Buying a 1911

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Alex45ACP

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I have decided to get a 1911 for self defense (I won't be carrying it concealed) and there are so many options I am very confused. I was hoping someone could suggest one. Here are my criteria:

1. Reliability - this is extremely important since this will be a self defense gun, I'm not interested in a gun that I can't depend on.

2. Must feed hollowpoints reliably.

3. Not a Smith & Wesson (No problem with them, I just already have a S&W and like to have a diverse collection :) )

4. Price - I'm willing to spend money for quality, but not tons of money. Probably around $1000 is my limit.

5. Finish - Not a blued finish, they rust too easily, and not a shiny "chrome" finish, I don't like flashy guns (stainless is OK, just not shiny). I think I would prefer a matte black finish like my Hi Power the most.

6. Must be full size, not a compact model.

I was thinking about a Colt 1991, are those decent guns?
 
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I bought the Kimber Pro CDP II for this purpose: http://www.kimberamerica.com/cdp.php

Tuner will be along shortly with perhaps better advice but here is what I found.

When trying these guns on, the mini versions (not a full handgrip) seemed wrong and did not fit my hand right. This pro version is essentially a full size 1911 with a shorter slide.

I think I have heard that the shorter slide is an abomination of some kind - here is my experience with this gun.

Took it to the range for the 300 round break in. Had some stovepipes and jams.

Switched to a different mag and problems went away (still a Kimber mag from another gun).

I now have a WIlson in it when I carry it. Several thousand rounds down range and it never jams. It is HK like in reliablility.

Note that for the most part I shoot hardball - you need to get this same recommendation from someone shooting hollow points as well.

(hollow points illegal in NJ anywhere outside the range and your house).

The gun is pretty too!
 
Colt or Springfield

I'm partial to Colts and think they are as good a buy as anything on the market. Don't think any of them come in stainless with black finish, but you could have that done after you've tested out the gun and ascertained it meets your needs. Springfield makes a beautiful "Blackened Stainless" that might well be what you're looking for. Had one, a friend now owns it, and it shot perfectly out of the box. It was too fancy for my taste...I prefer the matte black ORM Colts...the ones with the big "1991A1" on the slide. These aren't made anymore, but are still readily avail. Heres a good site to do some shopping on: http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/index.php/cPath/21
 
I like my new Colt XSE LW Commander. The stainless and the frame are a really dull, matte finish. I've only shot about 400 rounds through it, so far, but I haven't had any issues. I picked mine up a month ago for only $790 (retails for $1100). A fairly local dealer in NC has one in stock for $755.

Edit - Here's a pic of my XSE LW Commander with its new Hogue ebony grips.

lw_com.jpg
 
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Thanks for the input.

What do you all think of the Springfield Armory full sized models? (PX9109L)

PX9109LLarge.gif

I think these are pretty nice looking.
 
I just bought a Springer Loaded in stainless. Honestly, the trigger is kinda heavy, and the accuracy is just so-so (not bad, but nothing to write home about - the trigger may also be partly to blame). The slide to frame fit seems kinda loose (looser than my CZ-75). On the plus side, reliability is perfect so far through a single blistering range session of 300 rounds, even with the stock mags. The Novak 3-dot arrangement is pretty nifty.

I'd go with a Mil-Spec or basic Colt and send it to a pistol smith for custom work - trigger job and dehorning are priorities in a defensive gun, IMHO.
 
Alex, that's called a "Loaded Model", or a "Loaded".

No one calls Springfield models by their model numbers, there's just too many to remember.

That's a parkerized version, and it's the same one I owned for a while.

I never liked it.

I don't like ambi safeties, the Novak sights, the guide rod, or that ridicules bump on the grip safety.

The sights and the guide rod eliminate tactical options without giving anything significant in return, I could never shake the feeling that the ambi feeling was going to brush itself off in my holster, and the bump...

...well, the bump was just an uneccessary joke, in addition to being painful.

In short, it has too many options that I don't like.

I own two Springfield Milspecs, and consider them to be exactly what you say you're after- they fit every one of your requirements.
 
I have been very happy with my Springfield TRP I purchased in '01.

Comming up on 10k rounds with very few issues, none required going to the factory.

Here it is with my AR that has the EOTech from your "dominater" thread in the rifle forum.
DCP_0739a.gif
 
+1 on the Commander. I have the XSE lightweight Commander, which feeds HP, actually most anything, and has been very reliable.
 
I own and like the Loaded Springer's. My 5" is a great shooter, and feeds every type of JHP I've put through it (up to about 15 different brands/types, now). However, I must agree with a previous poster that the SA Mil-Spec or G.I. line may be more appropriate for you. Unless you're a lefty like me, that is, as they have only a single-side thumb safety. I can usually find them in my area for roundabouts $400-425. The full-size "loaded" version is roughly double that.
 
