Chart of Smaller 1911s

[KyJim]

I had some time today, so I put together a list of 1911 pistols with shortened grip frames and barrels of 4.25 inches or less. This does not include double-stack pistols or polymer framed pistols. It includes the EMP which is a “true” 1911-style pistol but it does not list those without swinging barrel links, etc. like the Sig P938. MSRP is from the manufacturer’s website with the base price listed, some with a range for different variations of the same model and some with a + sign to indicate more money for options or enhancements.

Key: CCO = 4.25 in. barrel; Officer = 3.5 in. barrel; Compact = 3 in. barrel
Key: AL = Aluminum alloy frame; ST = Steel frame; SCN = Scandium alloy frame

The text may be hard to read, so I also attached a pdf.


Mfg. Size Frame Model Caliber MSRP
Colt CCO AL Wiley Clapp CCO .45 $1,299
Colt CCO AL Combat Unit CCO .45 $1,499
Colt 3-inch AL Defender .45, 9mm $899-$1,399
Dan Wesson Officer AL ECO .45, 9mm $1,623
Dan Wesson CCO AL Valkyrie .45, 9mm $2,012
Dan Wesson CCO AL Vigil CCO .45 $1,298
Kimber Compact AL Ultra Carry II (standard models) .45, 9mm $857-$912
Kimber Compact AL Ultra CDP .45, 9mm $1,194
Springfield 4-inch AL RO Elite Compact .45, 9mm $1,030
Springfield Compact AL EMP** 9mm, .40SW $1,249
Ed Brown CCO ST, AL CCO .45, 9mm, .38 Super $3,145+
Ed Brown CCO AL CCO LW 9MM .45, 9mm, .38 Super $3,560+
Ed Brown CCO AL EVO-CCO9 Lightweight 9mm $2,295+
Fusion Compact ST Freedom-Bantam-R .45, 9mm $854
Fusion CCO ST Freedom-Officer/CCO .45, 9mm $715
Fusion 3.25-inch ST Freedom-Bantam .45, 9mm $715
Fusion CCO ST Pro Riptide, Carry CCO 9mm $2,895
Guncrafter CCO ST BC-17 Hellcat CCO .45? $3,525
Guncrafter CCO ST, AL No Name CCO .45, 9mm $2,995; +$325 AL
Guncrafter CCO ST M Series – Model 5 .50GI $3,895
Guncrafter CCO ST Official Front Sight CCO 9mm $3,565
Les Baer CCO ST Stinger .45, 9mm, 38 Super $2,307+
Les Baer CCO ST Monolith Stinger .45, 9mm, 38 Super $3,032+
Nighthawk CCO ST T3 .45, 9mm $3,499+
Rock Island CCO AL Rock Ultra CCO .45 $760
Rock Island Officer ST. AL Ultra CS/CSL .45 $731/$745
Rock Island Officer ST Standard CS .45 $618
Sig Sauer CCO AL C3 Compact .45 ??
Sig Sauer CCO AL Army/Navy Compact .45 ??
Sig Sauer Compact AL Ultra Compact .45, 9mm ??
S&W Compact SCN Perf. Ctr. Pro 9mm $1,229+
Taurus Officer ST Taurus 1911 Officer .45 $639
Wilson 4-inch AL Bill Wilson Carry .45, 9mm $3,850
Wilson CCO ST CQB Cmdr. Compact .45, 9mm $3,600+
Wilson Varies ST, AL Approx. 16 models .45, 9mm $2,890+
ATI 3.125-in. ST Titan .45 $500
Metro Arms Officer ST Am. Classic Amigo .45 $714
Metro Armsc CCO ST Am. Classic Compact Cmd. .45 $714
Girsan 3.4-inch ST MC1911SC Officer .45, 9mm $628
Girsan 3.4-inch ST MC1911SC Ultimate Officer .45, 9mm $745
Iver Johnson 3.125-in. ST Thrasher Officer Compact + variants .45, 9mm, .40SW $647+
Magnum Research Compact AL Undercover .45, 9mm $946+
Ruger 3.6 in. AL SR1911 Officer-Style .45, 9mm $979

[Aguila Blanca]

Springfield now offers two barrel lengths in the EMP line. However, IIRC the EMPs are not on a vertically shortened receiver, I think they are only shortened fore-to-aft.

Also, you forgot the pistol that started it all, the Colt Officers ACP.

[KyJim]

Springfield now offers two barrel lengths in the EMP line. However, IIRC the EMPs are not on a vertically shortened receiver, I think they are only shortened fore-to-aft.

Also, you forgot the pistol that started it all, the Colt Officers ACP. I think you're right about the EMP not being reduced in height. Thanks.

As to the Colt Officers ACP, Colt doesn't list it as being in production on their website, so I didn't include it. I cannot remember seeing a new Officers for a long time.

