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I have always been a fan of Commander size and fullsize 1911s. I thought all the little toy 1911s were gimmicks or unreliable and very mission specific guns where no other reasonable choices would work. I also thought they must have ridiculously snappy recoil making them only realistic for the bad guy across the diner booth distance.

I shot a Kimber Ultra Compact (3 inch) the other day against a Kimber Limited Edition (fullsize) gun. I could shoot the Ultra faster and more accurately faster than the fullsize. I was SHOCKED at how little muzzle rise and the speed of the slide with very little recoil. Did I dream this? Doesn't this go against the laws of physics or something?

I bring this up here b/c I am on the waiting lists for 2 LTW smiths and had planned on Commander and Fullsize builds, but am now thinking maybe something smaller.

Any knowledge on the subject would be greatly appreciated or advice as to a more appropriate website if this doesn't belong here.

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God Bless
45Fundi

I don't know which two smiths' lists you are on but if one is CT Brian he is a maestro with Officer builds, see his Sidewinder for evidence.

I think everything pertaining to recoil is subjective. Some view the recoil of a .38 Super as too snappy but find the longer push of a .45 comfortable. Many are more influenced by the muzzle blast than actual recoil. I think from a purely physics standpoint that yes, a 5" 1911 is "supposed" to have "less recoil" than an Officer size but perception is key. You can spring an Officer size very well and have it be a nice, comfortable, smooth shooter and incorrectly spring a 5" gun and have it feel horrible.

The obvious solution here is to choose a third LTW smith and commission a third build so you can have all three

Here is one that shoots like a Bullseye Gun.











Titanium Lower, Commander size upper. 10 Rounds of .45 ACP ready to rock and roll.
My design on the slide treatment.

Very cool, Dave.

So is this an officer's lower?

Where'd ya get the x-long mag?

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Redeemed

As for recoil being perceived I just judge recoil by how fast and accurately fast I can shoot one gun against another.

My incredibly technically inept hypothesis goes something like this: Lighter slide cycles faster, and faster moving slide with less mass to absorb recoil would create more muzzle whip and your hands would have to absorb more recoil from the lack of mass to absorb the boom, but this was not the case. When I shot the fullsize Kimber I could watch the front sight moving up and down over a greater distance and with more lateral deviation than the little Kimber, so I was thinking (scary I know) that the heavier higher mass of the fullsize coupled with the longer axis sight radius caused greater muzzle rise and so a 3 inch 1911 with a special spring system could theoretically out perform a fullsize?

I like Josh's idea of having all three, I'm just trying to better understand how a compact compares to a fullsize from a more technical standpoint.

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God Bless
45Fundi

Dave what kind of barrel is that? Bull with wafer or barrel with bushing? Or is it something more exotic like the KImber Ultra barrels?

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God Bless
45Fundi

The barrel is an Ed Brown that took Dean and I about 10-12 hours to "Drop In" The magazine is an Eagle 9 Round magazine I have had around here for years. It was a gamer mag and very reliable after I took it apart and cleaned it. 10 rounds in a single stack was a big deal years ago when I started shooting IPSC Matches.

The SHORTSWORD 01 has been here before. It is a Titainum Commander Lower end with an Officers Top end. It is my design and Chuck Rogers named the proto-type years ago and it stuck with us. It does not have grasping grooves (Slide Serrations) and has 25 LPI checkering instead that is sunk below the surface so it does not create scabbard wear. The strip in the top is inverted 75 LPI that is non reflective and makes a quick and dirty sight picture. Don williams and Chuck Rogers taught me a lot about how to make these little babies run. Both of them are very reliable and are good shooters. Mine has fixed Novak's and Deans has an adjustable Novak rear.





The one I built first was serial number EAGLE 2 and it was 8 or 9 years ago. It was at the Shot Show a couple of times and went to American Handgunner and back. Cameron wanted a look at it but I would not give it to him so it came back with a nice "thank you" letter. My concepts are a little different than most but I like them to work. Checkering is sticky and easier on my fingers so I like the feel of it. Matt McClaren does not like my slides much. He commented on them at the Shot Show where we had two GSP EX guns in the booth. I told him I welcomed his opinion and that is why we have various flavors of ice cream! I like them and that is what counts. This little gun runs 100%, is very accurate and shoot like a dream. That is what we wanted. The Beavertail is Tiainum , too. The front strap is machine checkered 25 LPI and the mainspring housing is an Ed Brown also 25LPI. George Smith did the front strap.

Dave WOW
Thanks for sharing those. I really enjoy hearing the stories and thought process behind a gun and especially guns as unique and beautiful as those are. Thanks again!

Can you shoot those better than a fullsize?

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God Bless
45Fundi

They shoot much quicker than a full size. Double taps sound like one shot, almost. This one is the best shooting gun I have ever had anything to do with. It is very mellow and very accurate. It is truly a one of a kind pistol. I am glad you enjoyed seeing this one. It was a neat project and we will never do it again!

And Hey! It has Nice Grips!