First 1911... torn

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matai

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So I want to get my first 1911, don't know why its taken me so long, maybe just savoring it.

I'm just not sure which one to get, I'm torn between a sexy Kimber Custom TLE II and a cheaper RIA, Citadel or something like that.

I'll mainly be using it just for shooting at the pit, target practice and such with a .22lr kit. Also I love tinkering and upgrading my guns so thats a plus for me getting a cheaper one, just not sure what to upgrade on a RIA to enhance it without ruining the classy WW2 look.

Also, everybody seems to be dumping on Kimber, although with the Custom TLE II, all the reviews seem to be great.

What do you experts think?
 
I second the vote for colt, you can get a nice colt that is right in between the price of the kimber and the ria and leave you enough to pick up a 22 conversion kit.
 
I will just about always vote Colt!


Lots of options, but Colt is still the orginal and make very fine 1911's. And yes, get the .22 conversion unit as well. Cheap fun.
 
Coming from my own experience, its hard to know what you want in a 1911 until you own and shoot one alot.

I dont have a Kimber because I don't think they are a good deal for what you get. Those TLE's are almost $1000 now. I wont bash Kimber because they are pretty good guns but I think it is usually agreed that STI makes a better gun for the same price.

That being said, buying a Colt and then upgrading it how YOU want is awesome and will leave you with a gun that you will never sell. Either buy the STI already done up how you think you want it or get a Colt for $700-750 at a gun show and shoot the tar out of it until you really know what options are important to you.
 
It's worth noting that a Colt will hold it's resale value much better then a Kimber or other clone.

rc
 
I carry a Les Baer and wanted a 1911 to take to the woods and not have to worry about scratches and such. Bought a Rock Island Tactical on some advice from some members of a 1911 site. In a word WOW!!! 15 yards 8 shots one ragged hole. Buy the RI Tactical before they know what they have and go up in price. You will have to get different mags, didn't get through 8 rounds before a ftf.
 
Colt, Colt, or Colt. Buy one you like and keep it.:D

If just for plinking and a truck gun, a RIA will be just fine.
 
i have shot many models of the RIA and they were reliable and accurate, however i do understand that there are some issues with them. however i have never had one issue with the many that i have shot.

on that note i have shot many many different models, calibers, sizes of the kimbers and i have never had an issue with any of them. they have all been reliable, accurate, and shot great overall. of the ones i have shot, i have ran several of them very hard with no issues, the warrior, the tle 2 the pro tle, and the pro covert (by ran i mean thousands of rds through them exceeding the amount of rds an average 1911 would get put through it while being owned by the average gun owner and then some.)

if you have the money i say get a kimber of your 2 choices.
 
Les Baer, Dan Wesson, or Colt. Anything else, and you'll end up eventually getting one of these anyhow. Personally, the Kimbers are too fancy and finicky for my taste.
 
I must admit, I'm a Dan Wesson Zealot. You basically get a custom gun for the price of a Kimber although I'm seriously considering an STI for my next 1911.
 
My Kimber's working well for me. Shoots extremely well for what I paid for it, which was a ton less than any Colt offering. That, and every Colt I've ever handled has felt like it was put together by monkeys, in the dark, underwater--very very sloppy and unimpressive for the price. I, and many other people familiar with the 1911 platform, have been pleasantly surprised or pleased with my Kimber's performance.

scaled.php

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matai said:
Lots of good info!

Do you guys think that the STI Spartan is the best of the sub $600ish 1911's?
Click to expand...

In my opinion its worth the extra $100 over the RIA if thats what your asking. But if you play that game too much you will eventually end up with a custom!!
 
My first and only 1911 is a standard S&W 1911. I was torn among all the different models. The S&W was quietly beautiful and after putting nearly 1000 rounds through it have determined that i could not have purchased a better 1911 for under 900.00. It's a honey.
And - WalMart ammo will help you shoot more, longer!
 
I have only 5 1911's, 2 Colts, 2 Dan Wesson's and a Kimber Team Match II. I like all of them, but the Kimber is slightly more accurate than the other match grade 1911 I own. It's nice to know that if I miss I can only blame myself, not the gun. That makes me a better shooter in the long run.
 
I, like you, have been shopping for a 1911 for almost two years now, renting a few, shooting friend's 1911's, and trying to make up my mind.
The Kimbers are sharp, but I feel like they are a little overpriced. I think perhaps the Dan Wesson's give you more for your cash---although they are still expensive.
Right now, I'm waiting for the right old Colt to come along.
 
Is half the reason you're buying a 1911 to tinker with it? A lot of guys on here may be appalled at what I'm about to suggest but you may want to look into an AMT Hardballer. They had some very odd quality control, I'm talking top of the line 1911's even to this day in one pistol, then in the next an expensive paper weight. Now I suggest this for two reasons 1) if you get a good one it'll probably be top notch and you can screw with it however you like 2) if you get a lemon well then there's your project and you'll have a grand ol' time tinkering to your hearts content. All of that for a pretty reasonable price.
 
Matai
If you want to just keep it stock, get a Colt and a pile of ammo. I guess it's possible to wear one out. I have been trying to for years, and haven’t been able to, yet.
If you want to customize and play with it, get a Springfield Mill Spec model and have at it.
Just my two cents
Steve
 
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