1911 brand?

What are your intentions use wise and what is your budget?

I've had a Kimber, two Colts and a Springfield.

They all worked as they were supposed to work.

If I did it all again, I'd skip the Kimber, but only because of the Schwarz safety. It was a real pain in the neck to detail strip, at least compared to the Series 70 Colts and the Springfield.

Unless you are left handed, I'd skip an ambidextrous safety. It, too, is a needless pain in the neck in the detail strip.

Of the ones you listed I have Springfield in 1911, and Range Officer;

I have a Sig Scorpion.

Of the three, the Range Officer is my favorite.

I have a Springfield and have nothing but good things to say about it.

Hmmm... don't know where this is going, but I've got 3 Para's, a Springfield, a couple of Rock Islands, and a Ruger SR1911. Every one of them runs fine and does what they're supposed to do. One of the Para's is a compact P12 double stack (which saved my life) and one of the Rock Islands is an A2 14-shot double stack. I have nothing but good things to say about them all... I like 1911's, and they do what they're supposed to do... all the time, every time... unless something breaks(which is unusual).

WT

Over the past year I have somehow converted all of my 1911s to either Colt or total customs. Not a plan just what happened. I also traded and shot LB,Wilson,Kimber, SIG, DW, Ruger, Rem, SA, and Taurus models. I still believe that SPringfield Armory makes the best 1911 for the money. All of the guns functioned well I'm just spoiled to custom tuned pistols now.

Any of the companies on the list will work as an EDC or range toy.

Good luck and enjoyment in your search.

Cheers,

ts

As already noted, any of the manufacturers on your list will serve you well.

Personally, I have:

• Springfield MilSpec (older)
• Colt O1911 WW1 repro
• Colt 1991A1
• Sistema Colt 1911

They are all accurate, reliable, well constructed firearms. The Springer is my favorite to shoot - had the feed ramps polished when I first got it, but other than that has never needed any work. Utterly reliable.

The Colt O1911 is my favorite overall. Just too darn pretty in Carbona Blue to be a range toy, but the trigger is too sweet not to take out every once in a while. Best all around constructed 1911 of the four.

The Argentine Sistema Colt is my next favorite.

The Colt 1991A1 is in fourth place. Well constructed, tight pistol, but the trigger is nowhere near the other three.

I dont think you'll have a problem with any quality 1911. I've shot many others, but have owned the Taurus, was a great gun just didnt like the ugly Taurus PT 1911on the slide. I now own a Ruger SR1911, and a Springfield Range Officer I really enjoy both of them. I think you'll like any of the ones you inquired about. Find some friends that have what you want and shoot theirs or rent some.

redstategunnut said:

If I did it all again, I'd skip the Kimber, but only because of the Schwarz safety. It was a real pain in the neck to detail strip, at least compared to the Series 70 Colts and the Springfield.

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The Swartz firing pin safety is easily removed from Kimber 1911s so I wouldn't discount Kimber for that reason, maybe some others, but not that. I removed them from my two Kimbers and swapped the firing pins for titanium ones from Colt.

Under $500 I'd get an ATI. Under $1000 I'd get an SA RO or an "NM" serial number Loaded, or consider the Ruger. I also like what I've seen with the S&W "E" series 1911 though it runs an external extractor. Over $1000 and I'd pony up for a Les Baer. Dan Wesson has lost it's value IMO with their recent price increase. Nothing about the Sig or Kimber SII impresses me at their price points given what's available.

I have a Springer Trophy Match that is smooth like glass.

My uncle has a Kimber that I have enjoyed shooting- but Kimber gets alot of rep flakk anymore.

Colts remind me of a Jeep Cherokee (the boxy one, not the Grand Cherokee)- it is hard to break and good for its inteded purpose. Beat it up a little and it won't mind.

I own a Springfield, but have fired Kimbers, RIAs and Paras. The Kimber was nice, but I preferred my Springfield. It simply had too many bells and whistles for my taste.

The RIA was really nice, but I did not like the flat checkered MSH or the trigger texture, as both made it uncomfortable to shoot. The Para was a Warthog (or warthog sized) and it gave me and the owner fits in terms of accuracy and reliability. I also did not like the grip width.

Of all of them, I guess I prefer my Springfield GI with tru-glo sights.

There are a lot of things that go into why a person likes a particular make/model of 1911, not just it's functionality. Unlike most handguns the 1911 has several features that can be changed or optimized for personal preference. That's part of what makes taking the 1911 road so expensive. :- )

So, given my personal preferences and experiences here's my take.
-kimber
I've had several and all have performed well but there is only one in my safe now. There are a lot of little things they do that aren't my preference. The also seem to not be something I pick up and say "oh, yeah."
-sig sauer
No experience with the 1911s. I've handled a few and the seem like they are put together well. I think highly of the Sigs that I do have experience with. Because of the odd slide shape (except their "traditional" line) it might be hard to find a fitted holster for them.
-dan wesson
Outstanding firearm. Very near "custom" quality for a lot less money. I own a couple an will probably own more.
-springfield
Good reliable gun. You wont go wrong with one of these.
-colt
No experience. They don't have that "oh, yeah" factor for me either. YMMV.
-ruger
No experience with the 1911. My other Rugers have been rugged and dependable.

Don't overlook the S&W 1911. I've had a few and they are IMHO a very good gun for the money. I recently pickup an E-series government model and am very happy with it . It has a lot of the feature I like for a reasonable price.

Colt
Dan Wesson
Les Baer
Ed Brown

(In $$$ order) Colt and Dan Wesson have stepped it up considerably. Colt is the only lower priced 1911 I'd buy right now.

I own 3 Colt 1911's, a Ruger P345, and have just purchased a Ruger SR1911. For a personal defense pistol, combat shooting, or an all round carry pistol, I'd go with my new Ruger SR1911 in instant. A beautifully manufactured firearm, extremly accurate out of the box, and mine will handle any round I feed it, both lead or jacketed, RNJ, or 200 gr LSWC. To top it off you can't beat the price...if you can find one.

Three things are becoming quite clear; everyone wants to help the OP, no one knows what he needs and almost any brand/model/pricepoint 1911 can do everything, as delivered, without ever failing. I'm humming a Beach Boys tune right now...anyone care to guess which one?

Help us help you Ian. Define what you'd like to do with your 1911; bullseye shooting or self-defense? Are you looking for the least expensive pistol available or the best there is? Are your hands capable of handling the "smooth like glass" SA TRP frontstrap treatment at 20 lpi or are you on blood thinners that make cuts more of a consideration?

If you've never shot a 1911 it may not be everything you hoped it would, I've met that person, or it may be a dream. Wasting money on the wrong one for you won't ever be fun. One last thing, what caliber are you looking at?

Currently I own a Springfield Loaded Black Stainless Target. I had to sent it in for service. After I got it back it runs great! I like it allot.

My first 1911 was a Kimber Tactical Custom 2, great gun! It had a very nice trigger and ran great even though it had an external extractor (older model). I needed the money and ended up selling it.

I'm hooked on 1911s and would like to get another!

I picked up an almost new Springfield TRP. Very happy with it, I'd buy another Springfield in a heartbeat.

If it's your only 1911, then go with the original - Colt.
IMHO though, Sig may make the best 1911 (variant) for the money.

YMMV

Springer! From the custom shop!!! Can't get any better than that.

the colt felt amazing

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Id like to stay in the 8-900 range

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Colt.

I bought my Kimber Custom II for 750 new. the only things I've done to it are swap out the full length guide rod for a GI plug, and put meprolight sights on her.

If I were to do it all over again, I wouldn't hesitate to buy another Custom II