Best PRODUCTION 1911, a poll

Best PRODUCTION 1911?

  • Total voters
    245
  • Poll closed .
Status
Not open for further replies.
Colt, edging out Springfield, in terms of mass production pistols. A few years ago I would have had a very different answer. My ORM 1991 was subpar. My Springer and even Argentine Sistema Colt both outshone it in every respect. Itried a Kimber, but that pistol was problem after problem.

Over the past few years I've been turning back to 1911s, and the current Colt offerings are a world of difference. My stock Colt Commander is now my EDC and workhorse. My Colt O1911 WW1 pistol is just awesome mechanically and aesthetic ally.
 
Last edited:
Colts name takes it a long way, many who aren't even that knowledgeable about guns think Colt makes the best of the best. Maybe at one time they did, that's fine. Of current production models I vote Dan Wesson. In the past I owned 3 Valors, 1 VBob and 1 CCO and all were phenomenal and much nicer than any other 1911 I've owned (Kimber, Springfield) and handled. I've only currently got a Ruger Lightweight Commander and it's nice (real nice really considering the price), easily as nice as the Kimbers and Springers I've had, but not on the same level as DW.
 
I'm not necessarily going to disagree. The Dan Wesson 1911s that I have examined and been able to shoot has been really fine pistols I just don't think of Dan Wesson as a mass production pistol like Colt or Springfield Armory or Ruger. Maybe I'm incorrect but I've always thought of Dan Wesson in a higher category of 1911 than "production" ... Or at least mass production.

I've had a jones for a vbob for several years now, and yet I keep managing to spend my money on something else.
 
I consider Dan Wessons production guns, both because they don't receive the same level of attention from an expert gunsmith as a higher-end gun and because there are virtually no options, but it's undoubtedly at the very pinnacle of the production category (which many people divide up into several subcategories, like "entry level," "mid-range," and "high-end"). To get a better 1911, you will have to go semi-custom.
 
I consider Dan Wessons production guns, both because they don't receive the same level of attention from an expert gunsmith as a higher-end gun
Click to expand...
While it may not be to the same level Dan Wessons are hand fit and not just assembled, you can draw the line wherever you want, but comparing a $1500 hand fit Dan Wesson Valor to a $850 assembled Colt Combat Elite isn't exactly a fair comparison either.
 
mavracer said:
While it may not be to the same level Dan Wessons are hand fit and not just assembled, you can draw the line wherever you want, but comparing a $1500 hand fit Dan Wesson Valor to a $850 assembled Colt Combat Elite isn't exactly a fair comparison either.
Click to expand...
Yet the Colt it still up by 5 votes, 35 - 30.
 
mavracer said:
While it may not be to the same level Dan Wessons are hand fit and not just assembled, you can draw the line wherever you want, but comparing a $1500 hand fit Dan Wesson Valor to a $850 assembled Colt Combat Elite isn't exactly a fair comparison either.
Click to expand...
Hence the reference to the multiple tiers of "production." Most 1911 aficionados will not regard the DW as a semi-custom gun.
 
well I'm way out in left field from most of you guys because the 2 current production 1911 that appeal to me the most are a Sig 1911 Nightmare Carry and a Kimber Supercarry HD, I want 1 of each.
My current 1911 is a Sig Nitron that has been nearly flawless through over a 1000 rounds, and I say nearly because I have had to bump it into battery twice when it was really hot and dirty.
 
The best part of this poll is that MIMber has only received 4 votes! Surprised there are not more MIMber fanbois here. They must be all hanging out on the 1911 forum, congratulating themselves for another "flawless" range session shooting their one box of ammo.
 
AR15activist said:
HaHa and that's fine -- out of the 3 million people who CC, I do wonder what percentage CC a 1911..

But to be more clear, if I wanted to know what the best CCW 1911 was, I would have asked that more specific question.

The 1911, unless otherwise specified, is a full-sized general purpose handgun.

Let's not be needlessly pedantic.
Click to expand...
AR15activist said:
Not an Ed Brown, Les Baer, Nighthawk or Wilson.

A non-custom gun, one that is not fully hand fitted.
Click to expand...
Well, at the risk of being needlessly pedantic, I carry a full size custom Colt and it is my general purpose handgun. Further, while Ed Brown, Les Baer, Nighthawk, and Wilson may not meet your definition of "production" that's exactly what the majority of their offerings are. You probably should have put a price range or dollar limit on your poll to limit the responses to those that meet your criteria.

That being said, I'm a huge Colt fan, but I picked Dan Wesson in the poll because, dollar for dollar, DW guns are currently the best value out there and give the best bang for the buck when it comes to components, fit, finish, accuracy, etc.. If you're not willing to spend DW money buy a Colt, they're putting out excellent guns these days at bargain prices.
 
