1911 Officers Model?

[Acmemfg]

For no really pragmatic reason (other than I want to), I have begun to entertain the notion that an Officers Model (3” barrel) 1911 in .45 ACP might be worth consideration. I have had no issues with toting a 1911 platform as an EDC with 5”, 4.25”, and 4” barrels. Must say the 4” aluminum frame Kimber seems to be the front runner. Thinking “less is better…maybe” I’m looking at a Kimber Ultra Carry II currently on sale. Keeping in mind the intended use here is as a carry sidearm for defensive purposes. No intention of use as a target or sporting pistol.
Any of you guys have experience with a 1911 in this configuration?

 

[Lockback]

For no really pragmatic reason (other than I want to), I have begun to entertain the notion that an Officers Model (3” barrel) 1911 in .45 ACP might be worth consideration. I have had no issues with toting a 1911 platform as an EDC with 5”, 4.25”, and 4” barrels. Must say the 4” aluminum frame Kimber seems to be the front runner. Thinking “less is better…maybe” I’m looking at a Kimber Ultra Carry II currently on sale. Keeping in mind the intended use here is as a carry sidearm for defensive purposes. No intention of use as a target or sporting pistol.
Any of you guys have experience with a 1911 in this configuration?

Yeah, I had two Colt Officers Models back in the 1980's, one blued and one stainless. I wish I still had 'em. Some people experienced feeding problems with them and I do frankly feel the smallest reliable size for a 1911-style is a Commander length (4.25"). But I confess I had very few problems with either of my Officers Models aside from the fact that Colt's quality back then was simply atrocious and the front sight flew off one the first time I shot it and I had another problem with the other which I don't recall. But that wasn't on the design, it was poor workmanship.
Good luck if you go that route. I do think it stretches the reliability envelope for that style handgun but I know they can be pretty doggone good for carry, assuming it always goes *BOOM!* every time you pull the trigger.

 

[OkieStubble]

For no really pragmatic reason (other than I want to), I have begun to entertain the notion that an Officers Model (3” barrel) 1911 in .45 ACP might be worth consideration. I have had no issues with toting a 1911 platform as an EDC with 5”, 4.25”, and 4” barrels. Must say the 4” aluminum frame Kimber seems to be the front runner. Thinking “less is better…maybe” I’m looking at a Kimber Ultra Carry II currently on sale. Keeping in mind the intended use here is as a carry sidearm for defensive purposes. No intention of use as a target or sporting pistol.
Any of you guys have experience with a 1911 in this configuration?

No experience, but I held a Kimber Ultra II not along ago at Cabela’s. It had a desert digital camo grip.

I sure did like it!

 

[Acmemfg]

Scheduled to work today. Guess I'll see what the shop can get. This time of year distributors seem to be out of just about everything
With deer and turkey season going on and Christmas nearby inventories can be
slim pickings.Business at the store will certainly be brisk.

 

[simon1]

I've had a Colt since the early '90s. It would stovepipe some when I first got it (bought it used) but sent it off to Bill Wilson and carried if for a few years as a duty weapon. Just have to pay attention to what ammo I feed it.

Al Pacino carried a blued one in the movie Heat .

 

[DesertIguana]

The 1911 was built to work reliably in Government Size.

Grip is hardest part of firearm to conceal, not barrel.

Size is personal preference, and I do not like 1911 in anything small then Commander Size.

 

[Whiterook]

I have this stainless Officers ACP and a matte blued one, initial year of production. The blued one runs fine. The stainless will lock back on a loaded mag once in 50 rounds. The blued is retired now, since I have the original box and papers for it.

 

[Waistgunner]

I actually have the Kimber Ultra Carry II that I use as a carry weapon. It's very reliable, has good balance, shoots great and has the crimson trace lasersight (red) handgrip ! I carry it in a shoulder holster. Very Comfy!

 

[Multum in parvo]

Oh I would give a kidney to obtain a carry license in my jurisdiction but it’s unobtainium.

Kimber Ultra CDP would be my pick.

 

[nikonNUT]

I had a Kimber CDP .45 ACP back when they were a limited run piece (think late 90's) and now have a 9mm Nighthawk Counselor. I think they are both fantastic shooting EDC pistols with enough "oomph!" caliber round wise to feel confident they will get the job done. Having said that if I ever come across a Kimber Covert (also LE back in the day. They still make a Covert model but it is not the same) I will snatch it up!!! Steel commander slide on an aluminum officers frame? Yes, please!

