still looking for a 3" 1911 with full size grip (8-mag) and ambi safety.

the only one I'm aware of is the Kimber super carry ultra + , which I have (or more accurately the Kimber repair shop has had for the last 6 months).

any others out there?

thx

it ain't a three inch barrel, but i am awful fond of the springfield champion with an ambi safety fitted.
the thing eats everything i have put in it. Have an extra heavy recoil spring and no issue with the heavy plus P loads.

Colt made a Defender Plus or some such back a while ago that I believe is what you're looking for. I haven't seen one for sale in a while but I'm sure some digging could turn one up. Other than that I can't think of anything else besides your Kimber.

Here you go
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=481040688

PS. Ambi safeties are an easy mod, I wouldn't let lack of one scare me off a nice pistol that only had a strong side.

Not a 1911 exactly but I've got one of these in 9mm and 40s&w. All steel, accurate, durable as can be. Ambi safety and the mag release can be switched around. Worth way more than the going price in my opinion.
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=481788046

That's a weird combination...kinda the worst of both worlds where CC carry is concerned.

Here's an option: http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=479905951

Kinda spendy, but the Canadian manufactured models were GTG.

A suggestion,

This gun is not a full size grip, but you can get a flush fitting 7 rounder for it, with one in the chamber, that gives you 8.

An ambi-safety is easy to install.

https://us.armscor.com/products/rock-standard-cs-45-acp

My RIA is utterly reliable, and superbly accurate

I thought "officer models" were 4"' at least my Colt "Officer" is. You can run an eight mag in any of them if so desired.

my understanding (and it varies with mfg) in the 1911 nomenclature:

govt= full frame, 5" bbl

officer= usually full size frame, bbl 4-4.25"

commander = small frame, bbl under 4"

I'm looking for a full size frame, bbl under 4"

You have Officer and Commander reversed.

thx

Let's fix this...

Govt is 5"
Commander is ONLY 4.25", any different is something else, not a Commander.

Officers ACP is 3.5", any different is not an Officer's ACP.

but I don't want any of those Kevin!

I want a commander frame and an officer bbl .....

In Colt lingo, a Commanding Officer. Really.

That's not a 3" though. Officer's are 3-1/2".

Just putting the nomenclature right. You could have something custom built. I don't know if any such animal is made. Just seems like a very backward configuration, but the heart wants what the heart wants.

A visual reference may help. Here are three Colts:

Top: 5" Government Model (Full size frame, 5" barrel)

2nd: 4.25" LW Commander (Full size frame, 4.25" barrel)

3rd: Officer's ACP 3.5" (shortened frame, holds one less round, 3.5" barrel)

Strange thing is I reoriented the pic on PB, but it came out 90 degrees...

Backwards again. Get the 4"-4.25" slide/barrel on an Officer's frame. Sig makes a fantastic version.

BTW Utah,

The barrel is often the easiest thing to hide, especially IWB, with the grip frame being the most difficult. Most experienced 1911 carriers will tell you that a 4.25 or 5" gun will carry more comfortably than a 3.5" one. My experience is that as well. The longer narrow slide carried inside the waistband will anchor the gun against your side and balances out quite nicely.

A somewhat popular variation is an Officer's frame, with a Commander length slide.

Best of luck choosing your new toy.

Listen to this man. He speaks truth.

It's hard to beat a Commander sized 1911 for a CCW IMO.
And I find I can conceal a Commander just as easy as an Officer sized 1911. Also, of all the different sized 1911's made, I find that the Officer sized versions are the least reliable in function.

Agree completely.

But if you don't want the shorter butt frame of the Officer's,
model, them you can always get the full Commander size with a round / bobtail frame.

MM

Just saw this while browsing Davidsons...



Description:

The S&W SW1911 PRO is an excellent choice for concealed carry applications. The S&W SW1911 PRO is well made incorporating the finest components, built to exacting standards, for an ultra reliable, and accurate carry gun. Discerning shooters that demand the very best will be extremely happy with the excellent fit, finish, and functionality of the S&W SW1911 PRO. If you have been eye balling 1911's but unsure of what to go with, let me tell you, you will be hard pressed to find better than the S&W SW1911 PRO.
Specifications and Features:
S&W SW1911 PRO Talo Semi Automatic Pistol
.45 ACP
3" Barrel
7+1 Rounds
Alloy Frame
Custom Wood Grips
Two Tone Finish
Single Action Trigger
6.9" Overall Length
Fixed Sights

I have a Para "Expert" Carry - 3" barrel, shorter slide, otherwise the same size as my full-size 1911. It fits in most front pockets pretty well, which my 5" barreled 1911 does not. No ambi safety, but as noted above, that can be added. Accuracy is good, recoil was a lot less than I expected, and the trigger is very good as it came out of the box. The Para magazines were not so good, but I use my Wilson Combat mags - both 8 and 10 round - and have no feeding problems with them.

Not a high-dollar - or high quality - 1911, but very serviceable, and does what I wanted it to. Actually pleasantly surprised me.

thanks for the tips all, the Kimber Super Carry came back from Kimber for the second time on Friday....still non-functional.

It's on it's way to Mike Moore at Gunsite so we'll see what he can make of it before I move on to something else.

So what the matter with it?

MM

doesn't feed (no nose contact with feed ramp, nose shoots straight across and hits the bottom of the chamber where it remains until given an assist)

1st time Kimber "polished" the feed ramp and chamber , 2nd time they "replaced" the extractor , neither of which made much sense to my non-gunsmith brain and of course did not solve the issue

Does it do this with other brands of mags?

I have the RIA cs posted earlier and it has been dead reliable for the few hundred I've sent. I also have the 1911pd which is lighter, more refined and NEVER had a hiccup in several thousand rounds.

Kimbers simply cannot malfunction! And when they do, Kimber simply cannot believe it!

I properly built 1911 will run with any decent magazine. I have a little Kimber and it is COAL sensitive.

Agreed, but it could help dial in on the issue.

independent of mag brand (Kimber, Wilson, Tripps)