[HighValleyRanch]

I'd be interested to see comparison of weight as well. To me weight is as important for EDC as other factors.

[KyJim]

Generally, the aluminum framed models will run about 26 to 28 ounces while the steel frame pistols will be about ten ounces heavier. There is some variation also due to caliber as the 9mm and .38 Super models will run a bit heavier because less steel is bored out of the middle when making barrels while outer diameter remains the same.

[Aguila Blanca]

As to the Colt Officers ACP, Colt doesn't list it as being in production on their website, so I didn't include it. I cannot remember seeing a new Officers for a long time.
You are correct. I didn't realize you were only looking at current production.

My apologies.

[RickB]

However, IIRC the EMPs are not on a vertically shortened receiver

EMPs are "compact" in height.

SIG P938/Kimber Micro 9/Springfield 911 are in no way 1911s; doubt there's a single interchangeable part; maybe mag release spring?
Right to include EMP and not the others.

[Aguila Blanca]

EMPs are "compact" in height.
I don't think so. The EMP 9mm has a capacity of 9+1. The Colt Defender, which is built on the same receiver as the Officers ACP, has a capacity in 9mm of 8+1. I don't think there's any way to squeeze an additional round into the compact frame size.

SIG P938/Kimber Micro 9/Springfield 911 are in no way 1911s; doubt there's a single interchangeable part; maybe mag release spring?

Correct. They are derived from the Colt Mustang type pistol, which is a derivative of an earlier, Spanish Star model.

[TailGator]

SIG P938/Kimber Micro 9/Springfield 911 are in no way 1911s; doubt there's a single interchangeable part;

Correct. They are derived from the Colt Mustang type pistol, which is a derivative of an earlier, Spanish Star model.

Agreed. They, and the corresponding .380 models, are often referred to as miniature 1911s, but they have little in common besides being SAO.

[agtman]

No love for the 3" Colt New Agent? :confused: (it's like the Defender, but sans the snaggy Novak ski-jump sight).

[Aguila Blanca]

Follow-up on the EMP. I no longer have an EMP, but I still have a pair of Aluma-Grips for the EMP, so I took a couple of photos to compare the EMP grips to both a full-size 1911 and a an Officers ACP.

Full-size on left, EMP center, Officers ACP right
https://thefiringline.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=109900&stc=1&d=1562635082



EMP grip over full-size 1911 grip. Holes line up, EMP grip narrower
https://thefiringline.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=109901&stc=1&d=1562635082


EMP holes 3" OC, Officers ACP holes 2-5/8" OC
https://thefiringline.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=109902&stc=1&d=1562635082

[KyJim]

That's conclusive enough for me. :)

[RickB]

Springfield's specs:
Full-size 1911 height 5.5"
EMP height 5" (same as Springfield's other compact 1911s)
EMP4 is in between

The EMP pictured on Springfield's website have mags that extend below the frame, so that accounts for the 9rd capacity.
The 911 9 is only 4.5" tall, and it holds 7.

[Aguila Blanca]

The EMP pictured on Springfield's website have mags that extend below the frame, so that accounts for the 9rd capacity.
Not really. A standard, full-size Colt 1911 in 9mm holds 9 rounds with flush-base magazines. The polymer base on the EMP magazines doesn't increase the capacity compared to a flush-base magazine. Several other 1911 manufacturers likewise offer magazines with polymer bases that extend below the bottom of the frame but don't increase capacity.

[RickB]

The tube extends below the frame.

[Aguila Blanca]

The tube extends below the frame.
But that doesn't account for the 9-round capacity, since it's possible to have a 9-round capacity with a flush magazine floorplate.

I stand by the evidence of the grip screw spacing. If you'd like, I'll mount those EMP stocks on a full-size Colt and post a photo for you.

[RickB]

Not arguing the grip screw spacing, arguing your grip ID as EMP; they're EMP4, which is the "full-length" version, about 1/8" shorter than Gov't length; EMP is compact length.
You could fit 9 rounds into a gov't frame with flush mags, or in a compact with extended-tube mags.

[Aguila Blanca]

Rick, the EMP I had was the original (short/compact) version with the 3" barrel. Those grips I posted the photos of were in my parts bin at least ten years before Springfield brought out the 4" version of the EMP. I had to dig pretty deep to even find them.

[RickB]

Memory can be a strange thing.

"The barrel has been extended from 3" to 4" and the grip frame is 0.5" longer to provide additional space for the shooting hand fingers and to make room for one more round of ammunition in the magazine for a total capacity of 10 + 1 rounds."

"Springfield Armory 1911 EMP 4 Lightweight Champion with a 4-inch barrel, fiber optic sights, more rounds capacity, a taller frame . . ."

"The original EMP was built as a concealed-carry gun with a three-inch barrel and short aluminum frame."