$1000 for a carry 1911? Help me choose!

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Keaner

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So here's the situation, I have ~$1000 coming in soon that I've decided to put aside for a 1911. At the moment I have a Rock Island GI 1911 that i have set up for my suppressor. My carry gun (I VERY rarely carry...) is a Taurus PT145 Pro which I like, but don't love.

The Rock Island isn't very pretty, and is too heavy to carry. Additionally, it is quite large and the threaded barrel makes it even more difficult to conceal. I've also not had a 'nice' 1911 yet. The Taurus is also quite unattractive, and the safety is very un-ergonomic so I end up carrying it either Cond 3 or Cond 0.

Because of these, I've decided I want to fill both holes in my handgun collection with 1 very nice 1911.
1: The BBQ Gun- I want something that is attractive (I like stainless for this) and well built with a good name (Prefer no RI, Springfield Armory or Taurus for that reason, Kimber is a 'maybe').
2: The CCW Gun- I want something that is dead reliable and in a light-weight and concealable package.

I've been looking at the Aluminum lower CCO type 1911s, but nothing has fit both my price point and fancy yet. On a long-shot, anyone think I could get a custom/semi custom 1911 for around my price point?

So, suggestions?
 
I would go with a Springfield loaded long before a Kimber. Yes the Kimbers look nice, but the plastic MSH breaks when you drop them - spitting parts all over.

The Springfield EMP is lightweight in 9mm.

Semi-custom or custom, probably not a new one for $1000. Look to Les Bear, Nighthawk, STI (and many others) for semi customs. For a custom look at Infinity Firearms.
 
I picked up a barely used, LNIB Colt Commander in stainless for a fraction of that budget - put on a pair on Altamont Talo-style grips. You could put the balance into a nice Milt Sparks IWB holster. Gonna work on replacing that trigger next...

2012-06-25_22-14-57_965.gif
 
Mainspring housings aren't bad. Two pins. I replaced my plastic MSH with a nice one from Wilson Combat.
 
Might I recommend the Colt's Stainless Lightweight Commander XSE? Right around a grand most places ...
(example the lower pistol)
002.jpg
 
Im a big fan of Dan Wesson's 1911s. Im in love with the CCO. Shoots great,if I had the money. CCO is the clear choice!
 
Save a little longer and get a Dan Wesson or Les
Baer (from Proarms).
 
That Colt Commander is absolutely stunning. I've been lusting over a bunch of Dan Wessons as well, I'm a big fan of the bobbed backstrap.
 
Sorry, search the web and I'll bet you find less bad about Springfield's EMP9 than any Kimber you can name. Hit Factor had it right in the first reply.
 
I saw the Sig Sauer nightmare carry. Very sharp looking pistol. All stainless with black finish, stainless controls and barrel bushing with night sights right at your price point.
 
I only don't like the EMP because it is a 9 mm, I'd much prefer a .45.

The Dan Wesson CCO looks fantastic, though I'd prefer it in stainless if available, and of course cheaper :)
 
How about a Sig 1911 traditional stainless compact (CCO style). The only drawback to what you wanted, is that it has a stainless steel frame, making it a little more heavier than an aluminum alloy type frame. It also has an external extractor (not sure if that is acceptable to you). Bud's Gunshop has them in stock for about $870.
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/...1911TCO45SSS+1911+Traditional+45+ACP+4.2"+8+1
Here are a few pics of mine (I changed out my grips (for VZ G10s), since I took these):


Sig_TC_2.jpg


Sig_TC_1.jpg
 
Okay, what follows is my opinion and experience only.

The first handgun I ever fired was my daddy's WWII Colt 1911 (when I was about eight years old).

Not coincidentally, the first handgun I ever bought (a number of years later) was a Colt 1911.

I have owned about 25 1911s in the last 25 years. In my experience, $1000 can get you a decent used production 1911 (not a semi-custom, unless you win the proverbial lottery). However, if you don't know what you are looking at, $1000 can also buy you a whole bunch of heartache.

