The Compact Carry tactical pistol provides comfort and versatility for a shooter because of its components and size. The semi-auto, recoil-operated, compact tactical model is chambered in .45 ACP and holds seven rounds. It has a snag-free, Novak-style rear sight and a dovetail-mounted front sight for a high-visibility sight picture. It also has a high-swept beavertail grip safety and a GI thumb safety for ease of use. (http://www.taylorsfirearms.com; 540-722-2017)
Available as a full-size or compact through Legacy Sports, the Citadel M-1911 is offered with wooden, Hogue Dymondwood or Hogue synthetic grips in .45 ACP or 9mm. There is also a black full-size model in .38 Super with wood grips. The new Cerakote models provide an attractive finish, but more importantly, the most durable protection against corrosion, impact and scratches. All guns comes with two magazines. (http://www.legacysports.com; 800-553-4229)
From the original manufacturer of the 1911 comes the Colt Defender series. With a wonderfully contoured, full-sized grip, it’s easy to handle yet compact and solid as a hammer. It’s a reliable workhorse, available in either .45 ACP or 9mm, that can handle lots of range practice and many hours in the holster. (http://www.colt.com; 800-962-2658)
The appealing little Desert Eagle 1911U combines compact dimensions with big-bore firepower. With a light weight of 25.8 ounces, the 3-inch-barreled auto is ready for deep-cover carry that will provide peace of mind. A matte-black finish contrasts nicely with the checkered walnut grip panels, and low-profile sights offer an easy-to-pick-up sight picture.
Here’s what Kimber’s concept of CCW looks like with the bells and whistles blaring. Featuring reduced dimensions and light weight, plus power and magazine capacity along with Crimson Trace Lasergrips, the TLE II is a truly complete carry package with a tactical edge. Rounded and blended edges ensure a clean draw every time, and a beveled magazine well speeds reloads.
Para is famous for its double-column, wide-frame 1911s, breaking from the traditional single-stack magazine design. The Warthog is much the same, only with a 3-inch barrel and a shortened grip, reducing the capacity from 14 to 10 rounds. A bumper on the magazine allows the shooter to get all three fingers on the butt for better control. It’s tiny, extremely concealable, and with its all-steel construction, it has a nice weight allowing for great control with such a small gun. (http://www.para-usa.com; 888-999-9386)
Packing .45 ACP power into an ultra-compact, low-key package, the Sig Sauer 1911 Ultra Nitron sports a short 3.3-inch barrel and a capacity of seven rounds. Featuring a light alloy frame and an overall weight of just 28 ounces, the Ultra Nitron is ready for discreet carry. Low profile SigLite night sights top off the slide, and custom Blackwood grips mate up with an extended beavertail grip safety for enhanced purchase and comfort. (http://www.sigsauer.com; 866-345-6744)
This is truly an example of a fine-tuned classic. Introduced in 2007 as the Enhanced Micro Pistol (EMP), the pistol’s action is 0.125 inches shorter than Springfield’s full-sized 1911. This allows for a shorter grip radius and provides excellent control. The overall dimensions are some of the smallest out there, and it’s loaded with features and an impressive magazine capacity. (http://www.springfield-armory.com; 800-680-6866)
Built on an aluminum Officer’s Model frame, the lightweight Escort will be easy for any 1911 shooter to handle right out of the box. Three-dot sights, including STI’s adjustable rear, provide easy target acquisition and won’t snag on the draw. With a flared ejection port and bull barrel, the Escort is a fine example of a high-quality CCW 1911 from a respected manufacturer.
This is the smallest, lightest pistol made by the always-reliable Wilson Combat. Made with top-tier components and optimized for high-performance 9mm loads, the Ultralight Sentinel is designed for concealment with a rounded-butt frame that helps to guide the hand immediately into a strong shooting position. This pistol is one of the best Wilson Combat has to offer, and it’s just plain tough looking. (http://www.wilsoncombat.com; 800-955-4856)
The very name of the 1911 pistol is a testament to the design’s longevity, reliability and versatility. These qualities have caused the pistol’s popularity to not only remain constant since its advent, but to spike sharply in recent years. The 1911 is the pinnacle of what a semi-auto pistol strives to be and rides in many concealed-carry holsters.
With so many small companies offering custom and small-run 1911s, along with many of the major handgun manufacturers bringing their own versions to market, there are a lot of guns to choose from. Read on to see some of today’s top micro 1911 pistol options.
