ok 1911 gurus, this question's for you

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21Bravo

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Every time I get the urge to buy my 1st 1911, I stumble across the same problem: it's got THIS but it doesn't have THAT. :fire: I just want a 1911a2 which has all the cool tactical features, stock, for under a grand:

double stack
night sights
tac rail
front strap stippling
some sort of 2 tone (black & OD, FDE, etc)
upgraded hammer & trigger

Now mind you, I keep settling on a 1911 that doesn't have one of those features (almost got a Para, RIA, Taurus, SA) then right before I accept it, I say "NO, GO START A THREAD ON ALL THOSE FORUMS YOU'RE LURKING ON!!!! Instead of reading all the time, try actually POSTING."
I've looked on & off for about a year at all the usual suspects and gentlemen, I need you to say "What about the ________? How could you miss it?" because I feel like somehow I've overlooked one. Thanks everybody!:)
 
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I can't see a "first" 1911 being a double stack but, you want a double stack 1911? Then do it up right. STI.

Yeah, you'll spend a fair bit more than a grand, but you'll get a double stack 1911 that will do the job reliably, no B.S., no custom work required, high grade from the get-go.

Pick your caliber. Mine's an Edge in .40 because I wanted capacity and uber-luxurious shooting. Shooting .40 from an Edge feels like you're shooting a 9. Sweet. If you haven't shot one of these yet, you're in for a real treat.

Edge_1284.jpg
 
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Under a grand?
Not gonna happen.

Para 14-45 Light Rail is under a grand stock, but to get everything you want installed would put you over.
 
OK, I'll check it out and see if I can finagle one used or online somewhere. Thanks!


Actually I have looked at that one. Thought it sounded familiar. I have the 14-45 Black ops bookmarked but it's about $300 more than what I'd like to spend.
 
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Um.......no, no thank you. I knew there would be somebody who would completely disregard the price, just didn't think it would be literally over 100% higher.

Guy walks into a car dealership: "Hey sir, I'm looking for a Honda, Nissan or Toyota that has power everything, is great on gas and-"
Car dealer: "Stop right there buddy, check THIS out!"
Guy: :what:"That's a Ferrari......................So anyways, about my AFFORDABLE car, not my dream car."
Car dealer: "Hey it can be affordable if you eat ramen noodles for 20 years!"

Anyhoo, I'm happy for you that you own a gun that I would never dream of purchasing on a soldier/security officer/student income. However, it would be great if you can kindly never bring it up again in this thread.
 
No problem. I only mentioned it because sometimes folks unexpectedly realize that they can find a way to spend more than they were originally considering. And in such cases, it's nice to at least consider some of the possible options. Life can bring unexpected surprises where we find ourselves seeing perspectives quite differently tomorrow than we did yesterday. It may surprise you, but I've seen countless folks buy a 1911 for 1k thinking that they're set... then sink another 300, 400, 500, 600 into it tweaking or modifying this and that. And the gun would never bring back what they put into it. In many of those cases, the buyers would have been much better off spending the money on the original purchase price and wind up with a better gun in the end which would retain the value of what they put into it. Double stack 1911's are uncommon beasts and many of them are probably not worth sinking money into. If you really want a quality double stack 1911 that will be reliable and retain value... you are likely to have to spend a fair bit more than 1k.

In truth, I'd steer you toward a single stack if you want to experience a true 1911. And you can do that for 1k or less.

Thanks for your service; I'd be honored to meet you.
 
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Why do you want stippling on the front of the trigger guard? Worthless "feature," IMO.

You don't actually grasp it with your support hand, do you? I thought that was an understood no-no.
 
I appreciate your advise and compliment but I simply can't be happy with a single-digit capacity out of ANY firearm, even John Browning's 1911. Everything I like is hi-cap and "tactical". But let's say......Colt, for example, made one. I'd buy it! I'm not one of these guys who's close-minded to any brand or style, so long as it's got good reviews and all. I think it's foolish and ignorant to think that way but that's just me. *COUGH! *HK OWNERS* COUGH!!!* COUGH!! * sorry I had something in my throat. :rolleyes:

The original reason for stating that it needs to be under $1000 is because, like many "toys", I may bend on the price a lil should I be truly impressed. If somebody points one out that's close but doesn't have the upgraded trigger and hammer, for example, I can live with that and get them myself later since they're not really THAT much extra if I do some research and hunting online.

