Can Three-Inch 1911 Be 100-Percent Reliable?

Q. My question is for Richard Heinie. I've heard that in extensive range testing the spring systems of three-inch-barreled 1911s are prone to failure. I've also heard that the dwell time is much too short for these pistols to be reliable. Is it possible for a competent pistolsmith to make a three-inch-barreled 1911 100-percent reliable?

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A. I have no experience with most of the micro compacts that are now on the market, but I do have experience with the forerunner of these pistols--the Detonics. My sample is 100-percent reliable. These little pistols can be made reliable. However, several things must be taken into consideration: These pistols are very prone to malfunction with a weak grip (limp wrist). This depends on the person shooting it. The smaller the pistol, the more susceptible it is to a weak grip. I have seen men who could shoot a Government Model .45 and never have any malfunctions but who cannot shoot a Lightweight Commander in .45. That's something to think about if you need your pistol in a hurry.

As for caliber, I would never have one in .40 S&W or .357 SIG; .45 ACP, 9mm, or .38 Super would be my choice. Caliber has much to do with slide velocity, which affects how the pistol functions--or malfunctions. The amount of shooting you will be doing with your micro-compact 1911 is another consideration. If you shoot it a lot, you will need to change the springs regularly.

My opinion is a 1911 with a 3.9/4.0-inch barrel, e.g., Kimber or Springfield Compact, with an Officers Model-size grip is the best choice for a small 1911-style pistol. I would look at the pistols that are designed to be small to start with. For instance, STI's LS9 is very small and flat and is available in .40 as well as 9mm. I have both chamberings and suggest the 9mm over the .40. But this is only one man's opinion.

Richard Heinie
Heinie Specialty Products

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