best 1911

[hvychev77]

man that para looks sweet. i've never shot one, but, i haven't seen too many positive reviews. i love the warthog, but, i would need to hear some more positives about para before i bought one. i guess it could be that the warthog is the problem, not para.........once again, i'm very new to the 1911's.........

 

[rellascout]

Para had a very rough stretch at one point in terms of QC. They were horrible. You would either get a great gun or you got a total lemon. Many report that they have turned the corner since moving manufacturing to NC. I personally would not get one but that does not mean there are not Para fans and that there are not good examples of Para 1911s.

If you are looking for a small format 1911 the Colt Defender is a nice gun. I like them a lot better than the SAs. Also take a look at the little Sigs. People seem to like them.

 

[Manta77]

Don't believe everything you read. Mine has taken a little tinkering to get it to where it is (metal mag release lever, new extractor) but now It's the best .45 I've ever owned. Also I only have about $600 into everything.

 

[918v]

The best, in my opinion, is a 1911 from the Springfield Armory Custom Shop. It is the tightest fitted, best machined, most reliable 1911 on the market.

 

[ElToro]

Get a used base model colt or springer, run a few hundred rounds thru it for fit and function then send it to their respective custom shop. im partial to colt and i have a commander back there for a cosmetic and internal tuneup. the price and wait time cant be beat relative to a big national shop. for a few hundred bux, colts will put night sights on and do all the standard upgrades, lower and flare, poish the ramp, etc. and if you ask nice they will also usually apply some extra polish and hand fit your slide. im also getting front strap checkering and some other goodies but out the door im still WAY less all in $$$ compared to a nighthawk or wilson

 

[Condition Yellow]

I'm some what biased by my 20th wedding anniversary gift. Had a Springfield Loaded before I received this. NO comparison. Zero malfunctions or break-in time.

 

[Usmc-1]

@ Yellow , I'd be biased too (and I am a bit jealous!!!!)

 

[Winkman822]

For production level guns, you can't go wrong with a Springfield or a Colt, but if you have the budget for it, go for a Les Baer or a Wilson Combat. Baer is about the best custom 1911 out there dollar for dollar, but you will NEVER be disappointed with a Wilson Combat 1911.

 

[TGReaper]

I have a bit of a problem understanding why so many people have reliability problems,
I have four middle of the road 1911s two are Colts one is a series 70 Gov't ,and one is a series 80 stainless Gold Cup.
The other two are STIs one is a Ranger 11 and the other is a Range Master all four have been both accurate and reliable right out of the box.
TGR

 

[Leviathan5964]

I have a seroes 1 Kimber Custom Classic. If you can find one get it, it's awesome. Also have a SA SS Loaded. It's a lot of gun for the money. Just bought a SA Champ Operator but the People's Republic of New Jersey is making me wait for the paperwork to pick it up.

 

[Casefull]

Used kimbers are great values. Lots of bad press from folks not getting how 1911s work. I have colts, kimbers, springfields and they all work great. I like used 1911's cause they are broken in and ready for a long life.

 

[X-JaVeN-X]

I absolutely love my Smith and Wesson sw1911 (178011). It's fairly new (only about 500 rounds through it) but have not had a single FTE or FTF with it. The fit and finish on it are great...there is ZERO slop between the slide and frame. Also...the gun, IMHO of course, is absolutely gorgeous.

 

[918v]

I have a bit of a problem understanding why so many people have reliability problems,
I have four middle of the road 1911s two are Colts one is a series 70 Gov't ,and one is a series 80 stainless Gold Cup.
The other two are STIs one is a Ranger 11 and the other is a Range Master all four have been both accurate and reliable right out of the box.
TGR

Don't assume everyone is competent.

 

[FlyboyJS]

I purchased a Springfield EMP 3" in 9mm for my EDC
My friend has a Springfield Micro Compact 3" in .45 for his EDC. He also just got a wonderful, very well kept, used S&W 1911Sc 4.25" that he'll probably carry as well. None of them ever modified. These we are trusting ours and our families loves with.

 

[Apocalypse-Now]

Para had a very rough stretch at one point in terms of QC. They were horrible. You would either get a great gun or you got a total lemon. Many report that they have turned the corner since moving manufacturing to NC.

actually, the comlaints have increased since the move to NC. everyone thought QC would improve because of the move, but it's been quite the opposite. just google it, and check out the dates of the complaint threads.

there's way more complaints on the NC gi experts than the canadian ones (i owned an early canadian one for two years). i just sold it recently after receiving crappy cust serv about a simple out of spec extractor (claw was too long). their "gold medallion" customer service told me to buy another extractor from brownells