Help me decide on a 1911...

[Mr. Ed]

I am interested in either the SigSauer 1911 C3 (or RCS), the S&W 1911 Compact ES, or the Springfield Armory Lightweight Champion Operator. I know that they are different beasts. The Sig and the Smith are true commander length barrels (4.2in) vs. Springfields 4in barrel. The Sig and Smith also have officer sized frames and the Springfield has a full sized frame. The Sig and Smith do not have rails, the Springfield does. The Sig and Smith have external extractors and the Springfield has a traditional internal extractor. I have shot the Sig and the Springfield and don't notice any differences. I have not shot the Smith. I'm having a hard time deciding.

What does the Calguns community think?

(Sorry...no pics of the guns....somebody want to help me post pics?)

[Colt]

Well, if you're looking for a true Commander, get a Colt Commander (4.25" barrel). They are great pistols.

[In_this_city]

I really like the Sig GSR 1911s but I don't know if the C3 is on the roster. The full size shoot like a dream though. Reliability of Sig in a 1911 design. That's the best of both worlds.

[370z]

I prefer the full-sized 1911's, but IMO a 4" barrel might not lose much against a 5". There's just something very nice about a full 5" that gets it to the range more often than the other pistols.

No experience with the GSR, but I've been impressed by the quality of some of the Springfields I've seen. Some of those get pretty nice.

[sholling]

I am interested in either the SigSauer 1911 C3 (or RCS), the S&W 1911 Compact ES, or the Springfield Armory Lightweight Champion Operator. I know that they are different beasts. The Sig and the Smith are true commander length barrels (4.2in) vs. Springfields 4in barrel. The Sig and Smith also have officer sized frames and the Springfield has a full sized frame. The Sig and Smith do not have rails, the Springfield does. The Sig and Smith have external extractors and the Springfield has a traditional internal extractor. I have shot the Sig and the Springfield and don't notice any differences. I have not shot the Smith. I'm having a hard time deciding.

What does the Calguns community think?

(Sorry...no pics of the guns....somebody want to help me post pics?)

Unless you're a LEO you can't get the C3 and Compact ES in California. I'm not sure about the Springer. I would love to have either. S&W has better service and support but the C3 has night sights. If you're a LEO I'd look at the Dan Wesson CCO as well. If you decide on a commander sized pistol I'd go with the S&W SW1911PD over the Springer.

FYI to the best of my knowledge the only CCO stryle 1911s available to mere mortals are from Kimber. I'm not a big Kimber fan but I like my Compact CDP.

[Black Majik]

When it comes to "Commander" size pistols, my favorite would be the S&W 1911PD, and a plain jane S80 Colt Commander in blue.

[1911Luvr]

Of the three you mentioned, I have only fired the Springer Champion. I very much liked the Champion, it shot well and I would not hesitate to get it.

[shooting4life]

Someone just posted a nice sti in th for sale section. I would jump on that if I had he money.

[osxgp]

The Springfield Operator is a tough one to find because Springfield is putting so much effort into the XD series of pistols. I wanted that model but it was unavailable. I decided on a Kimber instead. Very happy with it indeed.

[Mr. Ed]

Unless you're a LEO you can't get the C3 and Compact ES in California.

There are other legal ways to get them.

[AdiosKali]

Springfield all the way! My Operator give me wood!