Help me pick my next CCW pistol

[jddssc121]

Ok gents. I've got me a mighty fine bonus from work and i can afford whatever i want. That being said, I am not going to waste $ for the sake of it. In other words, if there is a big price difference between two pistols, there better be a darn fine reason beyond the name brand, coolness factor, or some sexy metal finish....

Here's my criteria.

1. I want a 1911.(and need i even say it will be .45 acp ? no cheesy 1911 in .40)
   
2. It's for carry so I want a 4" barrel. I'll go as low as 3.5, and as high as 4.5. No 3", No 5".
   
3. I'm open to aluminum vs. stainless. But if everything else is equal, I'll take the weight savings....
   
4. Reliability. I take good car of my pistols, and clean them frequently; that said, I don't want something that is so tuned/tweaked/whatever that if I don't clean it every 100 rounds I start getting failures. I want Sig "To Hell and Back" reliability, not a range pistol that i need to baby.
   
5. I don't care about super duper finishes/parts that make it withstand salt water, time spent on the moon, or deep coal mining....I am not a Navy Seal. It only needs to withstand normal person range and CCW holster wear and tear.
   
6. Stuff like mags, grips and sights i don't mind picking up after market to enhance an otherwise great pistol. So if the pistol is great but the sights suck, just tell me.
   
7. I'm a lefty, so ambi-safety is mandatory.
   
8. Don't care for laser grips.

 

[jddssc121]

Let me add what i've glanced at so far

Wilson Combat Tactical Super Grade Compact
Wilson CQB Compact
Kimber CDP pro II
Kimber SIS Pro
Kimber Tactical Pro II
Les Baer Thunder Ranch Commanche

 

[critter]

I have a Colt Officers Model (all steel) that I bought used. I have had a carry bevel (slight, no 'belt sander' job) done and hard chromed. I also had night sights added. Works really well for me.

Its twin (in size) is a Kimber Compact-all stainless. Both of these have been 100% reliable and plenty accurate.

I have just recently traded for a Springfield Ultra Carry-all stainless. So far, it has been 100% reliable, quite accurate and carries well. It may go into the rotation soon.

Just a some of the ideas for ya. Good luck in your search.

 

[adam500]

I would suggest the Kimber Compact CDP!!!

 

[jddssc121]

"I would suggest the Kimber Compact CDP!!!"

But why?

 

[Phelptwan]

Dan Wesson CBOB.

 

[rellascout]

Dan Wesson CBOB. You will have to install an ambi but that it easy.

The Commander Classic Bobtail is a 4.25” series 70 style, commander sized 1911 featuring a stainless steel frame and forged stainless steel slide. Like all Dan Wesson 1911s, Commander models incorporate top quality parts from the best names in the industry.

· Round top slide with fixed 3 dot tritium night sights
· Forged, one piece match grade barrel and bushing.
· Ed Brown Bobtail mainspring housing
· 20 LPI checkered front strap
· Hand polished flat surfaces with contrasting bead blasted rounds
· Beveled magwell
· All sharp edges dehorned by hand
· Lowered and flared ejection port
· Ed Brown memory groove grip safety
· Ed Brown slide stop
· Tactical, extended thumb safety
· Commander style match hammer
· Match grade sear
· Aluminum trigger with stainless bow
· Extended serrated magazine catch
· Wolff springs used exclusively
· Diamond checkered coco-bolo grips
· Tuned, machined, internal extractor
· Test fired for reliability
· 34 ounces unloaded

 

[jddssc121]

Dan Wesson CBOB

that's not ambi-safety is it?

 

[retgarr]

No, but if you're willing to replace sights, adding an ambi safety isn't a big deal

 

[tdyoung58]

Kimber Tactical Pro II

 

[pogo2]

Vote for the Kimber Pro

I believe the Kimber Pro CDP meets your requirements, and comes stock with an ambi safety (but I took mine off because I don't need it). The stock "melt job" on the slide makes it nice and smooth for easy holstering. I've had the one shown below for 4 years and it has run perfectly through about 1500 rounds. I did put slim grip panels on the gun to make it thinner for concealment. I use a Kramer horsehide belt scabbard holster most of the time.

 

[jddssc121]

thanks all for the info. I have read somewhere here a few times comments like "i trust the Kimber series I, stay away from the series II"

anyone have any more info on that?

 

[Josh Aston]

The series II originally had an external extractor. Its now been switched back to an internal one because Kimber couldn't get the external to work right. Also the Series II has several MIM parts.

 

[jdevince]

Any Ed Brown commander style.