I like that picture of the Springfield - sweet. I bought a Kimber first. I know have a Kimber (a compact) and a Springfield (WWII now called GI). If I had bought the Springfield first, I'd have two of those. The Kimber is nice and it works for me - now. My Springer is like a timex. Both have great customer service. Once I started shooting 1911's, they are it for me - sort of - I did by the 1911's cousin, the FN Hi-Power.

I think Springfield makes a great gun at a good price. I bought the WWII during the Band of Brosther first run. I now plan on improving the sights, the rest will remain stock save for a pair or gunner grips.
 
Kimber makes a nice firearm, but if I had a choice I'd go with the Springer. Nice firearms that run forever and the people at Springfield are really customer driven. Hard to beat a lifetime warranty that you know the manufacturer will back-up.
Compare the Loaded 5" with Kimbers Custom II (or something similar) I think you'll find the Springer feels far more solid. My only complaints with Springfield is- all their new firearms(even my 1100.00 micro) feel really crusty out of the box. After about 200-300 rounds they're like butter.
 
My vote goes to Colt. I've had Kimbers, Springfields, currently have an S&W and a Colt 38 Super, and I'm finding out why the Colts are prized. The trigger pull for me on Colts once they break in is better than any other 1911 I've shot.

I would add, the S&W is still an awesome 1911. The Colt trigger pull though is so sweet.
 
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Colt .45

I have a COLT Custom M1991A1 .45 ACP SERIES 80.

I purchased this through Colt and returned the gun to their custom shop in Connecticut for the following modifications:

  • Special Combat Government Competition (Carry)
  • Parkerized Matte Finish
  • Custom Tuning
  • Polished Ramp
  • Throated Barrel
  • Combat Cut-Out Hammer
  • Flared Magazine Well
  • Long Nylon Trigger/Accurized
  • Extended Combat Checkered Magazine Release
  • Extended Combat Thumb Safety
  • Extended Combat Beavertail Grip Safety
  • Black Composite Wrap-Around Grips/Palm Swell/Checkered Backstrap
  • Fixed, Night Sights {Trijicon}

This is a beautiful handling/firing weapon.

Jeff
 

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Alex45ACP said:
I was thinking about a Colt 1991, are those decent guns?
Click to expand...
Yes, they are ...

Don't know if it matters to you, but the 1991 Colts have the Series 80 firing pin safety. Colt also still offers the Series 70 pistols that don't have the extra gadgets, and I believe even new those will still be within your $1000 budget.
 
I'm looking to purchase a Colt Commander or Combat Commander soon, I'm finding most of them are blued or stainless, I've shot them at the local range/rental, and have been very impressed, accuracy is almost the same as a full size 1911.

I'm not finding what I want currently, I may just pick up an older worn Commander and make a project out of it. This is what I'm looking for, but I'd like a mantle black koted finish
 

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I know it's a little over budget but if you can swing $1300 Sporting Arms will sell you a Les Baer Concept II that in my opinion is head and shoulders above Colt or SA (unless you want to get into one of the high dollar SA Custom Shop guns).

I've owned Kimber, Colt, and SA. Once you get your hands on a Baer you will see an attention to detail, fit, and finish that is hard to beat for the money. Mine has run 100% ever since day one. When you take your Baer out of the box it will be good to go as is; no sending it off for a beavertail safety or trigger job. By the time you buy a $700 or $800 Colt or SA, tweak it a bit you will have nearly as much in the gun as a Baer and if you ever go to sell it you will likely wind up losing a bundle.

I won't tell you a Baer is the ultimate gun or anything. There are plenty of other good 1911s out there, Ed Brown, the SA Custom Shop guns I mentioned, and the Rock River guns seem to have a pretty good rep as well. Most of those guns would totally blow your budget though. Dollar for dollar, I think if you can just part with an extra $300 over your $1000 limit, a Baer Concept II is really a good value all things considered. Good luck.
 
Springfield. You can get stainless steel, skeleton hammer, and other feature for under a grand.
 
45 ACP

I love the Colts but , you will be able to get more Springfield than Colt for the money you are wanting to spend. The Springfield is built loose like the Colt
and therefore is designed to run without having to worry about Spic and Span Clean.
Guns such as Kimber , Ed Brown , Etc tend to be tighter and need more attention to run correctly.
 
I honestly don't believe there is a better sub-$1000 1911 on the market than the Colt 1991A1. My Commander has now gone for 700+ rounds without any failures that weren't magazine related. That includes at least 100 hollowpoints.
 
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