Torn between 1911's

[giggitygiggity]

I am looking to buy a 1911. Kimbers are nice looking pistols, but I've heard a number of complaints about quality control. Colts seem to hold their value and have a good reputation. I'm looking at the Colt Combat Elite and the Colt XSE models. Out of these two models, which one is better?

What 1911 is best? Things that I am interested in include reliability, accuracy, fit/finish. I am open to suggestions and insight.

I don't have a budget, but I honestly cannot believe that what makes one pistol worth $3000 and another worth $1000 is worth the extra 2 grand. Please correct me if that extra money is well spent, but I can't imagine how it could be.

With that being said, I'd like my 1911 to be $1200 or less. However, if I need to spend more for a high-quality pistol, I will do so. Thanks.

 

[smalls]

Honestly with just a few more bucks you're in Dan Wesson territory, and IMO, you're better off than a Colt.

 

[Frankl03]

Kimbers are nice Guns and if you have problems they will take care of you. You get good features for the money.

I had a Kimber Tactical custom II which was a great gun. No problems at all. Sold it to fund another project.

I have a Springfield Loaded which I like allot! Great customer service!

 

[MachIVshooter]

Between Kimber and Colt, it would come down to what I was looking for. I have a Mk IV stainless .45 and a Kimber Stainless Target II 10mm. I like them both.

If you're after a more classic 1911, the Colt owns it. But, IMO, if you want something more contemporary, I'd go with Kimber.

 

[Steve CT]

Everyone's "Best" 1911 is going to be a pretty big playing field. With $1200 to work with, I'd find the Dan Wesson model that fit my needs.

 

[tekarra]

With the price you stated, I would look at a Dan Wesson.

 

[Mr.Revolverguy]

Guys Dan Wesson has raised the price in my area there isn't a Dan Wesson for less than $1600.

 

[mesinge2]

I have a Colt Combat Elite and a Kimber TLE II and while I like my Kimber; if I had to choose just one of them I'd pick the Colt.

 

[allaroundhunter]

I would take either a Colt XSE or a Dan Wesson if I was near that price range (preference would be for Dan Wesson).

 

[orionengnr]

For $1200 I would look at used DWs and (if you get lucky) a used Les Baer.

 

[BYJO4]

Colt and Kimber are both good. If I were to spend more, I would look for a good used Baer (assuming I did not want to spend the money for a new one).

 

[giggitygiggity]

What makes Dan Wessons better than other 1911's?

 

[wyocarp]

Dan Wessons are made to very tight tolerances and yet function very nicely. You won't buy a new one for $1200. The colts aren't as tight yet they fumction and shoot nicely. Kimber makes some pretty firarms but I don't agree with an earlier post that Kimber takes care of their customers well. Colt isn't much better but Colts are nice handguns and it will always be a Colt.

 

[TonyAngel]

If I was in the market for a new 1911, I'd take a look at the STI offering as well.

 

[cyclopsshooter]

Colt XSE, Combat Elite, or Dan Wesson

 

[MachIVshooter]

Dan Wessons are made to very tight tolerances and yet function very nicely

They were also $700 guns until CZ took over. The guns haven't changed, just the price. Some companies charge more because their products are worth more. And some companies charge more because it creates the illusion that their products are worth more *cough*HK*cough*

When I bought my Stainless Target II, I considered the Razorback 10mm that was $100 less than the on-sale Kimber. The Kimber is a nicer gun, IMO.

 

[Fremmer]

How about buying a nice older colt, maybe something from the 60s or70s?

 

[Steve CT]

There was a time that DW 1911's were very undervalued in the 1911 market, things have swung to the point where a fair number of sellers overvalue them. GunBroker has several very nice DW 1911's right now at $1200 +/- a few $$$. There are many good quality 1911's out there, in the $1200 (and slightly higher) range, it's hard to beat a DW.

 

[HisSoldier]

Honestly with just a few more bucks you're in Dan Wesson territory, and IMO, you're better off than a Colt.

You will not be unhappy after buying a DW. I got rid of my Mimber after buying my first DW, there is no comparison.

 

[cyclopsshooter]

Mimber

That gave me a chuckle. Never seen that before... how long has it been in the colloquial?

 

[Snowdog]

I have a (1st series) Kimber Classic Custom and a Twin Pines (RIA). One cost me $800 and the other less than $300, both new-in-box. Both work great though the RIA does feed SWC slightly better. The Kimber is a tad more accurate, possibly due to the amazing trigger.

Personally, I would never spend over a grand on a 1911 but that's just me. I won't spend a over a grand on any firearm and I'm perfectly content.

If you don't have a budget, then your options are nearly limitless. I would probably look for a gently used Series 70 Colt if I were in the market for a 3rd 1911.

 

[RH45]

With a 1,200 budget, if I couldn't find a nice, used Les Baer, I'd buy an STI Trojan.

 

[atomd]

With Kimber and Colt you get stupid stuff like a plastic mainspring housing. I know the part isn't a high stress wear and tear part but cmon...it's a 1911. That's like putting hub caps on a Bugatti. You also get unnecessary safeties (depending on which series). The fitting isn't as nice as a DW either for the kind of money they are asking for them.

The DW uses a lot of Ed Brown parts and none of them are MIM. I know that whole thing is a big debate but let's face it...MIM is cheaper...and so is plastic. If you are using a process/part only to save money in that area, what other areas are you using a cheaper part/process in? The whole idea just seems "cheap" to me on a gun costing over $1000. The factory seconds coming from DW have less cosmetic flaws in them than some of the Colts and Kimbers I see new on the shelf. If you are releasing guns with cosmetic flaws in them, what other flaws are you letting get by also?

My first pick would be a lightly used Baer or Brown..depending on what you like for features (hard to find used though). Second would be DW.

 

[Quoheleth]

If it were me with a $1200 budget, I would get a Springer Loaded and a couple cases of ammo for range time. Currently I own and frequently carry a Springer Mil-Spec.

But, to the OP's choices, Colt.

Q

 

[stevekozak]

Get a Ruger ST1911, and buy a bunch of ammo with the price difference!! 1911's are no fun if you can't feed them!! (or any other gun for that matter).