Help, I am about to purchase my first 1911

[WRGADog]

The guns I am considering are the S&W "E" Series, Stainless Steel with rail, Kimber Super Carry, and Colt Government or Colt rail gun . I am leaning towards the S&W, but would really appreciate opinions (pros, cons, cautions) from folks with more 1911 experience than I.

 

[Yo Mama]

Colt all the way. Don't even look at that Kimber friend. The Smith has an external extractor which I'd personally run from also.

What will you use the rail for? They really get in the way, and are a pain to fit holsters.

 

[Otto]

I wouldn't have a 1911 with a rail but thats just me.

 

[ants]

All are 1911 pistols, so fit in your hand is just about the same for each.

All three are good manufacturers. You can't really say that they are bad guns, unless you just really hate one manufacturer with a passion.

Notably, S&W has produced some surpisingly good fit and finish on their 1911 line for quite a few years.
Colt and Kimber are good guns.
Rails are fun for some folk, useless to other folk.
Funny about the external extractor. Since it was not on the original 1911, some folks hate them with sincere passion (without ever using one). But external extractors work great on hundreds of other models of semiauto pistols, including guns issued to Law Enforcement and military for decades.

If you can get to a store with one of each, hold it in your shooting grip and align the sights. Each of these guns comes with different sights. Each shooter has his own preference. Make sure you like the sights. Make sure you like the grips and the thumb safety and the trigger.

 

[Baba Louie]

While all thre mfgs make good 1911s, IIRC, Kimber has a 1 year limited warranty whereas S&W and Colt don't limit their's to 12 months (someone correct me if I err) for the orignal purchaser. If this is the case and if warranty work might crop up in 13 months or so after purchase... well, that might be something to factor into the equation.

Or not.

 

[Get R Done Guns]

+1 for any colt over the other two. Been doing it for 100 years. Can't go wrong with the colts. The others are good guns but colt still reigns supreme IMO.

 

[Skylerbone]

For a first 1911 any of the above mentioned will likely serve you well. My new E-Series has been a solid performer but I wouldn't say the fit was any better than the Colts of late.

I did happen upon a thread on another forum from a member whose new Smith had a host of problems. After an initial trip back it was no better and the second trip back garnered him a new replacement from S&W. Customer service cannot be underestimated in any purchase.

 

[Zerodefect]

The Colt rail gun gives you the best start IMO. At least form those you listed.
(Myself.....I'm a DW, LB guy)

 

[DAdams]

Have you looked at the Colt Wily Clapp, lightweight commander?

 

[ants]

Since you're talking about 1911 pistols around $1000 you might want to look at the STI line. In May we got a Trojan from Shooter's Connection, and it is superior to any of the three you mentioned in the original post. We got factory grades with fiber optic front sight and ambidextrous safety, total cost $1045. Under a thousand with no upgrades. I handled the S&W, shot the Colt and shot the Kimber. The STI is a better 1911. You won't believe how smoothly the slide racks.

 

[wow6599]

Springfield makes the best 1911 for the money.......and the lifetime warranty isn't bad either.

 

[harvester]

It's gotta say Colt on it to be a 1911.

 

[skimbell]

Colt.

 

[SwampWolf]

I've owned more than a couple Colt 1911s over the years (still have a Series 70 Gold Cup) but, unless you have an aesthetic bias against extractors mounted on the outside, I'd go with the Smith for two reasons: first, Smith & Wesson has made pistols with an external extractor for a very long time and their extractors extract. Secondly, S&W has one of the best customer service records in the business-and that should count for something. Though you probably won't go wrong with a Colt, I have no experience with their customer service history and I cannot comment about Kimber 1911 pistols because I've never owned one.

 

[JROC]

I'm a Colt guy when it come to 1911's and I love mine, but I wouldn't mind having an older S&W SW1911, but I just can't learn to like the looks of the new E-series, and I wish I could as I like S&W guns in most cases. I believe Colt and S&W 1911's also carry a lifetime warranty where Kimbers only have a 1 year warranty which worries and confuses me when one of the largest if not the current largest 1911 manufacturer has such a weak warranty compared to most everyone else.