These are the results of extensive testing and comparing three 1911's with different barrel lengths. The Kimber Gold Match II, 5" barrel. S&W 1911SC, 4" barrel, and the Springfield Ultra Compact 3" barrel. The tests were performed by three fromer law enforcement officers, they each fired all three then the average group sizes were calculated.

Groups @ 25 yards
Bullet weight ------ Kimber -- S&W -- Springfield
CCI Blazer FMJ--- 230 -- 5.0 -- 3.75-- 3.25
Cor-Bon DPX ---- 180 -- 2.0 -- 2.5 -- 3.0
Federal +P EFMJ- 200 -- 2.75-- 3.5-- 3.25
Hornady TAP ------ 230-- 2.0 -- 2.75-- 4.0
Rem Golden Saber 185 -- 3.0-- 2.5-- 3.25
Win Black Talon-- 230-- 3.75-- 3.25-- 3.75

All three were said to have nice triggers, Kimber 3.5lbs pull also having the sharpest trigger reset. S&W 5lb pull, Springfield 4lb pull. If anything this is a good reference to know what ammo to pick up for the respective pistols.

Was this the recent test done in a prominent gun rag?

If the purpose of the test was to compare differing barrel lengths amongst 1911's, then it was ok.

If the test was to compare 3 different guns, then I don't get it. All 3 had significantly differing barrel lengths, and were made for differing purposes.

The Kimber is designed for competitive use, as it's "Match" title denotes.

The S&W and the SAI are designed as carry guns, with the SAI leaning towards "deep cover" concealment.

The test wasn't to compare three different guns, they did mention they had different intended purposes. Nonetheless the Springfield and S&W did do better than the Kimber with the loads that the guns liked. It's in this months Guns & Ammo. Where the authors sometimes aren't the leading authority, he did have three qualified individuals conduct the tests.

The main purpose of the test was to show how good the 1911 design really is, despite different barrel lengths.

To add, in the end they didn't claim one was better than the other two. They said they were all fine pistols for the purposes they were designed for.

I got that issue, but I just kind of leafed through that article. I'll have to pick it up off the bathroom floor and read the whole thing.

I've seen some short-barrelled 1911's that could really shoot.

I had a stainless steel Para Ordnance P10 (3" barrel) that I had tricked out. Basically, I built a Warthog years before the Warthog was available. With 230grn Remington Golden Sabers, it would shoot right around 2" at 25yds. It would do the same with 230grn Federal Hydra Shoks.

I'm on the hunt right now for a good deal on an original Detonics Combatmaster, either the MC1, Mark V, or Mark VI.

I had a Detonics 9mm in my hand a few months ago, it was stainless, small and sleek. The dealer said at one time it was the smallest 9mm available. I'm kicking myself for not buying it as I went back and it was gone.

Was this the Combatmaster or the Pocket 9?

The Combatmaster is a chopped down 1911, single-action. The Pocket 9 was a DAO of a totally different design.

It must have been the Pocket 9 as it was DAO. It was shaped almost like a small slender PPK.

Yeah, that's a Pocket 9. Depending on model variations and condition, they can fetch up to nearly $600 or so.

It was $300 in good condition, just call me an idiot!

Ummm how old was this article? They were shooting, Black Talon?

Now I have picked up a few boxes over people on the internet just as a collector kinda ooooo the big evil black bullet. (Which I have yet to find a gun it shoots well in) however I carry the Win. SXT ammo in my pistols quite consistantly.

If you didn't know the Win. Black Talon ammo was the one they redesigned to become the Win. SXT. The Talons had a black teflon coat on them, and made famous by Hollywood, they could NOT contrary to popular opinion go though BP vests. I still have a cheap IIIa vest around here to prove it.
The teflon design of them was supposed to reduce fouling, however it actually created a different problem all together of how to clean teflon buildup in a barrel out.

The article was in this months issue so it can't be too old.

Hmmm, My "Shep -O- matic, custom 1911 will out shoot any of those chunks of metal.

I'm thinking about taking it on a world tour. Well maybe to Culpeper, up the road a piece at least.