what are your thoughts on the sub-compact 1911

[original gunner]

The S&W and Springfield Models look great, and I would love to have a CC 1911. Anyone own a subcompact 1911? How are they with reliability and performance?

[S&W 10mm]

Basically hit and miss. My Colt Defender is awesome, reliable, dead on accurate. Others have had nothing but problems with that size of a 1911. The 1911 was designed to be on the regular platform and they basically improvised and made a smaller version that is great when you get a nice good one but most of the time you dont get what your looking for.

[original gunner]

that's what I have heard. I like the idea of a 1911 frame subcompact for some reason. Maybe I need to just look at the glock 30 instead since everyone raves about it.

[S&W 10mm]

that's what I have heard. I like the idea of a 1911 frame subcompact for some reason. Maybe I need to just look at the glock 30 instead since everyone raves about it.

Well, the compact 1911 is well worth it once you get it broken in and it just takes a little tinkering to work out the minor probs. The Glocks are nice pieces but I myself for a carry piece would keep my Defender before switching to a G30...I might go for a G29, but not to give mine up for it.

[kimbercarry]

Own two 3 inch Para's, two 3 inch Kimbers, & a Colt defender. They all ran like sewing machines right out of the box. Installed extended grip safeties and elongated hammers on the Para"s but everything else "just load and fire."

[S&W 10mm]

Own two 3 inch Para's, two 3 inch Kimbers, & a Colt defender. They all ran like sewing machines right out of the box. Installed extended grip safeties and elongated hammers on the Para"s but everything else "just load and fire."

That's how mine ran but i've seen quite a few that have problems mostly FTF and spitting the cases right at your face.

[marinakorp]

some 1911's have issues, requiring tinkering....regardless of size.

they tend to get fininkier as the slide goes below 4"

mine was finicky.

most can be fixed by changing the following

inner / outer springs with Wolf springs
magazine (mine prefers wilson combt)
extractor tuning

I also changed the slide stop

need to know what the gun is doing before a fix is recommended.

many 1911's need the above tuning.

my ultra carry is now flawless and carry mine daily. it is 100%. it wasnt always that way.

[synergy]

A mini 1911 is probably THE pickiest type of pistol to keep running reliably.

They are the most sensitive gun to limp-wristing, the slides run the fastest (and often can outrun the magazine springs) of any 1911. The tolerances are often super tight, the inherent friction is high...and thus requires the most attention to proper lubrication.

Add to that a grip safety that needs to be pressed, a single-stack 6 round magazine which is going to be slower to reload.... I don't see the appeal.

If you want to go small, get a Glock 26, M&P9/40c, XD-SC, etc.
If you want a 1911, get a 1911....a real one.

Just my .02, given how many mini 1911's I see puke on my range in peoples hands.

[newskate9]

Springfield EMP, runs like a clock, out of the box. I've read some have had issues. But I agree with others - if you want small, may take a bit of work, but may not. I love the size, style, and feel of the EMP though. A lot.

And at 10 yards, I can hit a pie-plate with 5 shots pulling the trigger as fast as I can - I cannot do that yet with the M&P Compacts I have.