the best 1911 for me

What 1911

  • Springfield TRP

    Votes: 22 35.5%

  • Kimber Super Carry Custom HD

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Kimber Tactical Custom II

    Votes: 5 8.1%

  • Kimber Raptor II

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Something not listed

    Votes: 35 56.5%
  • Total voters
    62
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TheRyno865

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May 2, 2011
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Location
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So i am looking to get a 1911 and want to keep in the $1500 dollar range. I am looking at either the SA TRP or Kimber in the Raptor II, the super carry custom HD, or Tactical Custom HD II. i am up for other suggestions but would like some input on the ones that i have selected. So for the all and powerful people of THR please help me make the best selection.

P.S. i am a a lefty and would like one that is already ambi safety. also i would like to have a full size and i would carry it most every day. i would also like to have some info on whether a mag well is goo for concealed carry or not and what i would need it for also i like Wilson combat but don't like the price.
 
I liked my Springfield Armory EMP in 9x19mm. It did have some problems, but Springfield made it right. It includes all the features you need in a defensive handgun.

I have had excellent luck with Colt 1911s. I had a World War I Repro that ate any 45 ACP I put in the magazine! I also had an XSE, which just needed night sights to be complete.

Skip the Kimbers. You can get better guns for less. The Colt XSE should be around $1,000. Just add night sights and a stack of good mags and you're done!
 
I have had very good experience with a newer manufacture (last year) sig 1911. It is not the same profile as a typical 1911, but it runs great and is accurate. I got it used with about 500 rounds down the pipe for a good bit under 1k.

My dad has a springfield that is very nice as well.

Both shoot and run great.
 
You're right around the Dan Wesson range. I think that would def be my choice. I think the poll results are speaking for themselves regarding the Kimbers...
 
RIA.
Inexpensive and good service (if needed). Check reviews.
Use the rest of your money (+/- 1000) for ammo and accessories.
 
I own several Kimbers, a DW and several others. I have owned a number of Colts and Springfields, as well as others.

Given your price point, I would be looking for a used Les Baer. You can own one Hell of a good semi-custom 1911 for the price of a mid-range production gun.

Do some research, and buy a good example of a good gun...you will be pleasantly surprised how far your dollar can go.
 
a good friend of mine has his FFL so i was looking to get brand new and also does anyone have anything good to say i used to own a eclipse custom II and it was a great gun i just wanted a rifle more and got a good trade on it. also i think that the TRP wight be my main choice but i would like to hear actual stories about why kimber is so bad and i would like some info on a lefty friendly Colt.
 
I've had a firing pin safety break myself. Here's Hilton Yam's take on it. No Series II Kimbers for me, and no Colt Series 80 unless it's a safe queen.

http://www.10-8performance.com/pages/Choosing-a-1911-for-Duty-Use.html
Firing pin safeties typically fall into the Colt Series 80 pattern which are actuated by the trigger (Colt Series 80, Para Ordnance, Sig GSR) and the Swartz style safety which is actuated by the grip safety (Kimber, Smith & Wesson). Of all the firing pin safety mechanisms on the market, the original Colt Series 80 - in a Colt - is the most reliable of them all. The platforms utilizing the Swartz safety are a less than ideal choice across the board due to the inherent reliability problems of the design. The Swartz safety is extremely sensitive to the fit of the grip safety to the frame and the timing of the grip safety's trigger blocking arm. Tolerance issues can also lead to a Swartz safety that will time properly when the grip safety is depressed a certain way, and time differently when depressed a different way. This will typically be a product of loose fit of the grip safety to the frame tangs and/or loose fit of the thumb safety shaft through the grip safety. It is possible to have the grip safety timed such that the trigger will be able to release the sear well before the firing pin safety plunger has been moved far enough to clear the firing pin. Problems with improper timing of the Swartz safeties can lead to a situation where you get a "click" when you wanted a "bang." That's a serious problem. Unless department policy mandates a firing pin safety, I would choose a 1911 without one. It is possible to have a drop safe 1911 without the firing pin safety, and given the potential reliability problems with a poorly executed system, the perceived risk of drop safety is outweighed by the real risk of a failure to fire.
Click to expand...
 
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that has to be one of the best articles i have ever read. and after words i might be sold on the TRP unless i find something better. but man i still love the look and feel of the kimber.
 
Smith & Wesson is buildiing the best gun in that price range
Click to expand...
Care to expand upon this statement? Saying S&W is making a better 1911 than a SA TRP, without quantifying why, is a pretty bold assertion.
 
+1 on the Dan Wesson. I bought a Valor v-bob in stainless and love it. The craftsmanship, feel in my hand, and tack driving accuracy make it worth every bit of 1575.00.
 

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+1 for the Dan Wesson. The Valor is well made for that price.

Also would echo the thoughts of a used Les Baer around there as well.

But for your question on the magwell, I personally don't like them on my carry pieces as it adds unnecessary length to the frame of the pistol, which is, IMO, the most important part of concealing a pistol as that is the part most likely to print. But if you really want a magwell and don't mind the extra length, go for it. Nighthawk uses a really neat concealable magwell on their T3 line.

If you want a 1911 that will conceal very well, look at the CCOs made by Colt or Dan Wesson. They take about an inch off the frame so it will conceal a bit better, though it is a 4.25" barrel.
 
I have owned and shot S&W/Colt/SA trp-operator/STI/LB/Wilson and presently 3 Colt customs and one remsport from Chad Kandros. For the money I reccommend the SA Range officer or TRP. My SA guns rifle and pistol have been trouble free and accurate out of the box, They also have agreat rep for service.

Just my personal experience. Cheers,

ts
 
If you're dead set with the ones you've named, go with the TRP, it's a better built gun than the Kimbers. If it were my $1500 I'd definately look for a Baer, you won't find a better gun for $1500, build quality is right up there with Wilson. Here's my Premier II I bought new for $1500 a while back.

TESTTGOBaer044.jpg

You could probably find a nice lightly used one easily for under $1500.
 
+1. You can get a used Les Baer for your price. I got a PII with scope mount and 1.5"G for $1400 only a few months ago. Otherwise check out STI.
 
$1,500 is sneaking up on Baer territory, and you can easily get a single stack STI for that money.
 
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