Best 1911

[Soldier0117]

Hi everyone, I was interested in a 1911 because I rented one at the range the other day and I loved it. it was a springfield armory mil-spec. However would you say that original Colt makes the best? If Colt isn't the best what do you think of Springfield, Kimber or Sig. I would prefer a government model probably stainless with for defense and fun. Also can you get tritium sights and a mounting rail on any of these?

 

[DMK]

This is going to be interesting

IMO, the best 1911 is a real USGI 1911A1, a period Colt of the same specs or an Argentine Sistema. You can customize it as you see fit from there with a beavertail and Novak sights or something.

In other words, no MIM, no bushings so tight you need a wrench, no external extractor, no firing pin block safety, no plastic, no fancy guide rods, no feed ramps, and no front serrations.

Maybe I'm just a cranky traditionalist.

 

[1911austin]

define "best" and state your price range.

 

[f4t9r]

Before the bashing of which is best begins. Those mentioned are all good.
My first choice will always be Colt and the rest after that. I like the RIA on the low end pricing on the 1911. Tactical version for about 465 if you want to spend more the Springfield or Kimber are very good and at even more money you can get a Baer or Wilson or other high end piece. Depends on what you want to spend. Bottom line is the 1911 is a great gun to have.

 

[Soldier0117]

By Best I meant in terms of reliability, accuracy, safety features and easy of maintain. My price range is under $800.

 

[weisse52]

Colt, 70 Series or older, Or one of the Colt re-issues. SA after that. I like the basic GI, and then change MIM as I see fit.

 

[1911ShooterTJ]

By Best I meant in terms of reliability, accuracy, safety features and easy of maintain. My price range is under $800.

Soldier0117,

For your requirements, and in your price range, might I suggest the exact one you fired! A Springfield Armory Mil-Spec in stainless. It's a very nice gun, and the price should leave you with some room to have some fun (tritium sights anyways).

http://www.springfield-armory.com/armory.php?version=10

 

[Dobe]

Colt is an option. SA makes a good one too. I have several Kimbers, most of which are pre Series II. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend one, if you can find one. I have seen many used Kimber pre Series II Customs n gun shops across the south. Don't be afraid to check out the used gun section. If you are dealing with a reputable dealer, they will give a decent warranty. One in particualr in Baton Rouge gives a one year warranty on all of their used guns. That's not bad. If you can't find the bugs in a year, you don't have bugs.

 

[GunDog44]

I own both Colt and Springfield, there's not much, if any, noticeable difference between the two regarding function and reliability. I prefer the Colt due to resale and personal preferance, but Springfield make a fine 1911.

 

[10-Ring]

Best is different for every person. Many have to have the hi end custom 1911s, while many look for a budget 1911 and there many others in between. Me, I like Colts.

 

[nitestocker]

look around here for a week or so and you will most likely find a good kimber for around 800.00 but you can get a 1911 Taurus for around 500.00 and they come pretty sweet all decked out maybe some people here are traditionalist but every one is copying the 1911 it actually was made by john browning and the patent was sold to colt so like i said every one copy's it even s&w so why not Taurus and they did a good job i started it now

 

[GaryP]

All my 1911's are Colts, but there are other excellent 1911's out there, to name a few Springfield Armory, Para Ordnance, Kimber. All have had bad ones slip through the cracks at times.

 

[Geno]

STS Colt Series 70 Reproduction. I paid $749.00ish two years ago. To date I have fired 10,000+ rounds and have experienced no failures...yet.

 

[berkbw]

+1 on the SA.. The Colt was/is the "one", but it/they are very pricey. If you really want BANG for the buck, check out the offerings from RIA. They have great customer service and support. If you want resale - save up and buy a Colt.

b-

 

[Aguila Blanca]

By Best I meant in terms of reliability, accuracy, safety features and easy of maintain. My price range is under $800.

Well, that's neat. That price range completely eliminates ALL of the true candidates for "best" 1911. In that price range, IMHO there's only one candidate: the Colt 1991. $800 will buy it in either blued (my preference) or stainless. I'm partial to the Commander size as an all-purpose pistol.

If you really want BANG for the buck, check out the offerings from RIA.

RIA gives you decent bang for the buck, but there's no way they are in the running for "best." I own one. I made it run, but the frame is sufficiently out of spec that I had to adjust a few parts with a bench grinder. There's a reason RIAs (Armscors) are "hand fitted" at the factory. They have to be -- their quality control and machining are bad enough that you can't just throw standard, in-spec parts at them and have the gun work. Yeah, yeah -- I know with 1911s parts need to be fitted -- and that's true for optimal performance. But if the frame is in spec and the parts are in spec, you can just throw them together and it'll go bang. I've done it. But you can't do that with an RIA.

