Posted: 7/3/2011 1:13:07 PM EDT
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I'm thinking about building my first 1911 in the next couple months, and trying to decide on a size.
I'm definatley going with 9mm (ammo costs and recoil reasons). Is there any significant differences in reliability between a Commander and Officer's size 1911s? My plans are to initially use the gun for competition (until it's proven reliable) and then use it as a primary carry gun. |
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All 1911 mags fit in an officer's model. Officer mags do not fit in a Commander How does that affect reliability of the gun? If you use a standard size magazine in an Officer size 1911 just be careful you don't ram it up in there with the slide locked to the rear. I did that with mine and jammed it in there pretty good.   
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For me, I will never go smaller than a commander. Because I don't like the officer size grip. But that is just me. And I like standard mags and such. I've got to handle both a Para Hawg 9 and one of the S&W sub-compact's (SKU 178020). Both fit my hands fine. I've always carried 3.5" guns with short grips, so I'm not sure how well I can conceal a commander size gun. EDIT: I'd really like to stick with 3.5" guns, but I've heard a few rumors about reliability issues with the smaller 1911's. |
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For me, I will never go smaller than a commander. Because I don't like the officer size grip. But that is just me. And I like standard mags and such. I use an officer frame sized mag for the initial mag to keep grip length short for CCW, but the reloads are standard length. It ensures the mag gets fully seated. I've never had issues jamming the slide by ramming the mag in too far, but if that's concern you can get a conversion base pad for Wilson 8 round magazines that have an extension that rises to meet the front strap, extending the front surface of the grip and ensuring the mag cannot be seated too deeply. |
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AFAIK Colt no longer makes a 3.5" 1911 - the New Agent and Defender are 3" pistols.
I'm thinking about building my first 1911 in the next couple months, and trying to decide on a size. I'm definatley going with 9mm (ammo costs and recoil reasons). Is there any significant differences in reliability between a Commander and Officer's size 1911s? My plans are to initially use the gun for competition (until it's proven reliable) and then use it as a primary carry gun. Kimber also makes 3" 1911s and uses a unitized 2 spring recoil spring and guide assembly that is both reliable and comparatively long lived (1800 rounds compared to 800 for there 4.25" guns.) In my opinion that is key to reliability in a 3" 1911 platform. |
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As a general rule I would say that 1911s tend to be a little less reliable. I say that owning a Para and Colt officers length in .45, two Colt commander lengths in .45 and 9mm, and two government lengths one Colt 9mm and an ATI .45. Sure, none of them are $1K plus but each one of them have had very minor issues at some point (failure to go fully into battery, failure to eject, wont lock back on an empty mag, etc)
Each one has had different issues and randomly but my point being I NEVER recall an issue with any of my other pistols. Beretta 92FS, HK USP, HK P7, CZ 75, EAA witness, FN FNP, Glock 23 and 26, etc have been 100% but I can't say the same about a single one of of my 1911s. Don't get me wrong, I still like them but why are they that much less reliable? You could argue that it's a 100 year old design while the others are modern designs but these are all improved 1911s and not the original GI ones. That being said, my officers length ones are no more or less reliable than the others. The key is maintenance and a firm grip on them when firing. |
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http://emob215.photobucket.com/albums/cc68/gunnyg_photos/Private/AR15/DSC07553.jpg http://emob215.photobucket.com/albums/cc68/gunnyg_photos/Private/AR15/DSC05839Large.jpg These are my mine. The smallest is a Colt New Agent (3") Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile Is that a Wilson Combat Magazine in the New Agent? I was told that the New Agent does not accept Wilson Combat magazings. 
