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AR15.COM
4/17/2015 7:37:32 PM EDT
Springfield  EMP 3" - $1160
S&W Pro 3" - $1230
D.W. CCO - $1450
D.W. ECO- $1500      ETA: 9mm

S.O. is looking to get her first pistol and after looking and holding almost the whole case, she decided she likes the 3"-4" 1911 options. She narrowed it down to those four. Caliber doesn't seem to be a concern because she enjoys shooting my full size 1911.

Looking for thoughts on which one to go with.
4/17/2015 7:47:54 PM EDT
[#1]
Having owned Colts, Kimbers, Springfields, an Ed Brown, and now a DW, I recommend the DW.
4/17/2015 8:22:33 PM EDT
[#2]
Of those - DW CCO

4/17/2015 8:28:09 PM EDT
[#3]
I guess for context - I own a Dan Wesson Specialist, 3 Kimbers, 1 Springfield and 1 Sig.  I've come within "inches" of buying an ECO, fondled it many times in the LGS.  My CCW is a Kimber CDP Ultra, which has served me perfectly for years, but if I pull the trigger on the ECO I would switch over to that just as soon as I had enough rounds through it to be confident.  Not saying any of the others aren't quality pistols, because they are, but I really like the DW products.
4/17/2015 8:32:11 PM EDT
[#4]
Of that list - DW
4/17/2015 11:15:09 PM EDT
[#5]
I own 2 DW's and two Springfields.   All have been great shooters and 100% reliable.  I prefer the DW's over the Springfields...one is a TRP, so its an apples to apples comparison.
4/17/2015 11:36:58 PM EDT
[#6]
Dan Wesson Hands down.


4/17/2015 11:42:08 PM EDT
[#7]
Of those listed the ECO. To be clear I have the ECO as well as the Guardian and Specialist.
4/17/2015 11:45:52 PM EDT
[#8]
DW CCO
4/17/2015 11:50:25 PM EDT
[#9]
IMHO, I would recommend a CCO sized gun, vs. a super snubbie 1911.  So off of your list it would be the DW (which seems to be an excellent gun).
4/18/2015 12:23:14 AM EDT
[#10]
I'd also look at the SA Range Officer Compact and SIG traditional compact if you're looking for CCO sized guns.  They're both well under the $1000 mark.  Close to the $1K mark is the Colt Wiley Clap CCO or Gunsite CCO.




Of course given the choice the DW CCO or ECO would be my go to choice.  


 
4/18/2015 10:09:37 AM EDT
[#11]
Dan Wesson
4/18/2015 10:34:21 AM EDT
[#12]
CCO. 4.25" commander barrel is my preference for compact size 1911. Others on your list has 3" or 4" barrel.
4/18/2015 10:47:26 AM EDT
[#13]
DW would be my first choice.

I currently own Colts, Kimbers, DW's and USGI.  The DW is a special 1911, the equal of custom hand fit 1911's that cost 2X as much.
4/18/2015 1:17:08 PM EDT
[#14]
DW CCO.
4/18/2015 3:18:46 PM EDT
[#15]
Thanks all for the input so far. Went out looking again today and she has narrowed it down to the D.W.'s. She seems to prefer the ECO but I notice most of you have suggested the CCO. The question now is why CCO over the ECO?

ETA: The ECO is chambered in 9mm.
4/18/2015 9:17:57 PM EDT
[#16]
Quote History
Quoted:
Thanks all for the input so far. Went out looking again today and she has narrowed it down to the D.W.'s. She seems to prefer the ECO but I notice most of you have suggested the CCO. The question now is why CCO over the ECO?

ETA: The ECO is chambered in 9mm.
View Quote


Generally a longer slide 1911 model will be more reliable than a shorter one and recoil is generally less. Slide length usually doesn't play a big factor in concealability either (within reason). A 9mm ECO would be tempting though.
4/19/2015 12:34:53 AM EDT
[#17]
Most seem to consider anything less than 5 inch not to be as reliable. The CCO to me makes less sense because if you are going to have the 4.25 barrel  why not get the 8 round vs the 7 round in the CCO. Let me clarify. I had a Kimber Tactical Ultra II in 3 inch and it functioned well without problems. I then shot the DW ECO that comes with a 3.5 inch barrel that not only shot well but felt well to shoot a slight improvement over the Kimber. At the same time I purchased the DW Guardian that has the 4.25 inch barrel. The two shoot and feel the same enough that one does not have anymore felt recoil over the other.  Both have functioned without any problems thus far. I tried the DW CCO and other than a tad smaller grip length they are about the same and the Guardian with the bob tail makes them about equal. So for me it made more sense to get the Guardian over the CCO. I also got the Specialist at the same time as the other two but that's a whole other animal. Good luck in your search.