Hi folks,
I've been meaning to scratch the itch for a Commander sized 1911 for a while, and an opening in the budget has appeared. So I'm shopping.
First: Usage and traits. I like to carry SA handguns. This pistol will fall into the middle of my carry lineup between a 5"1911 or Hi-Power, and my Sig P238. Something a little easier to conceal then the big guys, but a bigger and easier to shoot well then the .380.
Traits:
*I want a 4.25" barrel. Maybe a 4" but no shorter.
*Factory Ambi safety. I'm left handed and at the price range I'm looking at I don't want to mess around with the fire controls right away.
*Prefer a GI guide rod and plug, but would accept a full length. Must have a bushing however. Bull Barrels need not apply.
*Quality and reliability. As I said, it'll be a carry gun. I've had 1911's before (4 of them) in the $400-$600 range, and they were all functional guns but this time I'd like something a little nicer.
*No rail, no weird slide/frame contours. Must fit in a normal 1911 holster.
*Built in the US is a plus, but not a deal breaker.
*Street price in the $1000-$1100 range.
So far the contenders (in the order I'm leaning feeling them):
Sig Scorpion Carry Traditional. Hit's all the needs and I really like Sig's small paddle ambi safety, but it's hard to find, and brown. Not sure how I feel about that. Still, it seems pretty slick.
Colt O4860XSE. Lightweight frame. I get to actually call it a "Commander" without being corrected. on the other hand I've heard that you pay a lot for the rampant pony, and quality these days isn't as high as their competitors. I dunno, the only other colt I own is 111 years old.
Smith and Wesson SW1911SC E-series: Scandium frame sounds exotic and has the rounded but for concealment. Get's good reviews. But is the most expensive in the running and S&W felt the need to write on the frame about a mag safety. Ugly slide serrations.
So that's where I'm at.
First question: Did I miss any good options with the price/feature set I'm looking for?
Second question: Which would you go for and why? Any on the list to just avoid?
I know that another $500 or so will get me a Dan Wesson or STI, but I'm just not going to spend that much. I have other guns and things to buy.
Thanks in advance for any opinion, unless it's "buy a Glock".
I've been meaning to scratch the itch for a Commander sized 1911 for a while, and an opening in the budget has appeared. So I'm shopping.
First: Usage and traits. I like to carry SA handguns. This pistol will fall into the middle of my carry lineup between a 5"1911 or Hi-Power, and my Sig P238. Something a little easier to conceal then the big guys, but a bigger and easier to shoot well then the .380.
Traits:
*I want a 4.25" barrel. Maybe a 4" but no shorter.
*Factory Ambi safety. I'm left handed and at the price range I'm looking at I don't want to mess around with the fire controls right away.
*Prefer a GI guide rod and plug, but would accept a full length. Must have a bushing however. Bull Barrels need not apply.
*Quality and reliability. As I said, it'll be a carry gun. I've had 1911's before (4 of them) in the $400-$600 range, and they were all functional guns but this time I'd like something a little nicer.
*No rail, no weird slide/frame contours. Must fit in a normal 1911 holster.
*Built in the US is a plus, but not a deal breaker.
*Street price in the $1000-$1100 range.
So far the contenders (in the order I'm leaning feeling them):
Sig Scorpion Carry Traditional. Hit's all the needs and I really like Sig's small paddle ambi safety, but it's hard to find, and brown. Not sure how I feel about that. Still, it seems pretty slick.
Colt O4860XSE. Lightweight frame. I get to actually call it a "Commander" without being corrected. on the other hand I've heard that you pay a lot for the rampant pony, and quality these days isn't as high as their competitors. I dunno, the only other colt I own is 111 years old.
Smith and Wesson SW1911SC E-series: Scandium frame sounds exotic and has the rounded but for concealment. Get's good reviews. But is the most expensive in the running and S&W felt the need to write on the frame about a mag safety. Ugly slide serrations.
So that's where I'm at.
First question: Did I miss any good options with the price/feature set I'm looking for?
Second question: Which would you go for and why? Any on the list to just avoid?
I know that another $500 or so will get me a Dan Wesson or STI, but I'm just not going to spend that much. I have other guns and things to buy.
Thanks in advance for any opinion, unless it's "buy a Glock".