What would you choose? - XDTalk Forums - Your HS2000/SA-XD Information Source!

**NewXDsupporter** · 09-03-2008, 09:24 AM

Alright im getting tired of carrying my SC XD and am looking to move to a 1911. I know that some of the hardcore 1911 guys do not like the idea of a 3" but that is the only size I want to carry.

So now lets talk about the firearms im considering.

Springfield Armory Loaded Micro Compact LTWT Bi Tone
45ACP
6rd Mag
26oz Im assuming that is empty.
Absolutely beautiful gun but what would I have to change to make it the ultimate carry gun?

Kimber SIS ultra
45ACP
7rd Mag 1 more than the Loaded Micro.
31oz thats empty so it is heavier than the Springfield Loaded 1911
Again another beautiful gun but what needs to be changed out of the box to make it carry worthy.

Kimber Covert 2
45ACP
7rds
25oz empty the lightest of the three
It comes with the CT grips already so that is one thing less that I would have to change out of the box. And the desert tan look is great since it looks alot like my OD XD.

So I now bow to the 1911 gurus to please help me with this decision.

BoomerBSG · 09-03-2008, 09:48 PM

wheres the Colt Defender in your list?!

i love my Defender. and tbh, i shoot it better than my commander lol.
the defender is one of the best in the 3inch line of 1911's.
i was wanting a 5inch government as my next 1911, but i may look around for another 3incher myself, the Colt New Agent has my attention, but i'm not sure how much i'll like the Trench sighting.

here it is stock:

heres mine, i installed a wilson drop in beaver tail safety, and aluminum trigger on mine.
she shoots great, and its a hoot to let someone else shoot it, and watch their expression, she kicks like a mule (but not once you get used to it), but shoots real accurate. mines beat up pretty bad (i dont care though), and i plan on having it refinished next year sometime.

cheers

**NewXDsupporter** · 09-03-2008, 10:19 PM

You know to be honest I have never looked at colt. I have no experiance with them except for the M16. I will take a look at one next time im at the gun shop.

Thanks for the heads up on the Defender.

tomfoolery · 09-03-2008, 10:23 PM

I have the springfield. I started with the micro compact g.i. (bought here from a member). it is currently at the smith getting an extended beavertail, ambi thumb safety, commander hammer and trigger job. I plan on putting vz grips on it with some skate tape on the front strap.

I shot 75 rounds out of it before sending it off to the smith, worked perfectly. Kicked some but the new beavertail will help the control of that.

all in all i have 480 in the gun, plus another 200 for work and then 2 wilson mags. Not bad considering the loaded model sells for 800ish.

foo.c · 09-03-2008, 10:28 PM

If you don't mind switching calibers to 9mm or .40S&W, I would definitely recommend the EMP from Springfield.

It's small and light, but has 9+1 capacity in 9mm and is very accurate for such a small gun.

MagicPie · 09-03-2008, 11:36 PM

I have the Kimber Covert 5", incredibly light,(lighter then the Eclipse in the photo) and handles recoils very well. No complaints or issues at all. The factory mags suck, and can damage the aluminum frame, so be sure to buy Kimber Kim-Pro Tacs or some Wilson Combats.
All in all I'm very please, it shots well, looks great, but I found the laser to be a bit of a gimmick and will unlikely ever use. This was my first aluminum framed gun, and in the future I think I will stick with all steel, not to say I have any issues with the Covert- I really love this gun.

While I never shot the 3" covert, I would think getting a all steel gun would be the best idea. My 3" barrel Eclipse is all steel and handles well, but if it was lighter I think recoil would be an issue. The Eclipse is my carry weapon, shooting speer gold dots 200 grain +P rounds. It's been a perfect gun, and was at first worried about a 3" gun having issues, but not anymore.

Anyways, personally I would get the SIS for being all steel and thus heavier.

http://www.cinemadepth.com/Pictures/Guns/allguns.jpg

BoomerBSG · 09-04-2008, 12:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NewXDsupporter

You know to be honest I have never looked at colt. I have no experiance with them except for the M16. I will take a look at one next time im at the gun shop.

Thanks for the heads up on the Defender.

your welcome. its a fantastic shooter.

Quote:

Originally Posted by foo.c

If you don't mind switching calibers to 9mm or .40S&W, I would definitely recommend the EMP from Springfield.

It's small and light, but has 9+1 capacity in 9mm and is very accurate for such a small gun.

none of the local gun stores have any of them in stock

. when they first appeared i liked the EMP 9 alot.. but not $1100 worth (+/- OTD)
the 40 would interest me, but no sighting of that yet.
i'd love to find a cheap EMP 9 (lol yeah right) for my wife, it'd be perfect for her.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MagicPie

The factory mags suck, and can damage the aluminum frame, so be sure to buy Kimber Kim-Pro Tacs or some Wilson Combats.

