I Want a New 1911

My opinion: Springfield. Best value for money

My favorite 1911's: RIA for the best "cheap" 1911. Ruger and Springfield for "middle class" models, I think they are best for what you pay for: reliable, pretty, and from a good company. If you're going to pay more, get the Colt. SIGs are also nice. But I do not feel they are worth the extra money. I think Kimbers are pretty and sell based on their name, but I think they are jam-o-matics... you can search them on this forum and others for more opinions on that.

I voted Colt, but I wouldn't choose a Series 70. The XSE line would be my pick from Colt. Swap out the ambi safety for a normal one-side-only model and you're good to go for carry. It'll run you around $1100 - a superb choice for the price.

I think Kimbers are pretty and sell based on their name, but I think they are jam-o-matics...

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How many have you owned? My three never had a problem... Oh the sights did go dead on a CDP I bought used and Kimber replaced them for free.

Valkman said:

How many have you owned? My three never had a problem... Oh the sights did go dead on a CDP I bought used and Kimber replaced them for free.

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I don't have to have herpes to voice my opinion on not wanting it... I feel I am educated enough from literature and other's experiences to make a solid case against it.

I have never personally owned a Kimber. I have shot them, and know of a few people who (about 3, if I recall) that have sworn off 1911's because theirs were finicky. I have talked to many people in the firearm community to get the general consensus that I would spend my money elsewhere. Having said that, a good family friend of mine loves his Kimber. Hence, the italisized keyword "opinions" in my post

EDIT: I don't want that to sound harsh/mean, I just don't like the "you must have owned every gun multiple times to speak in my presence" argument you hear on every forum.... remember, this is an open intenet, not a medical journal.

I prefer traditional style 1911's just how JMB designed it. So here are my suggestions.

Bottom of your budget at about $1,1xx: Colt Series 70, Dan Wesson Heritage

Higher end of your budget at about $1,5xx: Dan Wesson Valor

Valkman said:

How many have you owned? My three never had a problem... Oh the sights did go dead on a CDP I bought used and Kimber replaced them for free.

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Kimber makes a fine 1911. I would not hesitate to get another.

I voted Colt Series 70. I just bought one in fact. It has been 99% so far, about 500 various rounds through it. The 1% was due to an old worn out mag I had laying around, and would have been a problem in any gun. Beautifully made. I don't care for the Series 80 safety, but I think the actual trigger pull "problem" is a bit overblown. I just don't see the point to having the extra parts, especially if you make sure to keep a good FP spring.
I also own two Springfields that are good solid guns. A MilSpec and a Loaded. Both get some carry time. Neither is as nice as my Colt.
I have never owned a Kimber, but I know lots of people who have. Most Kimbers are very good. However enough of them have had problems that I would shy away from them.
I like the Sigs, just don't care for the propietary shape of the slide that requires dedicated holsters when I already have several 1911 holsters that I like.
I owned a Ruger SR1911 CMD for a short time. It went back to Ruger for feeding issues that never got resolved.
No experience with RIA, but people seem to like them at their pricepoint.
I've had a couple of Paras. One was great, the other seemed like they just through parts together from a bin and never bothered to fit anything.

Other ... probably STI Trojan in 9mm

The Dan Wesson Valor does have a sterling reputation. The stainless version is available at Bud's right now for just barely under $1500.

I'm not sure what makes it "worth it" (what the extra cost is going toward, compared to, say, a Colt). I know they have a lot of hand fitting and matching parts done in the assembly process, but I would think (maybe incorrectly) that's also true of Colt offerings. Like I said earlier though, they have excellent reputations, and they are beautiful guns.

If I wanted to spend a bit more than $1100, Dan Wesson is the brand I would look to. But I honestly don't know if the extra cost is worth much more in terms of quality.

I would choose any of your top 3

I have 4 Kimbers right now and they are all extremely reliable including the 2 ultras, which are 3" guns. My other two are a Kimber Eclipse Pro and a Tactical Pro II. I also have a Taurus, a couple Rock Islands etc. I have had full sized Ruger and it was a great gun But I don't carry a full sized gun so I sold it for $150 more than I paid.

I have been looking at both the Sig Sauer and the E-Series S&W. I wouldn't hesitate to buy either.

I have had a couple of Springfields and I wasn't impressed. The same goes for colts though they were all 80 series guns.

If I were looking for another carry gun it would be either the Ruger commander, the Sig in a 4" configuration or the Smith in the same. I can't justify the cost of a Les Baer right now.

I have been quite impressed with my Sig saur. I had planned on a different direction but was lured to the Sig after fondling a couple.
Overall performance, fit and finish is pretty competitive for the price point.
That being said, my next 1911 would likely be the Colt.
I really would love the Trojan,but I can't get past the plastic trigger and main spring housing. I've heard great things about the Trojan, but again, for the price point it seems rediculous,"IMO", to have plastic on them.

I have owned everything on your list. I still own a Kimber, Springer, and S&W E-Series.

Another vote for other. I like both my RIA's.

I really like my Springer. Probably the nicest gun I own. Certainly one of my favorites.

I was thinking about Dan Wesson 1911's but like I said, I didn't know if they were good or not. What makes them so worth buying?

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I have a Black Duty Coat DW Valor, it's my favorite in the collection, it's a joy to shoot, it's accurate and reliable. I had the chance to try one out a few times before I found mine & I bought it used.

Springfield for shooting. Colt for collecting.

I have a Springfield Loaded. It feeds any style or weight of bullet great and shoots nice ragged groups. I couldn't ask for more.

I voted the Colt Series 70 but I have 3 series 80 Colts and personally I believe the firing pin safety thing is way overblown. It causes me no gas to have them in my pistol, and the trigger pulls are just fine for a carry pistol. I have an officer model, new government model and a Gold Cup Trophy Match.

The other reason I suggested the Colt is that their new production models are put together quite nicely.

I voted Colt, but add that its a Gold Cup National Match. Older ones are Series 70. IMO, ITs not a self-defense / carry gun, the trigger is 2 to 3 lbs, but it makes it one heck of a target gun out of the box.

I use tapatalk so polls don't show for me.



What are the choices?


That aside, my vote is a Dan Wesson.



Although a $1500 budget will allow for building up a Tisas GI however you want.

Good barrel and bushing, grips, MS housing, refinish, sights, milling, checkering, etc.



Won't have resale value but it will be everything that YOU want on/in it.

I voted Colt and would be looking for a Combat Elite or a Special Combat Government.