Who owns the Smith "Sub Compact" .45 Pro Series 3" barrel?

[zork51]

Hi,

I'm looking for feedback as far as perceived recoil vs. the commander size (which I use to own).

Is there a significant amount of recoil vs. the 4" barrel?

I picked one of these up and it "felt like it belonged".............................Unfortunately the Smith shooting center doesn't rent out this model to try. I really would like one.

Thanks in advance for any replies.

BTW, 4 Seasons is THE place to buy one. Ask for Carl and tell him Brian Lawrence sent you.
Carl is the nicest gentleman and businessman you'll ever meet. Never mind he sells guns!

 

[OPM]

Are you Brian Michael Lawrence the ball player? If not why would Carl remember you? If this is your SD gun 3” is too short. If this is your range gun, why in the world would you buy 3” .45? Sorry, I cannot answer your question about recoil.

 

[zork51]

Are you Brian Michael Lawrence the ball player?

NO, I'm the "other" Brian Lawrence.

If not why would Carl remember you?

I've been a faithful customer of Carl's for many years and I've sent friends and acquatances to Carl and all have been very happy with there experience.

If this is your SD gun 3” is too short.

(which I used to own) which I meant I USED to own a 1911PD.

If this is your range gun, why in the world would you buy 3” .45?

This gun would be for all things. But I've never owned a 3". It is appealing for carry but I wanted to know who could compare the recoil between the 4" vs. a 3". Sorry if I confused anyone with what info I was looking for.



Sorry, I cannot answer your question about recoil.

So I guess that means you don't have one or have never shot a 3" barrel either.

Thanks anyway.

 

[gene]

I have one
It's a good shooter and the recoil is just slightly more than a full sized model.

 

[cda1210]

Just bought a 3 month old Pro Series w/3" barrel and took it to the range this weekend. I also have a full size 1911 to comapre it to and there is a difference between the two. 3" barrel has more recoil then the full size .45. However I like the feel of this compact .45 for an everyday carry and it is pretty accurate.

 

[sportycliff]

I've got the 3" in a Colt Defender, recoil difference between it and a govt model, is completely outweighed by the
ease of carry...IMO (not that much difference, unless you're already on the edge with a govt model)

 

[piman]

I've this model and the Gunsite which is a Commander (4-1/4). Have not shot it as much but first thoughts - I like the sub-compact model better from a handling perspective. I don't see why this isn't a self defense gun. Easy to conceal carry, super accurate at the distances most self defense type scenarios are likely to occur.

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk

 

[Pilgrim]

I have a 4 inch S&W 1911 and a S&W CS45 (similar in weight and size to a 3 inch 1911) and I don't notice much difference in recoil between the 2 guns.

 

[OPM]

...I don't see why this isn't a self defense gun. Easy to conceal carry, super accurate at the distances most self defense type scenarios are likely to occur.

The problem with 3” .45 as SD gun is potentially low velocity. Most tests and ballistics developments of .45 use 4” or longer barrel. Essentially you’d be losing 100-150fps or in some cases more. With some ammo this could lead to under penetration and/or lack of expansion. To maintain velocity you’ll have to compromise likely move to hotter and/or lighter ammo. Neither is desirable. Most people who go with .45 want the full power of 230gr HP. And you are unlikely to get it from a 3” barrel.

 

[jraysig]

The problem with 3” .45 as SD gun is potentially low velocity. Most tests and ballistics developments of .45 use 4” or longer barrel. Essentially you’d be losing 100-150fps or in some cases more. With some ammo this could lead to under penetration and/or lack of expansion. To maintain velocity you’ll have to compromise likely move to hotter and/or lighter ammo. Neither is desirable. Most people who go with .45 want the full power of 230gr HP. And you are unlikely to get it from a 3” barrel.

Would this still have more stopping power than a 9mm or 40SW? Is this unique to 1911 models? For example I carry a glock 27 would this be the same comparing a full size glock?

 

[Independence Arms]

I have both 4-1/2" and 3" 1911's and don't notice too much of a recoil difference. They are both lightweight frames. You would probably notice if one or the other were steel frame though.
The 3" is actually up for sale.

 

[oceanblues]

i have the S&W pro series 3" and I don't find the recoil to be quite reasonable. It's a good shooter and I use it as a carry gun.

 

[jraysig]

there's a 3 inch pro series for sale in the classifieds.

 

[Zappa]

Are you Brian Michael Lawrence the ball player? If not why would Carl remember you?

Carl has a phenominal memory, he remembers everybody.

 

[Jeekay29]

Bought one brand new last November. It needed a quick trip back to Smith for some refinement of barrel-to-slide fit (and I believe a feed ramp polish), which completely cured it of nose-dive-jams and failures to complete battery. Absolutely reliable now with factory hardball. Ergonomics are exquisite, and recoil is very mild. Very accurate too. No problem keeping a magload within a hand print at 50 feet. It's a beautiful gun. Horror stories abound with the 3" 1911 format as it's such an engineering tightrope to make them function reliably. Smith seems to have cracked the code. Just be aware that not every one of these subcompacts that comes off the Houlton line is gonna be perfect out of the box. If you happen to get one with hiccups, don't freak out. Just send it back and let Smith work out the kinks.