1911 Barrel Length

Crawdog

At the gun range I heard an opinion that 1911-type pistols should have a barrel length of at least 4 inches for proper functioning. I've been considering Para-Ordnance's C7.45LDA Companion, which has a 3 1/2" barrel. The other option would be their C7.45LDA CCW, which has a 4 1/4" barrel. However, the CCW does not have the full beavertail or exposed hammer, which for some reason I can't seem to get past. I realize they are just cosmetic on the LDA, but that is what I prefer. Anyone out there with experiences with the shorter 1911 barrels? This firearm would have to be totally reliable. Thanks for any replies.

Crawdog

Had some really great info to feed on on my last note. Thanks everyone. Here's my next question.The 1911, in it's original form (5 inch barrel) is a work of art. I believe the .45acp works great with this barrel length. How well does it work with the shorter barrels? Does it lose it's effectiveness greatly? Should a guy use, say 200gr hollowpoints with a shorter barrel than, say, 230gr Hydra's when using a 5 inch to keep the velocity up? How hard is it to conceal a full-size?I really like the full-size, but the compact models sure look good too. With the info provided earlier, I am thinking of a Kimber Custom or Royal, or, a ParaOrd LDA series. A friend of mine owns a PO LDA and absolutely loves it. I hope to shoot it this weekend.These forum's are great. Thanks again for the info.....

Jake_S-83

ive never heard of anything like this. the only thing similar to this is that the very small 45s tend to jump around quite a bit and you really have to keep a firm grip on them to function properly.
jake

Contender Man

1.) Shorter barrel more felt recoil and therefore more difficult to keep on target.

2.) Shorter barrel less sight radius so accurate shooting is more difficult

However, ccw carry piece is a "fighting" gun, not a target piece and the performance of any quality, short barreled, pistol should be more than adequate ... just practice w/ the pistol until you can put a full clip in center of mass from 7 yards and in and that's all the accuracy and control you should need to worry about.




If you only have time to do two things so-so, or one thing well ... do the one thing!

Jake_S-83

for a carry gun, I like to use a paper plate as a target. if you can keep them on there, you are doing pretty good

1KYDSTR

Most gunfights of the nature I am assuming you are refering to happen inside of about six feet! Stellar accuracy is not so important as function and follow-up shots in these situations. The aforementioned "stiff wrist" is important in these guns as "limp wristing" them can cause a short cycle kind of malfunction and then you have a very expensive set of brass knuckles in your hand and potentiaqlly a really upset and possibly wounded crack addict to try to fight off. The shorter barrels do tend to shed a little velocity but at this range I think it is a little less of a concern than just insuring good function. If you want really good reliability in a self defense pistol, the wheel guns are the best. There are quite a few short barreled, hammerless/bobbed hammer guns out there in sufficient caliber to knock the aforementioned crack addict flat on his tushie! Something in the 5 shot 44 special range will do a number on the bad guy! Good luck and enjoy all the differing opinions you'll get on this one!

"When I cease learning...I'm dead"(Me)
"Power corrupts...Absolute power corrupts absolutely"(Descartes?)
"History is written by winners"(Patton)
"You get a lot farther with a kind word and a gun than you do with a kind word alone!"(Al Capone)
"There is nothing lower than the human race...except the French" (Samuel Clemens)

SUBMARINER

I have a wilson full size and iit is ultra reliable but kimber and springfield both have guns in the subcompact (3 inch barrells) range that are very reliable

SUBMARINE SAILOR,TRUCK DRIVER,RUSTY WALLACE FAN AND AS EVERYONE SO OFTEN POINTS OUT PISS POOR TYPIST e-mail alisonandwalt@charter.net

boltthrower

If your looking for protection at the ready, a double action revolver is the best way to go. Ninety percent of all "gunfights" dont require more than one, maybe two shots fired, three at the most, so you dont have a need for an 8 to 14 round mag. With an auto you always have to do something first before you can fire it, either pull the slide back to load a round in the chamber, or keep a round chambered but the hammer is down for safety so you then have to pull the hammer back, or you leave it loaded with the hammer back and the safety on but still you have to take the safety off, or you can go the really dangerous route and leave it cocked and loaded and ready to go all the time. WIth a revolver, you have 5 shots available, and your hammer always resting on the empty chamber so if you drop it, nothing happens. All you have to do is pull the trigger. But, if accuracy in target shooting is what your aiming for, then a longer barrel will suit your need better. Go with the 4 1/2

stalion10

boltthower you are almost accurate in your reply with one exception, the 1911 has two safeties so you can have it locked and loaded and the thumb safety off but will not fire until the grip safety is depressed
ed

speed is what kills

stalion10

to add to contender man, you can also put in a 5-6 in. barrel in to any 1911 for better accur. at the range, and install a shorty barrel in a gun designed for it for carry porposses, but in a shorty gun with a longer barrel installed, you still have the problem of of less sight radius as he mentioned because longer barrel wont change the distance between front and rear sight on the slide but will give less recoil than a shorter one. also you might want to consider a compensator,
ed
quote:Originally posted by Contender Man
1.) Shorter barrel more felt recoil and therefore more difficult to keep on target.

2.) Shorter barrel less sight radius so accurate shooting is more difficult

However, ccw carry piece is a "fighting" gun, not a target piece and the performance of any quality, short barreled, pistol should be more than adequate ... just practice w/ the pistol until you can put a full clip in center of mass from 7 yards and in and that's all the accuracy and control you should need to worry about.




If you only have time to do two things so-so, or one thing well ... do the one thing!


speed is what kills

boltthrower

Stallion you are correct about the two safety's. For me, its just not a safe way to fly either way.

Txs

It could be that this opinion of 1911's being unreliable with short barrels is a holdover from the earlier part of this pistols life. Soon after it's introduction gunsmiths starting trying to bob the slides, barrels and grip frames for a more concealable pistol. The functioning of these modified pistols was often a hit and miss proposition.

It was later determined that when combining a short slide with a relatively straight barrel caused the bushing to tip at too steep of an angle and bind up as the slide cycled. This is why you now see shortened 1911's equipped with a cone shaped bushing and a barrel that is flared heavily at the muzzle.

jsergovic

I have the CCW. If I had my druthers, I'd take the Companion Carry Option for exactly the reason you don't want it. I want the bobbed safety grip.

The CCW is only .6" longer, I believe.

I just can't see having that extended beavertail sticking into my gut when I sit down.