Springfield Armory Loaded Micro Compact 1911 Pistol
First Reviewed November 19, 2010
Found in 1911 Pistols, Pistol Reviews, Springfield Armory, Springfield Armory 1911 Pistols, Springfield Armory Sub-Compact Pistols, Sub-Compact Pistols
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For many years the Springfield Armory Ultra Compact with its 3.5” barrel was sufficient to meet the needs of the carrying public who wanted a small 1911 pistols which could be concealed in nearly every situation regardless of what you were wearing. Over time, however, the race to produce small and smaller guns created the environment which would eventually lead to the introduction of the EMP. In the meantime, Springfield Armory developed the Loaded Micro Compact.
The barrel of the gun shrunk down from 3.5” to 3” even. The gun retained the bull barrel and the front of the slide received Springfield's “Extreme Bevel” treatment which shaved off all of the characteristic rough edges which might hinder reholstering in a tense situation.
Advances in technology allowed Springfield Armory to upgraded the Loaded Micro Compact 1911 pistol to a forged aluminum alloy frame which was significantly lighter than the stainless steel frame of the Ultra Compact. The new developments in aluminum alloy production allowed the final product to be lighter but avoided the prevalent reliability problems which typically plague small-frame guns when firing large caliber ammunition such as the .45 ACP.
Springfield Armory Loaded Micro Compact Gallery
Being a premium pistol, all Springfield Armory Loaded Micro Compact guns (Model #: PX9801LP) come with upgraded Tritium 3-dot night sights. They are low profile combat style sights and are made to offer as little drag as possible when drawing the gun for presentation.
Only a Bi-Tone finish is offered for this gun with the forged slide and barrel being made of stainless steel and the aluminum frame receiving a black anodized hardcoat. The Micro Compact is finished out with Cocobolo hardwood grips which sport both a double-diamond design as well as the Springfield Armory log engraved in the center. The gun ships from the factory with two 6 round magazines.
Reviews of the Springfield Armory Loaded Micro Compact 1911 pistol can be found below. Please write a review of your own if your have used this gun in the past and share the good, the bad, and the ugly about its overall performance and value. Be sure to include your review in the right place as the Loaded Micro Compact Operator, Loaded Ultra Compact, G.I. Micro Compact, and both the EMP-9 and EMP-40 are similar in appearance but have their own independent review sets. If you wish to have a picture of your personal rendition of this pistol, please email it to pictures@gunreviewspot.com and we'll include it in the Loaded Micro Compact Photo Gallery.
US $34.95
I went to buy the new (at that time) XD-series. It was getting great reviews.
But it felt all wrong in my hand, blocky grip, I just didn’t feel the love.
Then the wise salesman showed me the Micro. What a beauty!
I took it to the range and didn’t shoot it very well, plus it jammed a bit.
The salesman worked on my grip, and exchanged a magazine for a Kimber mag.
(he had given me a Wilson Combat, and the S/A Micro did not like it, go figure)
Back to the range. I’d say it had some growing pains for the first 50 rounds.
After that, it has been flawless.
I bought a Don Hume IWB holster and was surprised at how flat the Micro stayed to my body. I’d actually forgot I had it on around the house. (I didn’t have a CCW yet)
I bought the Springfield over the Kimber because of the claims of excellent customer service, which thankfully, I’ve never needed.
If I were to nit-pick, I get some stains in the serrations of the slide that are hard to remove. Little black dots. Rust? Not really. I clean them with an emery board and they clean up.
My big complaint is the difficulty in take down and assembly, namely the slide release pin. The first time I attempted to clean it, I swore the takedown pin would not go back in. There are two small pins in the 1911 that protrude from a channel on the grip. One puts tension on the slide release and the other puts tension on the safety. I assume there’s a spring between them. But they don’t move easily.
You cannot push the slide release pin straight back in. You have to sneak up on it.
I ended up with the scratch on the frame so common on all 1911′s. Now I’ll use a card, but it’s too late. (Sorry, JMB, bad design)
Took my new compact LW micro bi tone to the range yesterday shoot winchester 185 FMJ white box through it about 100 rounds operated flawless no jam. Shot @ 3, 5, 7 not to bad shoots about 3 inches and about 1 1/2 to left low point of aim point of impact @ 10 yards way low have to aim at the neck of the target to hit the chest, all in all it is not a target pistol but a good carry and bedside pistol. Fit and finish it is a beautiful pistol easy to handle and carry, I am a big guy about 6′ 5″ and did not think I would ever buy a compact pistol until I picked up this one very comfortable fit and feel. It is a bit pricey over 1100.00 with tax and all but I think it is well worth it.
I bought a used micro Compact bi tone(PX980)that I aquired 3 day ago. I to the range today the weapoon shot flawlessly it is truely a work of art I shoot Lawman 230 gr. also I shoot 230 gr. Blazers. it took two magazines to get my sight picture right at 25 yards this little firearm is totaly accurate and dependable this is my new go to weapon for Conceal and Carry on a scale of 1- 10 this weapon is a ten there were no jams or any other issuse Hats off to Springfield