Opinions on Officers Model 1911s??

[Scott Tschirhart]

I had a Colt Officers Moddl back in the 1980s and I carried it as a backup to a full sized 1911.

It was never as reliable as I thought it should be.

I wonder if they have worked the kinks out by now?

Any opinions on Officers Model 1911s? Particularly in .45 ACP?

[Ysabel Kid]

The only Officer-size 1911 I've ever owned was a Para-Ordnance P12.45. Same barrel length, but a wide-body (double stack) .45 ACP holding 12 rounds in a standard magazine. Mine was made in Canada, and a very reliable one. I've qualified with it several times. I can't speak to the genuine Colts though.

[JimT]

I carried one in the 1980's and 90's. I never had any issues with it but I usually shot hardball. One thing I require from an autoloader is reliability and hardball never gave any feeding issues.

[Scott Tschirhart]

I suspect that the slide was working too fast for the magazine to push up the next round. But a similar sized Star Pistol seemed to work just fine.

As I recall, my Colt shot very accurately. Surprisingly so.

Just not sufficiently reliable. I think I was carrying Winchester 185 gr Silvertips in those days. They almost never expanded in flesh but they shot well.

[JimT]

I like my Star PD much better than the Colt.

[samsi]

I had a Colt in the 90's, it ran well with 230 Gold Sabers and 200 swc's over 6.5 Unique. Replaced it with a first series stainless Kimber Compact which does okay for the most part. Runs with the 6.5 Unique/200 gr load but chokes on the same bullet with 5.5 W231. It's happy with 5.8 Unique and a 225TC (usual range load) and old school 230 Hydrashocks. The round top Metalform mag followers are helpful with the abbreviated 1911's in my experience.

[jeepnik]

I really wanted a left handed LeMay but very, very few were made. I ended up with a Colt Officers Model. It took a bit of breaking in, but it works fine now.

[AJMD429]

.
I found my Para Ordnance P-12 to be very reliable, and I could hit as well with it as my Colt or AMT Government model 1911's.

It was intended to be my primary EDC gun, as I was kind of happy to hae 12 shots (plus the option of 14 to 20 round magazines that were fairly compact), but in the end, I found that with the right holster, the extra barrel length of the P-14 model (full size vs 'officer' size) was really no more awkward.

I don't think I'd feel 'stepping down' in size would be worth the lesser magazine capacity, as I'm already spoiled by the double-stacks.

Incidentally though - the real reason I first went with 'double-stack' 1911's in the first place, was I have long skinny fingers and the grip (which is only 3/16" more circumference vs my Colt single-stack) just FEELS better to me. So given the choice between a P-14 or P-12, even if they only held 7 and 6 respectively, I'd still pick the Paras.

[OldWin]

I've given this platform 2 tries. The first was a late 80s vintage Colt that had a bunch of custom work done by a retired Colt custom shop guy. It was really nice, and a good shooter, but I just couldn't warm up to it, or fully trust it. This stands as the only 1911 that I've had a failure with. I was practicing at the range one day when the weirdo recoil plug that the Officers has simply exploded, launching the recoil spring about 10 yards out the front of the pistol. Between the short grip and this failure, I was done. I swapped it even back to the original owner for a Colt enhanced LWC. I still carry this pistol.

The second time was a Springfield Loaded lightweight Micro Compact. I sent this pistol back to Springfield for a barrel engagement issue. It shot low and the firing pin strike was low on the primer. Their service and turnaround was fantastic, and the issue remedied. I still couldn't bring myself to fully trust it. It seemed a little ammo sensitive, preferring 185gr slugs (which i dont care for). Being a LW, recoil was worse than my old Colt. I found my ability to come back to target was a little slow with the muzzle flip and the short frame gave less than an ideal grip. Concealability was great, and it was a joy to carry, but that's as far as it went. I sold it several years ago.

I have sworn off this configuration for good. I found what I suspected all along, the LW Commander is the best option for an EDC 1911. Ive never looked back. I've carried my old Colt since 99.


Edit:
I also had a Star PD back on the day. It was pretty snappy, but fairly reliable. My example shot fair. I didn't care for the plastic guide plate on the guide rod.
Jim brought up a good point that jogged my memory. I used 230gr. Ball quite a bit in these pistols also.

[JOG]

I've had two Colt Officers 1911's over the years myself. One didn't shoot hollow points reliably.
After picking up a Colt Lightweight commander 45acp, I decided to sell of the Officers models.
It's just a bit too small for my hand! My smallest carry firearm is a Sig P239.
It's never failed to fire anything I packed in the mag. Yet my preference is the 1911 platform!
Johnny

[Ysabel Kid]

Incidentally though - the real reason I first went with 'double-stack' 1911's in the first place, was I have long skinny fingers and the grip (which is only 3/16" more circumference vs my Colt single-stack) just FEELS better to me. So given the choice between a P-14 or P-12, even if they only held 7 and 6 respectively, I'd still pick the Paras.

