Help me pick a new 1911

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dogmush

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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".
 
CDNN has a real good deal on the Colt Lwt Commander XSE.. $950.
Can't go wrong with a Colt at that price!
 
I have a Colt's LW Commander XSE, "100 Years of Service" rollmark ...

It's been flawless. Aside from the front cocking serrations and somewhat sharp edges I still have gotten around to getting "melted" a little, I love the thing.

I really, really don't believe you need to worry about the quality coming out from Colt these days, and I'd submit that new Colts are every bit as good, if not better, than any other production 1911 from any other company.

Excellent carry gun.

DSCN0071.jpg
 
Honest, I'm not getting any sales-commission from CDNN but...
Just received their weekend-sale email (sale ends this Monday)...
Colt Lwt Commander XSE SS now $899...
Remington 1911 R1 'Enhanced' for $699...
Both are good prices on good pistolas!!
 
I have a Colt Combat Elite. It's pretty much just a XSE with a blued slide.

It's been a great pistol for me and I defiantly recommend it.

ofzsao.jpg
 
I would strongly suggest the Colt series 1991 Commander & add a ambi safety. Out of the box mine will put all rounds inside a fifty cent piece! at 50 yds. The Colts from 2012 & current are the best Colt has ever made and IMO in years to come the value will sky rocket.
That should have been 25yds from a rest.

The Obvious Is Often Over Looked
 
I have several newer production Colts and I have found their overall quality to be as good, if not better, than those produced any number of years ago. Design improvements have been incorporated into the new guns and I think they compare very favorably to other current 1911 manufacturers in the same price range.
guns2037_zps6010dc72.gif
 
I carry a Colt, but it's the Wiley Clapp Commander. I also have a 5" Colt. The nonsense about Colt's quality is just that, nonsense. I haven't had troubles with either of them, and if you do, Colt is a good company. If you're looking for a Commander, get a real Commander. ;)
 
Hate to be like the crowd :) but, I must say...Colt.

I have owned Kimbers, SIG 1911's, STI's and now have a new Colt Rail gun. National Match barrel....as accurate as any. The gun I always wanted. Quality is excellent. Fit and finish excellent.

ColtRail45_zps0418b9fd.jpg

I will say that the STI's I have had were also excellent... very tight...but....I never liked field stripping them.
 
I guess I'm probably going to catch some flak, but the new Colts don't impress me in the least. I've sold several Defenders and they were pitiful quality. Loose and rattling with low grade stainless that developed rust freckles unless kept constantly wiped and oiled. For the price you pay for the Colt, I personally don't see the quality to justify. I know I'm probably in the minority and I'm not trying to say anyone is right or wrong. That's just my opinion.
 
^Odd that has been 100% of my experience with Ed Brown magwells. And yes I have plenty of pics if needed. I've on my 3rd magwell from them, and am just living with it as I'm tired of sending them back and forth, but everyone starts going bad/rusting in just a matter of weeks. I guess people should just stop buying Ed Brown guns if their SS is that crappy because oddly enough my Colts frame stays nice and rust free.
 
I prefer a steel frame and would stay away from alloys or weird metals.

I have no evidence to support exotic metals are inferior to steel. Steel just feels better, quality wise, to me.

I vote for anything with a steel frame.
 
I kinda figured Colt was going to be the lead contender. I really like the safety that Sig uses and the front strap checkering. On the other hand there is a certain je ne sais quoi to Colt's when it comes to 1911s. I guess I need to hit the stores and put my grubby little paws on a fer guns to see which features work better in my hand.

I didn't realize Remington made a commander R1. I'll look at those two while I'm out fondling.
 
The Remington R1 Carry Commander has pretty much every feature the OP wanted.
 
Thanks for the responses so far.

So I've been hitting the LGS's trying to put hands on my list. I held the Remington, S&W (both steel and scandium), and a Sig (but not the right one. Gotta have the traditional model.) I have a line on a Colt XSE, I'm going to check it out today.

They are all very similar. (duh) Honestly, none really blew me away. They were nicer than my RIA tactical, but not twice as nice. and they were twice the price. More shopping is in order.

Add on question: Those that have an alloy frame, Yes or No? Do you have issues with the frame ramp wearing out? I would plan on this gun getting 6000-7000 rounds a year.
 
I put around 5k rounds a year through mine and haven't had an issue yet. Colt does have a good warranty from what I understand, but I haven't used it.
 
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