Looking to add a 2nd 1911 to my collection

[Center fire]

Hi Folks, I'm wanting to add a second 1911 to my collection. It will primarily be used at the range to tear-up paper and dent steel. Price range I'm looking at $800 - $1,100. I would appreciate suggestions. The 1911 I own is a Colt Gold Cup Trophy. Purchased back in 1998. Long overdue for a second.

 

[wojownik]

How are you going to use it? Carry, range, competition, just collecting ...? Lots of options - one for every whimsy and mission... that price range covers a huge number of 1911 choices...

- traditional or "loaded"?
- govt, commander or compact?
- .45, 9mm or .38?
- stainless or blued?
- and particular options or features you want (or don't)?
- any brand preferences?

I just picked up a Colt Series 70 reissue to add to a small collection of rather traditional 1911s.

My next - in couple of years - is going to be a Dan Wesson commander sized, but that's a couple of hundred over your budget (and mine for the next several years).

 

[Steve in Allentown]

The Ruger 1911s have gotten very good reviews.

 

[Center fire]

It will be for target primarily paper and steel. As such a Government model loaded would be best. Looking for basic adjustable sights. I prefer stainless, but blued or koted is fine. Chambered in the .45.

Also I live in Cali so my choices are somewhat limited.

 

[Thompsoncustom]

Dan Wesson--used

 

[critter]

Current Rugers are fantastic for the price.

 

[scramasax]

Don't know the current import list . Around here the Springfield is very popular for range use.

 

[wojownik]

Is the Ruger SR1911 California approved? The Springfield Loaded in stainless is another nice option and is approved in California .

 

[red rick]

My vote would be for another Colt .

 

[Center fire]

Is the Ruger SR1911 California approved? The Springfield Loaded in stainless is another nice option and is approved in California .

Unfortunately the SR1911 is not listed on the CA approved list. I would have liked to test one as I have several of their revolvers.

 

[Coltdriver]

Go get a Colt Lightweight Commander.

I have had full sized. I do have an Officers.

The Lightweight is fantastic. The weight is adequate and the accuracy of mine is better than me. Easy to shoot a 50 cent piece hole at 21 feet.

 

[wojownik]

^^ Well that stinks. Personally, then I would be looking at the Springfield Loaded, Colt Series 70 or the Colt XSE. The latter has been discontinued but some of the online distributors seem to have them in stock still.

 

[corruptone]

This would be on the upper end of your range, but the STI Trojan 5.0 is, by many accounts, one of the best 1911's at this price point. I own one currently and this is my second. I'd say it's obvious that I agree with many on this one. I own the Ruger SR1911, several others, and have owned/sold even more. I still believe that at the $1K price point, the STI Trojan 5.0 wins. There are MANY great 1911's in your price range however.

 

[JDR]

The Springfield Trophy Match is about $1,200.00 but it meets all of your other criteria;

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/...9140LP+1911+Trophy+Match+7+1+45ACP+5"+Package

 

[edmo01]

The one below is my latest...

It is a Sig "Emperor Scorpion" in commander size.

This one is in the carry rotation.

Edmo

 

[Center fire]

This would be on the upper end of your range, but the STI Trojan 5.0 is, by many accounts, one of the best 1911's at this price point. I own one currently and this is my second. I'd say it's obvious that I agree with many on this one. I own the Ruger SR1911, several others, and have owned/sold even more. I still believe that at the $1K price point, the STI Trojan 5.0 wins. There are MANY great 1911's in your price range however.

I would love to get an STI Trojan, but unfortunately back around 2007 STI said goodbye to California when micro stamping was imposed.

 

[Center fire]

What do you think about buying a Colt given their current predictament?

 

[red rick]

What do you think about buying a Colt given their current predictament?

That makes me want to buy a Colt more , not to save them , but for resale . Just look at what the Colt Snake guns are bring . They were making some of their best quality guns before this bankruptcy in recent times .

 

[bannockburn]

Lots of great suggestions so far. I would say a Colt Government would make for a great range gun while a Commander would give you something a bit lighter for concealed carry (if that's a possible option in California).

 

[wojownik]

What do you think about buying a Colt given their current predictament?

The current predicament pushed me over the fence to get another Colt (Series 70) that I was procrastinating about anyway. Already have a Colt Commander and WW1 repro.

If I were looking to to buy another Colt, I'd buy now (right now), while production quality is really quite high (for Colt) and prices reduced (they brought down MSRPs).

I carry a Commander and full size. Nothing against the lightweights, but I prefer the standard weight models.

 

[Center fire]

What do you think of the Colt series 70? I was looking at their 1991, but was put off by the trigger. You have piqued my interest with the series 70.

 

[nettlle]

I just ordered a Wiley Clapp Government. It's a 70 series. If I don't like the long trigger I'll put a shorter one in.

 

[red rick]

What do you think of the Colt series 70? I was looking at their 1991, but was put off by the trigger. You have piqued my interest with the series 70.

I just bought a 70 series 2 weeks ago and I really like it . But I can't really tell much , if any difference between the triggers on the two Colt's that I handled , 1991 & 70 series , both were good . The 70 series was more blue and finished looking than the 1991 . I like the flat mainspring housing better on the 1991 , but I think it is plastic .

 

[wojownik]

What do you think of the Colt series 70? I was looking at their 1991, but was put off by the trigger. You have piqued my interest with the series 70.

The 1991 or today is a much better pistol than the old roll mark 1991 I picked up 15+ years ago. Nice blue finish (brushed), the "longer" long trigger, nicely put together. But still some corner cutting - that plastic mainspring housing bugs me.

The Series 70 is even nicer. A tad nicer blue finish (polished), short trigger, arched MSH, higher sights than the original Series 70 (which is a big plus). Very tight, well fit pistol. After cleaning it up and two range sessions, the trigger breaks cleanly and crisply. And it came in the blue Colt Custom Shop box, if that's something that interests you.

Below is mine - photo's a bit washed out from the bright sun.

 

[Center fire]

^^^ thank you for your reply. It sounds exactly what I'm looking for. How did you find it shoots out of the box? While I don't mind fixed sights for a gun that will be pretty much a range gun for me, I've come to like adjustable sights. Still it's not a deal breaker and I can always buy one if i so choose.