1911 Shopping

[cstreu1026]

Well I hvae decided that I should jump aboard the 1911 bandwagon. So I have started shopping for one. I went to my favorite locla shop yesterday with a couple of models in mind. I wanted to check out the mil spec Springfields in particular. As luck would have it they had the parkerized version on sale for $399 which seems like a heck of a price. But I really like stainless and they had a stainless version for right around $500. But I looke at one of the 50, 60 or 70 other 1911's in the case and I realize that it wouldn't take that much more to get something a little nicer. So I had 4 sales people helping me. Believe it or not they were very helpful and very low pressure which is one reason I keep going back. So they recomended a couple of models that were $699. The first was a Kimber I beleive a Custom II, but now that I have looked at some prices online I realize I can get that gun about $100 cheaper than their $699 asking price. The other was a Smith that had two Wilson combat 8-shot mags with it and it was stainless (remember...a plus in my book). So at the point I was little over-whelmed. Then one guy hands me a Sig GSR, a gun I dearly love the looks of, but its nearly a $1000 and not of noticably better quality. Now at that point I was really liking the Smith but still not sure. So then one of the guys tells me I should atleast check out a Les Baer Thunder Range to see what $1600 feels like. Wow, now that gun felt GREAT in my hand. It had very very noticably tighter tolerances in its design. So here is where I am at today. i really like the feel of the Les Baer, but for that price I could get 4 of the Springfield Mil specs that were on sale, or the Smith, the Kimber and some ammo. So my question for the 1911 experts of THR is should I really be looking at a $1600 gun for my first 1911 or are their better and lower priced options? The store I went to has about every possible option to consider from a dan wesson all they was up to a $3K Wilson Combat so what should I check out next?

 

[Fly320s]

Unless you can shoot as well as the Les Baer will allow, I think you should get one of the other models first.

Take the Springfield or Kimber home and test drive it for a month. Make sure you actually like the 1911-style before you go and spend the big bucks on a Les Baer. Like you said, you can get lots of supplies/accessories for the Springfield for the same price as the Les Baer.

If you plan to carry one of the guns, the Kimber is usually more rounded, blended, and otherwise dehorned than the Springfield, in my experience. I own a Kimber Pro Carry and a Springfield 1911-A1 Loaded. Both are very good guns: reliable, accurate, fun to shoot. The Springfield has much sharper edges all around it, which makes extended shooting periods and drills tough on my hands.

HTH.

 

[duckslayer]

I recently purchased the Springfield GI model for my first 1911. My reasoning was, as cstreu suggested, that I would try out the 1911 style with the less expensive version, then if I liked it, I could always get a more expensive model. If I didn't like it, I wasn't out much money. I really like the GI mil-spec that I got though.

 

[Berg01]

I have the SW1911 with the adjustable sights, it is a terrific piece, and and I would whole-heartedly recommend one to anyone interested in a 1911; mine is extremely accurate and totally reliable.

However, depending on your experience and skill level, I might suggest a different course of action; i.e., what other handguns have you owned and shot with?....how often do you get out to the local ranges to practice?

 

[garrettwc]

Good advice given so far. Start with a cheaper one and see if you like it. A Baer should not be your first 1911.

I started with a plain jane Colt. Then I got a Kimber Custom I. I have found I like something in the middle. The Colt isn't tricked out enough, and the Kimber is just a little too much. You won't know what you like until you try them.

 

[PinnedAndRecessed]

Yes, you can probably get one cheaper online, but I honestly prefer to support my local businesses. It costs a little more but these people have overhead in an industry the govt seems determined to discourage.

Besides, didn't you say you had four salepeople helping you? Figure you were there 20 minutes. Figure they make maybe 15/hour. Do the math and buy from your neighborhood dealer.

 

[mpthole]

Well, here's what I did when I got into 1911's...

First, I bought an older, used Springfield Armory. Very basic... one might even have called it "mil-spec". It worked for a while. Then I decided to buy a fancier SA and bought (again used) a "Loaded" model. What I found out after owning both of them and shooting them side-by-side was that there were little things about them that I didn't particularly like.

The Loaded model had a magwell - didn't like it. It also had a huge thumb safety - didn't like it. The older, mil-spec version had an awful trigger when compared to the Loaded model - so obviously I didn't like it. Funny thing is, I didn't know that I didn't like it until after I shot the Loaded model.

