.

[45Badger]

We were talking handguns, not what you were handling in your pants.

You can meet my little friend. Come to the next steel shot with your little gun. I'll bring one of my big ones and we'll see what works better, lasts longer, and gets the job done

Do 3" guns work? Sure. Do 5" guns work better, more reliably, etc- all day long. If your life was truly on the line, not playing Walter Mitty, mall ninja, keyboard commando would you really choose a 3" 1911 over a 4 or 5" gun? Statistics and most highly experienced 1911 platform shooters would advise otherwise. It's an ancient and excellent design, with very specific mechanical timing requirements. Every change to a component- Barrel length, spring strengths or tensions- creates a need to change/compromise others. The more severe the changes, the more severe the compromises and adjustments, the greater the possibility of bang, click, oh sheeeeeet.

1911 manufacturers did not develop small 1911s because it was a better idea or gun. They did it because they were getting their butts kicked by Glock and others who made small guns that worked.

[Cuda66]

I have a Colt New Agent that's been flawless.

Do you have the double action one? http://www.shootingillustrated.com/inde ... w-agent-4/

Nope. SA .45.

[DanMN]

Go with a commander sized 1911. I burned through a few 3"ers and my grip and shooting style aren't conducive to getting them to run right.... I wasn't going to change everything to be able to make a certain type of gun work.... I have a few commanders, and my new fave is a Sig c3 4.25". It's not "traditional", but it eats everything, is light, and accurate. It's in my ccw rotation.


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[DanMN]

But who knows, your shooting style and grip might work with them. I know mine didn't.


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[gun_fan111]

Thanks all! I'll start working my way down the list of recommended firearms !

[NDB_MN]

If you get a Kimber, throw away the factory mag. Buy a Kim-Pro mag instead. I do not know why Kimber does not put Kim-Pro mags with all their guns. Their factory mags are crap and part of the bad rap the Ultra's get (no excuse, but still...). Some might work, but mine did not and I know other people with similar experiences. Ironically, Chip McCormick makes the Kim-Pros for Kimber, but they are slightly different than normal CM Power Mags... I like the Kim-Pros better.

My Ultra is my carry gun. I have had no problems since I got rid of the factory Mag, but I never shoot more than 200 rounds through it before cleaning. I think the little guns get fluky if they get too gunked up, though I haven't tested it with mine. ANOTHER thing - the Kimber Ultra I have did not have the proper height front sight for the short barrel, causing it to shoot low. I put a shorter Dawson sight on it and it works great now, incredibly accurate. That's more putzing than most people want to do - I really love the little gun now though.

I carry the ultra for 3 main reasons: it's relatively light, I am dang accurate with it, slim profile carries easy. It being .45 is also nice. I do not plan to take it to war or even 2 day tactical training.

4" guns are great too, probably less problematic overall than 3" but heavier and typically have a full frame. I think my next 1911 might be a 4" with Officer's frame, or a 4" bobtail.

[gun_fan111]

Well, after much deliberation I ordered a 3.5" Citadel Compact from Palmetto (shows in stock for $499). My thinking was to get into the segment at half price to see if I like it .

Will provide a range report if people are interested in this low priced 1911.