1911 Opinoins - S&W vs Sig

Which 1911 - Sig or S&W?

  • Sig 1911 Platinum Elite

    Votes: 15 14.7%

  • SW1911

    Votes: 70 68.6%

  • Avoid Both

    Votes: 17 16.7%
  • Total voters
    102
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C

CTGunner

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May 31, 2009
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I am looking for opinions on the following two pistols. Where I live both are priced at $899. I'm absolutely looking for a gun that will run reliably out of the box and a company that offers solid customer service. This will be a primary carry gun. While I am open to opinions on other guns, these are the two that are available to me in my price range at this time and in my location.

One of my main concerns is how, for the same money, Sig has added so many 'bells and whistles' to their gun i.e. a more enhanced finish, tritium night sights, front strap checkering, etc. Did they cut corners somewhere else?

1. The S&W SW1911 in Blue
http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/...57754_757752_757751_ProductDisplayErrorView_Y

2. The Sig 1911 Platinum Elite

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/...57754_757752_757751_ProductDisplayErrorView_Y
 
The S&W's you show have adjustable sights. Didn't you say you wanted a carry gun?

Actually this one for 1099 MSRP looks like a great deal:
http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/...57754_757752_757751_ProductDisplayErrorView_Y

I don't see your point regarding finishes. The S&W I referenced is finished in Melonite, which is about the toughest dark colored metal treatment available. Its not a coating but an actual surface treatment that toughens the metal. Its great stuff. Aftermarket companies typically charge $300 or more for a melonite treatment.

Another thought, replace only the front sight with a tritium. I prefer that for night shooting. Its less confusing than having 3 dots.

Finally, I'm clearly biased towards smith and wesson. I'll admit it. I don't have any experience with Sig 1911s so the bias is not based on performance.

S&W just makes a nice gun for the money and backs it up with FANTASTIC service. Over the last 25 years I've used S&W service 3 times. In every case I was THRILLED with the service I got.

Most recently I had the bolt come appart on a M&P 15/22. It was a well documented problem on early guns. I called S&W and they paid for return shipping from my house to them. They fixed it in about 10 days and returned it to me. All on their dime.

Prior to that I attempted to loctite the cylinder release screw on my 340 and screwed up. I got loctite into the action and it made things all funky. This time I was working in hartford occasionally, so I just drove up to Springfield. A nice man met me at reception and took the gun in back for about 20 minutes. He fixed it while I waited.

Don
 
Another vote for the S&W. My memory isn't what it used to be but some of the Sig guns had issues fitting in holster when they first came out. I don't know if they still have that issue.
 
I stick with the straight issue 1911A1's... with 1 exception. I carry a AO that I have built a hard ball gun from...trigger/fitted slide/pollished ramp/barrel n bushing. Reg shooter is a Remington with a S- in a lock box at the Bank!
Just my preferences.
Dan
 
I'd recommend the S&W too

The Sig will be harder to find a holster for due to the slides profile and the ridge on the grip safety will beat up the web of your hand
 
CT gunner. One other thought. Sig is based in New Hampshire. S&W is based in Springfield, MA.

So in either case (assuming CT stands for Connecticut) you are supporting the local economy.

Although buying a colt would be closer to home. Which leads me to another thought. You could buy a colt for the same money. But honestly. If I was buying a gun to build off of , I'd get a colt.

If I was buying a gun to just use, and expect it to run reliably without any upgrades, I'd get s S&W

One other thought. With S&W you get their lifetime service policy. Leave it stock and any problem you ever have on the gun is S&W's problem. Thats nice.
 
I have 11,000~rds. of various, sometimes crappy, ammo through my first run SW1911 with zero weapon related malfunctions. I've used it in USPSA comps and CCWed it for many years, and still do. It is by far one of the best firearms that I've had the pleasure of owning and using. I can not recommend it enough.

SW1911-1.jpg
SW1911-4.jpg
SW1911-5.jpg

Barrel bushing: EGW thick flange carry bevel.

Recoil spring plug: Ed Brown GI stainless.

Recoil spring guide rod: Ed Brown GI blue.

Recoil spring: ISMI chrome silicon 16#.

Slide stop: Wilson Combat Bulletproof stainless.

Thumb lock: Ed Brown tactical stainless.

Trigger: Cylinder & Slide long, solid and smooth.

Firing pin stop: Ed Brown Hardcore.

Firing pin spring: Wolf extra power.

Magwell/mainspring housing: Kimber with Kimber internals.

Grips: Alumagrips light weight tactical.

Grip screws: Hogue stainless hex.

Magcatch: Ed Brown standard stainless.

Magazine: Wilson Combat ETM.
Click to expand...
 
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Just handled the Sig XO yesterday at the LGS and was very impressed. Like you i now have to choose which one. The S&W in stainless in slightly ahead but that may change.
 
The S&W 1911s are some of the best I have ever fired. I would much prefer them over a Kimber or Springfield or Sig.
 
I have two sign 1911....fine guns...use them in idpa and steel challenges ........the holster issue is a pia ....... for indoor idpa....neither one of my sign 1911 reliability feed winclean ammunition .......but with ball ammo....great guns
 
I would not buy either one. But it is my opinion and not based on any facts that make me rather have a Springer or STI or Colt. I like the internal original design extractor. I also feel Smith and Wesson is going down hill fast when it comes to quality. I think Sig builds a heck of a 220 but I still like the older more proven 1911 manufactures best.
 
I would highly recommend waiting for the E series S&W 1911 also. What they have done is installed the extractor from the Performance Center 1911s in the regular production 1911s. It is a huge upgrade.
 
I'd avoid both because mid-grade 1911's don't mesh up with your reliable requirement.

However,

I would highly recommend waiting for the E series S&W 1911 also. What they have done is installed the extractor from the Performance Center 1911s in the regular production 1911s. It is a huge upgrade.
Click to expand...

These E series guns look very interesting.
 
Oh comeon. Go on the 1911 forums and there are lots of people who rave about their $450 Rock River guns.

I wouldn't own one, but I don't dismis them as unreliable.
To me a 1911 is as much a piece of art as it is a tool. So I like my 1911s a little fancy.

Don

DSC_4806.jpg
DSC_5876.jpg
 
So what is the issue with adjustable sights on a carry gun? Is snagging the primary consideration?
 
Snagging, and the fact that moving parts can move.

I've seen adjustable rear sights in the past break and not hold zero. Not a horrible thing for competition as the worst outcome is a poor score. Horrible if you are relying on the firearm for defense.

For a defensive weapon, stick with fixed sights.
 
Of the 2 I think the SW has a better track record for reliability. I also agree that the E series extractor is an upgrade that is worth the wait and the money.
 
There are no problems with external extractor's. It was a change made because of cast production methods. It is different than Browning's original design but then you can no longer pay someone .25 cents an hour to whittle steel. Smith&Wesson's Doug Koening has won to many championships for that to be an issue.
 
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I have a 108284 SS S&W with adjustable sights and the dreaded external extractor. Still has low round count(<1000), but performance has been flawless so far and the fit and finish is excellent. Other than looks, I like it as well as my Kimber Grand Raptor.
 
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