Then I bought my first new 1911, a Rock Island Armory. (Seems like I'm going backwards, doesn't it? ). I sold the two Springfields and decided that since the RIA was cheap to begin with, maybe I'd try my hand at some mods to it. As it has turned out, with the help of the internet boards and some books, and thousands of rounds downrange, I've got my RIA pretty much set up the way I like it. Now I know what I like and what I for sure don't like.



My bottom line: Only if I had money to burn would I start out with the Les Baer. You may find out that there are things about it that you don't particularly care for.


That's just my $.02.

 

[Berg01]

Yes, you can probably get one cheaper online, but I honestly prefer to support my local businesses. It costs a little more but these people have overhead in an industry the govt seems determined to discourage.

This advice hits the nail on the head! Ask your shooting friends and acquaintences about a good local gunshop, and then go make friends with the owner... I did this, and am grateful I did, because every gun I bought off the guy was terriffic, and in every case I actually got a pretty good deal.

 

[at-home-daddy]

I have a SW1911 -- and it's been flawfless from the first bang...highly recommended for a variety of reasons as a great first 1911.

 

[at-home-daddy]

In fact, here: I haven't shown this shot off for a while...this gives me a new excuse.

 

[unreal45]

springer mil-specs

My SA mil-spec shoots as good as i can and always goes BANG!

 

[cstreu1026]

Well I do intend to buy locally. I was more or less pointing out that the Kimber was much cheaper online, though everything else was the same as online prices if not a couple bucks cheaper. I am not sure why there was so much difference with the Kimber.

OK, so I really don't want to spend $1600 on a single gun just yet. What are some guns I should be looking at besides the ones mentioned above? One of the guys at the store mentioned they have had some problems with the lower end Para Ordanance models but I really wouldn't mind spending $700 if its going to get me a much better gun over the $400 Springfield.

 

[Justang]

I'm also in the market for a 1911. I like the Springfield loaded or the Kimber Custom II. I've shot both and can't make up my mind. I honestly couldn't find much of a difference. The Springfield felt a little better to me, but I shot the Kimber a little better. But I'm a novice in this sport. So, basically it was too close to tell.

Which one is better? j/k I've read a lot of stuff online and it really seems to be personal preference. It really seems to be like the Ford vs Chevy rilvary. Now which one is the Ford? I want that one.

 

[bradvanhorn]

Wow, I just discovered it's been 3 1/2 months since my last post... What the heck have I been wasting my time on?

Ah, but now to the question of Ford vs. Chevy... oops, I mean any modern 1911 vs. any other modern 1911.

When talking about guns, it seems to me that most people want to have some kind of easily identifiable solution. Like with cars... Want to know what car has the best 0-60 time? Well, Road & Track says Car A does it in 5 sec, and Car B does it in 6 sec, therefore Car A has the better time (and is thus "better"). Unfortunately it is not such a simple comparison with guns.

So, where am I going with this? I think you need to try to forget about which brand name is better. Go to the store and hold the guns you're considering buying. Manipulate the controls (without abusing the gun please); use the slide release, use the safety lever, drop the magazine. Shoot these guns if at all possible (rent, borrow, etc.) I suspect you will find you like the overall fit, finish, feel and features of one over the others, and that should answer your question of which is better. (However, you should also keep in mind that many parts can be changed quickly and easily by a gunsmith, or sometimes by yourself if you have time and patience.)

O.K., now that I've done nothing to really answer your question... Personally I like Kimber and Colt over the others. Both my Kimbers and Colts are reliable, comfortable, and for my budget, affordable. However, I like the fit, finish and features of the Kimbers best of all. So, I think if I were in your position today, then I would buy a Ford... oops, I mean Kimber.

 

[tc300mag1]

Since its your first 1911 go with a cheeper one im on my 2nd one and just bought a springer loaded a month ago i think it was.

Great gun. Work flawlessly so far as have all of my springer guns so far

 

[pmbiker]

I know it's not one of the options listed, but I'd try something else. Start a search for a gently used pre-series II Kimber. Any kimber without "II" in the rollmark will do. A classic custom or classic custom target if you like adjustable sights, stainless is available. I'm no expert but recently I've owned a springfield loaded, a new series 70 colt and a Kimber classic custom target(no series II).

Somebody else spoke of "little things I don't like".

The SA was sharp and chunky and the general parts fit was kinda bad. The barrel hood would move down maybe .020 while in battery and the slide to frame fit rode on just a couple of high spots on the rails. It ran with every load I put through it, but accuracy was kinda dissapointing.

The colt looked like it belonged in a museum, awesome. The barrel fit was good, but the trigger was a gritty 6 1/2# and the slide to frame fit was usual colt loosey goosey. If I replaced the sights, installed a beavertail, did a trigger job and reasonably tightened the slide to the frame it'd be my perfect gun. That's a lotta work on a $900+ gun !!!

