Contemplating a new 1911 target pistol.

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brutus51

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Really don't need another, except my Kimber Super Match, which I've had for about 15 years, has a busted adjustable rear sight. This is the 4th. rear sight I've had to replace, which according to Kimber is normal wear, funny how my 50 year old Colt Gold cup still has it's original Ellison without a problem, anyway I'm thinking of replacing the sight again and then selling the gun.
My two preferred replacements under consideration is a new Gold Cup or a Dan Wesson PM-45.
I have owned Colts and Dan Wessons and will never buy another Kimber.
Question is how do you folks rate the Springfield offerings and is a Les Baer worth the extra bucks.
 
I had a sig 1911 that was very accurate and nice for the price. I want a regular plain Jane colt series 70 in a gi configuration . other than that I don't have much input on the matter.
 
I have Gold Cups (45 and 38 Super) and Springer Loaded Target (45 and 9mm) models. I shoot with guys who have Springer Range Officers. They seem to shoot and function as well as mine, but I like the finish of the Gold Cups better.
I've shot and worked on Dan Wessons and they are a grade better than Gold Cups in fit and finish. Accuracy and function on par with Colt.
I've handled and shot Baers. They are tight and right. But, for my informal shooting, I wouldn't (and haven't) spent more than Gold Cup money.
Edit: I can't comment on durability of any of the above since I've never had a parts issue with any in 40 years. Well, I guess that is a comment. ;)
 
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My Les Baer P2 sights were disappointing. The rear blade was not molded properly, leaving the notch with rounded corners, one more rounded thsn the other.
Not a good sight picture.
 
I've been shooting a Springfield Loaded Target 9mm for a couple of years. It needed a trigger job, but it's been rock solid reliable and shoots great. It was about $850 2 years ago, more like $1k now. Same price as a Colt Competition which I also have, but I prefer the Springfield.
 
I’ve got a Springfield Stainless Range Officer Target in 9mm and it is one of my two favorite pistols (the other is my Sig X5 Legion). It’s a beautiful looking gun and is accurate to a fault. I can’t recommend it enough.
 
I have two of these. Liked the first one so much I bought a spare.
A 1911 in 9mm is a sweet shooter.

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PS: About 60K+ rounds thru the first one, replace recoil and firing pin springs and shoot some more.
I believe they are calling it the Loaded Target model now, back when I bought the first one they were just called the Loaded model.
This one is on CAs approved list if that matters. (only matters if you are in CA)
 
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I'm still waiting to get my hands on a Dan Wesson DWX .40. I haven't seen a Les Baer without terrible obsolete sights on it, in a long time. If you can forgo the adjustable rear sight, consider a Valor. You're going to want the black duty treat, not the SS Dan Wessons. Unless you under cut the frame yourself, or chop the thumb safety or something.

1911's are dying off in competition, so hopefully that's not the ''target shooting'' your after.
 
If I were in the market for a 1911 primarily for target shooting I would probably start by looking for one of these:

1) Dan Wesson PM45
2) Colt Gold Cup Trophy
3) Colt Gold Cup National Match
4) Springfield Armory 1911 Range Officer Target .45ACP
 
While I own 4 punybellums, two of which are CZ's, my choice in 38's for target shooting and self defense is the 38 Super and 357.
1911's have been my choice platform for darn near 50 years and while I have dabbled in others I always come back to them.;)
 
I have a dan Wesson that came from the factory with issues. In hindsight I wish I put the money into a gold cup with a few upgrades.
 
20180921_124026-800x450.jpg l like both my Les Baers but they are the only 1911s i have. both have had issues. the P2s pinned front sight came loose after 1 yr and was fixed. the heavyweight monolith had some weird faiure to extract that had to be fixed. both are very accurate.i particularly like the heavyweight monolith. LB's finished lookg good but wear easily. i had the monolith hard chromed when it went back.
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A long-long time in the past I was issued a 1911A1 manufactured by Ithaca. The absolute worst 1911 series pistol I encountered was produced by Crown City. Basically Colt and Springfield are the examples I have the most experience with which includes a Colt Gold Cup and one Colt reworked long in the past by Flaigs of Millvale PA ( long-Long out of business) I've shoot that particular pistol extensively and jokingly say I filled 55 Gallon drums with the empties. As this is written the dedicated target pieces are retired but we do have a Colt-XSE and a Springfield (Loaded Series) .
 
Dodging your question but, if it were me, I'd look for a late sixties/early seventies Colt Gold Cup in good (tightly fit slide to frame relationship) condition.
 
Dodging your question but, if it were me, I'd look for a late sixties/early seventies Colt Gold Cup in good (tightly fit slide to frame relationship) condition.
Already have one, bought it in the 70's and It will never be sold. Only problem with it is, it only reliable feeds FMJ ammo and after all these years the trigger is down around 2- 1.5 lbs. which makes it my most accurate 45 but kinda scary.
 
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