First 1911 +/- $1000

[Demos]

Hi,
I'm thinking about getting a 1911 for myself but I can't seem to get my head around all the options. I'm would like to keep my budget at $1000 but could go as high as $1200 if it's a vastly better gun.
Here's what I'm looking for:
Made by Colt, Springfield, Kimber, Ruger, Smith and Wesson, or Sig so I can help myself justify the cost because my department requires one of those brands for off duty carry.
Even though I might carry it, I know that I will be carrying my XDs the vast majority of the time and the 1911 will be primarily for paper punching so I prefer high quality sights to worse "no snag" or "low profile".
Accurate and reliable.
Ambi safety since I'm a south paw.

Any suggestions to start narrowing my search?
Thanks,
Demos

 

[JTQ]

Get a full size (Government size) 5" barreled gun in .45 Auto. After that, the two things you need to understand are the sights and the grip safety.

If you get a gun with adjustable sights and decide you don't like them or want night sights, your options are very limited. For instance, you are going to get a bunch of recommendations for the Springfield Range Officer, which is no doubt a fine gun, but it comes with adjustable sights. If that is what you want, it's probably an excellent option. If not, the Loaded model may be a better option.

Springfield http://www.springfield-armory.com/1911-series/

If you get a gun with a GI style grip safety and figure out you don't like it, you may be in for some frame grinding to get a beavertail installed. Colt has a couple of excellent models in your price range, the 1991 and the Series 70, but both will come with a GI grip safety. If you like that, they are both good values. If you've got to have a beavertail, you'd be better off to pick a model with that right from the start such as the Combat Elite.

Colt http://www.colt.com/Catalog/Pistols.aspx

I like Colt's, but the other's are fine if they have the features you like. Springfield has an excellent warrantee reputation, and they also have a very well respected custom shop if you want them to do some work on your gun in the future.

 

[dogmush]

Can we assume you don't want to fit your own ambi safety?

If not, in that price range, from those manufacturers prolly in this order:
Springfield Loaded
Smith and Wesson Pro
Sig Traditional Scorpion

Followed by whichever various Kimber has the right features. Kimber is IMNSHO the least value/$.

If you are willing to add your own safety the options open up.....but the loaded would probably be my first pick still.

 

[oldillini]

For the money I have been very happy with my Springfield Range Officer. Great shooter. Ambi safety is not standard from factory and would require the modification.

 

[JTQ]

I must have only read the first two sentences before replying above.

After rereading your entire post…

I add the Colt XSE to dogmush's recommendations.

 

[JDR]

The Springfield TRP is at the upper end of your price range but it has the ambi safety, and it meets the rest of your criteria.

 

[longhair75]

For less than your top dollar, the Ruger SR 1911 is a fine pistol. Mine has been flawless in operation and is more accurate than I am. The retail price i have seen lately is about $725.00

 

[dogmush]

Niether the XSE nor the Ruger have a factory ambi safety.

ETA: FWIW I gave up on finding factory ambi safeties, and just put Wilson bulletproofs in my 1911's. 'Course that adds ~$150 to the price but I get a really good safety and it opens a bunch of models up.

 

[Chocolate Bayou]

I just bought my second Springfield loaded, came with trijicon night sights and using factory mags it's 7+1 (I buy Wilson and they are 8+1) match barrel and it will eat any ammo. I picked it up at Bud's for $735.00. With their lifetime guarantee and excellent customer service. If you are only be using it as a range gun, try the Colt Government 38 Super +P. It is a great range gun in accuracy. On back side is ammo is not as available. Way more pop than the .45 IMO. Also check out the Dan Wessons, close to your top dollar cost. But since CZ bought them and started building them here, their quality makes for good value. But bang for buck I would go Springfield Loaded (or TRP if you go up a couple of bills)

 

[ColtPythonElite]

I would get a new 70 Series Colt National Match and swap the safety.

 

[JTQ]

dogmush wrote,
Niether the XSE …. have a factory ambi safety.

You know, you're right, Colt lists a single side safety on the XSE. However, while I've not looked at them for awhile, I've not seen an XSE without an ambi safety. Either Colt has recently changed, or they have an error on their webpage. The Combat Elite I mentioned in my first post doesn't have an ambi, I readily admit that error for not reading the OP's post thoroughly.

Here is Buds showing an XSE http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/...d/36067/Colt+O1070XSE+XSE+Series+8+1+45ACP+5"

Edit to add: I've specifically avoided the XSE in the past because of the ambi safety. Maybe Colt has switched to a single sided safety and I can add the XSE to my wish list.

 

[another pake]

Demos, you're going to get lots of advice on this one so I'll stay out of the recommendations. There are plenty of good options in that price range.

But help me understand, if you don't mind. You mentioned that your department required a choice from among several for off duty carry. Do you care to elaborate? What are their requirements? And why? I'm not trying to be a wise guy. Just curious.

Thanks

 

[Olympus]

Colt XSE models are no longer coming with factory ambis. If you find one, it's at least a year or two old.

Dan Wesson Heritage will be around $1200 and will trump any other model of similar price. But you don't get the ambi.

 

[malakili]

It's hard to beat the Springfield Loaded for what you get. It's actually closer to $750 and comes with big tritium sights, beavertail, ambi safety. Also has front slide serrations and full length guide rod if you like that sort of thing.

They are known to be accurate and reliable and my Loaded has borne out this reputation. Only thing I have done to it is replace the full length guide rod with a GI type.

You could also step up in price to the Springfield TRP (about $1300) and get checkering on the front of the frame, G10 grips, and an extended magazine well.

Springfield will serve you well.