1911 .45, what is the best?

[Dorian]

I realize that asking "What is the best" will get very opinionated awnsers.

I also don't think I should even have to put that I want a 1911 in anything other than .45, but that I can deal with.

What I've found through the bit of reasearch I've done is that Kimber, Springfield and Colt are supposedly the best. And not in that order.

I had my heart set on a Colt 1911A1(Cause if it isn't colt, it's just a copy!), but now I'm uncertian.

I've also heard that to get a totally reliable 1911 that you have to do a lot of customization. I think that's totally unacceptable for a pistol. I think pistols should be totally reliable out of the box, hence my HK collection. And if this is true, I probably just won't get a 1911 at all.

Thanks

p.s. I'm interested in reliability only. Half an inch difference in accuracy at 75 yards is not important to me. And I'll probably never be able to shoot as straight as the pistol.

 

[WonderNine]

I've also heard that to get a totally reliable 1911 that you have to do a lot of customization.

You've heard wrong

You want more reliability then you'll need a looser slide. Colts come with looser slides for reliability and they are still accurate.

 

[CZ-75]

Colts have the better quality of parts and metallurgy, but sometimes cosmetics leave a little to a lot to be desired; something not excusable when they price themselves at a premium. That said, it would be a good choice provided you can look it over first before buying, making sure the flats are even (to around 1/32nd or so), the corners not rounded, etc. Don't buy a flawed gun and expect the factory to fix it right for all but minor problems when dealing w/ Colt.

 

[sm]

"Customization" can be features to fit a shooter, goopy doo dads not needed, or bob a hammer, change grips.

I have seen, own, shot many Colts, Kimbers, Springfields with nothing done except smooth trigger (usually 3.5-4#) , skateboard tape , bob a hammer on Mil-Spec (if hands are fleshy) , change grips.I /we just shoot the durn things. Adj sights to our liking POA/POI , check see if carry load runs evertime, and fuggitaboutit.

After a number of rounds one might change cosmetics , but me, while I appreciate nice looks, I prefer to buy ammo than have looks.

A # didn't change a thing, I know of example of each of the above, not even cleaned , shot right after leaving purchase...one guy ran 900 rds w/o a glitch in his kimber, in one afternooon. The guy that brought one each of the S/A and Colt MIl-specs, same deal--400 rds each , none of us helping burn rds , had a glitch, that morning.

 

[Dorian]

Asthetics/cosmetics aren't something I'm interested in either

I want a 1911 cause I think the pistol looks great, in just about any configuration I've ever seen.

And Colt seems to be winning so far

 

[Dobe]

Which is best

My advice would be to go to the range with a friend and shoot his/hers. Find another friend with another model, and do the same. Kimber took a lot of business away from Colt, and sold more 1911's than many if not most manufacturers in the US. In part, it is because Kimber made such a good handgun, and in part it is because Colt's quality slipped. I understand that now Colt's quality is back, and they are in the race again.

I have shot and been impressed with many different brands. I personally own three Kimbers. I am considering a fourth as I write this. If I were not considering a Kimber, I think I would like to have a Colt series 70. My Kimbers are all Series I. I know where I can get a SS Series I Custom NIB for about Eight hundred.

A note on reliability:
I have more malfunctions from my CZ 75B SA, than I have from any of my Kimbers. I have had only one malfunction from one Kimber, and that was on my first magizine. After that, I have had flawless operation. My Kimbers shoot tight too.
There are a numbers of 1911's that will give you the same results. Good luck with the hunt my friend.

 

[Dorian]

I have a serious problem with your suggestion.

I am the only gun owner of all the people I know.

And, in fact, I'm going to start giving USPs to my friends as gifts as soon as I get my next job.

My best friend's dad is a gun owner, but no 1911s, and my old boss had a Llama 1911.............. That wasn't gonna cut it.

So maybe in a couple months when I join the local gun club I'll be able to do that. But as it stands right now, this messageboard is all I've got.

 

[El Tejon]

Les Baer, TRS. The weapon is ready off the shelf.

I have yet to have a mal in one of mine (well, a non-Baer mag blew out the top one day at the range, you can read about that here).

The weapon does not need to be a rattle trap in order to be reliable (old myth from its militree service). Baers are super tight and super reliable.

 

[Sean Smith]

The weapon does not need to be a rattle trap in order to be reliable (old myth from its militree service). Baers are super tight and super reliable.

I'm not too impressed with recent accounts of Baer reliability...

http://www.1911forum.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=50289

http://www.1911forum.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=50261

http://www.1911forum.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=47454

http://www.1911forum.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=47064

http://www.1911forum.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=46759

http://www.1911forum.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=46647

http://www.1911forum.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=46633

http://www.1911forum.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=46601

http://www.1911forum.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=45401

 

[tex_n_cal]

Colt. If you want one high end they still sell the Special Combat Government out of the custom shop.

As to the tight/reliable debate, know that guns are self-soiling machines, and the brass shavings/powder reside/sand does have to go somewhere. I will stick one that is a little loose, at least in the slide.

