Help me pick a 1911

[Ghostrider_23]

I have a SA that is 8-9 years ols and has been perfect. My buddy bought a Kimber and he has had nothing but problems (FTE & FTF). My only problem with the SA is that it is stainless and now years later my taste has changed and I want a blued 1911 without the front grip seration on the slide.

What are your experiences with the following?????

I am thinking of either a S&W, SA Mil-Spec, Rock Island or an old Colt

 

[lonewolf5347]

MIL-SPEC
I will say a MN serial number if you can find one
read this info
http://forum.m1911.org/showthread.php?t=49574

I have this mil-spec all tricked out shoots outstanding

 

[DeepSouth]

I have a Springfield and it has run every round I have ever put in it. Not to mention a lifetime warranty, you just can't beat that.


I think the RI and the Colts are both fine guns in their own right, but I personally prefer a Springer, if for no other reason than customer service and lifetime warranty. I don't like the S&W's at all. They stray to far from the "traditional" 1911 design, I mean a 1911 with an external extractor, come on. Not to mention most other 1911 parts won't fit the S&W, or so I am told anyway but I have never owned one so I won't say for sure.

You already have a Springer, so you are familiar with it and have had good luck with it. My advice, get another one.

 

[possum]

i have a sa 1911, and i have been very happy with it, i have had great experiences with rock island as well, they are a great value. if i didn't have much to spend i would go with the rock, but if i had the money to spend on the sa i would go that route.

 

[Hostile Amish]

You can refinish your Springfield. I suggest getting a SW1911. Even though many people discredit it, it is an extremely good 1911.

 

[weisse52]

I have owned a couple of SA MilSpec's. They are gone, my Colts will be around forever....

A Colt is always the right answer!

 

[Thomas Garrett]

I voted for the Rock Island.

 

[gafirefighter]

If you are ever planning on having any custom work done to it (as many do) I would stay away from the Rock Island. I am not bashing them, as I believe that they are a fine weapon. I do know though, that many of the gunsmiths out there will not work on them. They primarily work only on Colt, Springfield, and custom builds.

I would recommend that you look at the Springfield. No it is not a Colt, but it sure is pretty darn close. I just got rid of a 1978 Colt series 70 Mark IV. It was a great gun, but I just wanted to put it away and not mess with it. So that was a problem. I do not collect guns, I shoot and carry guns. I do not want heirlooms and that is what it felt like to me. I know that many will disagree, but it was just too nice for me to beat up if that makes any sense.

Granted to Springfield, S&W, and Colt will also cost quite a bit more than the RIA. The positive to me is that you should be able to get a new Mil-Spec for around the same price as a used Colt. Then you do not have to worry if anyone has been messing around inside of it while eating at the kitchen table.

Adam

 

[rklessdriver]

A Colt is always the right answer!

You will never go wrong buying a 1911 using this logic.
Will

 

[ArmedBear]

Caspian frame/slide set, have the parts of your choice fitted. You might be surprised -- the price may not be prohibitive.

Then you won't have to keep buying 1911s (unless you want a second one).

Colts are fine, too, post-gunsmithing with the right aftermarket parts. But so are Tauri.

I shot a match-grade Taurus the other day, too. The owner (a National Match competitor with a lot of years under his belt and really nice guns in his safe) said it was an experiment to see how cheap he could build a match-grade gun. $700, including the gun, aftermarket parts, 'smithing, and some DIY work. Shot as well as anything on the line, and that's saying something. I was switching off with a Colt that's used at Camp Perry every year, and there was no difference in accuracy or the overall shooting experience, other than that the Colt's trigger was heavy to meet the competition requirements.

I don't own or want to pay for a match-grade 1911 with my dwindling "play money" savings account. Therefore I don't own any 1911 at the moment.

I'm quite happy with an XD 45 as a high-capacity knockaround tool that slings heavy slugs reliably. When I contemplate getting a 1911, it's for target shooting.

 

[shield20]

S&W - only 100% reliable 1911 I ever had.

 

[PakWaan]

My S&W 1911PD (commander, scandium) is the finest pistol I have ever owned, including my Colt Gold Cup 1911.

 

[Texastbird]

Ghost Rider, How about a Dan Wesson Valor? Its a stainless pistol with a very durable dark coating on it. And it doesn't have the front slide serrations.

 

[skeeter_08]

I had an SW1911 that I wish I'd kept (who hasn't said that!), I now have a Springfield Loaded 1911 in 9mm. I like the fact that the Springfield does not have the FPB, which the SW had, although I had that trigger worked over so it had a beautiful crisp 4lb. break with next to no creep. The fit & finish of that SW was slightly better than this Springfield, and both were and are fun to shoot at the range. I've been printing some really nice targets with the Springer 9mm 1911, and I'm glad it has the adjustable sights. If I wanted a 9mm 1911, I'd take the Springfield. If I had to choose one over the other in .45 ACP, I'd probably want another SW, but they are both very good choices - skeeter_08

 

[EHL]

I'd go with the Springer as well. Like others have said, Colts are fine weapons and if you don't mind paying the extra scatch for them, go for one of those too. Me personally, I'd love to have one too but I'm afraid she'd turn into a safe queen. I don't collect guns just to oogle them, I collect guns to shoot them and use them. I'd also recommend a Fusion Firearms kit that will get you a great pistol for not too high a price. (Kimber comparable) Kimber is another great way to go too, though their customer service is less than legendary. Springers is top notch though.

 

[benderx4]

You won't go wrong with any of those selections.

 

[PRE 64 JOE]

Don't Bogart that Colt my friend, pass it over again, Colts don't like to be safe queens they like to be used and put away clean.

 

[Kind of Blued]

I like my SW1911 plenty, but if you're bothered by aesthetic issues such as front slide serrations, you probably won't be too fond of the giant billboard advert on the slide, and the even more offensive idiot warning just below, on the frame.

I'm with you on finishes though. Stainless for work, blued for play. Those lawyeristic scribblings would really bother me on a "show off" gun.

 

[Duramaximum]

I clicked Springfield, they make good pistols I just don't have any experience with them.

I love my Kimber Custom II. I've only have one stovepipe on the first mag I ever ran through it because it wasn't the factory magazine. I love it to death, it's a great value. I only paid $650 for mine. I think your friend has a lemon.

There's always Wilson Combat!

 

[KINGMAX]

I really like the Springfield

I really like the Springfield. I am ex military, I like the military look of the SPRINGFIELD. I had a Colt Combat Commander once. It was pretty, but one of the most unreliable pistols I have ever owned. I never selected it as my personal protection gun because of the unreliability of the piece.