Posted: 6/19/2009 4:40:54 PM EDT
|
I'm looking to get a 3 inch 1911 in 45 for a carry piece. I've narrowed it down to the Springfield Micro Compact 45 and the Kimber Ultra CDP II.
My main question is.. they are supposed to be the same size yet the Kimber says it has a 7 round mag capacity and the springer is 6. Is the kimber grip bigger? What do you guys recommend? |
|
Quoted:
Ultra CDP is good to go. I carry mine everyday and it is great. It conceals well and is very accurate for a 3" gun. Cool, what do you carry it in? Do the Kimbers have a longer grip than the sprinfields? I'm confused cause the springfields carry 6 + 1 and on the kimber site they say "Shortened frame retains 7-round magazine capacity." Since this is for carry I'd rather the gun with the smaller frame and I can't find dimensions online to compare... |
|
Both use officer mags.
Originally Government frames used a 7 round mag ,and officer frames used a 6 round mag. Most manufacturers have redesigned both mags to get an extra round in. Some of the cheaper mags are still the lower capacity. (so are some high end ones like Wilsons) Both the Springfield and Kimber stock mags are kindof so-so, I'd swap in Wilson 47OX mags regardless of which one you get. Best round for either would be the Speer 230 Grain Gold Dot Short Barrel. 
|
|
Quoted:
Both use officer mags. Originally Government frames used a 7 round mag ,and officer frames used a 6 round mag. Most manufacturers have redesigned both mags to get an extra round in. Some of the cheaper mags are still the lower capacity. (so are some high end ones like Wilsons) Both the Springfield and Kimber stock mags are kindof so-so, I'd swap in Wilson 47OX mags regardless of which one you get. Best round for either would be the Speer 230 Grain Gold Dot Short Barrel. awesome info, thanks man!
|
|
I have used my Ultra CDP II since 2000 and love it. It is very easy to conceal and it is accurate. I have about 1500 rounds through it. I have replaced the worn factory mag with a McCormick Officers. I have also replaced the larger of the two recoil springs once. The gun has only failed to feed on the factory original mag because of a worn mag spring.
In 2000 I went looking for a 3" Kimber or Springfield and possibly a Kahr PM9. I ruled out the Kahr because I wanted a little larger grip. During my research most had one or the other due to what their local dealer stocked. Both had great reviews and some talked about buying the other brand for a comparison or to have a 2nd. I am very happy with my Kimber. I carried a 5" CDP and later carried a Pro TL/RL II. The PRO was returned with an external extractor and I asked for a slide with an internal extractor. My only recommendation is to avoid the external extractors on the Kimbers. Mike |
|
Both are very good, you most likely wont be wrong with either gun. That said I went with the CDP, alot of features for the money. The custom shop carry melt treatment being the icing on the cake. I was alittle leary about the ultra because I had a bad exsperience with another manufactuers 3" .45 not mentioned here. But I have owned a 4" pro CDP for years that has been great, so earlier this year I bit the bullet on the ultra CDP and could not be happier. Not one FTF or FTE or any other type of failure with it and it shoots almost as straight as my 4" CDP.
Both guns have the officer size grip and will accept the standard 6 round mags or the 7 round mags. S.A. gives you 1or 2 six round mags. Kimber gives you 1 seven round mag. But the mags are all interchangable and after market seven rounders fit both guns. That said quality mags are a must in the small 1911's. I recommend the Tripp cobra mags. I bought 4 for my ultra and they are perfect, but to be fair my stock Kimber mag has also worked without a hitch. Tripp has two types of mags for the ultra a seven rounder that is flush and a seven rounder with the base pad. CDP ultra with VZ grips and tripp mags, one flush, three with base pad. 
|
|
man that's a sweet looking piece!
I ended up getting the Springfield off of gunbroker slightly used for $900. I'll post pics as soon as I get it. Dealing with FFL's on both sides is a pain in the ass but I guess it's like they say: "good things come to those who wait"... |