Compact 1911s, reliable or not?

[oldag]

Never have needed to replace a recoil spring in a compact 1911.

 

[TexasRedneck]

Never have needed to replace a recoil spring in a compact 1911.

I thought I was the only one that hadn't felt the need to follow the lemmings.....

 

[Tnhawk]

Never have needed to replace a recoil spring in a compact 1911.

I haven't replaced the recoil spring on any of my compact pistols yet but should probably order spares to have on hand when needed.

 

[Doons]

50rds new, problems. Back it went on an 8 day round trip to Springer. 600+ rounds since, not one issue. It is my EDC. Love this gun…..

 

[CaliGunner]

50rds new, problems. Back it went on an 8 day round trip to Springer. 600+ rounds since, not one issue. It is my EDC. Love this gun…..
View attachment 344957

Love it!

 

[Outrider]

I had a Springfield EMP 9 4" that would not cycle anything under 124 grain ammo [mine is all 115 grain]. Apparently this is a known issue as I have seen a few posts about them in other forums.

 

[TheDan]

My cheap Citadel has been reliable and isn't ammo picky.

 

[CaliGunner]

I had a Springfield EMP 9 4" that would not cycle anything under 124 grain ammo [mine is all 115 grain]. Apparently this is a known issue as I have seen a few posts about them in other forums.

I've read that before too. It seems shorty 1911s (of various manufacturers) prefer heavier ammo.

 

[Doons]

I had a Springfield EMP 9 4" that would not cycle anything under 124 grain ammo [mine is all 115 grain]. Apparently this is a known issue as I have seen a few posts about them in other forums.

did you send yours back to Springer?

mine shoots 115 FMJ or JHP without issue.

 

[oldag]

I've read that before too. It seems shorty 1911s (of various manufacturers) prefer heavier ammo.

Maybe they just prefer .45 rather than a wimpy 9...

 

[Tnhawk]

My EMP is a 40 and has functioned with everything I put in it.

 

[Sam7sf]

Cool. Have a pic?

No sir. That was a long time ago.

 

[leVieux]

My KIMBER 3” UCDP required a bunch of gun-smithing when brand new to “run right”, and still lives in my safe.

In my limited experience with shorter models, yes; there is a problem. I shot full size 1911’s for decades, w/o any problem.

leVieux

 

[Sam7sf]

Best brand is Charles Daly. They come out of the box needing work and with parts out of spec. That means you get to know your weapon better. Can't ask for better.

 

[leVieux]

One other significant consideration is that, at least for me personally, the full-size 1911’s are actually EASIER to “carry” b/c of better balance and longer slide providing more stability when “IWB”.

 

[cycleguy2300]

I've been recently wanting to get a carry 1911, and I was on another 1911 forum where the guys were basically saying "Commander and Officer 1911s can be hit or miss", meaning 4.25" and 3.5" or under.

They claimed that the recoil springs are under too much stress, and you have to be picky about ammo.

I'm not a 1911 expert being mostly a Glock carrying person pretty much for the past 7-8 years. I've carried Glock 19s, Glock 26s, and now I carry a Glock 43x. Never had a problem with any compact Glock, with a variety of ammo types (FMJ, HP, 115gr, 124gr, etc).

Now I'm not thinking of getting a "cheap" compact 1911 either, I'm probably going to buy a BUL/Wilson/Stacatto level compact 1911. Is this all FUD? I'm just doing a sanity check here before I hit the order button.

View attachment 344508

Reliable doesn't mean it works all the time...

My Land Rover has never left me stranded, but I can reliably expect it to need a little love pretty often...

Надіслано з дому вашої мами за допомогою Tapatalk

 

[Dred]

Never have needed to replace a recoil spring in a compact 1911.

LMBO - me either. This is my first.

Sent from my KFMAWI using Tapatalk

 

[Dimonback]

I've been recently wanting to get a carry 1911, and I was on another 1911 forum where the guys were basically saying "Commander and Officer 1911s can be hit or miss", meaning 4.25" and 3.5" or under.

They claimed that the recoil springs are under too much stress, and you have to be picky about ammo.

I'm not a 1911 expert being mostly a Glock carrying person pretty much for the past 7-8 years. I've carried Glock 19s, Glock 26s, and now I carry a Glock 43x. Never had a problem with any compact Glock, with a variety of ammo types (FMJ, HP, 115gr, 124gr, etc).

Now I'm not thinking of getting a "cheap" compact 1911 either, I'm probably going to buy a BUL/Wilson/Stacatto level compact 1911. Is this all FUD? I'm just doing a sanity check here before I hit the order button.

View attachment 344508

I've had several 3.5 and 4.25" 1911s. While I'd agree the Officer's model can be picky, my Commanders never have been. I currently carry a Sig C3 that is dead on accurate, and has never stopped, even with my lighter competition loads

 

[charliefrye333]

I have a Springfield Armory Range Officer Compact in .45acp as my primary CC. Never had any issues with it…Any!
I have Colt Combat Commander in 9mm.
No issues with it (even during breakin).
I prefer the SAI (for me it carries better).

 

[Tnhawk]

One other significant consideration is that, at least for me personally, the full-size 1911’s are actually EASIER to “carry” b/c of better balance and longer slide providing more stability when “IWB”.

I prefer the commander size over the compact or full size for carry