Anyways, personally I would get the SIS for being all steel and thus heavier.

the feed ramp can get dinged up pretty bad from the magazine follower coming forward when chambering a round while firing, colt coats theirs with plastic to prevent that. but yeah i highly recommend Wilson mags too.

as for all steel vs. aluminum. aluminum is anodized which hardens, and most come with a life time warranty, so if the mags they sell damages it, they will fix or replace it I'm sure... and for a concealed carry gun like a 3 inch 1911, I'd prefer aluminum framed. i cant even tell mines strapped to my waist half the time which is a huge plus.

cheers

JBHorne · 09-04-2008, 12:47 AM

No 9mm EMP? Sick gun...

EDIT: Just read above. I still think you should go on gun broker and keep an eye out for a nice EMP.

EHL · 09-04-2008, 07:15 AM

I think the EMP is nice gun, but I couldn't live without the fronstrap checkering. WAY TOO EXPENSIVE to have the custom shop do it though. Over $200 just to do it on aluminum and then an extra $150-200 just to get it refinished?????!! No thank you. I don't know why Springfield charges so much for a little pistol that is missing this important feature in a combat pistol.
Me, I'd go Kimber. For the same price (or actually lower) you can get the Kimber Ultra CDP. Looks the same (actually nicer) than the EMP and it is absolutely great right out of the box. All you need is some decent mags.
I prefer steel versus aluminum though. Better recoil control and longer life on the parts of the gun. Several forums have had owners of these aluminum guns complaining over what a beating they take and how unslightly the frame gets getting pounded with .45 acp.
I highly recommend the Kimber Ultra Eclipse. Great pistol, super accurate. I couldn't be happier with that little beauty. Crimson Trace grips are a plus on a SD pistol too!

foo.c · 09-04-2008, 08:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BoomerBSG

none of the local gun stores have any of them in stock

. when they first appeared i liked the EMP 9 alot.. but not $1100 worth (+/- OTD)
the 40 would interest me, but no sighting of that yet.
i'd love to find a cheap EMP 9 (lol yeah right) for my wife, it'd be perfect for her.

I bought mine for my wife. We tried a whole bunch of guns, and the only thing she could really shoot that well was single action 1911's (in 9mm).

But now that we have passed just shooting to actually carrying she wants something smaller.

It worked out well for me though.

The other gun I was looking at was a Kimber of some kind in 9mm but it was a little bigger, and the $150 price difference wasn't that big of a deal.

09-03-2008, 09:24 AM	#1
NewXDsupporter XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Marietta GA Posts: 350	What would you choose? Alright im getting tired of carrying my SC XD and am looking to move to a 1911. I know that some of the hardcore 1911 guys do not like the idea of a 3" but that is the only size I want to carry. So now lets talk about the firearms im considering. Springfield Armory Loaded Micro Compact LTWT Bi Tone 45ACP 6rd Mag 26oz Im assuming that is empty. Absolutely beautiful gun but what would I have to change to make it the ultimate carry gun? Kimber SIS ultra 45ACP 7rd Mag 1 more than the Loaded Micro. 31oz thats empty so it is heavier than the Springfield Loaded 1911 Again another beautiful gun but what needs to be changed out of the box to make it carry worthy. Kimber Covert 2 45ACP 7rds 25oz empty the lightest of the three It comes with the CT grips already so that is one thing less that I would have to change out of the box. And the desert tan look is great since it looks alot like my OD XD. So I now bow to the 1911 gurus to please help me with this decision. __________________ By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; Second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest. A veteran - whether active duty, retired, or national guard or reserve - is someone who, at one point in their life, wrote a blank check made payable to "The United States of America," for an amount of "up to and including my life." WAR EAGLE Last edited by NewXDsupporter; 09-03-2008 at 09:29 AM.

