Thread: compact 1911

I often carry my 1911 Kimber Tactical Ultra II (3" barrel) in a Milt Sparks horsehide. For even more compact carry situations, I carry either a .380 Walther PPK or even a .380 Kel-Tec P-3AT if I'm just wearing shorts or in my motorcycle gear.
Wife carries a .380 Sig P232.

Not exactly a compact, but I am pretty happy with this Ed Brown Kobra Carry!!!! Just got it today.

WOWZA!!!!!

Not sure what your budget is, but I have a Kimber compact, CDPII. It has a 4' barrell, and a compact aluminum frame. It is one of two 1911's I use for CCW. (yes, you can get a CCW here in California, if you are clean and live in a good county, and the only restriction on our CCW's is no alcohol or drugs while carrying) It's a great pistol, and easy to carry all day with the right holster and belt.

Thats nice Lynn!

I think I've settled on wither a Sig traditional stainless compact or the Sig Nitron carry both are the 4.2" barrel and full stainless that I'm looking for. Only thing is to same the money. I love the Sig C3 but I cant justify dropping a grand on a weapon right now.

That is a nice looking gun Lynn.

My daily carry gun for many years was a Colt Officer's ACP.

Originally Posted by Lynn

Not exactly a compact, but I am pretty happy with this Ed Brown Kobra Carry!!!! Just got it today.

WOWZA!!!!!

You'll love it. The bobtail helps soooo much.


I carry a Kimber Ultra II (3")daily. Love it in the Crossbreed supertuck. I just need a better daily belt and ammo rig.

Originally Posted by Devilpup

Hello gents, I'm looking for compact 1911 on a budget. I'd like a 4"- 4 1/3" barrel with either size grip. I've looked at the RIA, Citadel, Desert Eagle 1911c, and the Sig Sauer c3. I really like the feel, fit and finish of the Desert eagle (laugh all you want but it was a great pistol aside from the billboard on the side) and sig, but I was not a fan of the RIA and citadel. To me there seems to be too much variation from one to another, it seems to swing excellent to pretty crappy (even at their table at the NRA show). My big hiccupp is being in college I'm on a budget, and while I understand the marits of buying a $1,500 pistol but it's not logical for me at this time. I'd like to come in under $700,but $800 is absolute max and am open to just about any brand. I plan on using it as a CCW with a Bianchi 135 Suppression (similar to the crossbreed supertuck but with support further down the barrel). Thanks for the help gents.

I noticed you didn't mention the Glock sub-compact series. I know they aren't the prettiest or the most ergonomic, however for the budget minded they are REAL hard to beat. They go bang every time, ultra reliable out of the box, light weight, and quite accurate. WHile I am a huge 1911 fan, I bought my wife a baby Glock in 9mm for her concealed carry. I have developed a hate/love relationship with Glocks: I hate the way they feel and look, but I love that they are ultra reliable and accurate out of the box. My recommendation is to find someone with one and put about 100 rounds thru it. You could get the pistol, holster, extra mags and several hundred rounds under budget. At least you would be packing until you graduate...the best "bang" for the buck.

Originally Posted by shooter74743

I noticed you didn't mention the Glock sub-compact series. I know they aren't the prettiest or the most ergonomic, however for the budget minded they are REAL hard to beat. They go bang every time, ultra reliable out of the box, light weight, and quite accurate. WHile I am a huge 1911 fan, I bought my wife a baby Glock in 9mm for her concealed carry. I have developed a hate/love relationship with Glocks: I hate the way they feel and look, but I love that they are ultra reliable and accurate out of the box. My recommendation is to find someone with one and put about 100 rounds thru it. You could get the pistol, holster, extra mags and several hundred rounds under budget. At least you would be packing until you graduate...the best "bang" for the buck.

I love glocks, I grew up with them. But most them are too wide and abrupt for my body shape to hide. The only one I could possibly hide was the Glock 36, its the single stack .45 but for the capacity I'd rather carry a 1911.

Originally Posted by shooter74743

I noticed you didn't mention the Glock sub-compact series. I know they aren't the prettiest or the most ergonomic, however for the budget minded they are REAL hard to beat. They go bang every time, ultra reliable out of the box, light weight, and quite accurate. WHile I am a huge 1911 fan, I bought my wife a baby Glock in 9mm for her concealed carry. I have developed a hate/love relationship with Glocks: I hate the way they feel and look, but I love that they are ultra reliable and accurate out of the box. My recommendation is to find someone with one and put about 100 rounds thru it. You could get the pistol, holster, extra mags and several hundred rounds under budget. At least you would be packing until you graduate...the best "bang" for the buck.

I am a tried and true 1911 fan, but.........I have a G36 single stack and CANNOT fault it in any way! Yes the mag is 6 rounds, but my J Frame is 5 rounds. The colt Officers ACP is a 6 rounder IIRC. The Glock is pretty slim and fits inside my waist band for a quick jaunt to the store or down the road.