Okay: so in 2011 I'm going to buy a good 1911. Which one?

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1KPerDay

1KPerDay

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I figure it's as good a reason as any. I'm going to start saving now. My requirements are:

1. blued or black frame and slide, full size.
2. no forward serrations.
3. .45 ACP
4. Reliable.
5. Accurate.
6. no sharp "step" on top of slide. Either smooth/round or milled/serrated.

I like Colt just because of the name and the history, and it seems a Colt 1911 should be a Colt. :D
 
I imagine in 2011 there will be a plethora of special 100 year editions. Seems a commemorative to commemorate your purchase would be appropriate. never mind the too collectible to shoot crowd. I'm sure someone will be making a commemorative firearm that would suit your requirements.
 
If you really want one, why not go with your instisncts and get yourself a COlt? It's the real deal and doggone tough to top, IMO. That's not to knock the knock-offs of this model; a great many of them are quite good. But nothing bets the real thing. Put another way, which one would you like to see in your hands 50 years from now?
 
Or, how about a 2011 in 2011:

Here's one that meets your 6 requirements

Tactical4Web_280w.jpg
 
My Series 80 Colt was a lot of bargain and quality for the price. It's not a $2,000 hot rod but it's accurate, smooth, comfortable and dependably. I've been overly happy with it.
 
Some months ago--six, perhaps--Gun Test Magazine reviewed four of the nominal $2500.00 1911s. Look up that article; it ought to be online by now, I would think.

FWIW, like Walkalong, I would look awfully hard at Ed Brown's product.

Jim H.
 
Just remember - while Colt manufactured the original 1911, John Browning designed the 1911. Other than the name, Colt doesn't offer nearly as much in a 1911 as a number of other manufacturers, and quite frankly while there are diehard Colt fans many 1911 shooters consider them to be somewhat of a low-end gun.

My personal recommendation would be an Ed Brown Special Forces..............not surprisingly my carry gun is an Ed Brown Special Forces. I guess I am a little biased in my opinion, but I have over 7k rounds through it without a malfunction. Good enough for me.
 
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"NO Front Slide Serrations"- this is a tough one, and will be hard too find~! :eek:

Getting past that, I prefer the tightness of the Baer's; and personally
chose The Thunder Ranch Special 1911. It comes standard with the
Trijicon night sights, excellent trigger pull; and tight as Dicks Hat Band.
After a 200 round break-in period, these things are known for their
reliability; as well as their superb accuracy~! ;) :D
 
"NO Front Slide Serrations"- this is a tough one, and will be hard too find~!
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Nighthawk offers it as an option. You can even request no markings on the slide.
 
jfh said:
Some months ago--six, perhaps--Gun Test Magazine reviewed four of the nominal $2500.00 1911s. Look up that article; it ought to be online by now, I would think.

FWIW, like Walkalong, I would look awfully hard at Ed Brown's product.

Jim H.
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Here's the bottom line on that, from a follow up article in the May '09 issue:

From http://www.gun-tests.com/issues/21_5/

In the April 2009 issue, our test team shot and evaluated three high-end custom full-size 1911s: the Combat Custom, $2895, from Luke Volkmann of Volkmann Custom Inc.; Wilson’s CQB, $2550, and Les Baer’s Premier II Super-Tac, $2280. Attempting to pick the best one was anything but easy. They were all excellent. But we graded the Wilson CQB as the best of that trio.
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I like the Wilson CQB also. If mom ever lets me spend that much at once, I will probably get a Wilson.

As far as the 4th pistol in that May article, here's what they had to say:

At the same time we also shot and evaluated a fourth product, but held back the test data for this special report because the gun was massively more expensive and harder to get than the other three. This follow-up will cover a Michiguns 45 Commander Custom, about $5000, available from Ned Christiansen. If you want a gun from Michiguns, be prepared to wait five or six years. Christiansen’s innovative touches and incredible machining skills (he’s a one-man shop) have vaulted him to the top echelon of gunsmiths, with a resultant huge backlog. As before, we tested with four types of ammunition, Black Hills’ hardball, Federal 185-grain Hi-Shok JHP, Cor-Bon 230-grain JHP, and with cast-lead, 230-grain round-nose Ultramax. We tested during a severe winter in Idaho, and thus had trouble achieving the guns’ full accuracy potential. With the Federal 185-grain JHPs, the Commander bested the CQB slightly, with an average group size of 1.5 inches to 1.6 inches. The margin was a little wider with the Cor-Bon 230-grain JHPs, with the Commander shooting average group sizes of 1.4 inches compared to the CQB’s 2.0-inch average.
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However, as with anything anyone says or writes anywhere these days, I also found THIS on the same GOOGLE search:

From:http://www.firearmstactical.com/briefs4.htm

GUN TESTS Magazine Unqualified to Evaluate Personal Defense Ammunition
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Someone will come out with a "100 Years" special edition that will have all the bells and whistles. Save and wait.
 
Thanks guys... lots to think about. I've been ogling the ed browns for a while.
I should add that I don't like squared-off trigger guards on 1911s either.
 
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