First things first:
New Year’s resolution: more posting to the blog. I’ve got a good amount of blog fodder, just need to write it.
Now, on with the post!
For a little while now, I’ve been interesting in finding something that apparently no one makes: a pistol with a “full-sized” barrel (think 4-5″) on a frame with a “compact” grip. On the other hand, there are a number of companies that sell configurations of their pistols where they have a “compact” barrel sitting on a full sized frame. This confuses me.
I think it’s safe to say that just about everyone interested in compact pistols are looking for concealed carry, or, at least, discrete carry. Most concealed carry options hide the barrel without any issue, and it’s the grip that prints or sticks out. The barrel is also what tends to be one of the bits that will dig into your side.
As for the short barrel and full-sized grip configuration, I just don’t get it. I’m not going to tell anyone that likes that configuration that they’re doing it wrong, I just don’t understand it.
So… am I missing something? I know that if I really wanted something of the kind, I could mix and match parts to make it (and, honestly, I’m not in the market right now), but no one seems to sell that configuration out of the box.
Springfield XD Compact? 5 inch barrel on a shorter grip (all 4 finger fit, barely)
I don’t see a 5″ barrel on a compact frame on Springfield’s website for the XD. I do see a 4″, but that is only available in .45 for some reason. Of course, I did forget about the 4″ XDs.
Those do fit the criteria I set out, but those seem to be the only ones out there.
Link looks like its hidden: http://www.springfield-armory.com/products/xd-compact-tactical-model-45-acp/
Guess makers are concerned abou safety and accuracy, and a hefty grip helps both.
several 1911 options . see http://dailycaller.com/2013/09/23/massad-ayoob-the-colt-concealed-carry-officers-and-its-niche-mates/
Huh. I guess I’ve just had a search fail for never seeing those. Good to know.
The sig p250/320 has this, the frame, or grip, as they call it, can be swapped out. You can buy a full size and then the compact grip for $40, or the same thing in compact/sub-compact.
Sig P320 or P250.
Buy the full sized with the 4.7″ barrel and buy the subcompact, compact, or carry sized grip module for $46.
YMMV
For both Sheins and Freddyboomboom:
Apologies for not mentioning it in the post, but I realize that I could mix and match parts to come up with this configuration, I’m just surprised that more companies don’t sell it out of the box.
Here are three examples of out of the box 4+ in slide on compact frame :
http://www.springfield-armory.com/products/1911-range-officer-compact-9mm/
http://www.sigsauer.com/CatalogProductDetails/1911-c3.aspx
http://cz-usa.com/product/dw-cco-45-acp-black-officer-alloy-frame-commander-slide-3-dot-tritium-sights-7-rd-mags/
I’m also interested in this configuration, and found a guy that can do it. Time will tell if I get it or not.
http://www.bowietacticalconcepts.com/pictures.html