How is the .45 1911 Compact/subcompact?

[SATX-Scrub]

And here's mine, I can't even feel it in there when I'm walking around, and its only about 29 ounces loaded.

[PBratton]

My own experience with a 3" Kimber was very positive, however there are other 1911 aficionados of this board who would rather chew on a lit dynamite stick than buy a Kimber. If I were you, I would also take a look at Springfield Armory 1911s, as they usually have a product comparable to any given Kimber product, they make very high quality pistols, and they are close enough in pricing for horseshoes or hand grenades. I eventually sold my Kimber and hung onto my Springfield, but only because if a man has to be reduced to one 1911, it should be a 5" model. If the Kimber had been a 5" model and the SA a 3" model, I would have kept the Kimber and sold the SA. I have moderate regrets about having sold my Kimber, but that sale made a couple of other things possible for me, so it's all good.

I still have that Kimber TAM, in fact, it's on my hip as I type this. Thanks again.

To the OP: Yes, look at the compact 1911's, they are great little guns. I would not trade mine for anything.

I took my niece to the range this weekend to let her try out a spread of handguns, she went from the .38 to a .380 to a 9mm. Then she picked up the Kimber, after the first 7 rounds, she said that was the one. I laid a 100 rounds in front of her and she started loading, shooting and smiling.

[Topbuilder]

[quote="The Annoyed Man"]" if a man has to be reduced to one 1911, it should be a 5" model. "



I shot a Crimson Trace Kimber 5" today. That is one fine machine. Would be at the top of the 1911 'buy' list for me.

[SATX-Scrub]

" if a man has to be reduced to one 1911, it should be a 5" model. "



I shot a Crimson Trace Kimber 5" today. That is one fine machine. Would be at the top of the 1911 'buy' list for me.

She's my safe queen for now:

[x007x]

Anyone own the SF range officer 1911?

You mean the SA Range Officer? No. I do own a SA Loaded model. Nice gun.

I did mean to say SA

[atxtj]

I prefer a true Commander length barrel, but I also like an officers length frame. After messing around with a few other lengths and makes, I finally decided to pick up a Dan Wesson CCO. I have not looked back. it's just about perfect, stainless slide with a tough as nails finish, aluminum frame for light weight, night sights, all tool steel (no mim), fully ramped barrel, and a fit and finish that cannot be beat within the price range. It's also been absolutely reliable. Needless to say I love it...

[danpaw]

Colt Defender

[x007x]

The mag release is amberdixterious, for SA, correct?

[AEA]

NOPE, not for a 1911.

[x007x]

Guess there goes my 1911 since I'm left handed. Well I just read that there is a button on both sides.

[03Lightningrocks]

I had a Kimber 3" and never had any problems with it. Well.... Except that the front sight fell off at 200 rounds. I then purchased a four inch Kimber and was very surprised that the feel for concealed carry was not much different than the three inch and gave me better reliability over the three inch. I sold the three inch.

[SATX-Scrub]

Guess there goes my 1911 since I'm left handed. Well I just read that there is a button on both sides.

Don't give up, ambi safeties are stock on many 1911's and can be added to any non-ambi. The mag release has never been a problem for me, you just improvise with both the mag release and the slide release.

[gigag04]

I don't recommend 3" 1911s espevially with standard ammo. The already slow .230 gr bullet prefers longer barrels to increase velocity. If you're dead set on one, use 185 gr or .200gr +P ammo.

The 3" 1911s operate on a slightly different mechanical platform (recoil/timing) and is not carry reliable IMO. When ran hard, there is an increased likelihood of failure. They can be finnicky with ammo and should be tuned by a pro before being trusted. They are fun and easy to shoot because of their single action design, but I can't endorse their use for a carry gun. A Bobbed commander is not much larger, and significantly more reliable.

I'm in the group that abhors Kimber and their products. Why go with a Mfgr with a hot/cold reputation. I don't know anyone that hates SA or even Colt.

Didn't you start a thread a couple o' years ago about sending back your Kimber? I guess the never got it fixed.

Here's "the rest of the story"
viewtopic.php?f=23&t=39024" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Still ended up not working 100%. And it is sad that they ONLY fixed a trash design flaw known issue because I'm an LEO. There's who knows how many people running around with that same issue that may or may not know it, counting on it to work when they need it to. Even had they found out about the issue, hundreds of dollars would be expended to get the slide remade. I can't say enough bad, but true, things about it. I'd like to say that I just got a bad one, but all the Kimbers I've owned have been like that (all 3" guns). I got a Colt Defender and it was flawless, but I didn't like the muzzle velocity, even with the lighter loads. Traded it for a Commander and never looked back.

That said...I still carry a striker fired polymer every day.