The kimber is a lot better suited to me. If I could fill in the front cocking serrations it'd be perfect. Everything else seems just right and tight. I had the frontstrap checkered and tuned the trigger a little and I love it.

In the end buy what you like and what suits your style. I tried only one example of each, your results may vary.

 

[10-Ring]

If you can get a good deal on the Kimber Custom II, I'd go w/ that. I had initially gone the mil spec route & later discovered that customizing yourself costs serious $$$ The Kimber is a really good value.

 

[targetshootr]

Buy an inexpensive model so you can decide if you like shooting one and picking up brass. Then buy a progressive reloader with the money you save. That's what's fun about shopping for guns, you get to go out and spend all the money you 'save'. hehe

 

[robertbank]

Take a hard look at the Para SSP or LTC. Both guns are excellent. I have the SSP and gun is accurate, well made and reliable. From what I here the Sig is hit and miss with mostly misses. Unless you have very good eyes you will tire of the mil-spec sights, quickly. I have three Norincos, two of which have got new sights on them. The third will keep the mil-spec sights but they certainly are no treat!

 

[eagle45]

I like both Springfields that I own, a 1911 full size that I bought new in 1998 and a Champion that I bought new this year. The Champion is one of the 'loaded' pistols, and the little extras are nice. Their web site describes all of them.

I love shooting both of them. Had to have a little work done on the full size this year to resolve a feeding issue, but it's had a few thousand rounds through it and that was the first problem I ever had with it. I've put about 1500 rounds through the Champion with no problems at all. If I had to keep just one, it would be the Champion. It is as accurate with it's 4" match barrel as the full size with a 5".

You can spend a lot more money on a 1911, but the Champion is a good one to start with. I got mine for about $700, which I thought was reasonable. I could spend a lot more on one and may someday, I love looking at those Wilson Combats!

 

[9mmepiphany]

my first 3 1911s were colts. but that was before the advent of springfield or kimber clones. there is nothing wrong with a plain jane GI 1911 clone...but then come the wants. better sights, different thumb safety, different grip safety, different trigger, trigger work, throated barrel, magwell modification. it doesn't take long to get into four figures.

i think you're better off starting with a budget of around $1K and getting a piece with most things already done. my personal favorites are the kimber custom or pro (available in stainless). i am quite taken with the para ord SSP and smith 1911sc (stainless and scadium...light weight and strenght). at the upper range of the budget is the sig GSR (which sould be just about $800) if you like the rail

 

[45auto]

Too many choices, sounds like a good shop.

I'd spend less than $700 on your first 1911. Buy the Springfield Loaded, Kimber or S&W...all in stainless which is what you want.

Buy the one that feels best in your hand, looks the best or is the cheapest.

You'll end up buying more 1911's down the road so I wouldn't worry about buying the "perfect" 1911 the first time around.

Have fun and buy it quick.

 

[lycanthrope]

The best production 1911 for the money is the STI Trojan. Next step would be a Kimber.

 

[Zach S]

I started with a plain jane Colt.

I was going to suggest this one, simply because they fit me better due to the long trigger and flat MSH - two parts I'd have to change on a mil-spec springer. Throwing all politcal opinions to the wind, the trigger on Series 80 colts is easy to improve, just yank two levers from the frame, and the plunger, and the spring from the slide (dont forget these two, like I did. D'oh!)

I'd suggest a stainless GI 45 or the mil-spec with the bigger sights. If you generally like the pistol, but dont like this or that, change it. With the stainless pistol you wont have to refinish it if you have dovetails cut for new sights, add a beavertail, ect, so liking stainless comes in handy (personally I hate it, but all of mine are stainless).

You may wind up sinking a lot of money into it, but after you get the money poured into it it'll be exacty what you want, unless your so indecisive that you cant keep you mind made up, and decide to get another to build up differently...

I think others have warned you already, but I'm going to anyway: Depending on how much money you have to spend, 1911s can multiply like rabbits.

 

[Safety First]

The two 1911's at the top of my "which one do I buy soon list" are the S&W 1911SC (light weight commander type) and of course a Colt NRM lt wt commander. I plan to use as a carry piece if I like it well enough to displace my Sig P239 9mm, If not it will be the night stand gun. I don't think you could go wrong with either. Other choices are good but the Smith and Colt both are tough acts to follow for the $$$$...Good luck...Oh by the way the S&W has a life-time warranty and S&W pays the freight both ways....