The Down Range Forum
Member Section => Handguns => Topic started by: DanPatWork on December 11, 2012, 07:15:11 AM
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What say you???
Anyone out there that can give me a reliability report?
I'm looking at one of these for the wife for Christmas and I'm wondering what the quality vs. the impact of a smaller frame is like. I love my government but rarely carry it because of size. The wife has no problem shooting the 45, but prefers a smaller frame pistol like her bersa thunder .380. Is the recoil in the smaller frame to much? How does it hold up to long term training use?
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I have never handled the SA micro, but my understanding is that the mini 45 1911 can be a handful. I have fired a couple of various flavors, and I don't find them to be unmanageable.
I recently bought a SA XDS, which is a very small, light "tupperware" 45 and I find it a pleasure to shoot. You might look into those, or the M&P 45 compacts. Not as small, but then, the Bersas aren't all that small anyway.
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I've looked at a few of the 3in 1911 models but not been able to shoot any of them. There would be an increase in perciieved recoil since it weighs less but still not unmanagable. If recoil is a factor, you may want to look at the 9mm versions by SA, Para, Colt, or STI.
The STI Spartan is a bare bones 1911 in 45, 40, and 9 with 5, 4.25, and 3.5 in barrels for around $6-700, while the Trojan and Ranger models are the same size/caliber with more features, and added price, around $11-1500. The Para's are either SA or LDA single stack or a ten rounder. It looks a little fat but is pretty comfortable and I have small-ish hands. SA has the EMP versions and Colt the New Agent. the New Agent has a sight rail instead of a rear sight that would take a little getting used to.
All of them have a 45 version too. Another slim small frame 45 I have shot and did like a lot was the Glock 36. It's a single stack(6+1) mini-Glock, with the 30 being 10+1 and fatter. I've eyed the Kahr K/P/CW 9, 40, and 45s but have only shot the P9. It was pretty easy and very slim.
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Don't get it until she has had a chance to try one.
It is more than likely that the recoil will not be comfortable to her .
Remember, what you know or like is not relevant when you are buying a gun for HER.
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Don't get it until she has had a chance to try one.
It is more than likely that the recoil will not be comfortable to her .
Remember, what you know or like is not relevant when you are buying a gun for HER.
Hehe, you missed my subtle point about how I feel about my government 1911. As with all purchases, if she doesn't like it I probably will. ;)
Kidding aside, she really can handle most of our guns just fine. I agree she should be comfortable with it but there is no try before you buy around us. On the other hand, if anyone wants to loan a 3" 1911 to us to try we are in northern WI.
I like my Glocks too, but she just can't get comfortable, even with a gen 4 and any of the grip options.
She handles my Sig 238 fine, but prefers the bersa grip size as well.
The xds is on the radar, but I'm trying to get her a metal framed gun, thin enough to carry, conceal well, and have the uncompromising power of the 45.
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Colt Defender or New Agent.
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Hehe, you missed my subtle point about how I feel about my government 1911. As with all purchases, if she doesn't like it I probably will. ;)
Kidding aside, she really can handle most of our guns just fine. I agree she should be comfortable with it but there is no try before you buy around us. On the other hand, if anyone wants to loan a 3" 1911 to us to try we are in northern WI.
I like my Glocks too, but she just can't get comfortable, even with a gen 4 and any of the grip options.
She handles my Sig 238 fine, but prefers the bersa grip size as well.
The xds is on the radar, but I'm trying to get her a metal framed gun, thin enough to carry, conceal well, and have the uncompromising power of the 45.
I had my suspicions ;D
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Have her try the S&W Shield in 9mm. I have and carry one and a Colt Officers ACP LW is my other CCW gun. I love them both and could not pick between them if asked which I like best. Also look at the SA EMP in 9mm. I recommend against the EMP and Shield in .40 based on info from owners.
FWIW
Richard
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I would get my wife a compact 1911 3" barrel in a 45. I have a G30 good gun then I bought a CW 45 good gun but then I moved into a Colt Defender in a 45 that is a great gun nice crisp trigger pull its light excellent for CC. I also have a ATI FX45 Titan a little heavier than the colt but the same gun. My wife wants a compact 45 but unfortunately we will have to purchase her one of her own. all of mine are customized to fit me. I traded the CW45 for a 38 S&W +P that's a snappy little J frame not especially easy for a woman to shoot.
