I am looking to get a 1911 for carrying with me while hiking, I was wondering if anyone had any experience with the 3.5 inch models the shortest I have ever shot is a commander? what are they like?
They're very finicky, i.e., all the springs have to be just the right strength (especially the mag spring and the recoil spring) for it to work reliably. You might think that's no problem, in that once they're just right, you'll have a reliable weapon. True, but spring tension changes with use, and the range of tension that will produce reliable function is very narrow when you get down to the chopped down 1911s.
I wouldn't go any shorter than 4.25" if I were you. I speak from experience.
