Posted: 1/23/2014 3:56:54 PM EDT
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Thinking/rethinking my current carry gun (Colt Gov. Mod. .380+P) and leaning toward a micro 1911. Lots of choices these days, in my top 5 are the Colt Defender and New Agent. Quality is seldom an issue with Colt, but are there better less expensive options? Not into plastic pistols so that narrows the field quite a bit, so I thought I'd poke around here for some suggestions? Fun show this weekend, probably won't end well financially.........................
Thanks in advance |
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I would recommend a CCO over a 3". Commander length 4.25" slide and Officer slide. The longer slide is more reliable and has a longer sight radius. The grip is the hard part to conceal, and the grip is the same length as a "Micro" 3" 1911.
ETA: DW makes a CCO. Colt is also coming out with a Wiley Clapp CCO. Both are around $1500. SIG also makes three-Compact RCS Nitron, RCS Two Tone, and C3. The SIGs are around $1000. |
| I have the Colt Defender. Feels good in my hands and I have large hands. I understand the short sight line comment. I've actually put it in the front pocket of my pants and barely printed and no. I don't where baggy jeans....can't stand that look. I think it is a good weapon for good money. |
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I have two Defenders, one in 45 and one in 9mm and like them both a lot!
I ditched the Hogue grips on them as they are big and bulky as well as sticky if you're going to carry it. Neither have been a problem for me reliability wise and the 9mm is a freaking laser especially for a short barrel. |
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I have two Defenders, one in 45 and one in 9mm and like them both a lot! I ditched the Hogue grips on them as they are big and bulky as well as sticky if you're going to carry it. Neither have been a problem for me reliability wise and the 9mm is a freaking laser especially for a short barrel. I have the finger grooved Hogues on a couple of pistols and I like them, but I agree they suck on a carry gun. The seem to get hung up on everything, and are a little too thick for carry. What grips did you end up with on them? |
| Keep in mind that micro 1911's are legendary for not running well. If I was going to bet on one that would I would say colt however. Whatever you get make sure you test it for function with your ammo of choice. I am not saying you will have problems or that there are not good micro 1911's out there but the smaller the gun the harder it is to keep running |
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Quoted: I normally carry horizontally in the small of by back, a shorter barrel and slide benefits me more. I have a Star PD which is about Commander size, a little too long to carry that way comfortably. Definitely want 3 or 3 1/2" barrel, and would prefer stainless. |
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Is there any reason why you carry in one of the less desirable manners? Quoted:
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I normally carry horizontally in the small of by back, a shorter barrel and slide benefits me more. I have a Star PD which is about Commander size, a little too long to carry that way comfortably. Definitely want 3 or 3 1/2" barrel, and would prefer stainless. Comfort mostly, ease of quick draw, and I'm 6'5" tall so it's easy to conceal like that. I have tried just about every carry method/holster made, this just works best for me. I have practiced drawing and firing from this position for 25+ years, lots to be said for confidence I guess. |
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Thinking/rethinking my current carry gun (Colt Gov. Mod. .380+P) and leaning toward a micro 1911. Lots of choices these days, in my top 5 are the Colt Defender and New Agent. Quality is seldom an issue with Colt, but are there better less expensive options? Not into plastic pistols so that narrows the field quite a bit, so I thought I'd poke around here for some suggestions? Fun show this weekend, probably won't end well financially......................... Thanks in advance I know of the Gov't .380, but does your barrel actually say .380 +P or do you just carry "+P" ammo in it? I ask only because I didn't even think SAAMI recognized a +P version of .380. I would honestly stick with what you have unless you wanted to step up to a Commander-length gun. The margin for error is just so small with the shorter slides that I wouldn't want one as a carry. I might get flamed for saying it, and that's fine. I'm not saying they won't run, I'm just saying that the quicker slide speed introduces issues you don't have to worry about when you're shooting a 4"-5" 1911. |
| I'm pretty old-school on this one, but what about finding a nice Seattle/Bellevue Detonics Combat Master? Back then they were the only game in town for a chopped 1911, and they seemed to get it right. They can be found for $800-900 in very good shape, and I would trust my life to one again. |