Now if I said that I would pay up to $2000 then yes, I'd basically be able to build a gun from any one of a few reputable sites out there. I've seen quite a few 1911s that are in my opinion the proverbial Ferrari's that I used in my analogy. Very nice, but not for me.
 
Bobson said:
Why do you want stippling on the front of the trigger guard? Worthless "feature," IMO.

You don't actually grasp it with your support hand, do you? I thought that was an understood no-no.
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Typically I've seen the stippling come on both. It's not like I grip it there, no. I thought gun makers did this for aesthetics because when you look at it from the front you see the trigger guard and front strap.
 
I totally understand your desire for more than single-digit capacity in a defense gun!

Though I have a really cool Springfield 1911 double stack .45, my "go-to" double stack .45 preference for serious duty is either of these...
stone reliable, surgically accurate, durable, affordable.

No, they won't scratch your 1911 itch, but they sure do scratch the double stack .45 itch.

45ACPDefenseTeam.jpg
 
Don't get me wrong, my G19 is great and I love her, but should I (who am I kidding, WHEN I) end up getting another polymer, a whooooooole new thread will be posted but it probably won't be a Glock. That's actually a much easier choice since it's been discussed more than Tim Tebow in all the forums I'm on. Let's keep this thread on topic otherwise you know what's gonna happen.:cuss::cuss::cuss::cuss::cuss::cuss::cuss::cuss: It's bad enough that you threw up a non-1911 pic......BUT THE DREDDED BLOCK! DUN DUN DUNNNNNNNNNN LMAO
 
Your requirements are a tough fill for a 1911. Double stacks are not common, rails didn't really appear on them until about 5 years ago, OD green and flat dark earth are not common colors for 1911's, and practically nobody stipples a 1911 front strap.

You used a car analogy earlier. It's as if you are asking for a Honda with a V8, four wheel drive, chrome bumpers, 20 inch tires, and a convertible for less than $25,000. There probably has been, at some time, a Honda with each of those features, but not all at once on the same car, and not for that price.

If you want polymer, the Bul M-5 may come close. Kimber used to import them, and I thought Magnum Research was carrying them, but I couldn't find them on their site. You may be able find out who does have them through Bul.

http://bultransmark.net/BULM5Government.htm
 
21Bravo, I was in similar dilemma and also "tactically" oriented. After some thought and market search, I realized that a "no compromise" and "reasonable/affordable" solution was to purchase 2 pistols:

Sig 1911 Railed TacPac $850: Stainless frame/slide with match barrel/trigger, black Nitron finish, checkered front strap, compact laser, etc.
S&W M&P45 $535: Stainless slide/barrel, black Melonite hardened slide/barrel, double-stack coated stainless magazine, adjustable back strap, 4 lb trigger job, etc.

attachment.php
 

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If you want polymer, the Bul M-5 may come close.
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No light rail. I purchased the Wilson light rail for the KZ45 many years ago, but it took so much work to try to make it fit that I lost interest. If I did complete it, I would have had to rely on hope for holster options (that's where I order a holster, and hope it worked).

Mine was my first "new" pistol. And while I still own and shoot it, the appeal of the double-stack magazine quickly wore off. The other seven 1911s I've owned are single stack, along with the one's I've considered purchasing.

A widebody 1911 with a light rail would be great for a duty pistol. However, I'm not in uniform, and concealment is more important than capacity.

As for what you want in a 1911, it will change with ownership and use.
 
I disagree. That's like saying the L31 Vortec isn't a first generation small Chevy.

Anyone who can tear down and reassemble a 265 from 1955 can do the same to an L31. And anyone familiar with the 1911 can do the same with a single-action widebody.
 
