The best .45 1911 $1500 can buy.

Why are 99% of the pics in this thread of new 1911's???


My used and abused Baer...

Saweet! I would usually answer that the best $1,500 1911 is three RIA's and a boatload of ammo, but that is one quality lookin' piece!

Another satisfied owner of a used sub-$1500 Les Baer....

Maybe colt holds it value because it doesn't use as much MIM parts like Kimber does. And maybe because Colt has a tradition and has been improving it's products lately?

73 posts before someone even mentions Kimber ... ... that can't be good!! I only have one 1911 pistol and it's a Kimber Tactical Entry II. I've barely put any rounds through it after discovering that it won't eat my 185gr SWC handloads (with the single factory mag that it ships with). That's not Kimber's fault ... I simply need to use a different bullet and/or magazine. I did order 5 Wilson Combat ETMs this morning so hopefully this 1911 will live up to its $1,300 price tag. It sure looks and handles nice but I can't say anything yet with regards to its reliability. I plan on shooting it a lot over the summer. I've never been into the 1911 platform and much prefer SIGs, but I bought this TEII since I figured that I should have at least one 1911, so why not get a good one. If I end up liking it I'm sure I'll buy more 1911s in the future.

To the OP ... I bought a Kimber .22 Conversion Kit for the TEII and that works very well indeed. It was about $250 on sale from Midway. So if I add that to the $1,300 for the TEII, it's close to a $1,500 set up.

I would most likely go with a Dan Wesson at that price point.
That said, my favorite shooting 1911 is my Springfield Milspec. I swaped the trigger and have a nice 5#pull. I also swaped the MSH only to get rid of that stupid infernal lock, that I didn't realize was present until I got it home. Otherwise it is bone stock and has NEVER failed to function with any load.

from 1858...I only have one 1911 pistol and it's a Kimber Tactical Entry II. I've barely put any rounds through it after discovering that it won't eat my 185gr SWC handloads (with the single factory mag that it ships with). That's not Kimber's fault ... I simply need to use a different bullet and/or magazine. I

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It IS Kimber's fault and is inexcusable (unless your handloads are bad or a non-standard mag was used - be sure). You paid very top dollar, $1300 in this case. This for, from the looks of it, a standard grade unpolished black pistol with a couple bells&whistles that doesn't work correctly. Properly built 1911s are not sensitive to ammunition - they run with nearly anything. If it does not feed 100% reliably after a short breakin, including normal lead SWCs, return it.

gbw said:

It IS Kimber's fault and is inexcusable (unless your handloads are bad - be sure). You paid very top dollar, $1300 in this case. This for, from the looks of it, a standard grade unpolished black pistol with a couple bells&whistles that doesn't work correctly. Properly built 1911s are not sensitive to ammunition - they run with nearly anything. If it does not feed 100% reliably after a short breakin, including normal lead SWCs, return it.

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Since it's mine and since I'm not complaining, I don't think it'll be going back to Kimber. It doesn't concern me that it won't function with low grade target bullets. SWCs serve one purpose only, and as long as it's 100% reliable with factory spec ammunition (as designed) then I'm happy. Discovering that it doesn't like 185gr SWC bullets isn't the end of the world to me. If the Wilson Combat mags work such that I have the option to shoot SWCs then that's a bonus. As for my reloads, I've been reloading for almost 20 years (tens of thousands of rounds) so I'm 150% confident that my loads are fine. I will try my reloads with the WC mags and after the 500 or so round break in period but it's not a big deal at this point.

You give a reasonable position and it should be respected - it is your money and pistol.

^ Niiice.

IF you punch the budget a little and buy from an online dealer who offers a discount over the MSRP price (Gunslingers - all the guys on the 1911 forums love this guy - I've also dealt with him 2x)... Then you can get a Ed Brown Special Forces....

I wish Brown would make 1911s in other calibers - it would likely be all I'd buy then...

1858 said:

73 posts before someone even mentions Kimber ... ... that can't be good!! I only have one 1911 pistol and it's a Kimber Tactical Entry II. I've barely put any rounds through it after discovering that it won't eat my 185gr SWC handloads (with the single factory mag that it ships with). That's not Kimber's fault ... I simply need to use a different bullet and/or magazine. I did order 5 Wilson Combat ETMs this morning so hopefully this 1911 will live up to its $1,300 price tag. It sure looks and handles nice but I can't say anything yet with regards to its reliability. I plan on shooting it a lot over the summer. I've never been into the 1911 platform and much prefer SIGs, but I bought this TEII since I figured that I should have at least one 1911, so why not get a good one. If I end up liking it I'm sure I'll buy more 1911s in the future.