(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/12/12/13/ty9ugume.jpg)
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I would get my wife a compact 1911 3" barrel in a 45. I have a G30 good gun then I bought a CW 45 good gun but then I moved into a Colt Defender in a 45 that is a great gun nice crisp trigger pull its light excellent for CC. I also have a ATI FX45 Titan a little heavier than the colt but the same gun. My wife wants a compact 45 but unfortunately we will have to purchase her one of her own. all of mine are customized to fit me. I traded the CW45 for a 38 S&W +P that's a snappy little J frame not especially easy for a woman to shoot.
(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/12/12/13/ty9ugume.jpg)
Hate to tell you this but that's what my 72 year old mother carries . ;D
Don't use +P ammo and it's just another .38.
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Just an update, we settled on what we wanted. We didn't quite end up with the compact. We did however end up with a great deal on a SigSauer C3 Crimson. Range report to follow after I recover from a particularly nasty upper respiratory infection.
Here is a teaser.
(http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i204/Redneck2_2006/2013-01-02_17-05-40_650.jpg)
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Just an update, we settled on what we wanted. We didn't quite end up with the compact.
I think you made a good choice. One of the biggest issues with the chopped 1911's is reliability. Not just "good" reliability, but the kind you are willing to stake your life on. It just isn't there with a lot of these Mini 1911's. Part of the reason is because of the lack of mass of the slide itself. Because of that lack of weight they are forced to run the slide velocity extremely high to get them to function reliably. The result can be a very finicky feeding weapon, and one that is very ammunition picky. Neither of which are good traits in a carry weapon, that has to function perfectly every time you pull the trigger. In short the 1911 was not very well designed with miniaturization in mind.
With all that said, Springfield makes about the best attempt at these type of pistols, as far as reliability. Their Micro line is about as good as it gets. The other problem with these guns is short service life due to the increased slide velocity. Especially in the alloy framed models. The guns basically beat themselves to death much quicker than a full sized 1911. As time passes these problems are being addressed better, but for a Mini style carry gun Glocks are a much better option. For some reason they don't suffer the reliability issues the chopped 1911's do, or the limited service life. The Mini Glocks shoot as well, and last every bit as long as their full sized counterparts. They also cost about 50% less.
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That Sig is a nice gun, you should be very happy with it.
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Congrats on a very nice 1911 pistola.
Hope it shoots well for you.
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I carried one for many years off duty. Never had any work done and put thousands of rounds thru it with no malfunctions. I cannot say the same for other brands as I have seen issues. oer experience maydiffer. I would shoot it a BUNCH before I bet my butt on it.
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Just an update, we settled on what we wanted. We didn't quite end up with the compact. We did however end up with a great deal on a SigSauer C3 Crimson. Range report to follow after I recover from a particularly nasty upper respiratory infection.
Here is a teaser.
(http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i204/Redneck2_2006/2013-01-02_17-05-40_650.jpg)
Finally made a range day of it yesterday. With several handguns and a rifle needing a field test, the amount of time spent was limited. Ammo availability also forced a few restrictions as well.
My initial reaction is that the Sig C3 is a keeper. The recoil spring is noticeably heavier than any standard 1911 government that I have shot or owned to compare to. There is no noticeable difference in recoil and the front and backstrap checkering are positively aggressive in grip management. Trigger break is a good example of the term "breaks like glass", with a pull in a range I would estimate at 4-5lbs. Target accuracy is consistent with what I have come to expect from a Sig and my poor eyesight. 20 yards offhand with groupings of 3". The included crimson trace laser was extremely low and to the right. Somehow I forgot to bring the adjusting allen wrench so a return trip to correct that will be required. My only problem... this is the first 1911 I have ever shot with an extended safety. My grip will have to be corrected for this as I was inappropriately holding the pistol, and this resulted in my thumb engaging the safety during recoil. This is a first for me, and I'm not sure if it is poor training or a result of to much time spent with guns lacking the traditional thumb safety. Other than operator error the gun was a flawless joy to shoot. Teardown and cleaning was the standard job anyone that has ever cleaned a 1911 would expect.
Many more range days will be needed before I will be comfortable enough to say I or my wife can carry this pistol, but ammo availability and cost will determine how fast this will progress.