Springfield EMP https://www.springfield-armory.com/1911-series-handguns/1911-emp-handguns/

 

Thanks. I was thinking of the EMP Champion. If not for the two-tone color, I would have probably bought that already.

 

Off the top of my head, I can only think of the Springfield EMP and the Ed Brown EVO KC9 that fits that description.

 

Or you can get a "CCO" model.....like a Pointman Carry....commander slide on an officer frame.

 

Do those 1911 9mm still exist? I'm not talking about those which are simply cut barrel and grips. I really mean reduced scale size, which means slimmer grips.

As stated above, Springfield EMP (Officer size) or EMP4 (Commander size). Both are on scaled-down frames and not just bobbed barrel and grip. I have the EMP4 in 9mm, and it is a sweet shooting pistol. Front strap to back strap is narrower than full-size, and it has thinner grip panels, too, although the panels are the same height/width as the full size and will interchange on the full-size frame. It has an ambidextrous thumb safety, full length guide rod and no barrel bushing, with a bull barrel. Very nice trigger, no trigger safety (Series 70). Holds 10+1 and comes with three magazines. I gave $750 for a lightly used one that looked brand new.

 

covid-1911 Unless you have hands like a baby thin grips and a short trigger let my wife lay claim to my Kimber ultra 9mm as her edc a couple years ago and with 9 round mags for carry and 10 rounders as back up it conceals easily on my little 5-2 wife in a iwb .

 

I'm only 5' 7" in height with slim build, and my thumb-to-index span is 7.25". The full size 1911 gets uncomfortable (with my arthritic hand) after several minutes of handling.

I'm going to try replacing the grips with a slimline type to see if there will be any improvement. I also found out I will need tools just for the bushing extraction, so this experiment is getting more costly than I anticipated.

 

I bought a Kimber Ultra Aegis II 9mm about 10 years ago. It's a 3" barrel 1911. Initially it took 2 trips back to Kimber to get some barrel fitting issues corrected. Since then I've put easily 5K rounds of my handloads thru it with zero issues. This could be the gun in my cold, dead hands.

 

I just received my Colt Gunsite commander. It comes with the slim grips and short trigger. I am amazed at the difference in feel compared to my standard setup colts. The difference really needs to be felt to understand how drastic it is. As expensive as your replacement may be, a set of thin grips and bushings may be all you need. I know I will be adding these to a few more of mine.

 

I think you would be amazed at the difference slim grips and a short trigger make on a full size gun. I set up my edc Kimber Pro .45 with those and the difference is huge! (I can't wait to find time to convert the rest of my 1911's). I was looking for the same critter as you, and had no luck. Have you thought about the Browning 1911-380? Same size as the .22 version. A little smaller than what you (and I) are looking for (caliber and frame), but a reasonable compromise IMO given what is on the 1911 market. Although it wasn't exactly what I was looking for, I have really enjoyed mine and have not regretted the purchase.

 

corvid-1911 Your hand size is fine with thin grip panels but you might find a short trigger makes the reach far nicer too . Most production 1911 have some trigger wiggle or rattle and ed brown has an oversized trigger that can be fit with a file that will make for a nice wiggle free trigger if you change triggers reach . Your hands about the size of my wifes at 7" , mines 8" but wider not longer . I like the short trigger to but the grips are an odd a odd tapered grip used on my 04840wc . There sort a fat at the rear thin at the front edge but work for me . My hand is wider not longer ! My colts bushing was crazy tight when new and dry . A tiny bit of amsoil grease rubbed the out side and the barrel first 1.5" made it far easier to remove after a 400 round get to know me break in .

My little Kimber 9mm ultra has a bull barrel so no bushing . Just keep a supply of paper clips handy or with a little luck you can remove the spring assembly from the rear on a 3" model .

Big difference in price between my Kimber ultra or pro stainless or two tone and a emp 3" or 4" with a Kimber being 300 + dollar lower . Our dealers last two tone ultra 9mm sold for $710 last week right in front of me while I was there to pick up a AR15 stripped lower .

 

Spanish Star pistols were sort-of 1911s, and the compact versions were scaled to the 9mm cartridge.
The BM model (used) is currently available for cheap.
The BKM was the alloy-framed version.
The BKS was the slightly larger (longer) model.

 

I'll second the EMP - great reduced sized 1911, carried one for a number of years.

Grant

 

I'll agree with others here that the Springfield EMP is probably what you seek. I looked at getting one a while back, but for me, the grip was just a bit too small. Plus, you have to remember that some parts are proprietary to the EMP. So you can't buy standard 1911 parts for it.

I ended up getting a Dan Wesson ECO which seemed to fit my hand a bit better. You definitely should try to find an area gun shop that has an EMP model and just go fondle it for a while. Any decent store should also have a commander or officer 1911 you could fondle as well to really feel the difference.

Good luck with your quest.