To the OP ... I bought a Kimber .22 Conversion Kit for the TEII and that works very well indeed. It was about $250 on sale from Midway. So if I add that to the $1,300 for the TEII, it's close to a $1,500 set up.

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1858... VERY nice Kimber you have there !! I suspect the reason for the lack of mention prior to yours is that people just get tired of 1911 snobs who look down their noses at Kimbers and Colts and are almost as quick as the Glock types to chime in with how superior their preferences are... and, if you fail to join in on the second verse of their fight song... well... you're just not as worthy. The condescending adjectives get pretty old in a big ol' hurry. I love the looks of your Kimber, it's got a nice clean look. I'm certain it shoots just fine as it looks. I like that fine checkering on the underside of the trigger guard as well as the built in tactical light mount.

I noticed that the Kimber pictured above has the internal extractor. If it runs the way you want...then there's nothing to argue about.

I've had two Kimbers with the external extractor and they just wouldn't run despite the best efforts of Kimber. I was severely disappointed with Kimber's quality control since neither gun should have left the factory.

^ Niiice.

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Thanks Richard, you are partly to blame for me buying it by way.

Save a few $$$$ and get a Springfield Loaded Stainless 1911. Everything I have heard is they are excellent 1911s for the money.

I am with some as I just don't see the ultimate attraction of 1911s, but to each his own.

As to the guy in post #53 I believe when in reference to Glock folks bashing 1911s. I feel EXACTLY the same way about AR-15 owners. Everytime there is a Mini-14 thread the AR doofs have to rain down and tell everyone how great their rifles are in the thread even if no one cares.

stchman said:

As to the guy in post #53 I believe when in reference to Glock folks bashing 1911s. I feel EXACTLY the same way about AR-15 owners. Everytime there is a Mini-14 thread the AR doofs have to rain down and tell everyone how great their rifles are in the thread even if no one cares.

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Well... I've gotta confess, I've never owned a Mini-14... but, I do own a pair of SKSs and a pair of ARs... I try and not be a "doof" though. I'd probably own a Mini-14 if I came across the right one at the right price while I had the funds in my pocket though. A buddy of mine had one and it seemed to shoot just fine.

To Ratdog68.

I don't dislike ARs. I dislike a lot of elitist AR owners that want to put me down for my purchase.

I always tell those kinds of folks, "If you want me to own an AR, you buy it for me". That usually shuts them up. Its my money and I will buy what I like. They can buy what they like.

stchman said:

To Ratdog68.
Its my money and I will buy what I like. They can buy what they like.

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Yer preachin' to the choir Reverend.

Ratdog68, thanks ... the Kimber TEII is a stunning pistol and easily the best looking pistol I own. With factory 230gr ball ammunition (luckily I bought some with me) it's VERY accurate and seems to function well. The gun shop owner pointed out the numerous "custom" upgrades so I feel that it's worth the price of entry over buying a basic model and having it customized. In addition to looking great, it's beautifully made and the fit/finish is outstanding. I'm obviously not a 1911 expert so I have to assume that Kimber knows what they're talking about when they mention a 400 to 500 round break in. My round count with this thing is about 20 thus far so I have a long way to go!

230therapy, I don't have anything to add to your comment re the internal extractor other than my SIG P220 bought in '93 has an internal extractor and 10,000+ rounds later it's still working with ZERO problems ... and that's with 99% SWC reloads. I haven't shot the Kimber enough yet to have any definitive comment on it. It does feel REALLY good in the hand though and noticeably tighter than my SIGs.

Guys, I have AR15s, an "AR10" and a Mini-14 ... I like 'em all. Different tools for different fools!! Now back to regular programming!

I am with some as I just don't see the ultimate attraction of 1911s, but to each his own.

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Me neither. What an ugly hunk of junk.



(On a side note, I want this gun so bad it almost makes me cry).

Tell you what...

I have a Taurus 1911. It is the best 1911 I have. I will sell it to you for only $1100.00, leaving you a whole $400 to add something to that belt.

The Doc is out now.

Yo Fido, it looks pretty much like EVERY OTHER black 1911 with wood grips.

That Wilson Combat earlier in the thread looks way better (for a 1911).

I am looking at this one.

Valor Bobtail