1911 and barrel length: Pro and Cons

jcuffe6240

jcuffe6240

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So I have been eyeing a new 1911 to add to my collection, but having a real hard time deciding on which version to buy. Since I am not looking to break the bank on this purchase it will likely be a Norinco or SAM or Dominion Arm 1911. Can anyone advise me of the pros and cons between the Government versus Commander barrel length? Is there reliability issues with shorter barrel? Are they more snappy?

I have recently shot a government length one and not much different than my Norinco Sig 226 clone or Beretta 92fs.
 
There is a small difference in that the Commander will kick a bit more but 0.75" isn't a big deal.
Other than weight and a shorter sight radius, some may say one balances better than the other but I'm fine with both.

Are you thinking of one in 9mm or .45?

The 9mm Commander in steel shoots like a .22!
 
fyi the 45acp is DESIGNED to burn it's powder charge in 5 INCHES of barrel- shorter is in incomplete burn, longer puts a drag on the bullet
 
It might be my imagination but Commander-length 1911s seem to recoil a little lighter than full-size models. I like both, though.
 
I haven't shot one shorter than 5", but I have a 6" and it cycles really slow compared to the 5" ones. I'm not sure how that would translate to a commander length though.
Kristian
 
jcuffe6240 said:
So I have been eyeing a new 1911 to add to my collection, but having a real hard time deciding on which version to buy. Since I am not looking to break the bank on this purchase it will likely be a Norinco or SAM or Dominion Arm 1911. Can anyone advise me of the pros and cons between the Government versus Commander barrel length? Is there reliability issues with shorter barrel? Are they more snappy?
Click to expand...

I bought a Commander length Norc first because I love the look of the shorter barrel. It shot OK for me, but not nearly as well as the 5" version. The 5" just balanced better for me and the longer sight radius helps my crappy eyes out a bit. I sold the Commander and bought a standard 5" tuned by Gunnar at Armco before that place fell apart. Both were in .45 Auto if that matters to you. I also have a Dlask tuned Norc 5" 1911 in 9mm. It shoots super soft and has never given me any trouble, feeding everything and shooting better than I can.

My vote is for the 5", but that is because I know I shoot them better.


Mark
 
Master-G said:
It might be my imagination but Commander-length 1911s seem to recoil a little lighter than full-size models. I like both, though.
Click to expand...

Less push back, but more muzzle flip in my experience.

Slide cycles faster on a commander

I actually have a video somewhere showing that
 
t-star said:
fyi the 45acp is DESIGNED to burn it's powder charge in 5 INCHES of barrel- shorter is in incomplete burn, longer puts a drag on the bullet
Click to expand...

While that may have been true at the time the .45 ACP was originally developed; keep in mind that the development of both the .45 ACP cartridge and the 1911 itself predate modern smokeless powders. :)
 
I like the Commander length, it's a little handier and a little quicker out of the holster, the difference in recoil and accuracy are negligible, there are Commanders more accurate than full sized guns, and vice versa.
 
t-star said:
fyi the 45acp is DESIGNED to burn it's powder charge in 5 INCHES of barrel- shorter is in incomplete burn, longer puts a drag on the bullet
Click to expand...

Yea but it isn't 1904 anymore and there are a myriad of different powders available to use with different burn rates.

To OP sinc you can't carry here get a 5" the slightly more mass will help with muzzle flip and you get another 1/2" or so of sight radius.
 
Between my 9mm ria 1911 gi and sti ranger ii the difference isn't worth fussing between the 2 sizes.. Im more use to the GI since I've had it longer..
The ranger felt quicker is terms of getting on target and moving around, partly due to overall better sights. But my double taps are wider apart compared to the GI.. but this is because I havent shot it as much and my timing is off..

But for plain old accuracy, they both shoot better than I, thus not difference to be noted.

Just pick what you like best and you'll get use to it either way
 
I have a SAM Commander and full size Springfield Armory. As others have posted the Full-size is a "softer" shooter with less flip. I like the look of the commander better, especially with the threaded barrel. Regardless of the size, training will get you used to whatever length you end up with. I haven't shot a 1911 in 9mm but have heard they are tons of fun with significantly less recoil.
 
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