HELP deciding on 3" .45!

[PPM]

Well, folks, I stumbled on an article late last night and it brought up some conserns. As you know, I was plannin' on gettin' the Kimber Ultra CDP but I've read the article that said some things I didn't like hearing!

1. It didn't accept magazines from OEMs well at all!
2. It had trouble feeding certain ammo.
3. Both = a dependability problem
4. Also the internal parts are lower quality than some others (because they are made differently).
5. Fluff and buff was strongly recommended.

Is there a 3-inch barreled .45 that you'd recommend as being, so far as your own experiences (?) both accurate AND dependable right outta the box (even with OEM-type magazines?

The only physical thing I didn't like abt my son's Kimber is the LACK of some sort of pad on the magazines (caused a blood blister in my palm). I was planning to get quality OEM's to resolve that problem.

So, I've slipped back into indecision! Please give me some input that will help throw me one way...or another. There really ARE other brands out there, I know! Springfield, Colt, Para (?) and, I think, even S&W.

Any guidance that you can give me (ASAP) would be appreciated!

[DMoses]

Hello PPM!

I have never owned a 1911 in 3" before, however I have owned 3 Kimbers over the years. Two were 4" including a CDP Pro which was a very realiable firearm. It was my carry weapon up until I purchased my Wilson Combat.
Kimber firearms are IMO very well made guns. Yes they do use MiM parts but I havent heard of any cases where those parts have failed.
I have read of many problems with diff. manf. of 3" models and there being a different array of problems with them to include Kimber.
I personally believe that the more a 1911 is altered from its original design, the more problems it could have. I'm sure there are 3" gun owners out there who havent had a lick of problems with it performing reliably. I think with a smaller 1911 style pistol it is less reliable but thats just me. Th past (3) 4" 1911's I have owned have been very reliable.

I know this looks like Im trying to steer you away from a 3" and maybe I am. I think your going in the right direction by asking for advice on the forums. You might also post this same question to the 1911 dedicated forums like http://www.m1911.org and http://www.1911forum.com.

Good Luck with whatever you chose to purchase.

[Lumberjack98]

Hey PPM!

How about the micro-compact from Springfield Armory?

You may also want to check out these forums:

http://forums.1911forum.com/

http://forum.m1911.org/index.php?

I do know that overall, there are consistently problems with the 1911's that are less then 4".

Also, here is a comparison from 2000, but has some good info. All of them are under 4".

http://www.sightm1911.com/lib/review/4x45_1.htm

[dws1117]

You've been given good information already. I can only hope to add my small amount of experience with the 3" 1911.

I had a Kimber Ultra Carry II and loved it. It was a very good gun. Easily concealed and VERY reliable, even with aftermarket magazines. I never had one problem. It ate everything it was fed. I miss it to this day and I'm glad it went to a good home.

[quote ="PPM"] 1. It didn't accept magazines from OEMs well at all!
2. It had trouble feeding certain ammo.
[/quote]

1. I'm sure there are some, but I'ver never seen a 1911 fail to function with quality afte market mags, such as Wilson.

2. Try different ammo. There are many brands to choose. Find what your gun likes and shoot that.

Remember that this is from one writer, one article, and one example of a certain model gun. Kimber produces and sells probably thousands of this same pistol each year. There are bound to be a few that don't measure up and are lemons. Most will function just fine. It's that way with most of the large manufacturers.

Good luck with whichever gun you choose. We expect pics and a full range report.

[Kalrog]

My only experience with small 1911s is my Para Ord 3.5" LDA model and it has had exactly 3 problems in its short time in my hands. I have probably 200 rounds through it so far and have had 2 failure to feeds and 1 failure to extract. I am still in the break in period, so those 2 FTFs don't bother me, but that one FTE is kinda worrying. I have cleaned it since and it is time for a second range trip - we will see what happens after that.

[HT]

Remember that this is from one writer, one article, and one example of a certain model gun. Kimber produces and sells probably thousands of this same pistol each year. There are bound to be a few that don't measure up and are lemons. Most will function just fine. It's that way with most of the large manufacturers.

I agree with what dws stated. This is just one sample from one writer/tester. His article shouldn't be the end-all recommendation.
FWIW PPM, Wilson Combat mags are top notch. Most 1911 owners I know have a few of them and they are ultra reliable. They make one that fits the Kimber Ultra Carry as well as Springfield Ultra Compact.
It actually has a base pad..

[dws1117]

Yeah, I had the Wilsom mags with my Kimber Ultra Carry. Nary a problem. In fact some of the most common advice for dealing with feeding issues with the 1911 is to replace the factory mags with some from Wilson.

[flintknapper]

. Most 1911 owners I know have a few of them and they are ultra reliable. They make one that fits the Kimber Ultra Carry as well as Springfield Ultra Compact.
It actually has a base pad..

My older brother has a Springfield ultra compact (stainless) with Wilson mags.

It is absolutely reliable. It has a 3.5" barrel, and I can't tell the difference between it and my Commander length Para. in terms of recoil. Mine is 3/4" longer and a much heavier weapon as well, but for some reason they feel the same to me.

His Springfield is every bit as accurate as my Para, If all are like his...I give them very high marks.

[txinvestigator]

Is there a 3-inch barreled .45 that you'd recommend as being, so far as your own experiences (?) both accurate AND dependable right outta the box (even with OEM-type magazines?

Yep, without hesitation a Kimber Ultra CDP. I know several poeple with one, and I see quite a few at the range.

[Charles L. Cotton]

PPM:
Here is a thread on "shorter" 1911's that you may find interesting.

http://www.texasshooting.com/TexasCHL_F ... chas#11837

I think you'll find a lot of good information. It doesn't deal solely with 3" Kimbers, but 3" 1911's are discussed. When you get to my post, please ignore my typo referring to a Colt Commander as having a 4 1/4" barrel rather than 4 3/4"

Chas.

[HighVelocity]

I have an Ultra CDP II with an internal extractor. It has run 100% since day one. I may be one of the lucky ones but it just shows that a 3" CAN be reliable.
Recently I put a set of McCormick thing grips on it and it just disappears in a pocket.

[Charles L. Cotton]

I failed to mention that my wife has never had a mag. problem with her Kimber Ultra Carry, nor have I with my Colt Officers ACP (3 1/2"). Some people have had a problem using full size mags in an Officer length frame, because the extra length of the mag allows you to really slam and potentially over-seat the mag. This doesn't happen on a reload with the slide down, only with a slide-lock reload and even then it's very rare. Repeatedly doing this over time will enlarge the slot in the mag. that engages the mag catch and can give it a sloppy fit in any gun, not just the shorter frame 1911's.

Chas.

[PPM]

Well, fellas, you've really come through for me. It's wonderful to have a pistol "support group" like this. I've done quite a bit of your suggested reading. Thanks for your input. Funny how just one little thing can put a "kink in your rope!"

Once I actually acquire a 3", I'll be sure to let you know!

Again, thanks folks!

[progun47]

I have a Ultra CDP II and have only ran about 300 rounds through it, maybe 150 hard ball, 100 simi wad cutter, and 50 cci lawman hollow points, mix mag some factory some wilson/rodgers. Only 1 failure to feed and that may have beeen the mag's fault. So far I'm a happy camper, with mine.

[cgxd9sc]

My Springfield Micro has served me well, shoots everything I ask it to, takes Wilson Combat #47 OXC mags as well as Springfield. Also it conceals extremely well in OWB Don Hume or IWB Don Hume from Gunner's Alley. http://www.gunnersalley.com