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I know of the Gov't .380, but does your barrel actually say .380 +P or do you just carry "+P" ammo in it? I ask only because I didn't even think SAAMI recognized a +P version of .380. I would honestly stick with what you have unless you wanted to step up to a Commander-length gun. The margin for error is just so small with the shorter slides that I wouldn't want one as a carry. I might get flamed for saying it, and that's fine. I'm not saying they won't run, I'm just saying that the quicker slide speed introduces issues you don't have to worry about when you're shooting a 4"-5" 1911. Quoted:
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Thinking/rethinking my current carry gun (Colt Gov. Mod. .380+P) and leaning toward a micro 1911. Lots of choices these days, in my top 5 are the Colt Defender and New Agent. Quality is seldom an issue with Colt, but are there better less expensive options? Not into plastic pistols so that narrows the field quite a bit, so I thought I'd poke around here for some suggestions? Fun show this weekend, probably won't end well financially......................... Thanks in advance I know of the Gov't .380, but does your barrel actually say .380 +P or do you just carry "+P" ammo in it? I ask only because I didn't even think SAAMI recognized a +P version of .380. I would honestly stick with what you have unless you wanted to step up to a Commander-length gun. The margin for error is just so small with the shorter slides that I wouldn't want one as a carry. I might get flamed for saying it, and that's fine. I'm not saying they won't run, I'm just saying that the quicker slide speed introduces issues you don't have to worry about when you're shooting a 4"-5" 1911. |
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You Sir are correct. The gun is not marked +P. That is something they (manufacturers) just started in the past few years, and as far as I know just on wheelguns. I've carried the little Colt .380 with +P ammo for years, and it has performed flawlessly. Quoted:
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Thinking/rethinking my current carry gun (Colt Gov. Mod. .380+P) and leaning toward a micro 1911. Lots of choices these days, in my top 5 are the Colt Defender and New Agent. Quality is seldom an issue with Colt, but are there better less expensive options? Not into plastic pistols so that narrows the field quite a bit, so I thought I'd poke around here for some suggestions? Fun show this weekend, probably won't end well financially......................... Thanks in advance I know of the Gov't .380, but does your barrel actually say .380 +P or do you just carry "+P" ammo in it? I ask only because I didn't even think SAAMI recognized a +P version of .380. I would honestly stick with what you have unless you wanted to step up to a Commander-length gun. The margin for error is just so small with the shorter slides that I wouldn't want one as a carry. I might get flamed for saying it, and that's fine. I'm not saying they won't run, I'm just saying that the quicker slide speed introduces issues you don't have to worry about when you're shooting a 4"-5" 1911. Roger that. I didn't think it could be marked that way, but thanks for confirming. If it was marked that way, you definitely had my attention! Those older Colt .380s seem to run very well. |
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so you are changing from a 380.
does it have to be 45? I mean sig came out with the slightly bigger 938, so 9mm bigger brother of the mustang you have. springfield has that emp line, 9mm and 40 instead of 45. mostly I mention these as said above due to the notorious poor running of the smaller 1911's in 45. those issues do not seem to plague the other built around the round smaller guns, and since you wanted officer size or smaller. |
| I do like the Sig 938, but I'm not sure of the quality. I'm not even sure that Sig makes them, so many companies are "Licensing" other companies to build their guns now days. It bothers me a little that even Sigs website won't state the frame material, it's just listed as "Metal" The gun is very light (16oz if I remember correct) is it an aluminum frame? If so, is the barrel ramped? |
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There have been several people who have weighed in on the problems of short 1911s and I know some of them like Ken have a lot of 1911 experience and knowledge but I would say that it has not been my personal experience.
Yes, they do require more frequent recoil spring replacement and general awareness of maintenance but mine have been 100% with one minor exception. My 9mm defender does not like to lock the slide back after the last round with low power 115 grain loads but no problem with 147s which is what I carry in it anyway. The 45 has had no issues with any load. I think that Colt and the other modern offerings of officer lengths have solved the riddle of making them run. In answer to what grips I am using, for now I am using some Colt factory rubber ones I picked up at a gun show until I get off my butt and order some slim ones. I have the bushings and screws but havre have changed them out yet so I haven't been in a rush to order the grips yet. Still kind of sticky but feel much better and slimmer profile too. |