1911 for everyday carry What,s Best

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Hello to all , Looking to trade up from my Glock 27, 40 cal. to a new 1911 in 45 cal. to carry. I figure it's worth about $300.00 for a trade it has a little holster ware on front tube and in front of the rear sight. So any thoughts to a good 1911 somewhere in the $600.00- $800.00 range, for everyday carry. Unless Santa maybe can be bribed into being really nice for Christmas and maybe go just a little more higher in price. I was looking at Kimbers but lately they have not had any great reviews, I really like the new Para Ordance models, but I don't know anyone who has any to compare to. A local gun shop owner has told me that the new Smith & Wessons have come a long way and he would buy over Kimber . Waiting for all your thoughts. happy Hollidays to all.
 
Thank you, I no nothing about mil-spec. I will check out their web site . This site is great , I came across it looking for some info on a hammer shotgun marked Grant & company. But knowone seems to have any anwsers. I was hoping it was a Stephen Grant but I'm not that lucky. Happy Hollidays to you and yours.
 
Used Pre-Series II Kimber Pro Carry or Compact. I find the steel frame full size too heavy and the 5" bbl. bothersome while seated.
 

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I carry a full size Colt Gov't on a daily basis, because well it's the only handgun I own. My only grip about the full size is the spur hammer, damn thing tries to rip out my kidney from time to time... So make sure whatever you go with has a carry friendly hammer.

And to actually answer your question, in that price rage I'd go with a Springfield. My brother carries a Kimber but paid way more than $800 for it. Nice pistol though.
 
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I have a Kimber Ultra Covert that I carry. Shoots accurately and flawlessly, compact and lightweight. Summertime I sometimes leave the 1911 at home and just carry my j-frame .357
 
In that price range either a Kimber Pro Carry II or a Springfield Champion.

I've had two Kimbers, including a Pro Carry II and both were flawless in their operation. I started out with a Springfield GI Champion, but it was a little too plain jane for my tastes. I mil-spec or a Loaded would be a better choice.

If you're lucky you might be able to find a Colt Commander in that price range. I much prefer barrel bushings to a bull barrel for field stripping the pistol. I traded my Champion for a Kimber Royal II, and sold my PCII when I got my Nighthawk partially for that reason.
 
Head over to CenterFire Systems as they have FREE SHIPPING on two (2) great RIA guns - the 5" tactical for $399 and the (beautiful) nickel GI for $419.
 
The springfield 1911 loaded is a step above the mil-spec and just gives it a more modern look thats what i carry and i love it check out places like gunbroker. com they have some great deals on 1911's
 
+1 on the Dan Wesson Commander Bobtail(CBOB). I thought I wanted an XD until I got to handle a CBOB. They list for a little more than $1100 out here, but I think it's worth saving for. They've done a lot of work making this a comfortable 1911 to carry.
 
Springfield Loaded or Dan Wesson PM7. My experience has been (as has many folks on these threads) that the smaller the 1911, 5" vs 4" vs 3", the more problems inherent with the gun. Pretty much all the full size 1911s I've owned have had little or no problems. Same can not be said for my Colt Defender, Kimber Pro CDP II, and/or Para Warthog. If you want something smaller for CCW, my recommendation would be to move down to a 9mm (more capacity), and a different weapon platform. (HK, Glock, Kahr, Sig, etc.)
 
if you can become compentant with a colt defender or a LW commander. 3rd would be a all steel in whatever length wears comfortably on your person.
 
Lots of nice stuff out there.
You ought to take a look at what is available and see what appeals to you. Once you find something that looks good, see what feels comfortable size and weight wise.

For me, a 5" all-steel 1911 Government model is too large and too heavy (41-43 oz empty) to conceal/carry comfortably. I am happier carrying an alloy-framed 3" (24 oz) or 4" (28 oz) Kimber, although I also own and hope to "work my way up" to carrying a steel Government Model some day.

Of the seven Kimbers I have owned, I have not paid more than $800 for any, and many have been higher-end models--Pro CDP, Ultra CDP, Pro Eclipse and Custom Eclipse. The deals are out there, just keep your eyes open. If you can buy FTF and "try before you buy", so much the better.
 
We have a Rock Island Match and a High Standard Compact that we daily carry.
My adjustable match sights are not the best for carry, some lower profile sights like some novaks would be better.
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Jim
 
In that price range you can find a noce used Colt Series 70, or a used Springfield or Kimber. New, the Springfield Military, or better yet, the STI Trojan which will be my next 1911.
 
I bought a nice blued Colt Mark IV/Series 80 lightweight Commander awhile back for $699.00. The NIB blued all steel Commanders are selling pretty cheap on Gunsamerica right now.
 
couple things to keep in mind -

(1) if you try to go from carrying a G27 to a full size 1911, you are going to hate life. i can't speak for the little .45's, but i shelved my G23 and gave a full size 1911 a test carry (for a couple days). IT SUKT :mad:

(2) your Glock has a firing pin block. as much as i like Springers, they don't. this doesn't matter to a WHOLE LOT of people, it does to me.

i cut my teeth on a Colt Gold Cup (series 70), and love 1911's, but it's difficult to carry the full size one if you're used to mini guns.
 
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