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? (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

EMP grip over full-size 1911 grip. Holes line up, EMP grip narrower

EMP holes 3" OC, Officers ACP holes 2-5/8" OC

 

[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."