 

[MICHAEL T]

Colt is the way Ive had Para and Kimber never again.

 

[dsk]

IMO, the best 1911 is a real USGI 1911A1, a period Colt of the same specs or an Argentine Sistema. You can customize it as you see fit from there with a beavertail and Novak sights or something.

Considering the fact that "period" Colts and USGI pistols are going for around $2,000 and up for one in decent shape nowadays, cutting one up might not be the best plan. A better option for a nice older 1911 would be a Series 70 or early Series 80. There's plenty out there at reasonable prices, and most are devoid of plastic and MIM. However, as with any used gun they should be checked to make sure no prior owners did anything stupid.

 

[Black Majik]

There are a few that come to mind for a stainless Government model 1911 under $800.

Colt Government NRM stainless
Kimber Stainless Custom II
Springfield Loaded
S&W 1911

Now honestly, which can I recommend? I honestly don't know tonite. As I was writing those for down, I was going thru and saying "I can recommend that one, and that one, and that one too... ah heck! they're all good."

You'll have to try them all out and see which fits you best. They're all really good guns, but have some slight differences that you may be able to notice.

Good luck

 

[ugaarguy]

Considering the fact that "period" Colts and USGI pistols are going for around $2,000 and up for one in decent shape nowadays, cutting one up might not be the best plan. A better option for a nice older 1911 would be a Series 70 or early Series 80. There's plenty out there at reasonable prices, and most are devoid of plastic and MIM. However, as with any used gun they should be checked to make sure no prior owners did anything stupid.

I strongly agree. I recently purchased an all original Sistema for a very good price, but I will not modify it. I bought it because it's the closest I can afford to real USGI 1911 or Pre-WWII Colt Commercial Model. The gun and US Military history fan in me screams NOOO! to modifying any original military or early commercial firearm, particularly 1911s. You might look for a USGI or 70 Series (or earlier commercial Colt) that someone modified for IPSC or IDPA from the 60s to 80s with all the features the so-called "factory customs" like Kimber come with standard nowadays. Many of these guns were done right, but since they aren't original they lose value based on that even they're fully functional.

An example is a S&W model of 1917 revolver which recently came in on trade where I work. The gun was modified by having the top strap milled and a King's click adjustable rear sight installed along with a King's front sight base being soldered on with a red plastic insert Patridge blade pined in. The gun was also reblued, the lanyard ring removed, a shoe put on the trigger, and later era S&W target/combat stocks installed. All the work was extremely well done, likely for IPSC competition the 60s or 70s based on the King's parts. The gun is mechanically and functionally excellent. But it's not original. In its current condition it's just a butchered and reblued N frame with no collector value. It's a good gun devalued by the custom work, however well done.

There are plenty of 1911s like that 1917 out there on the market. Leave the original guns original for the sake of preserving history. However, take a look at these solid old guns which have already been modified. As DSK already said, just make sure the modifications didn't go too far.

 

[Rinspeed]

Slightly used series I Kimber would be my first choice.

 

[XNavyflyer]

IMHO Dan Wesson produces some of the best 1911's out there. Made in the USA and I think the only MIM on my CBOB is the slide stop release. No series 70 or swartz safety either! Try it...you'll like it.

 

[bluto]

was interested in a 1911 because I rented one at the range the other day and I loved it. it was a Springfield Armory mil-spec.

Look no further.

The Springfield Mil Spec is a great pistol. I have several and they are all accurate and reliable. I've put thousands of rounds through each of mine without a hitch. I also own a Colt Series 70 and it's a beautiful gun but for a first 1911 the Mil Spec is affordable, it's NEW and should anything go wrong, Springfield customer service is top notch.

 

[steelyblue]

Thanks to the bad publicity, you can probably get an almost new Kimber for about $500. I got my Eclipse Target II for $650 and my pastor got his stainless II for $500. Both are in excellent shape and drive tacks. I hope they get down to $300-400 dollars and I'll get quite a collection.

 

[oklahoma caveman]

Tactical version for about 465

actually if you look around they can be had much cheaper. i just ordered mine. was told $406 out the door. had to shop around for a while to find that price tho

 

[Grizzly Adams]

I've had a Colt Series 70, currently have a SA 1911 A1 and a Para P14 (both early models) and all have served me well!