Who made it best and why do you think so?

Interesting, high dollar guns vs. some very basic models.

I strongly suspect that Colt is likely to win most all of these types of poles, no matter the merits of any of the candidates. This, because Colt has that little horse on the slide. To many, this is apparently all that matters.....

I voted Colt for production but you left out Les Baer. Baer is every bit as good as Wilson but $1000 less. Another one I'd put near the top is Rock River Arms (mine is from the late 90's).

Both my Baer and RR are extremely accurate .45 ACP pistols. I did own a Wilson a couple of decades ago but sold it because I got stupid.

The only 1911's I have shot are my Colt Series 80 MK IV bright stainless 45acp and my Sig Ultra Compact 9mm. While the Colt has been accurate and fun to shoot, the little Sig has been flawless and even more accurate. I've put about 7000 rounds through the Colt and about 1500 through the Sig.

I picked Dan Wesson which was listed and which would have been my first pick anyway. I would have also picked STI and Rock River Arms if they were listed.

Rock185 said:

I strongly suspect that Colt is likely to win most all of these types of poles, no matter the merits of any of the candidates. This, because Colt has that little horse on the slide. To many, this is apparently all that matters.....

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Eh. I strongly suspect that it's all just subjective opinion anyway. The pony means nothing. But I also strongly suspect that experienced 1911 guys know what works and what doesn't.

Experienced 1911 guys keep round counts of the different brands. Note any failures, round counts between, and causes of them. Note which springs, extractors, mags, are most reliable. They know where to spend their money.

The best M1911s are the ones that I built myself. But I do have a vested interest in them.

I have M1911s from 5 different manufacturers and they all perform to my expectations. Only a low end Auto Ordinance GI model needed a bit of tuning and it now shoots as well and as reliably as the my other production guns.

So, the best M1911 is the one that has the features, fit, and finish that you want in my opinion.

I own a WC CQB, a Baer PII and a Colt Series 70; they are all three good in their own way. I did not vote.

tarosean said:

Odd assortment of manufactures for sure. CZ owns Dan Wesson so Im not sure why that would be on there twice. Christensen Arms is kinda from left field.

My vote would be for

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So, that's what happens when you plant .45 ACP cartridges?

I think I'll go plant a box of 50 cartridges in my backyard right now.

Ithaca.

Saw my grandfather through two wars ( where it was actually used, not just carried in a holster) and even 70+ years later, it still works perfectly.

Kind of a pointless poll when comparing guns that cost $400 to those that cost thousands

CZ only released 1000 1911s with their roll mark one them. The plastic bag they were shipped in had so much oil in it, it was like bringing a goldfish home from the pet store. Supposedly they were built by DW, but if warranty work was needed, they went back to CZ, not Wesson.

frogfurr said:

Experienced 1911 guys keep round counts of the different brands. Note any failures, round counts between, and causes of them. Note which springs, extractors, mags, are most reliable. They know where to spend their money.

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I've never had a broken part on my non-Colt 1911 pistols. I've had several broken parts on my Colt pistols.

Take from that what you will.

Colt. Everything else is a copy. Mind you, 1911's aren't the same thing as a 191A1. And Colt doesn't make a 1911.

vba said:

I voted Colt for production but you left out Les Baer. Baer is every bit as good as Wilson but $1000 less.

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Well, as a very biased person on this subject, I would vote for Les Baer as the best 1911s. LOL Les' guns have always been considerably cheaper in price than his competitors, while delivering equal performance.

But it is unfair to compare $400+ production guns to outright custom pieces that cost five times as much. There should be a "standard production" class and a "semi-custom and Custom " class. Perhaps an under $750 class, $750-1500 class and an over 1500 full custom class.

[attempt at humor] Since a WWII M1911A1 Singer sold at auction for $25,000.00 obviously the Singer Manufacturing Co. version must be the best 1911 ever. [/]

Seriously tho', the best I have owned and shot was a Colt Gold Cup; kinda wish I kept it; it went back to my son. The guy at the club who has a Norinco likes his.

I have never had a broken part on guns that I don't shoot much. Those that have tens of thousands of rounds shot through them have had to have some parts replaced.

Take from that what you will.

In quality value for the money the prize goes to Dan Wesson. I own a Colt.

theboyscout said:

Who made the 1911 model best and why?

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GunCrafters Industries Huntsville, AR USA.

I'll second paulsj. Short of a full-custom built from scratch by one of the very few master smiths, Guncrafter is probably turning out the most well-finished, and quality-checked 1911s available on the market.

They only build a few hundred pieces per year, and each and every one of them is checked by the owner, Alex Zimmermann. One of the little secrets of the high-end 1911 world... Guncrafter pistols are understated, but absolutely top quality - just as the company is.

paulsj

Thanks for the info; never heard of Guncrafters Industries until now. Very nice 1911, especially like the No Name, CCO.

Norinco

Edit: I forgot to say why. The gun shoots anything I put into it (lead SWC, ball, hollow points) and it never jams (so far). It's also one of my more accurate self defense guns. I can take it apart without a bushing wrench, and the rail road track steel instills a feeling of strength. I wouldn't trade it for any other 1911 shooter.

And another vote for Norinco...

Mine's not the prettiest, but it's accurate enough to make me look halfway competent, and after thousands of rounds has never had an FTF or FTE, even with cheap gun show magazines. What more could I ask?

I'm very surprised that people would say Colt, with the number of MIM parts. As someone who has had an MIM part break while shooting I'll never trust them.