1911; still can't decide.

1911 Decisions

  • Colt Mil Spec

    Votes: 24 28.2%
  • Springfield Mil Spec

    Votes: 15 17.6%
  • Springfield Loaded

    Votes: 38 44.7%
  • Llama (just kidding)

    Votes: 8 9.4%

  • Total voters
    85
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Sisco

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My next purchase will be a 1911. Why? Because I've never had one.
Just when I thought I had my mind made up as to which one to get, doubt began to creep in.
Should I:
Get a mil spec and gradually make improvements myself? Which one, Colt or Springfield? Any improvments made would be done at the kitchen table because I like to do stuff myself.
Go ahead and get a Springfield Loaded model and be done with it.
Kimber was on the list but out of my budget range.
Suggestons to go buy a Glock will be ignored. :D
 
It's been awhile since I looked, but when I was looking at 1911's a Springfield loaded was about the same as a Kimber Custom. If that still is the case I would vote for Kimber. I have had my Kimber Custom for almost 2 years now and I love it, and I have never had any problems with it. If the Kimbers are more expensive then I would have to vote for the Springfield loaded.
 
It will be way cheaper and easier and you will screw your gun up less if you choose a "package" with the features you want. Resale of a "gunsmith improved" gun can be iffy.

I own three 1911s, one in each barrel length. A Colt Officers', Colt Commander, and Springfield Mil-Spec.

As far as I am concerned, unless you are building a "race gun," all you need to add to a 1911 are your favorite sights, some grips you like and a couple of extra mags. If, and only if, the grip safety presents problems, replace it with one that is comfortable, reliable and snag-resistant.

My answer is get the Colt if you don't mind spending the extra money over the Springfield. Good luck and shoot safe.
 
I should have added to the first post what I'm after here.
I just want a good shooter; no competition, no CCW.
Ledbetter listed the mods I would make, maybe add a drop-in beavertail.
 
There is alot of value associated w/ the Loaded Springfield 1911. For the $$ (especially if you plan to do the mods down the line anyway), I'd go w/ the Loaded SA.
 
I'd go for either one of the mil-spec guns.
Half the fun of a 1911 is to customize it to your liking.
It also allows you to get in at a lower price and add to the gun as your funds allow.
 
Which 1911 is which...

When I tried to solve this riddle of steel myself, I ended up with a migraine.

Best recommendation I can give is this, try them all.

Yep, thats what I said; TRY THEM ALL. I mean go to the store and rack slides and field strip 'em and pull some triggers and so on.

*** you ask? Glad you asked! Build quality can be such a variable on 1911's that two of any kind sitting side by side won't feel or act the same. Why? Don't know. What I do know is that when I went looking over a year ago, I found that getting a hands on feel was essential for getting a gun I liked.

Some Springfields were smooth (triggers, slides) others I could barely rack. Some kimbers locked up tight, others rattled like a can of rusty nails. Colts followed no rhime or reason that I could disearn.

I settled on a Kimber Custom Classic Matte Series II. Cause it was the best fit, finish, and trigger of the ones I had laid hands on in my area.

Now go forth and do us proud.

-LeadPumper
 
I just went on gunsamerica to compare prices. The bottom of the line new-in-box blued Colt 1991a1 goes for about $525. A new-in-box blued Kimber Custom II with all the mods you'd want is $622.

The difference in price just isn't that much when you consider what even one modification will cost you! Just installing a beavertail will cost you $150 - $200 or more when you add the gunsmithing and rebluing charges to it! Sights, $100. Lower and flare ejection port, $200. Match trigger, $75 - $100. match bushing, slide to frame fit, premium barrel.... it just goes on and on!

With the basic Kimber (or Springfield) you get ALL of that and much more, for only a $100 more!

http://www.gunsamerica.com/guns/976291673.htm

http://www.gunsamerica.com/guns/976089920.htm

Keith
 
If you're just looking for a good shooter, get a Charles Daly 1911. For about $400 you'll get everything you're looking for in a 1911 without having to make any changes, or needing the services of a gunsmith.
 
I like my Charles Daly a lot more than my friend's Colt. If you can't pitch up the amount for a Kimber Classic, I would say spend $350 and get a Daly. With the Lifetime warranty and such, it should be good as a first 1911.
 
Wish I could change the wording on the poll.
Talked to the dealer, he said a Kimber Custom II would be very close in price to the Springfield Loaded.
The only thing he had in stock when I was in there last were Eclipse II's. One pretty gun but out of the price range I can handle right now.
 
Wait until you can afford the Kimber.

I've never regretted buying the best, I have often regretted NOT buying the best.

Besides all you would do with the extra money is eat, pay bills or some other such silly thing : )

GL
 
Kimbers and Springers cost the same for the Custom or Loaded models, respectively. Pick up one of each and buy the one that's fitted better.

I have no problem with the newer Colts except for the jiggly plastic trigger, which is an abomination.
 
If you are not a fan of the external extractor check out the Dan Wesson Pointman Major. Great gun for the money. They are also coming out with one called the Panther which has the external extractor and is more "tactical" looking. Either gun should be around $600 or so. The Panther might be less. Their website leaves a little to be desired, but worth checking into these guns.

For cheap, I have also heard good things about the Rock Island Armory guns. $350 from the Dealer Warehouse (check out Shotgun News).
 
If your dealer wants to charge you that much for a Kimber, I'd look for a new dealer!

Just buy one on gunsamerica.

Keith
 
I believe the decisions been made. Kimber Custom II, $650. That's his cost plus 10% & shipping.
I'd like to check out the Dan Wessons, but they aren't available locally. Really doubt he'd order one in just so I could feel it.
 
That sounds like a good deal and I'm sure you'll be happy with it. Until you start to want to change it.

You know you're a gun nut if . . .

you pay money to have a "loaded" 1911 upgraded.

:evil:
 
Did a quick check of Gunsamerica & Auctionarms, cheapest I saw for a Kimber Custom was $590. By the time you add shipping & FFL transfer fees there's not much of a savings. Not enough to bypass a local that I do a lot of business with anyway.
 
If you get the Springfield Loaded, you will have an entry level weapon that, from a distance, looks like a more expensive pistol. The fit and finish leaves a lot to be desired.

If you get a Colt, you will have the basic 1911, in a fairly well executed form.

--tdow
 
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