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Quoted: Quoted: http://emob215.photobucket.com/albums/cc68/gunnyg_photos/Private/AR15/DSC07553.jpg http://emob215.photobucket.com/albums/cc68/gunnyg_photos/Private/AR15/DSC05839Large.jpg These are my mine. The smallest is a Colt New Agent (3") Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile Is that a Wilson Combat Magazine in the New Agent? I was told that the New Agent does not accept Wilson Combat magazings. Absolutely, it is! Here's the part number: http://shopwilsoncombat.com/1911-Magazine-45-ACP-Compact-7-Round-Lo-Profile-Steel-Base-Pad-Black/productinfo/47,OXCB/ I've bought them through Midway before: http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?productNumber=459154 If you want to use #47 Gov't model length 8 rd mags in a NA, Defender or OACP, etc. you can replace the floor plate, or order them as a whole assembly http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/default.aspx?productNumber=966655  You can even get the 10 rd Bureaucrat in there:  |
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http://emob215.photobucket.com/albums/cc68/gunnyg_photos/Private/AR15/DSC07553.jpg http://emob215.photobucket.com/albums/cc68/gunnyg_photos/Private/AR15/DSC05839Large.jpg These are my mine. The smallest is a Colt New Agent (3") Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile Is that a Wilson Combat Magazine in the New Agent? I was told that the New Agent does not accept Wilson Combat magazings.
Why wouldnt they work?? Far as I know it is a standard officer frame. |
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Building your self I would go with Commander or govt size, just because you want to build it in 9mm and the larger size 1911s are easier to get running with non standard calibers.
I would also go with a ramped barrel, para cut, or that Australian hybrid version. |
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http://emob215.photobucket.com/albums/cc68/gunnyg_photos/Private/AR15/DSC07553.jpg http://emob215.photobucket.com/albums/cc68/gunnyg_photos/Private/AR15/DSC05839Large.jpg These are my mine. The smallest is a Colt New Agent (3") Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile Is that a Wilson Combat Magazine in the New Agent? I was told that the New Agent does not accept Wilson Combat magazings.
Absolutely, it is! Here's the part number: http://shopwilsoncombat.com/1911-Magazine-45-ACP-Compact-7-Round-Lo-Profile-Steel-Base-Pad-Black/productinfo/47,OXCB/ I've bought them through Midway before: http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?productNumber=459154 If you want to use #47 Gov't model length 8 rd mags in a NA, Defender or OACP, etc. you can replace the floor plate, or order them as a whole assembly http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/default.aspx?productNumber=966655 You can even get the 10 rd Bureaucrat in there: http://shopwilsoncombat.com/1911-Elite-Tactical-Magazine-9mm-Compact-8-Round-Lo-Profile-Steel-Base-Pad/productinfo/500%2C9C/ Very first review: Does not fit Colt New Agent Talo Date Posted: 8/19/2011
I bought a Colt new agent and even before I went to pick up the gun I ordered the Wilson #500 9s magazine. It wont fit the Colt New Agent. The front of the base pad prevents it from going all the way in and seat properly. |
| My dealer has a new Colt officer model with the commander length slide. I can honestly say the officer frame is too small for me. Nice to CCW, but not my cup of tea. I'll be staying with my Commander and Gov models. I originally wanted a commander in 9mm, but Colt doesn't make a new one and the old ones were more than I could swing, so I bought a 45acp.It still needs a rebuild, but it is reliable. |
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http://emob215.photobucket.com/albums/cc68/gunnyg_photos/Private/AR15/DSC07553.jpg http://emob215.photobucket.com/albums/cc68/gunnyg_photos/Private/AR15/DSC05839Large.jpg These are my mine. The smallest is a Colt New Agent (3") Is that a Wilson Combat Magazine in the New Agent? I was told that the New Agent does not accept Wilson Combat magazings.
Absolutely, it is! Here's the part number: http://shopwilsoncombat.com/1911-Magazine-45-ACP-Compact-7-Round-Lo-Profile-Steel-Base-Pad-Black/productinfo/47,OXCB/ I've bought them through Midway before: http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?productNumber=459154 If you want to use #47 Gov't model length 8 rd mags in a NA, Defender or OACP, etc. you can replace the floor plate, or order them as a whole assembly http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/default.aspx?productNumber=966655 You can even get the 10 rd Bureaucrat in there: http://shopwilsoncombat.com/1911-Elite-Tactical-Magazine-9mm-Compact-8-Round-Lo-Profile-Steel-Base-Pad/productinfo/500%2C9C/ Very first review: Does not fit Colt New Agent Talo Date Posted: 8/19/2011
I bought a Colt new agent and even before I went to pick up the gun I ordered the Wilson #500 9s magazine. It wont fit the Colt New Agent. The front of the base pad prevents it from going all the way in and seat properly. Perhaps it is a 9mm issue. Mine are all .45s. The magazine base pad be too tall and needs to be filed down to fit properly. Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile |