A good first 1911 for the range?

[Haemon]

I've been having fun looking for my first 1911 -- actually my first autoloader. I've rented other pistols, but the 1911 is the only one that feels right.

I need a reliable, accurate pistol that will last almost forever. I don't plan to drop 700-800 bucks on my first gun, then turn around and decide to get a $1500 pistol next year.

Once I work out the kinks and feel like I can avoid embarrassing myself, I'm interested in going to a few IDPA or USPSA matches.

Here's the problem: Im looking at a few remarkably similar 1911s and I need help with a decision. The folks at the shop have been less than helpful ("they're ALL good guns -- buy whatever you want!") and haven't given much info on differences between brands.

Here's what I'm looking at:
Kimber Custom II
Springfield Milspec
Colt Series 80 Gov't Model
Sig Revolution

I'm sure there are others out there, but this is what seems to fit my level of experience and price range.


Which do you recommend, and why?

 

[rondog]

Have you looked at the Rock Island Armory Tactical? Dang nice guns for under $400, and they'll hold their own at the matches (if you do your part).

 

[alanjtc73n]

I managed to find a Kimber Custom series 1 in unfired condition for less than $600 and love it. There's a lot of people who have issues with Kimbers but it seems like the earlier models have less problems. Mine broke in after only a hundred rounds and one thorough cleaning session. Haven't had a FTF or FTE since then. I started handloading (Montana gold and Unique powder FTW!) to get consistent rounds and have managed sub 1 moa at 25 ft. with my crappy aim. Needless to say, I'm in love with this gun. I've tried my brothers Springfield loaded and can't manage better groups...but he can. So I guess that means grab a solid gun and practice, practice, practice. Get used to your personal piece and you'll do well. Maybe a tweak to your selection though. How about a Sprinfield Loaded instead of the Milspec. It will have some upgrades comparable to the base Kimber.

 

[Fred40]

I bought a Springfield Loaded Target and like it a lot. Lifetime warranty doesn't hurt either.

Taurus PT 1911's are a great buy

Dan Wesson Pointman Seven is another that I took a long hard look at.

 

[eflatminor]

I'd go with the Springfield because I believe it has the LEAST ammenities of those you listed. For a guy new to 1911s and competition shooting, you'll want to get several months of practice and local matches under your belt before you begin to know what modifications you'll want to make to the gun. Take that time to read about the various changes you'll eventually make and what brands/designs you might like (better sites, a trigger job, a mag well, maybe a full length guide rod or checkering for a better grip). This way, when you know what you want, you won't have paid for a something you want to change anyway. The mil spec is bare bones, you will have not spent unnecessary money and you will have exactly what you want when you go to do mods (and you will do mods if you want to be competitive).

The Colt would be fine as well but I'd go for an older series 70, which I'm told is easier and better for a trigger job (likely you first or second modification).

 

[chbrow10]

I shoot a rock island tactical at USPSA matches. I highly recommend it. They can be had for $450 (incl. FFL and shipping) without looking too hard.

 

[skinewmexico]

STI Spartan is a great choice. Basically a hand-fitted Rock Island, with STI internals. My Taurus has run like a clock too.

 

[VegasOPM]

I like the Taurus. Trust me, for IDPA or USPSA you will want a gun that already has a beavertail and an oversized safety. Good quality sights are another "must have"- but I don't mess with adjustables for IDPA or USPSA. The first time you draw a GI-spec .45 with too high of a grip and try to finish a string of fire you too can learn the joy of lubricating your slide with your own blood.

 

[Riss]

Having seen some of the most expensive custom 1911's fail to work I will stick with my Springfield custom commander or Sistema any day. Both work 100% (so far) and I could not be any happier with either of them. For the money the Springfield or Rock Island cannot be beat.

 

[rrflyer]

First figure out your price range. You can get a lot more gun for 1500 dollars than you can for 500.

The cheaper guns are 400 - 600$
Rock Island Armory
Taurus
Cheaper Kimbers

Mid Range 600 - 1,000
Colts
STI's
Springfield Armory
Other Kimbers

High Range 1,000 -- many many thousands.
Les Baer
Wilson Combat
Rock Island
Fusion
Ed Brown

Honestly you do get a better quality gun in the mid range than you do the lower priced ones. I've had a Taurus that ran like a top for 5,000+ rounds and miss it but it was very sloppy by that time. I've shot RIA's and they all functioned well. I now have an STI Trojan and it shoots really well and the fit is really good.

Most mid low and mid range guns will shoot more than accurately enough to compete in competition events.

Once you get into the really high end guns you start paying more for looks. Though if you can afford 1300$ or so you might do well to consider a Les Baer PII or even a Fusion built to your specs. I've owned 1 les baer and it was very very nice. I'm planning on having a fusion built for myself this fall.

If you really want to shoot some competitions stuff with it an extended beavertail, wide ambi thumb safety, extended mag release, magwell and a fiber optic front sight are all highly recommended. In fact if you want it to come to your door ready to shoot I have to suggest the STI either Trojan(about 900) or the Spartan (about 600) ordered through Dawson Precision. With the dawson precision package(another 100) they do a trigger job on it, install a fiber optic front, and test run it to make sure you get one that runs great.

When you figure that you wont be paying tax on it the dawson precision package isn't costing you anymore than you would be paying. You'll get a gun that shoots great, will probably be unique at your club, and in the case of the Trojan is made in the USA. Customer Service with STI is top notch as well.

Out of the lower end guns My Taurus ran very well in the dozens of matches I shot it in. The Straight 8 sights take some getting used to but are very fast once you get used to them.

Also if you are going to shoot some matches youll want 4 magazines, a holster, and a double mag pouch to get started.

 

[Bufford t. Justice]

I have yet to see anyone mention Smith&Wesson in this mix. With the diversity of their lineup and a lifetime warranty coupled with service that's second to none, it's hard to beat a Smith 1911. New Blue full size models with novak low mount sights start around 700.

 

[Hoser]

I would grab an STI Spartan or Trojan. After that a Springfield.

 

[skinewmexico]

Is it just me, or am I the only person who thinks buying a 1911 from S&W or Sig is like buying a Ford from the Chevy dealer?

 

[Bufford t. Justice]

Let's not go there skinewmexico. Everyone's entitled to their opinion but there's no reason to flame a fine firearm just because it's not a Colt. I own several Smith 1911's and have never had a single issue with any of except for a barrel crown burr which S&W customer service took care of free of charge, free of shipping and had back to me in four days. Personally I consider the Smith to be a superior product.

 

[XDKingslayer]

Rock Island Tactical.

Once you start doing comp. shooting, it already has the Novak cut so you can simply bang out the non-adjustable sights and throw in some adjustable if you wish.

 

[possum]

first and foremost i always recomend sa of that is an option and i am gonna do the same here, i say look at the sa hard, i own three sa handguns, one being a 1911, they make great stuff, they stand behing thier products and they are just an all around great company.

the taurus is also a great value for what you get at the price point.

don't over look the kimber custom II it is pretty basic but it is nice, and they can be had at a great price.

 

[rondog]

First figure out your price range. You can get a lot more gun for 1500 dollars than you can for 500.

The cheaper guns are 400 - 600$
Rock Island Armory
Taurus
Cheaper Kimbers

Mid Range 600 - 1,000
Colts
STI's
Springfield Armory
Other Kimbers

High Range 1,000 -- many many thousands.
Les Baer
Wilson Combat
Rock Island
Fusion
Ed Brown

I "think" rrflyer meant Rock River here, not Rock Island. Top shelf pistols for sure, but I'm a Rock Island kinda guy.

 

[eflatminor]

XDKingslayer is right - you should avoid anything without a Novak rear site cut. If you're going to shoot Single Stack (or L10) in IPSC or IDPA, I would go with the RIA, STI or the basic Springfield that has a Novak cut. Same advice applies from my previous post; these are good guns on which to build a top notch Single Stack race gun. I like the idea of getting a really basic gun and while you learn on it, talk to other guys about who's the best IPSC pistolsmith in your area. When you upgrade to your exact specs with a guy that can build an ultra reliable and accurate gun with a trigger that breaks likes glass at two pounds (or whatever you like), you feel more confident in your pistol than any off-the-shelf Wilson or Brown could. That feeling eliminates any possibility that the pistol might impead you. Avoiding such a mental hurdle is good for your game, I think. It's not at all bad to start with a high end gun. I shoot a Nighthawk Talon for Single Stack but it too has had MAJOR work to shoot like it does.

 

[Stradawhovious]

i have both a Kimber eclipse pro II and a springfield milspec. Both are great in their own ways, but I consistantly shoot and carry the Kimber. One thing with Kimbers, and I can't emphasise this enough..... STAY AWAY FROM THE EXTERNAL EXTRACTORS I've seen and heard nothing but issued with these models.

-my .02

 

[skinewmexico]

I'm not flaming anything because it's not a Colt. I personally wouldn't own one. Just think it's odd when people choose the builders with the least experience. And customer service is a great thing to have, especially when the obvious isn't checked by QC.

 

[ScottG1911]

Auto Ordnance

my first 1911 was an auto ordnance and it was great. I picked one up with combat sights used for $350 and dont let that price fool you. That weapon was just as accurate as any colt or any kimber. now of course the Kimbers are much more pretty but for shooting targets or bad people in the night you cant go wrong with a 1911 from auto ordnance

 

[jetrecbn]

Rock Island Match or STI Spartan. I think they are twins.

 

[the foot]

Springfield 1911, man. Read up on it, contact current owners. They will tell you how reliable and accurate the weapon is.

 

[Sunray]

"...avoid embarrassing myself..." Don't even think about it. The truth is that nobody at a match cares how well you shoot. Except you. Go shooting and have fun.
"...avoid anything without a Novak rear site cut..." Absolute rubbish. As long as you have high visibility sights(they're easier to see), preferably adjustable, what they are or how they're mounted or who made them, doesn't matter.
"...reliable, accurate pistol that will last almost forever..." They're all that. And you don't have to spend a big pile of money to get it. You really have to work at damaging a modern pistol. My Series 70 Colt with fixed Millet sights is 30 some years old.
Accuracy with a pistol is nearly always an ammo thing. The barrel and bushing has some to do with it though. However, lousy ammo will give you lousy groups.
If you're not reloading, you'll have to try a box of as many brands as you can to find the ammo your pistol shoots best.

 

[Haemon]

Thanks for the info -- very helpful. I was interested to see STI listed as a possiblity in the price range. I always though that they were much more expensive, so I never really looked into them. My local shops (Cabelas and Sportsman's Warehouse) seem to stock only Springfield, Colt, Taurus, Sig, and Smith.

I'll look online, but I've never done a FFL transfer before, and don't really know how its done.