Gun Tests grade: A (Our pick)

$949

A number of years ago, we saw SIG Sauer jump into the 1911 market in a big way. Numerous models were offered and proceeded to earn quite a reputation. We have recently seen them pare down the list of pistols in current production, and our sample is one of those recently discontinued. It is still available if you search just a bit. Our Ultra Compact version is obviously of SIG origin, with its stepped flats on the side of the slide, the beveled nose and the wider contour to the top of the slide. That also means the shooter needs to be careful when ordering a holster for a SIG — be warned that standard 1911 holsters may not fit this muzzle profile.

The Ultra Compact follows standard SIG format in many ways. The slide is stainless steel with a Nitron (matte-black wear-resistant) finish. The extractor is an external, pivoting piece. The sights are Novak style with SIG tritium lamps inside. The sight picture didn’t provide quite as much light on the sides as we prefer, and we measured the front sight at 0.142 inch, a good bit wider than the Colt’s. No big deal — just personal preference. The slide release and the strong-side-only thumb safety are both slightly extended. The beavertail grip safety is fitted high and has a good memory pad to help ensure disengagement. The frame is cut up high and tight behind the trigger guard, and the mag well is beveled. SIG uses a very dark wood for the grip panels, which show the smooth diamond checkering pattern and sport the SIG logo.

We found the SIG grip panels to be thicker than the others tested. While only about 0.15 inch difference, it was noticeable. For those with slightly larger paws, these on the SIG might be preferable. This SIG UC then adds 30-lines-per-inch checkering on the alloy mainspring housing as well as the front strap of the frame. While reasonably sharp (checkering is supposed to be), we didn’t find it to be a problem while carrying concealed using a Blade-Tech OWB Total Eclipse holster ($49, Blade-Tech.com). Please note that Blade-Tech does not make a holster specifically for the 3-inch-barreled 1911s, but they do make one for the 5-inch Government Model, and we have a Dremel tool that we are not afraid to use.

The top end uses the same heavy barrel profile the other pistols in this test employed. Once again, this is an advantage of mature engineering. Folks have figured out how to make things work. The short barrel is the fully ramped version we prefer. We just have a problem with the concept of a hard bullet nose repeatedly having to bounce off the soft metal of an aluminum frame as it feeds into the chamber. The UC uses a full-length recoil-spring guide rod and a single, flat-wire spring. The UC also features a flared and extended ejection port, an extended ejector, and a lightweight alloy trigger that is part of a very nice trigger pull.

The SIG Ultra Compact showed the best overall accuracy and came in first or very close to first in each of the speed drills. The checkering really helped our hands stay locked in on the grip, though we do think that same checkering could be a bit rough worn concealed and next to the skin. Function was perfect with all ammo tested. The SIG UC’s favorite load was the SIG 185-grain V-Crown — imagine that.

Our Team Said: The SIG displayed the best accuracy, with groups a half inch or smaller than its competitors, and did very well on the speed drills. We also liked the checkering and the night sights.

45 ACP RANGE DATA

Drill Data