 

[dojpros]

My first 4 shooting mentors were all guys that trained at Gunsite in the late 70's early 80's.

These first 4 men, together, easily owned 100+ 1911 pistols from WW1 bring backs to full on customs from Bill Wilson when Wilson was doing the work, Les Baer (same) Ed Brown (same), Ned Christiansen, Chuck Rodgers etc.

While all flirted with 45 Officers guns, both as a primary and secondary. All of them defaulted to a lightweight commander as smaller, lighter primary relative to a 5 inch gun v any officers model.

They collectively found that it was as much art as science re the gun/mag/ammo combo for a reliable bet your life pistol.
As such, I was/am a 5 inch .45 ACP all steel guy myself to the extent I am still even in the 1911 game.

As a practical matter, they are harder to shoot, harder to shoot well and harder to shoot fast that a bigger LWC. Finally, if you train and run one at speed, it is just a matter of time before you pinch your hand with the mag on the frame/magwell etc. Result is a blood blister.

The early Kimber CDPs with the light melt from the factory is probably the best OEM example of the breed. Colt base guns from the same era were a sharp as Kimber were smooth.

They are sexy hawt no doubt, but for me and many, the juice is not worth the squeeze relative to a LWC.

 

[ctr]

Had a Colt Defender. The 1911 platform can be finicky when sized smaller than the Commander. I would look at the M&P Shield or Glock 36 for a platform in that size.

A defensive firearm has to be reliable.

 

[Acmemfg]

Well, if for no other reason than to cover all the bases, a Kimber Ultra Carry (3”) is on the way. It’ll join the rest of the
.45 ACP corral including:

4” Kimber Pro Carry II (aluminum frame)
4.25” Ruger SR1911 Commander (steel frame)
5” Kimber Custom II (steel frame)
5” Ruger SR1911 10mm (steel frame)

Outside of the 1911 platform but chambered for .45:
Glock 30S
HK HK45C
Had a S&W Shield in .45 but preferred the slight ergonomic differences of the Shield in .40…sold the .45. Still have the .40
One of these days I really gotta get a Colt 1911.

 

[gpjoe]

My Kinber Ultra CDP II eats anything I've fed it, including factory hollow points and FMJ ball ammo, as well as reloaded Hornady hollow points and Delta Precision FMJ ball.

I have heard of folks having feeding issues with the short-barrel Kimbers but that has not been my experience. I've put enough rounds through mine at the range that I'm comfortable carrying it without worry.

My stable includes:

Colt XSE full size
Colt SXE Commander
Sig Sauer reverse two-tone, full size
Dan Wesson Operator
Springfield EMP (9mm)
Kimber Ultra CDP II

Though I love my Ruger 45ACP birds-head revolver. No moon clips required, and a ball to shoot.

 

[gpjoe]

My Kinber Ultra CDP II eats anything I've fed it, including factory hollow points and FMJ ball ammo, as well as reloaded Hornady hollow points and Delta Precision FMJ ball.

I have heard of folks having feeding issues with the short-barrel Kimbers but that has not been my experience. I've put enough rounds through mine at the range that I'm comfortable carrying it without worry.

My stable includes:

Colt XSE full size
Colt SXE Commander
Sig Sauer reverse two-tone, full size
Dan Wesson Operator
Springfield EMP (9mm)
Kimber Ultra CDP II

Though I love my Ruger 45ACP birds-head revolver. No moon clips required, and a ball to shoot.

Edit:

My Dan Wesson is a Specialist, black, 9mm.

 

[Mhinagoya]

There are three Kimber Ultras laying around here. One is inches from my left hand at the moment (by the keyboard). Only two of them have any range time on them. My Eclipse is all steel and probably has around 1,500 rounds on it with FMJ, soft nose, hollow point, and semi wadcutters. I've never had a jam or failure to eject. The little guns have been absolutely reliable.
They aren't target pistols (a 3" target pistol is an oxymoron). They are, however, far more accurate than I would consider necessary for a self defense role that is measured in feet, rather than yards.
I wouldn't grab one for killing tin cans, but the Eclipse is my favorite carry gun.
I carry it IWB in Del Fatti leather and don't even notice it is there.

Bill.