First, figure out your priorities. If this is to be your only 1911, a steel frame might be the way to go. If you can afford a range gun and a carry gun, my choice is an alloy frame carry gun and a steel framed range gun.

Next, figure out what size frame and barrel you are comfortable carrying. Different barrel/slide lengths, different frame lengths (which affects magazine capacity)...all are in play. In any dimension, less is more for carry...but less is less for shooting. Try as many different configurations as you can, and figure out what will work for you.

If you are going to buy, and the seller is local, try to meet him at a local range and put 100 rounds through it. If you are buying a used gun over the internet, try to get some type of warrantee. I have never sold anything without a 100% no-questions-asked-money-back-guarantee.

A few really reputable sellers will offer this, and it never hurts to ask. If not, you should factor in the potential repair/replacement costs.

A 1911 requires a degree of commitment. It requires understanding how the gun works. understanding what to do if "a" happens, or if "b" happens....

If you choose wisely, you will enjoy an experience that is known by a few.
If you choose poorly, you may experience the bitterness of unfulfilled expectaions.

Good luck, and best regards
Rich
 
Prefer no RI, Springfield Armory or Taurus for that reason, Kimber is a 'maybe'
Click to expand...
Kimber is a maybe, but you lump the more reliable Springfields in with RI and Taurus?

Getting back to your desires of a light weight CCO or commander in stainless (or otherwise pretty finish), in a high quality pistol; I'll recommend the 4.25" S&W E Series Scandium Frame round butt two tone. Street price is right at $1100, so it's within 10% of your $1000 budget target.
 
$1,000 to spend on a .45? How about you buy a pair of Glock 30's instead.

I'm just kidding!

Buy anything that doesn't say "Kimber" on it and you should be a-okay.
 
I haVe a kimber springfield TRP,series 70 colt and a Colt new agent all are great but the new agent in .45 is my constant companion cheek one out.
 
Last week I picked up a S&W Pro Series compact. I saw it and had to have it. Not stainless. Has a scandium frame and is nice and light. I did swap out the grips for some different ones. You could almost forget you are carrying the piece if it wasn't for the sandpaper on skin feel of the original stocks whenever you move.
 
Yes, thanks for the reminder.
I recently picked up a Commander-sized, Scandium framed 1911 "Gunsite Edition".
Great 1911. You can find a used one for ~$750, or get one of the new bobtail framed E-Series for just a bit north of $1000.

Let us know what you decide on, and how it works out for you.
 
Colt xse light weight commander or Kimber pro carry II cammander size as well.. Both can be had for under a grand. Both have proven to be reliable and nice to carry. I like my colt more and I think its a bit lighter but not by much.
 
So I've taken all of what you guys have said, raised my budget slightly (hopefully not too much :/) and paired the list down to these couple. I have a pair of handguns for sale locally that might give me a few hundred more to get to some of the higher ones.

#1 Colt Defender Plus (Model 07860D)-- Seemingly impossible to find, but definitely my first choice. The short barrel and the Commander frame seem to be a great fit! It only lacks the bobbed frame to be basically perfect.

#2 Dan Wesson Guardian (.45)-- Not flashy and too expensive, so this is only going to happen if I sell my two guns for sale. Also seemingly pretty tough to find :/

#3 S&W 1911 SC E Series 2-Tone-- A little heavier than the rest, and S&W lacks the 'mystique' of the others, but feature wise it seems to be exactly what I am looking for.


#4 Dan Wesson CCO-- Same problem as the other Dan Wesson (color/price), and doesn't have the bobbed frame.

#5 Colt Stainless Lightweight Commander XSE-- Great price point, and has everything but the bobbed frame.

Anything I missed/should consider? Next step is to just track down one of these to play with and buy! :)
 
Some really good points out there. I like the Colt Commander, and would not go for anything with a shorter barrel. There are just too many reports of unreliable performance, which is the last characteristic you need with a carry weapon. Whatever you get, please make sure that you test it extensively with several types of magazines and ammunition for both accuracy and reliability. FWIW, I like both Tripp and Wilson magazines.
 
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