[Ian11]

Yeah, after all the postings I've done lately about sticking to guns without safeties I've decided to get one with a safety.:o I have no problem eating crow in this case. ;) Not having a 1911 just didn't feel right. It felt like something was missing......... For defense type shooting I'll stick with my Glock and SIG but I do need to shoot a good 1911 now and then. Basically its for range use but reliabillity is just as important as accuracy.


I already placed my order but its not too late to change my mind if I tell them by this wednesday or so. These were the ones I was seriously considering and it was not easy since I started looking beyond Colt 1911's. Which one should I have picked?:uhoh: Or for someone living in CA was there a better option?


*I live in CA so no used Kimber Series I or the new Colt Series 70's/Gunsite for me.:cuss:

[John Forsyth]

The newer Kimbers showing up at matches do not run as well as the older pre Series II. I've seen broken ejectors and several FRTB. I'd pass for the price.

SA makes a good gun. Know someone with the Park. Loaded. No major problems that I know of. He thinks the trigger pull is a little heavy and is planning on dumping the ILS.

I have a XSE and the new release S70. The edges are a little sharp for me. Not a big deal on the S70, but I had the XSE beveled to be more carry friendly. They both run and are accurate enough for me out of the box.

I voted NRM 1991 Colt.

[Old Pa]

See if you can find a NIB pre-II Kimber; that would be the ticket.

[Sean Smith]

Colt.

[Timber-Hunter]

None of the above.....go with the S&W.....

[Dobe]

Kimbers. The Series II are just as good as the Series I. I have shot both very often, and I own several of the pre series II (series I). There is always the myth that once an manufacturer changes status quo that the change will always signify the decline of quality control. Series II Kimbers are fine.

All of the guns mentioned by you are fine. I just feel that you get the most for the money with the Kimber.

[Ala Dan]

I voted for the "SA TRP Armory Kote"!:uhoh: :D

but, I rather have MY SIG-Sauer P220~:rolleyes: :)

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

[Shmackey]

What are you doing with it?

Do you want/plan to customize it at all?

[MoNsTeR]

STI Trojan "CA"

[ruger357]

Kimber.

[boing]

Colt. Beyond the fancy external appearance of the others, the Colt is built of better components. Forged slide stop, and machined bar stock parts where the other guys use MIM. Colt uses few MIM parts, and what they do use is very well regarded, durability-wise. Their MIM extractors were a stupid idea, but when they started breaking they switched to bar stock. I don't see Kimber doing that.

I like the plain jane look of the NRM over the XSE. Only thing I'd change is the trigger.

[dsk]

Another vote for the NRM Colt. At least with that one you can customize to your heart's content. With the others you're often stuck with what the factory gave you.

[10-Ring]

Of your choices, I like the SA TRP the most. That would make for a nighty nice range gun!

[Ian11]

Thanks for your input everyone. Once I started opening up to 1911's other than Colts the decision gets a lot harder. Much harder than trying to decide between Glocks, XD's, P99's, SIGs, and H&K's because they're all very different from one another.

I just decided to place my order because I kept going back and forth and couldn't decide. I'm still undecided in a way. But if I can't make up my mind by this wednesday that's the one I'm gonna get.

If Colt came out with the M1991 or XSE with all the features of the Kimbers or SA (for just a little bit more) it would have made the decision a lot easier.

[Dr.Rob]

Colt, again for the forged parts.

And because it has a Horse on the slide.:D

[Ian11]

The horse, the horse, the horse, of course.

My kingdom for a 1911 with a horse.:banghead: :p

[Stevie-Ray]

Kimber. If not, then Colt.

[45auto]

For a range gun you might consider the Springfield loaded "target" model which has the adjustable sights. I think it's a good value, if you want adjustables.
Otherwise I'd go with the Loaded.

The Colt's are very good, but require time and a fair amount of money to add the beavertail, safety and better sights.

[300lbGorilla]

STI Trojan.

[Tacblack]

From your given list I picked the SA TRP. But I would urge you to try a Trojan from STI its has faired better then any of the above to me.

[Sven]

Valtro is CA legal. CA imported and hand assembled.

http://www.ValtroUSA.com

[Ian11]

So far Kimber is beating both models from SA and Colt. That's pretty impressive.

Of course other similar polls like this has the Colt leading too.

*I really was considering the SA TRP but its a bit more than I want to spend now. The Valtro and the STI are really nice too but it'd be the most I ever spent on a gun. I have a feeling I'd baby it instead of really using it. I'd probably turn it into a safe queen which it doesn't deserve. I just want a good 1911 for hard range use and know I'm getting something I can count on for defense if I needed to.

I think in my price range and the features I want the Kimber TLE seems like the best choice. You guys chose it. And by the way you guys are right. I'm not gonna change my order.

This poll has ended as far as I'm concerned.

Thanks everyone.

[Pumpkinheaver]

Every Kimber I have ever shot has been accurate and reliable, something that can't be said for some of the manufacturers in your poll.

[Gary H]

Do these sorts of posts provide you with the best gun, or just the one that more people own?

[Ian11]

Gary H,

No, not necessarily but when you can't make up your mind its good to hear what other people's experiences were with a certain product. When we have polls like this people are naturally going to vote for the ones that they have. It doesn't mean its the best. But its a fair gauge of whether people are satisfied with a certain brand.

[taoshooter]

Kimber would be my pick since Wilson isn't on the list
- -No personal experience with Trojan but hear only good things about them too.

[Ian11]

I used to think the discussions between Glock, SIG, H&K, and 1911 owners were overheated.

But the squabbling inside the 1911 family between SA, Kimber, Colt, and all the others can get pretty bad IMO . :uhoh: :scrutiny: :confused: :p :p :p:neener:

Not this thread. But some of the others I've seen.