TexasCHLforum.com

In anticipation of receiving my CHL I am starting shopping for a new carry gun (after a reasonable break in period) in semi auto to compliment my Taurus 85.

The ones that I am leaning towards right now are the Kimber Compact Stainless II and a Springfield Champion. I like the Kimber for the shorter grip frame with the commander length slide.

Which of the smaller 1911 pattern guns do you reccommend? I may consider some of the really small ones, but am tending to shy away after a bad experience with a Colt Defender.

I like my Colt Defender but am interested to hear what your bad experience was.

Mine shoots well, eats everything I've tried in it except PMC, don't know why and I haven't tried it again since I first got it. Replaced the rubber grips with Alumagrips. Rubber grips were plush but didn't work to well for CC. Alumagrips are great.

Also looked at Kimber. Colt felt better in the hand. Don't know why but it did and that sold me.

Please share your experience.

Trog

The bad experience was a NIB defender that started off with a bad extractor. I coundn't get the a whole magazine without at least half of the spent cases being left in the chamber. The extractor hook had absolutely no curvature at the tip. It was squared off.

It took 4 calls to customer service and being passed all around the company on hold just to get them to send me an extractor. They wanted me to send them the whole gun on my dime. So now I have a gun with a bad part, and less than steller customer service.

Finally got the new extractor, and it too was the same as the first. So I did what I should have done and bought a Wilson extractor.

Without dragging on even longer, even after all the extractor issues and replacing the magazines with Wilson's, I couldn't get through a box of ammo with out some stoppage.

It wasn't worth the hastle.

This particular one was probably a lemon. Given the more patience from me, Colt probably would have made good. It didn't completely sour me on the smaller 1911 guns, but I am more leary of them.

I have a Springfield Micro-Compact that I swear by. Not one problem. I would toss the factory mag in the trash and use only McCormick or Wilson mags in it though as the factory ones are TRASH. Of course, my Champion is rock solid as well.... :)

I have several of each, Colt 1911's, Sig's, Glock's and S&W revolvers and have carried them all. They all stay home now that I have a Kimber Stainless Pro Carry and I plan to try a Kimber Ultra. All my 1911 type mags are McCormick and I (like another poster) never carry with rubber grips.
Tom

ElGato wrote: I (like another poster) never carry with rubber grips.

Tom, why don't you like to carry with rubber grips? I prefer them over wood for CCW...

RatMan, good wood grips have a much hight CDI (Chicks Dig It) factor that rubber grips!

I have had pretty good experiences with my Kimbers. Had a Stainless Classic that had some problems, but no big deal. My dad has two of the Ultra CDP's and he can not be found w/o one. I would have a trigger job done by Vanden Berg.

Glenn

Baytown wrote:RatMan, good wood grips have a much hight CDI (Chicks Dig It) factor that rubber grips!

hehehehe... I do have a set of Esmeralda Grips on my Champion, but I do prefer the rubber ones for carry. Just better grip control. That's another thing the chicks dig. :) :)

My favorite 1911 compact is a Kimber Ultra CDP. I put McCormick slim-grips on it. It is light and carries very well especially IWB.

RatMan, how are those Esmeralda grips? I saw her in AH, but never priced them or anything.

Glenn

Baytown wrote:RatMan, how are those Esmeralda grips? I saw her in AH, but never priced them or anything.Glenn

In a word... BEAUTIFUL

They are in the $80-$130 range but like most hand crafted products, well worth the money for fit and finish, and she is a delight to deal with!

Here is her website link in case you don't have it:

http://www.esmeralda.cc/

On her site you can see the actual picture of the grips you want to buy. She has several different woods she uses in addition to cocobolo.

RatMan, thanks.

Glenn

I have, and have carried, a Beretta 96 (.40) and Glock 27 (.40 also). About 16 months ago got a Champion. :D Now I carry it almost always. Love the way it shoots and handles. Haven't had the first problem with it. I did get Chip McCormick mags and love them too.
Haven't thrown the factory mags away, but they get very limited use.

Baytown wrote:RatMan, thanks.

Anytime, Glenn....

I have a Springfield V10 ultra compact that after some very minor adjustments with the extractor has been rock solid. And a new Champion I picked up as had one FTF in 400 rounds so it is doing well too.

V10 I have no problem with carry, and if the Champion keeps going like it is I would not have any issues with it either.


No experience with a Kimber pistol other then the on in .17 HMS and that I would not use for carry :)



Stacey