1911 Original & Clones

My Colt is a 1980's Model of a 200th anniversary special. It shoots flawlessly !:)
My Star Model P is a bargain special. It shoots flawlessly !:)
I like the 1911 style ! Does it show ?:D

So far Kimber, the poll is vindicating my disappointment with you, and proving if you pay more, you don't always get more.
 
Last edited:
So far Kimber, the poll is vindicating my disappointment with you, and proving if you pay more, you don't always get more.
Click to expand...

You're right.

With a Kimber, all you get by paying more is a ... MIMbership. :eek:

:evil:
 
Vern Humphrey said:
I've carried a Kimber Custom Classic (the basic model) for 20 years, and it's everything an M1911 should be.
Click to expand...
A 20-year-old (or more) Kimber would be from the time before Ron Cohen's leadership had such devastating effects on Kimber's quality control. Your gun doesn't have much to do with those made shortly thereafter and later.
 
A 20-year-old (or more) Kimber would be from the time before Ron Cohen's leadership had such devastating effects on Kimber's quality control. Your gun doesn't have much to do with those made shortly thereafter and later.
Click to expand...
You could be right -- but the one I have is superb and I have put literally tens of thousands of rounds through it -- as shown by the empty primer slips under my workbench.
 
I have not voted in this poll because I haven't shot enough different 1911's to have a qualified opinion. The only one I own is a 5" Ruger. I do find the results interesting though. I am not surprised to see Colt & Dan Wesson in the top 2 spots. I am surprised to see Ruger have more votes than Kimber though.
 
Mike J said:
I have not voted in this poll because I haven't shot enough different 1911's to have a qualified opinion. The only one I own is a 5" Ruger. I do find the results interesting though. I am not surprised to see Colt & Dan Wesson in the top 2 spots. I am surprised to see Ruger have more votes than Kimber though.
Click to expand...
I'm actually quite surprised to see DW doing so well in the poll. I guess the brand is even more "discovered" than I had thought. I expected Springfield to be pulling a lot more votes based on that brand's popularity. And, like you, I am very surprised (though pleasantly so, in my case) to see Kimber receiving so few. It seems like two-thirds of the customers in my main LGS think that Kimber represents the pinnacle of the 1911 world.
 
100_2988.jpg


http://s42.photobucket.com/user/dnanncarr/media/100_2988.jpg.html?sort=3&o=200
 
Bersa - Metro Arms 1911

Anybody owned or shot a Bersa - Metro Arms 1911 ?

It has been touted as a 1911 .45 ACP for around $400.
Is it a good buy ? Is it just a cheaper version of the Rock Island Armory 1911 ?
Will the standard generic GI grips fit RIA and/or Bersa-Metro ?
 
Last edited:
Springfield. Many models to choose. Great customer service should somethimg be wrong. No firing pin safety.

I considered voting Colt, if one doesn't mind its Series 80 firing pin safety; or should one of its few without the firing pin safety be ok with a prospective owner.

While brand could be an initial factor, I'd consider other characteristics, too. For example, carbon steel frame, 5", barrel bushing, fixed sights, .45, no firing pin safety, ability to eject live round, other things which would cost money if changes are to be done after purchase.

I understand some people have zero preferences, however, or don't know yet what they prefer. I generally don't even recommend a 1911 to anybody. If a friend insists they want one, then a long discussion begins as to what is important and what they are willing to spend.

Remember, one can easily spend another $1K in ammo, mags, and holsters, and after shooting a thousand rounds, an intermittent problem arises which will take more time, money, and frustration to cure.
 
I voted Colt, lately they have gotten much better than a few years back. But the R1 is for the money a very good choice, they now have several much pricier models going into the $1500 range, which I don't think they will do as well with. like the navy seal commander, lol.
But the standard, the standard commander, "same price, harder to find", and the enhanced, are a bargain.
 
I voted Colt (which I have), and I also own Star Model P.
Best for the money (first to last IMHO) : Norinco, Rock Island Armory, Remington R-1, in the current market.

I'm curious about others and value your input. Thanks.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

T
  • Locked
  • Poll
Worst production 1911?
2 3 4
Replies
94
Views
11K
peacebutready
P
S
  • Locked
  • Poll
what 1911 I'm lost and need some guidance
2 3
Replies
56
Views
3K
snakeman
S
G
  • Locked
  • Poll
Poll: best full size .45 ACP service pistol
2
Replies
25
Views
2K
odysseus
O
G
  • Locked
  • Poll
Simple Poll
2 3
Replies
61
Views
3K
PabloJ
P
G
  • Locked
  • Poll
Best 1911
2 3
Replies
63
Views
4K
Nacho Libre
N
Back
Top