I have the same "issue". I can hold a double-stack with ease and they just feel better.

I've been told I should have learned to play the piano. But I haven't a musical bone in my body, and the only way I can carry a tune is if you strapped it on my back and zapped me with a cattle prod...

[Scott Tschirhart]

I’ve always thought that a snubby 1911 could be a really good idea.

I think that one of the reasons Wilson Combat experimented with flat recoil springs was to slow the slide down a little.

I think Ruger did a SR 1911 in .45 for a short time and it had three recoil springs.

[Malamute]

A discussion I saw among some high volume shooters involved in LE and training work had mentioned they were never able to get the Officers sizes guns to achieve the same level of reliability as larger guns, the compromise they found that worked reliably was a commander length slide on an officers frame.

I had a detonics shorty in the 1980s, it ran pretty well with 230 gr RN cast and 200 gr SWC loads run slightly warm, but I felt it wasnt as reliable as the Government and National Match guns I had. the difference was on the order of like 2 malfunctions per 1000 rds vs 1 or none per 1000 rds with the full size guns. the 200 gr loads also were not on the same reliability level in general and I stopped using them. I probably only shot the detonics around 2500 rds. It was traded off, there was no legal concealed carry at the time so was basically a plinking toy.

I like the idea of the compact 1911 type auto, but just have never been able to get any auto that I can shoot as consistently well as a revolver overall, and that shot anything besides RN bullets reliably enough. I dislike RN bullets greatly in shooting game, unless the goal is doing the least amount of damage possible.

[jeepnik]

I've mentioned before, much to the chagrin of some here, my primary carry varies frequently. At times it includes the Officer's model. But it seems regardless of what type of handgun it is my back up is just that, an AMT .45 Backup. It always goes bang and unlike things like my Glock 42 or even 30, it makes a pretty good bludgeon.

[Scott Tschirhart]

I’ve been casually looking around for one of these:

https://youtu.be/XAs9dyHcObU?si=oGlGsU0BNh8-g7sS

[zoner]

Awhile back i bought a new RIA CS 45ACP. It worked very well but i ended up buying a MS(4.25”) barrel and slide and made my own RIA CCO. I really like it

[Walt]

Scott, YouTube deleted that video because it "violated their community rules".

[Walt]

I had a blued Officers Model in .45ACP in the 80s as well. It shot hardball quite well but not so well with the 200gr target SWCs that I liked to cast and load in my full-size 1911s. I sold it to my shooting partner to give to his daughter who was joining the FBI.

I did see a couple of Officers Models with cracked frames including one in stainless. I think it was stainless; it could have had an aftermarket coating instead

[Griff]

I've never owned one, only because the one I tried I couldn't grip comfortably... too short a grip.

[Sarge]

Just a couple of thoughts from somebody who got saddled with keeping these little guns running, for cops in my outfit, when they were real popular. Typically, the guys with a buck or two would buy a Colt Officer and the newbs would buy an A/O Pit Bull, or something similar. Often, they would choke or bust bushings or plugs in the first 200 rounds. Three things would make almost ANY of them run reliably.

The first was a reverse-plug recoil spring system, which ended wrecked bushings, shot-out plugs etc. I used Ed Brown because it was the best I could get at the time. Expect to change springs in 1500 rounds, max. Sooner might be better.

The second is a top notch magazine with stout springs, to get the cartridge lifted into place during the shorter cycle time. Metalforms were good for me at the time, but there are lots of good mags available today. I don't know enough about any others to comment on them.

The third was prefect extractor with perfect tension. If I was buy a non-Colt shorty, I'd have a new Brown or Wilson best-grade extractor waiting for it when it arrived.

[Pisgah]

Mine is from Rock Island Armory, and I have had it for 15 years or so. In every respect it has been a satisfactory 1911, easy to carry, easy to shoot, ridiculously accurate.

[Scott Tschirhart]

I think I really prefer a CCO type with a Commander slide and an Officers size grip frame.

[JimT]

I carried a Colt .45ACP Officers Model for a year or so. I shot it a lot and practiced a lot with it. One of the things I practiced was how to get it into action when the chamber wasn't loaded. (Condition3) I know that Condition 3 is frowned upon by most, but I figured I could get the gun in action just as fast as Condition 1. And I practiced it. A lot!

I carried it either in my back right-hand pocket or tucked into my pants waist, just in back of my right hip. When I drew the gun I wiped it forward on my pants leg .. the gun angled so the top of the slide was facing my right leg. The rear sight caught my pants leg and slammed the slide back .. as I continued to push forward the slide returned chambering a cartridge. My trigger finger was outside the trigger guard, slightly above it. As I pushed the gun on forward my finger went into the guard and fired the gun.

