1 and only 1911... willing to spend $1000+

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rogerjames

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Looking for a 1911...

This will primarily be a range gun... unless I love her too much too leave her at home :D

I love my XD9 and this is my primary carry.

My primary reason for wanting the 1911 is the desire to own a piece of history and I know that this means COLT... but I also want a slick shooter.

For those COLT fans... which one and why? Is there a reliable source to purchase government issued weapons?

If not COLT... Les Baer, Kimber, Dan Wesson, etc... WHY?

Thanks!
 
I bought a 70 series, Colt, Gold Cup, back in the 70's, and eventhough it ate everything I put through it, I wasn't impressed with the accuracy, and sent it to Clark Custom to be accurized. It shoots 2" groups at 50 yards, but, it hasn't been out of the safe since I bought a Les Baer, Premier II, with the 1 1/2" @ 50 yard group guarantee.:eek:

If your limit is $1,000, I'd suggest an STI Trojan. I bought one a few years ago, and like it so much that I bought a second one.:)
 
If you look around, you may be able to find a lightly used, Les Baer, Premier II, for a little less than $1,500. I think new ones can be had for about $1,800.
 
If is only one (or a first), I'd get the Colt Series 70 Repo.

http://www.coltsmfg.com/Catalog/ColtPistols/ColtSeries70.aspx

It will give you the experience of the what the 1911A1 was like for most of its' history, though the Series 70 Repo actually has sights you can see.

If you later decide you want another one, you can always get the extended beavertails, Novak/Heinie/Meprolight/etc glow-in-the-dark sights, full length guide rods, extended "Combat" thumb safeties, ambi-extended "Combat" thumb safeties, external extractor, ramped barrel, high cut checkered/serrated front strap, flat mainspring housing, extended magwell, front cocking serrations, a "bobtail", skeletonized trigger/hammer, etc.
 
STI 1911s are shooters they start at $625, for right at your 1K target the STI Trojan is really a great pistol, I shoot one in IDPA / USPSA matches. If you are going to use your new 1911 for mainly range use I would get one with adjustable sights. S&W, SIG, Springfield Armory all make good to great shooting 1911s but I would choose my STI over all I own. Why? STIs work right from the box, have one of the best stock triggers, and match grade barrels even on the low priced Spartan.
 
Under $1000 get a Colt 70 Repo or the Combat Elite depending on which flavor you like more. Old school go for the 70 series. Tactical cool go with the Combat Elite. These will be well made have the Colt name on them and will retain value as long as you do not abuse them. Sold basic 1911 which will be more accurate than most shooters. Fit and finish will be high but not as nice as semi-customs. Fewer MIM parts than most. Did I mention they are Colts. LOL

ColtCombatElite6.jpg

DSCF1924.gif

At $1200 or so a used Dan Wesson RZ Heritage. High quality 70 series pistol with forged frame and premium parts. 90% of the way to a semi custom for about $700 less. Will be tight in the barrel and bushing as well as the slide to frame. These are the base gun from DW and IMHO are some of the nicest production 1911s on the market.

62348.png



Les Baer TRS or Ultimate Carry II which is the same gun without the TRS logos... $1900. For all the same reasons listed above + its fit and finish will be superior. The only down side to a Baer is the bluing is not as strong as other finishes. Serious business no nonsense 1911 which IMHO you will have to spend double to best.

les-baer-trs.gif
 
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See if you can dig up a Dan Wesson Valor or Hertitage Razorback (2010+ models).
Dan Wesson has some really ecellent parts, all the right stuff. Good fit/finish and excellent reliability. Check for barrel play and for front sights that are too tall.

I also like the Les Baer Monolith. Very tight, accurate, reliable, durable. A bit ugly and utilitarian looking compared to other expensive 1911's. But you can refinish them later when they're old and worn. All the right parts except sights and thumb safety (personal preference).

Both are great 1911's to start with.
 
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For around $1400-$1500 you should be able to find a nice lightly used Baer, from a quality standpoint in that price range you can't really do much better.
 
A Springer Custom Carry will satisfy your requirements, and is better made than the others.
 
With your budget, I would be looking for a (bobtailed) stainless Dan Wesson. I think they're beautiful, and their owners all seem pleased.

With *my* budget, I'm considering shifting some of the gun kitty for an SR1911 -- I like what I've heard thus far about the Ruger, I like that it's stcainless, I expect them to treat problems wiith appropriate care, etc. Have shot, but never owned, a 1911, though, so trying to approach carefully. And a S&W 617 is higher on the list right now, so I can shoot .22 while saving money toward other stuff ;)

timothy
 
+1 on the dan wesson. ive owned more colts than i can remember but they are mass produced guns. there is minimal hand fitting of parts to compete with the likes of kimber and springfield who crank out 1911's by the truck loads. the dan wesson is a gun i resisted for a long time and finally i broke down and bought a guardian in 45... it is unbelievable. for the money, i believe it to be an excellent well made gun. my gunsmith said the same. if you can get a used baer or wilson for 1500-2000k why not get a brand new gun that is every bit as good in his opinion. and i agree. go to a store that carries dan wesson and hold one. if you are not impressed, then go get a custom gun used with a few thousand rounds through her. you have a fun decison making process ahead of you. jmho.-bggs
heres a few pics of mine.
slide to frame fit is incredible
dw4.gif
excuse the oil marks, she was 5 mins old and just outta the wrapper.
dw3.gif
the bobtail frame with the slim grips makes it feel like a 9mm instead of a 45 acp.
dw1.gif
heres the whole package. and it comes with two check mate mags.
dw2.gif
 
STI, Dan Wesson, heck even the new SR1911 from Ruger and save yourself some cash. I just sold one of my Springers to get a SR1911.
 
While i like the Guardian I paid less for a my TRS LNIB than people are paying for a NIB Guadian. The TRS was not even broken in. IIRC it had less than 200 rounds down the pipe. Again IIRC I paid somewhere near $1300 give or take. Unless carry is the primary use the compromise in an Alum are not worth it IMHO. If you want a Bobtail get a CBOB or VBOB unless your primary role is carry.

IMG_0078.gif

CBOB

dwcbob01smxs0.gif

PS slide to frame fit is the most overrated trait in 1911s IMHO. It translates to less the 10% of total accuracy but people treat it like it is the end all be all. It is a decent indicator of overall fit and finish but for my money barrel to slide fit in lock up is much more important to accuracy.
 
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Thanks for all the suggestions gentleman. I forgot to mention that I have small hands. Not sure if this would alter any recommendations.
 
Thanks for all the suggestions gentleman. I forgot to mention that I have small hands. Not sure if this would alter any recommendations.
Click to expand...

All 1911s will fit you just fine... even ones like SA who do not use the original spec for grip radius are slim by todays standards.
 
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