SA Loaded or Loaded Champion?

[Sebass]

Did a search and didn't find what I was looking for. Thought I would get the Opinions of my fellow CalGunner's on this one .

This will be my second Handgun purchase as I already have a Glock 19 and am proficient with it . I've been doing my fair share of research and has settled on a SA 1911 for my first 1911 purchase. Trouble is, I can't decide on whether to get the 4" or 5" model (Loaded or Loaded Champion Stainless).
This will be mostly a Home Defense/Range Gun as I plan on carrying my G19 for CCW. So, with all that being said what are some of the benefits of a 5" over a 4" besides 'felt recoil'? Will 4" be too much recoil to the point to where I find it unpleasant to shoot? Only reason I ask is because I have small hands and a 4" seems to 'feel' better in my hands. Thanks in advance for your advice/opinions!


P.S. Anyone in the Fresno/Visalia area that has either of these guns and is willing to let me shoot one, let me know!

[Centurion_D]

I recommend the 5" Loaded model. Better control. I have the loaded model and love it.

[jak77]

I recommend the 5" Loaded model. Better control. I have the loaded model and love it.

+1

Love my 5in loaded

[t0kie]

I had the same question when I wanted my first 1911 & I got a great advice : start with 5" then buy the shorter one(s) after that.
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[Heiko]

I would say the 5" since you're looking for a range gun. That extra inch is wonderful. (That's what she said!) Having said that though, if you ever think that you will carry a 1911, get the Champion. I regularly carry my Loaded Champion Lightweight and absolutely love it. I shoot it quite well and at least on my last range trip, shot it quite a bit better than my Kimber Custom II 5", and mine has the alloy frame. The steel version is about 6 or 7 ounces heavier so I opted for the LW since it was purchased as a carry gun. I do like the feel of an all-steel 5" 1911 but I have no problems with my allow 4".

I knew I would be buying more 1911s and ultimately did with the purchase of my 5" Kimber but I wanted a 1911 for carry so the Champion was an easy choice. If you want a range gun that can be carried, get a steel Champion. That way you're sort of getting best of both worlds.

My Loaded Champion

[Sebass]

If you want a range gun that can be carried, get a steel Champion. That way you're sort of getting best of both worlds.

That's what I was thinking! Oh well, I won't know till I shoot one for myself

[bigbob76]

So, with all that being said what are some of the benefits of a 5" over a 4" besides 'felt recoil'? Will 4" be too much recoil to the point to where I find it unpleasant to shoot? Only reason I ask is because I have small hands and a 4" seems to 'feel' better in my hands. Thanks in advance for your advice/opinions!

One benefit of the 5" is that the sights are further apart making it a little easier to shoot well. As far as I know the grip circumferences are the same size on the 4" and 5". After shooting a Glock the weight is probably the biggest difference. Having a little more weight out front with the 5" makes it faster getting back on target in my experience.

[trashman]

I had the same question when I wanted my first 1911 & I got a great advice : start with 5" then buy the shorter one(s) after that.

Yep. FWIW the 4" Commanders are a little harder to come by (they are great CCW guns).

I have a couple of Loaded Springfields, and I'm a fan. Once you fall in love with the full-size 1911 your eye will eventually wander to shorter variants (see below).

--Neill

[Sebass]

Trashman, that is an awesome pair of Springer's you got there!

As far as Loaded vs Loaded Champion I've decided to go with the Loaded 5" model .
Shot one today at my local range and fell in love . It's scary to say, but I feel that I can shoot it even better than my Glock 19 . Thanks for all the input fella's, will let you know when I get my Loaded and post some pics when I do .

[Cyc Wid It]

4 in isn't a true commander length fwiw.

[Viper49]

Sa Loaded / loaded Champion are build on the same frame. The only difference is the frame is about 1 inch shorter. I have them both in SS and recoil is not an issue at all. The SA Champion have a bull barrel with added weight up front. Love my Champion and is a good carrying pistol out above in the wood.

[coldshot]

I would get the 5" gun. I went through the Pistol 250 class at Gunsite with a 4" Wilson CQB Compact. Although I did come out at the top of the class, qualifying Expert, I wish I would have had the 5". In my opinion, the 5" balances much better, provides better control, and the extra sight radius helps with accuracy. I have sold all of my 4" and 4 1/4" 1911s and only have full-size guns now. I carry a steel 5" concealed everyday with no problem. The trick is to dress correctly and buy good leather like the Milt Sparks VM-2. My .02