Which 1911

buddhas · April 21, 2013, 12:43 PM

I am torn between the purchase of a Springfield TRP 1911 and a SW Performance Center 1911. I realize i may have to wait a bit to purchase the mentioned models, but that is OK at this point. It will be my first 1911.
Might an STI be a better choice ?

Does anyone in the THR family have comment,advice, experience,or an opinion on either pistol to help me in my dilemma?

WoodchuckAssassin · April 21, 2013, 01:11 PM

While I don't have experience with these two 1911's, both companies produce a very high quality product. I recommend flipping a coin, think about which 1911 you HOPE comes up, put the coin back in your pocket, and go buy a new gun. Haha!

huntershooter · April 21, 2013, 09:11 PM

I can recommend STI.
I have their 5" "Lawman" which has held up quite well, is accurate and is one of my range guns that sees use a couple times a week. The STI is a few months old and I have over 6K rds. through the gun at this time.
I have made several mods to the pistol, primarily to make it identical (in controls/safety, sights, grips, etc.) to my other range guns.
I have several Baers that are great guns that have tens of thousands of rds. downrange to date. However, the STI has been the pistol I throw in the range bag since finishing the mods/refinishing ("Melonite").

surjimmy · April 21, 2013, 10:15 PM

Have had the TRP, can't commit on the STI. Get a Les Baer.

Sauer Grapes · April 21, 2013, 10:42 PM

I don't know that there is a wrong choice. The three you mentioned are solid manufacturers.
I'm more a purist, so the external extractor would be a last resort for me most likely.

tarosean · April 22, 2013, 09:54 AM

TRP is regarded as one of the best production 1911's out there.. Florida Gun Exchage sells them well under retail. If I was forced to pay MSRP thou I would probably pick up a slightly used Baer instead.

Skylerbone · April 22, 2013, 11:49 AM

I have a question...what would you like to do with it? Are there specific aspects of these few examples that attract you or is it a price ceiling you're looking at?

I have an opinion...that while both S&W and SA are known for excellent customer service, Springfield will work tirelessly to make sure you are satisfied after the sale. They will also offer a more extensive line-up of 1911s and aftermarket sight options thanks to non-proprietary cuts. Something to mull over. If STI makes a model you find appealing, I feel they would be another great choice.

April 21, 2013, 12:43 PM	#1
buddhas Member Join Date: December 8, 2011 Posts: 27	Which 1911 I am torn between the purchase of a Springfield TRP 1911 and a SW Performance Center 1911. I realize i may have to wait a bit to purchase the mentioned models, but that is OK at this point. It will be my first 1911. Might an STI be a better choice ? Does anyone in the THR family have comment,advice, experience,or an opinion on either pistol to help me in my dilemma? Last edited by buddhas; April 21, 2013 at 08:24 PM.

April 21, 2013, 10:42 PM	#5
Sauer Grapes Member Join Date: February 19, 2009 Location: S.E. PA. Posts: 883	I don't know that there is a wrong choice. The three you mentioned are solid manufacturers. I'm more a purist, so the external extractor would be a last resort for me most likely. __________________ I have all the guns I need, just not all that I think I need.

April 21, 2013, 01:11 PM	#2
WoodchuckAssassin Member Join Date: April 5, 2012 Location: Lynchburg, VA Posts: 387	While I don't have experience with these two 1911's, both companies produce a very high quality product. I recommend flipping a coin, think about which 1911 you HOPE comes up, put the coin back in your pocket, and go buy a new gun. Haha!

April 21, 2013, 09:11 PM	#3
huntershooter Member Join Date: December 4, 2005 Posts: 781	I can recommend STI. I have their 5" "Lawman" which has held up quite well, is accurate and is one of my range guns that sees use a couple times a week. The STI is a few months old and I have over 6K rds. through the gun at this time. I have made several mods to the pistol, primarily to make it identical (in controls/safety, sights, grips, etc.) to my other range guns. I have several Baers that are great guns that have tens of thousands of rds. downrange to date. However, the STI has been the pistol I throw in the range bag since finishing the mods/refinishing ("Melonite").

April 21, 2013, 10:15 PM	#4
surjimmy Member Join Date: March 21, 2007 Posts: 962	Have had the TRP, can't commit on the STI. Get a Les Baer.

April 22, 2013, 09:54 AM	#6
tarosean Member Join Date: October 22, 2010 Location: Madisonville, TX Posts: 2,001	TRP is regarded as one of the best production 1911's out there.. Florida Gun Exchage sells them well under retail. If I was forced to pay MSRP thou I would probably pick up a slightly used Baer instead.

April 22, 2013, 11:49 AM	#7
Skylerbone Member Join Date: February 5, 2010 Posts: 2,774	I have a question...what would you like to do with it? Are there specific aspects of these few examples that attract you or is it a price ceiling you're looking at? I have an opinion...that while both S&W and SA are known for excellent customer service, Springfield will work tirelessly to make sure you are satisfied after the sale. They will also offer a more extensive line-up of 1911s and aftermarket sight options thanks to non-proprietary cuts. Something to mull over. If STI makes a model you find appealing, I feel they would be another great choice.