I fitted a new Bar-sto barrel to my Delta Elite, circa 1987. The slide is kinda sloppy, but with its tightly fitted barrel, it's a one hole gun at 25 yards. I expect off a Ransom Rest, it would do 1.5" at 50 yards, which costs you $300 extra on a Baer.

 

[Sean Smith]

Best depends on price.

Right now, I'd say the best value is a new Colt.

http://www.colt.com/CMCI/1991.asp

I've owned 2 Delta Elites and the 01991 pictured above. All three ran out of the box. I've had the Deltas customized for fun.

 

[B Coyote]

I'm gonna say Kimber, simply because my experience with them has been excellent. I can't comment on other manufacturers, because I haven't done anything with them.

bc

 

[sanchezero]

And, in fact, I'm going to start giving USPs to my friends as gifts as soon as I get my next job.

Hey buddy, how're you doin?

 

[Shmackey]

What I've found through the bit of reasearch I've done is that Kimber, Springfield and Colt are supposedly the best.

You found wrong. (And this is coming from a Kimber owner.) The Big Three might be the best of the sub-$1k range, but that just means they're the best just like a Honda Civic is the best car. Very good car, but the best? You want the best 1911 there is? Fork over a few grand to one of five or six top-name gunsmiths, forget about it for a year or two, and you'll get one eventually. The best.

I have to disagree about Colt's prices being high; that's certainly not the case for their New Rollmark basic models. I just ordered one of these for way less than a basic Kimber. And it's an actual blued carbon steel gun. And it has all of three MIM parts in it.

It doesn't look like my Kimber because it's not supposed to. It's a classic, not a Classic.

 

[yucapote]

Go for a Springfield. Their 1911's are good quality and if there is problem with one of their guns they are covered by a lifetime warranty. My SA has been totally reliable out of the box. The only things that I've done to it are to add soem griptape to the front strap and replace the mainspring housing ILS internals (it helped to reduce the trigger pull)

 

[Dobe]

Dorian:
"I have a serious problem with your suggestion.

I am the only gun owner of all the people I know. "

Dorian,
Go to your local indoor range. They usually rent handguns for 10-15 bucks.

Good luck

 

[rick_reno]

The Pardini PC45 is doing well - you don't see a lot of them (yet), so it might be too early to tell. Don Nygord imports them, you can see one here. The trigger is adjustable for weight and sear engagement. The gun is doing well with the few that are shooting it.
http://www.nygord-precision.com/3245_pistols.htm
More info here
http://www.pardini.it/inglese/tiro dinamico ING/PCING.html
and for the compensated version, it's here
http://www.pardini.it/inglese/tiro dinamico ING/PCSopenING.html

I don't know if Don is importing the compensated gun, you'd have to give him a ring and find out.

 

[surfinUSA]

Colt, everything else is just a copy. And some are very expensive copies.

 

[Gordy Wesen]

Sean, those weren't powder marks on the target were they?

 

[Doc]

there are many fine 1911 45's

if you search THR you will find many endorsements,
and many photo's of members collections

the question is for what purpose do you seek a 1911
and what is important to you?

plinking - cost
self defense - ulimately reliable
competetion - accuracy

i think there are three classes:
stock (entry level)
high end production (semi custom)
custom

Stock guns: Kimber - best bang for the buck
there's others, but why?

Why? well if you wanted a particular brand because of cost or availability go for it
stay away from foreign clones just to save a buck

semi Custom: Les Baer, period.
Wilson would be a good choice too
In fact when I asked people who know
(in person, not on the internet) I routinely got the following answer:
Wilson, Les Baer & ...a third name...

If you believe the threads references by Sean Smith,
don't buy a Les Baer.
(I would be curious to know
how many other brands have problems?)

Me, I'm with El Tejon,

Les Baer, TRS.
The weapon is ready off the shelf.
...I have yet to have a mal in one of mine

"I don't know nothing about shooting or fighting..."
I would point out though,

ALL mechanical devices may FAIL.
That's not the point.
Sometimes the machining or assembly could be flawed,
even from a fine manufacturer.
A good manufacturer will make it right,
or give you a refund. If you have a problem
contact the manufacturer not the retailer.


Custom: who cares? too much money, but if I were gonna go there
I would unquestionalbe buy Robar.
For competition, I have no clue.

The biggest problem with 1911's is that people DICK with them

There are many who see only Colt,
and all others as imitators.
They would also debate
WHICH colt to buy,
cause it would seem that
NOT every Colt is great, hmmmm

 

[DakotaSig]

I started out shopping for a 1911 too

but I ended up with a SIG P220ST!

I haven't looked back since.

 

[JackC]

I have a Colt 1991A1 series 80 in stainless and a Kimber Compact series 1 also in stainless. Both shoot very well, stone cold reliable, the only time either didn't go bang, the mag was empty and slide locked back.
If I had to get rid of one, the Kimber would go, the Colt just has more soul.
Jack

 

[RON in PA]

Get the real thing, the Colt.

 

[Snaps]

I personally am in love with the Wilson Combats. Of course my favorite being the KZ-45

 

[Rob96]

Love my new stainless , new rollmarked, Colt 1991A1.