1911 Help

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ElPrez231

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Hey all, I am in the market for a 1911 and, with so many choices out there, am having a hard time choosing which; particularly which manufacturer. I have heard opinions (both good and bad) on the top 3 that I am considering (in no particular order): Springfield-Armory, Para-Ordnance, and Kimber.

I want it to be .45 acp, full-size (8.5" I believe), and stainless with either black or grey grips. Anyone have any suggestions? I really have my eyes on the new Para GI expert and have seen pictures of it on their website in both black and stainless however, it is listed as being only available in black. Does anyone know why this is and whether Para offers the GI expert in stainless?

It has a VERY attractive price...I am also looking at the Kimber Stainless II and the Springfield Armory "Loaded" Target in stainless. If anyone has any experience with the aforementioned models I would greatly appreciate it. Also any suggestions that have not been mentioned are more than welcome. Looking forward to the responses. Thanks in advance!
 
Prez-Don't buy a 1911 based on grip color because you can change that in 15 to 30 seconds and there are plenty of folks selling grips for them such as WWW.2RCo.COM.

All of the options you've listed are just fine. Para Doble stacks do however have less options for grips than traditional single stacks.

I think for the Money you might also want to look at a Taurus PT1911 or something by Rock Island.

I have a Kimber Stainless II and a Desert Warrior they both work fine for me so far. I rotate them in and out with my Argentines and a couple GI shooters. Despite the negative posts on here most of the modern 1911 variants are good guns. Just like all Glocks don't Kaboom!
 
No budget, really. If I find the 1911 that I like, then I will buy it. I would PREFER to not spend enormously over $1k, but like I said, if I like it I like it. This is the particular reason I was considering the Para GI Expert...I believe the MSRP is lower than my Walther P99 (@ around $599).
 
Look at gunbroker.com for a Colt Commemorative 1911. It may cost $850-950 and be brand new.
 
Dan Wesson Pointman 7 for just under $1000. Best deal currently available right now for price v. quality build & materials used.

Second choice wold be a Springfield Loaded. Good base gun & quality slide & frame.

Kimber a far 3rd choice -their quality is just too "iffy" nowadays, and has nothing to do with model or price.

Para is good, but I'm not into doublestacks as they can be problematic at times.

btw, I own one or more of each of the above, some for over 15 years.
 
1: Springfeild Loaded, for sure. (Lifetime warranty, that you'll probably never need)

2: Colt Series 70

3:
Kimber a far 3rd choice -their quality is just too "iffy" nowadays, and has nothing to do with the model/price of the gun
Click to expand...

I agree, even though it'll make many folk's around here a little angry.:fire:

I will also add that I have heard of Para having some recent frame cracking problems, I think mainly in the hi-cap models. Something to look into.
 
I've owned three .45s (SA GI, Kimber Raptor and Wilson Combat CQB). The SA was not for me. The Kimber and Wilson are excellent shooters with no problems to date.

One thing though, most .45s have a firing pin safety, and I'm not a big fan of those. I know the Kimber SIS is a series 70 pistol, and I believe it's stainless. Take a look at one of those.
 
Mr. Prez, my Taurus PT1911 has been doing real well for the past 2 years, and is very accurate. It never hiccups and will feed any type of ammo I have found with no protests.
 
If there is no buget then buy the best a Wilson CQB, Les baer, or even a NightHawk. but on a buget i would go with a Springfield armory Loaded model.
 
Elprez,

I dont recommend Kimber to anyone due to my bad experiences with them, but that is just me. I have heard bad stuff about Para, but that is here say for now. A friend of mine had a P-14 Limited but he was not pleased with it due to the poor quality parts and finished product of the firearm itself. I do like Springfield Armory.

I would suggest Wilson Combat CQB, I love mine. I also would highly recommend STI. I have an STI Trojan in 45acp, but it is blued. My best friend has the Trojan in Stainless and he loves it. The Stainless STI Trojan can be had for a little over $1,000. I paid $965 for mine.

If you do decide with the 1911, get one that has all the features on it that you want, unless you like to build and fit parts.

Good Luck!
 
I have a Springfield Armory "Loaded" Target 9mm in stainless. It is easy to field strip with the 2 pc. guiderod. It does not have the firing pin block safety which the Kimber "II" models do. The Kimbers have a full length guiderod in it so you need a bushing wrench to field strip it. I had a Smith & Wesson SW1911, which had a FLGR, and a FPB safety in it; the trigger was decent out of the box, but after I had my gunsmith work the trigger, it broke like a glass rod with the FPB intact. I regret selling the SW, and between the Springfield, Kimber, and S&W, they are all very good, but I think S&W offers a better 1911 for the money - skeeter_08
 
I don't like Para-Ordnance much myself. I've had two Kimbers and both ran 100% with good mags. S&W has a great reputation as does the STI Trojan.
 
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