09-03-2008, 09:48 PM	#2
BoomerBSG XDTalk 1K Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: houston Posts: 1,528	wheres the Colt Defender in your list?! i love my Defender. and tbh, i shoot it better than my commander lol. the defender is one of the best in the 3inch line of 1911's. i was wanting a 5inch government as my next 1911, but i may look around for another 3incher myself, the Colt New Agent has my attention, but i'm not sure how much i'll like the Trench sighting. here it is stock: heres mine, i installed a wilson drop in beaver tail safety, and aluminum trigger on mine. she shoots great, and its a hoot to let someone else shoot it, and watch their expression, she kicks like a mule (but not once you get used to it), but shoots real accurate. mines beat up pretty bad (i dont care though), and i plan on having it refinished next year sometime. cheers __________________ Colt Combat Commander, Colt Defender 1911, SIG P239 9mm, Beretta M9 (wifes), Winchester Defender 12 gauge, Mossberg Maverick 88 12 gauge, Mosin Nagant M44, Bersa .380, Bushmaster XM15 Running around the house half blind tripping over My Little Ponies and hollaring "Where's the bathroom?" is not a tactical look. -Scotton

09-03-2008, 10:19 PM	#3
NewXDsupporter XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Marietta GA Posts: 350	You know to be honest I have never looked at colt. I have no experiance with them except for the M16. I will take a look at one next time im at the gun shop. Thanks for the heads up on the Defender. __________________ By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; Second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest. A veteran - whether active duty, retired, or national guard or reserve - is someone who, at one point in their life, wrote a blank check made payable to "The United States of America," for an amount of "up to and including my life." WAR EAGLE

09-03-2008, 10:23 PM	#4
tomfoolery XDTalk 5K Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Cincinnati Posts: 5,220	I have the springfield. I started with the micro compact g.i. (bought here from a member). it is currently at the smith getting an extended beavertail, ambi thumb safety, commander hammer and trigger job. I plan on putting vz grips on it with some skate tape on the front strap. I shot 75 rounds out of it before sending it off to the smith, worked perfectly. Kicked some but the new beavertail will help the control of that. all in all i have 480 in the gun, plus another 200 for work and then 2 wilson mags. Not bad considering the loaded model sells for 800ish. __________________ "It is better to die on your feet than live on your knees." "One is none, two is one, and three is just a good time." Clint Smith, referring to the number of guns you carry daily.

09-03-2008, 10:28 PM	#5
foo.c XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 227	If you don't mind switching calibers to 9mm or .40S&W, I would definitely recommend the EMP from Springfield. It's small and light, but has 9+1 capacity in 9mm and is very accurate for such a small gun. __________________ Springfield EMP

09-03-2008, 11:36 PM	#6
MagicPie XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: The only good state-TX Posts: 203	I have the Kimber Covert 5", incredibly light,(lighter then the Eclipse in the photo) and handles recoils very well. No complaints or issues at all. The factory mags suck, and can damage the aluminum frame, so be sure to buy Kimber Kim-Pro Tacs or some Wilson Combats. All in all I'm very please, it shots well, looks great, but I found the laser to be a bit of a gimmick and will unlikely ever use. This was my first aluminum framed gun, and in the future I think I will stick with all steel, not to say I have any issues with the Covert- I really love this gun. While I never shot the 3" covert, I would think getting a all steel gun would be the best idea. My 3" barrel Eclipse is all steel and handles well, but if it was lighter I think recoil would be an issue. The Eclipse is my carry weapon, shooting speer gold dots 200 grain +P rounds. It's been a perfect gun, and was at first worried about a 3" gun having issues, but not anymore. Anyways, personally I would get the SIS for being all steel and thus heavier. http://www.cinemadepth.com/Pictures/Guns/allguns.jpg __________________ N/A Last edited by MagicPie; 09-03-2008 at 11:43 PM.

09-04-2008, 12:47 AM	#8
JBHorne XDTalk 1K Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 1,110	No 9mm EMP? Sick gun... EDIT: Just read above. I still think you should go on gun broker and keep an eye out for a nice EMP. __________________ I WOULD RATHER BE JUDGED BY 12 THAN CARRIED BY 6

09-04-2008, 07:15 AM	#9
EHL XDTalk Newbie Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Idaho Posts: 15	I think the EMP is nice gun, but I couldn't live without the fronstrap checkering. WAY TOO EXPENSIVE to have the custom shop do it though. Over $200 just to do it on aluminum and then an extra $150-200 just to get it refinished?????!! No thank you. I don't know why Springfield charges so much for a little pistol that is missing this important feature in a combat pistol. Me, I'd go Kimber. For the same price (or actually lower) you can get the Kimber Ultra CDP. Looks the same (actually nicer) than the EMP and it is absolutely great right out of the box. All you need is some decent mags. I prefer steel versus aluminum though. Better recoil control and longer life on the parts of the gun. Several forums have had owners of these aluminum guns complaining over what a beating they take and how unslightly the frame gets getting pounded with .45 acp. I highly recommend the Kimber Ultra Eclipse. Great pistol, super accurate. I couldn't be happier with that little beauty. Crimson Trace grips are a plus on a SD pistol too!

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