I could do this before you could think about it.

One Shootists Holiday we had a group of young County Police attending. On the range I took the Officers ACP and unloaded it, dropped the slide and the hammer and inserted the magazine. Then I stuck the gun in my back pocket. I asked the cops, "If you walked up on a guy who you knew had the gun in this condition, do you think you could beat him if he went for his gun?" Most felt they could.

We were 5 or 6 feet from the firing line and I handed Jerry Danuser a rock a bit larger than a baseball. I told him, "Toss it at the backstop." I did not have my hand on the gun but just in a normal position, elbow slightly bent like I always stood. Jerry tossed the rock and I drew the ACP, wiped it across my pants leg and shattered the rock before it hit the backstop.

I think the lesson took.

I liked the little gun. It worked well for me.

[jeepnik]

Heck if I ever got that good with a particular handgun it would be the only one I would be carrying. I admit to liking the 1911. I'm not wedded to any particular size, with the exception of the double stacked ones. I have a Para but they just aren't suited to my hand.

[JimT]

I carry a Star PD these days ... have for the last 8 or 9 years. Beautiful trigger ... accurate .. sights are good for my old eyes .. and it's smaller and lighter than the Colt. Plus I haven't had the Colt in a long time.

Colt Officers ACP
34 oz.
3 1/2" barrel (88.9mm)
7 1/2 " long (190.5mm)

STAR PD
25oz.
3.9" barrel (100mm)
7.1" long (180mm)

Star.jpg

[AJMD429]

One Shootists Holiday we had a group of young County Police attending. On the range I took the Officers ACP and unloaded it, dropped the slide and the hammer and inserted the magazine. Then I stuck the gun in my back pocket. I asked the cops, "If you walked up on a guy who you knew had the gun in this condition, do you think you could beat him if he went for his gun?" Most felt they could.

We were 5 or 6 feet from the firing line and I handed Jerry Danuser a rock a bit larger than a baseball. I told him, "Toss it at the backstop." I did not have my hand on the gun but just in a normal position, elbow slightly bent like I always stood. Jerry tossed the rock and I drew the ACP, wiped it across my pants leg and shattered the rock before it hit the backstop.

It's a good thing for the rest of us that you're a nice guy, and not one of the Bad Guys....

[JimT]

I haven't practiced that kind of shooting in a long time.
When I was younger I did a lot of it .... all different kinds ...

trick shot.jpg

[jeepnik]

Almost bought a Star auto in 1975. I was stationed in Spain and I wanted to buy a handgun to carry. I opted for a Llama Comanche instead. I was young and the word magnum held it's allure. Wish I still had it, for sentimental reasons if no other. But, a young dad and not much income it had to go. Kids gotta eat..

[JimT]

I understand. been there more than once.

[Scott Tschirhart]

I’ve always liked the Star PD.

Light and reliable. But I am accustomed to a grip safety on a 1911 style pistol.

[JimT]

I’ve always liked the Star PD.

Light and reliable. But I am accustomed to a grip safety on a 1911 style pistol.

I can understand that. I taped my 1911 down for awhile. It did not help my shooting any and I gave up the idea. I don't mind if the Star doesn't have the grip safety. I have gotten used to it.

[jeepnik]

As I recall, the grip safety was a add on at the Army's request. I never thought about it one way or another. I never needed the speed bump type as my hand just seems to fit the grip, or vice versa.

[Paladin]

I carried an Officer's Model I got from a friend as back-up to my MP-5 for drug operations, and never had problems with it. My friend had sent it to Wilson when he first started, and I put a King Tappen barrel in it, had Wayne Novak put night sights on it, and changed the grips. VERY accurate and fits my hand perfectly.

Arch's 45 ACP 2.jpg

[Scott Tschirhart]

The Ruger was not reliable and it was inconsistent in malfunctions

So I picked up a Dan Wesson CCO:

First five and first 20 rounds. 12 yards.

[JimT]

The Ruger was not reliable and it was inconsistent in malfunctions

So I picked up a Dan Wesson CCO:

First five and first 20 rounds. 12 yards.

Now that looks like it will do the job quite well!

[Scott Tschirhart]

Yes Jim, I don’t have to do a thing with this one.

[Griff]

The Ruger was not reliable and it was inconsistent in malfunctions
So I picked up a Dan Wesson CCO:
First five and first 20 rounds. 12 yards.

Wish I could shoot my full size that well.

[Scott Tschirhart]

Griff,

That is a result of a misspent youth. I couldn’t afford to hang out in beer joints or billiard parlors because I spent all my money on ammo and components.