1911 options for requisites and budget?

[jawman]

I am looking to finally get a 1911. I currently own all metal DA/SA hammer guns as well as polymer striker fired, but there's something about America's handgun that makes me want to own this classic in .45 ACP.
Budget is $1000-$1200.
Requisites:
• Front grip checkering
• Front and rear slide serrations
• Rail (sorry 1911 purists)
• Would prefer to avoid Springfield Armory due to political reasons (a separate topic, let's not get into this)

So far I'm eyeing the SW1911s by Smith & Wesson. They seem to fit what I'm looking for and have good reviews. But I know there are others out there, I just don't know where to look, and what are the best options for the money based on what I want in a 1911 for my budget.

 

[Jim Watson]

Nothing wrong with a S&W 1911 mutant, a friend's is nice.
I would want one from the E or Pro series with the wide external extractor and no firing pin obstruction.
I haven't shot any of the myriad other recent 1911 clones.

 

[JTQ]

Your requirements do limit your options, but Kimber also has guns that fit

TLE/RL II https://www.kimberamerica.com/stainless-tle-rl-ii

Warrior https://www.kimberamerica.com/pistols/1911?layer&cat=379

 

[JTQ]

SIG Emperor Scorpion https://www.sigsauer.com/store/1911-emperor-scorpion-full-size.html

 

[Zaydok Allen]

I am looking to finally get a 1911. I currently own all metal DA/SA hammer guns as well as polymer striker fired, but there's something about America's handgun that makes me want to own this classic in .45 ACP.
Budget is $1000-$1200.
Requisites:
• Front grip checkering
• Front and rear slide serrations
• Rail (sorry 1911 purists)
• Would prefer to avoid Springfield Armory due to political reasons (a separate topic, let's not get into this)

So far I'm eyeing the SW1911s by Smith & Wesson. They seem to fit what I'm looking for and have good reviews. But I know there are others out there, I just don't know where to look, and what are the best options for the money based on what I want in a 1911 for my budget.

For another $400 or so you could get into a Dan Wesson, and IMO and experience they are a step above the many other entry level production 1911s.

 

[George Dickel]

I have a S&W 1911 from the Performance Center and can highly recommend it. I know it isn't true 1911 in that it has an external extractor and a few other minor differences but I like the changes. It is a solid and tight pistol that shows the extra hand work required to build it. I also had a Springfield 1911 that a gunsmith friend improved for me and it was accurate and tight also but the Smith is so much nicer. I do have to admit I like the Kimber line also.

 

[Zerodefect]

DW specialist is around $1800.


It's worth the extra cost for an American made forged and billet steel only 1911, that's well fit.

 

[JTQ]

For another $400 or so ...

DW specialist is around $1800.

For another $200 you could get a Les Baer, for another $400 more you could get an Ed Brown, for another $500 you could get a Wilson Combat.

Hey, if you don't want the rail you could get a ...

if you didn't want front strap checkering you could get a ...

if you didn't want the front cocking serrations you could get a ...

if you didn't want a 1911 you could get a ...

If only the OP would have specified what he was looking for.

 

[bannockburn]

jawman

There are some very nice 1911s out there with rails that would fit your budget. A Colt Rail Gun goes for $1200, a S&W SW1911TA E Series at $1400, along with four SIGs (Select 5 $982, Spartan II $1150, TacOps $1050, and an Emporer Scorpion). Any of these guns would make for a decent 1911 for your consideration.

 

[tarosean]

So far I'm eyeing the SW1911s by Smith & Wesson. They seem to fit what I'm looking for and have good reviews

I think that may be your only choice unless u look at the Asian isles imports.. Colt did put out a few small batches of Rail Guns with front serrations.

I.e.

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/859270639

 

[tarosean]

If only the OP would have specified what he was looking for.

Just for you, I know someone selling DW TCPs for 1425.

 

[Woolecox]

Kimber TLE II. It's my bedside table gun.

 

[JeeperCreeper]

I didn't look at the criteria vs models I'm going to suggest. Just suggesting some awesome and overlooked brands:

Fusion Firearms (from the former president of Dan Wesson)
https://fusionfirearms.com/

Bul Armory. Made in Israel, also imported by Magnum Research. Used to be the best bang for buck.
https://www.bularmory.com/

Bul looks to have to options your looking for.

Or just go Dan Wesson.

 

[9mmepiphany]

It does sound like the SW1911 E-series would fit the bill...and be well within your price range https://www.budsgunshop.com/product_info.php/products_id/71978

 

[army_eod]

To stick with the OP requirements, Kimber. I have had good luck with Kimbers.

 

[Jack B.]

A Kimber is 1911 all the way. Have one and it has been a great gun. Beats everything else I've owned including a Colt Gold Cup.

 

[Howland937]

I don't own anything really nice, but the Sig 1911s I own do seem to be of better construct than the Kimbers I have. Most are in the $1000 MSRP range but were purchased more in the $800-$850 range. None have rails, but that was my preference. The Sig Tacops had my interest a while back, but I decided to go in a different direction.

 

[jawman]

My random internet sleuthing seems to indicate that Kimbers are hit or miss. Some people love them, some people hate them and swear to never own a Kimber again. Break in periods, warranty issues, and just various issues. Whereas everything I can find on the SW1911s is that people seem to really like them. I can't find many people bashing SW1911s. I've seen a slew of posts and videos of shooters who own many 1911s and still claim their SW1911 is one of the best bangs for the buck. Also, doesn't Kimber only have a 1 year warranty, whereas S&W has their lifetime service policy warranty?
Another thing on the SW1911 is it has an external extractor. I'm not a purist so I don't mind this, but I've read that people claim it helps with reliability and S&W has executed it well.
I know it's purely anecdotal, but I'm a little hesitant on Kimbers since the sentiment seems to go either way, but the SW1911 I just keep reading more and more about how owners love them.

 

[Howland937]

Another thing on the SW1911 is it has an external extractor.

All 3 of my Sig 1911s do too.

 

[9mmepiphany]

Another thing on the SW1911 is it has an external extractor. I'm not a purist so I don't mind this, but I've read that people claim it helps with reliability and S&W has executed it well.

The external extractor is inherently more reliable than current manufactured internal extractors. It has to do with how internal extractors are manufactured as opposed to how they were designed. S&W has been using external extractors since their CF semi-auto pistols back in the 50s...they pretty much have it down

I know it's purely anecdotal, but I'm a little hesitant on Kimbers since the sentiment seems to go either way, but the SW1911 I just keep reading more and more about how owners love them.

Kimber changed the 1911 market when they first arrived and really raised the bar of consumer expectations. They have also been long time supporters of America's Olympic shooting teams. Unfortunately they had some growing pains as they became more successful and expanded production.

Some Kimbers are great, so not so much...I've always had good luck with their Warrior series. The problem is that people didn't always differentiate between models/production time frames and made blanket statements about their reliability and build quality. I'm always reluctant to recommend a Kimber to new shooters because they don't really have the knowledge base to separate design weaknesses from build weaknesses

 

[JR24]

S&W E series seems to be your fit.

I have a Kimber Warrior that is a solid gun, but knowing what I know now I should have got a Springfield TRP or S&W.

Actually, in reality I'd save and get another DW, but that's not the question.