Compact 1911s? Kinda long, sorry

[Doc45]

Any of you have one of the compact 1911s? By this I mean nothing larger than the Officers size frame with a barrel/slide no longer than 4.25". I'm a long time Les Baer fan and owner-I've had 5, 2 were the Commanche models. Les cuts his Commanche and Stinger frames to Government model specs unlike everyone else does on their Commander/Officer sized guns. Many complain his won't slingshot though my older son has a 2006 Thunder Ranch Commanche and it does just fine.

I've narrowed it down to Guncrafter Industries CCO model (fantasy land as they're quite pricey), Les Baer Stinger (a little less pricey lol) and perhaps, perhaps I say, a Colt Wiley Clapp CCO or Defender. I'm not a fan of Kimber so they're not an option. Perhaps the Springfield Compact model (I'd have to change the fiber front sight-nothing I want on a sd gun). Possibly I'll consider the Dan Wesson CCO (priced between the Colts and Baer).

For over 46 years the 1911 has been my favorite pistol and feel I deserve to have the one I want. One of these will make a fine ccw pistol and with the newer loads developed for short 1911s they'll work just fine. Bill Wilson wrote an interesting piece not too long ago about his move to a 4" gun and I found myself in agreement with his thoughts (don't have a link right now, sorry).

For me the shorter grip of these pistols makes concealment easier rather than barrel length.

I'd appreciate hearing from anyone that might own one of these pistols with your impressions, thanks.

[Mick-Boy]

I bought and carried a Les Baer Stinger a number of years ago. It functioned just fine with FMJ or JHP ammunition. It still sits in my safe for when I want to carry something compact with a little soul.

[Irving]

It still sits in my safe for when I want to carry something compact with a little soul.

That's what my B.B. King edition M&Pc is for.

[Mick-Boy]

[ROFL1]

Well played.

[SideShow Bob]

I am no "Daddy Warbucks", just a common working stiff. So the models you have mentioned are but wet dreams to me.
I have a SA Champion and a Colt Defender.
The SA has been moderatly customized to the point that what I have into it is close to the price of a DW CCO.
And the Defender is in the process of being moderatly customized to where the amount I have in it is somewhere between a Colt CCO & a DW CCO.
In hindsight, if I would have been patient, and just saved up I could have gotten one of the upper middle end factory pistols.
But then, I would not have two, one of a kind customized pistols that are exactly what I wanted, instead of settling for how they were made.

[Doc45]

Trust me, working stiff here too. In my 2nd career now and actually not as flush as I was as a young guy in my first field (of course I wasn't married and didn't have kids let alone a grandson way back then ahahaa). In 1979 I had a competition Colt built by Bill Wilson though my "social" 1911s were built by a local smith (lived in a different state then). As time moved on I had a couple built by Novak's.

When I discovered Les Baer's 1911s I found my favorite production "semi-custom" pistol. What ever I do will have to wait until after tax time so I'm not in any rush. Just when I think I've made a decision I start looking at the others and have to start all over again lol.

The Dan Wesson is particularily interesting, don't know anyone that owns one (specifically the CCO model) so not sure how it'll hold up and the quality of them. Oh well.

Irving, that was great by the way!

[Hoser]

1911s smaller than a commander are more difficult to shoot and harder to get to run 100%.

The smallest 1911 I have is a Commander slide on an officers frame.

I built it up about 15 or so years ago and it runs and carries excellent. I think Colt or maybe some other big name might be making them this way now.

[Doc45]

Yup, of the ones I mentioned the Baer, Guncrafters, Colt WC CCO and Dan Wesson are all built with the 4.25" barrel/slide set up. A lifetime ago I had a Colt Commander (lightweight) built by Robar that was very nice and 100% reliable-sold it to finance a Baer lol. Not doing that anymore.

[mannix]

Not really in the same...heh, "caliber" of some of the pistols mentioned here, but I have a Sig Ultra that I'm very pleased with.

http://www.sigsauer.com/CatalogProductDetails/1911-ultra-two-tone.aspx

3.3" barrel, light (alloy frame), has been 100% reliable for me. I like it a lot.

.02c, reviving, sorry....

[Grant H.]

Not sure what you're issue with Kimber is, but my Pro TLE/RL II is a great carry gun for me. It's been nothing but reliable and accurate, just like all my Kimbers.

I have to agree with Hoser that going any shorter than Commander is not worth it.

[Doc45]

Well time to revive and fill you all in. Getting a Colt Defender. Friend bought two, never shot one and after letting it sit in his safe for 8 months he asked if I was interested in a good deal. His other has been 100% reliable with Federal 230gr HSTammo.

He's l.e. in another state and it's his daily carry. I've got wood grips and a Wilson checkered mainspring housing ready to go on it. At some point I'll put a front night sights on it.

[rondog]

I like my Rock Island 3.5" Compact, but I'm a simple man with simple tastes and modest means.....

[Marine24]

Good choice. Defender are solid 1911s. I opted for the 9mm version. Replaced the grips and actually have CT laser grip but have not put them on yet.