Best 1911 under $1500

I suggest looking at the Kimber stainless Target II Custom. For the money, I think it's a fine gun. While I have a Baer, Brown, and Wilson, I still enjoy shooting the Kimber. Accuracy and trigger has always been good.

+1 on the Kimber Stainless Target models.. Friend of mine has both 9mm and 45 Kimber target models which are great shooters.

That said, I used to own this Colt Gold Cup Trophy model which was a "series 80" meaning it had a firing pin block safety.

The Gold Cups have adjustable rear sights, target style wide trigger, and a nice wrap around grip.

This was $975 new, but I'm sure the price went up with everything going on lately and then there's the availability problem on top of that.



A great shooter for the purposes you'd be using it for. Springfield Trophy Match, Sig Sauer Target, Kimber Team Match, and etc... all great target 1911s.

If you want to put a ton of rounds down range, don't go with stainless as it can gall if not properly maintained. Otherwise your good to go.

True. Actually, my gold cup went back for corrosion issues. Got my money back, and bought a blued finish..lol

TRP.

Gotta say I love my Colt Government XSE in stainless. It comes in well under $1500 (mine was $1059 in 2012), so that leaves you some money for ammo and accessories.

Mine is surprisingly well-fitted. Colt's have a reputation for being rattly, but I have to say that their recent heavy investment in new CNC equipment (along with a greater reliance on hand-fitting compared to other mass-produced guns) much be paying off. My Colt has ZERO slide-to frame movement and she has been 100% reliable.

Sig Sauer

+1 ^^^^^

I've been more impressed by the S&W 1911's than any others in that price range.

Springfield loaded, STI, Sigarms.

Don't forget steel guns can be hard chromed for $250-300.

Can't go wrong with a pony (below, Series 70 repro in stainless, about 1K these days, with a LW Commander XSE, somewhat over 1K now) ... although for about 1300 or so, a Springfield Armory TRP is an excellent full-size 1911).

don't go with stainless as it can gall if not properly maintained.

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Uh, say what? I've have never seen that, but I've only been around firearms for forty years or so. But, really, for the sake of civilized discussion, let's assume that most of us know how to properly maintain our firearms.

As I can tell from your signature you are partial to S&W, I do t see why you can't go with a Smith E series. I love mine, the light weight frame is great for carry but as far as range gun or for comp I prefer my Remington as the added weight helps with recoil. If you ever decided to buy a 460 kit the lighter frame may not support it. Just a thought. Not to mention the smith E series is nice to look at, and will keep you under the 1500$ mark.

Wow, look at old dogs pics. And buy a colt gold cup.

Sig tac ops traditional
Dan wesson
SA trp or MC operator



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Regarding series and safeties.

Series 70 from Colt is the traditional, no extra safeties. Series 70 and series 80 are Colt trademarks I beleive.

Series 80 adds two levers that cam a firing pin block plunger up (disengaged) when the trigger is pulled. This plunger prevents the firing pin from moving forward and making contact with a primer if the pistol is dropped muzzle down. The firing pin already has a spring forcing it to the rear, so I'm not sure it's necessary. Lawyers might have designed the extra safety.

All of my Springfields, STIs and Les Baer are free of series 80 (like) parts.

None of my competition 1911/2011 have series 80 (like) parts.

My Sig RCS has the series 80 (like) parts. I can feel the extra safety in the trigger pull.

Kimbers come both ways, they also have a pin instead of a tang for securing the ambi side of a thumb safety. Generally I'm not a fan of Kimbers for several reasons, but those reasons don't apply to all of their models.

If you buy a 1911 with the extra safeties you can remove them and add a part to fill the resulting gap. You can also buy kits that minimize the affect on the trigger pull.

I would only remove the series 80 (like) parts on a competition pistol.

At that price point, Dan Wesson easily.

All the other guns mentioned so far are good at the $1000 price point, but for $500 more, the Dan Wesson blows them all away.

+1 Dan Wesson...
Overview/unboxing/quick shoot if interested

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1cl9pZulaIM

Some in action
http://youtu.be/ylAbq2ieCfs?t=48s
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ryzZpa6LMYQ

I would have said DW but is slightly over 1500$

The heritage isn't... I paid $1100 OTD new.

Another vote for the Dan Wesson lineup (what there is still under $1500). I will also note that the one time I had to use their customer support they were phenomenal.

Same here.

Check out Smith and Wesson.
Really nice stuff.

el Godfather said:

Sig Sauer

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+2 Under $1k lots of bang for buck...I have a Baer, Wilson,Kimber Super Match, SA Pro....and I am very impressed and happy with my stainless Sig 1911