JTQ said:
Your requirements are a tough fill for a 1911. Double stacks are not common, rails didn't really appear on them until about 5 years ago, OD green and flat dark earth are not common colors for 1911's, and practically nobody stipples a 1911 front strap.

You used a car analogy earlier. It's as if you are asking for a Honda with a V8, four wheel drive, chrome bumpers, 20 inch tires, and a convertible for less than $25,000. There probably has been, at some time, a Honda with each of those features, but not all at once on the same car, and not for that price.

If you want polymer, the Bul M-5 may come close. Kimber used to import them, and I thought Magnum Research was carrying them, but I couldn't find them on their site. You may be able find out who does have them through Bul.

http://bultransmark.net/BULM5Government.htm
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Understood, thanks for your feedback. Since the 1911 design has been adapted and tinkered with so many times, I figured somebody would have made a decked out line with relatively simple mods. Back to the analogy, the Honda you speak of is called a civic and fits all that criteria simultaneously right from the dealership.
 
bds said:
21Bravo, I was in similar dilemma and also "tactically" oriented. After some thought and market search, I realized that a "no compromise" and "reasonable/affordable" solution was to purchase 2 pistols:

Sig 1911 Railed TacPac $850: Stainless frame/slide with match barrel/trigger, black Nitron finish, checkered front strap, compact laser, etc.
S&W M&P45 $535: Stainless slide/barrel, black Melonite hardened slide/barrel, double-stack coated stainless magazine, adjustable back strap, 4 lb trigger job, etc.

attachment.php
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That's a $1400 total and when the time comes, I'll give the M&P a hard look. Always liked it, BUT I'm really not in the market for both those guns; it's really an either or situation. As far as the Sig goes, it's not a double stack!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
jimbo555 said:
Rock island has a double stack 1911 for about 450.00,which leaves some room for improvements.
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Yes it does. Like I said, I've look at RIA already and it doesn't come like that stock. As far as I know, you would have to add EVERYTHING on which then negates the stipulation that I'd like to buy one stock. Which is exactly why I started this thread: so I can avoid doing that if possible. Think about it. I said I considered RIA, Para, SA& Taurus among others so that must include the one you're talking about which yes, is a double stack with none of the above.
 
Zach S said:
No light rail. I purchased the Wilson light rail for the KZ45 many years ago, but it took so much work to try to make it fit that I lost interest. If I did complete it, I would have had to rely on hope for holster options (that's where I order a holster, and hope it worked).

Mine was my first "new" pistol. And while I still own and shoot it, the appeal of the double-stack magazine quickly wore off. The other seven 1911s I've owned are single stack, along with the one's I've considered purchasing.

A widebody 1911 with a light rail would be great for a duty pistol. However, I'm not in uniform, and concealment is more important than capacity.

As for what you want in a 1911, it will change with ownership and use.
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Thanks for your feedback sir. The gun would be for home defense and range fun.
 
TwoWheelFiend said:
IMO with most those "features" it is no longer a 1911.
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Well in my opinion, you're wrong, since a 1911 is simply a design. No different than saying "Well you can't call it an AK any more since you put a foregrip, folding stock and 100 rounds drum on it." While I can understand where you're coming from, I gotta say I find it to be as close-minded as possible about the firearm at hand. Just because NFL players now a days wear fancy gloves, cleats and uniforms, it doesn't mean they're not playing football since Jim Thorpe used to wear a leather "helmet" and no pads.
Things that have been around a long time and have been popularized get upgraded due to that popularity along with innovation. Doesn't detract from the thing in question, except to the few who refuse to grow along with the times.
 
Zach S said:
I disagree. That's like saying the L31 Vortec isn't a first generation small Chevy.

Anyone who can tear down and reassemble a 265 from 1955 can do the same to an L31. And anyone familiar with the 1911 can do the same with a single-action widebody.
Click to expand...
Which negates the point: to buy one from the factory and not having to do that. Some of us can take things apart and put them together, but happen to work a full time and a part time job along with going to college full time and don't have the time or equipment to make all those adjustments. Make sense?
 
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