I Guess I Really do want a 1911 after all!

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Too_Pure

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I went to a local range that rents guns today fully expecting to confirm my decision to make a P220 Equinox Carry my 2nd gun purchase. The purpose of this gun is to carry concealed, and my M&P 40 will stay in the house.

I was surprised that it didn't really feel that great to me. The grip felt a little awkward in my hand, and the kick felt like more than I expected. And that was not the carry version, so I can only expect it would increase. I wondered if it was because it was my first time shooting .45. The guy at the gun shop said he switched form .40 to .45 because he found the kick more manageable. So I must be nuts..?

And finally, I did not shoot 10 rounds well with it at 10 yards. I mean, I wouldn't want to be the sillhouette on the target, but I can do much tighter groups with my M&P .40, which I am used to and have some practice with.

So then I decided to try what I thought I'd eliminated, a 1911. The only brands they had for rent were Sig and Springfield. I opted for the Springfield because it was a compact version and that is what I would get, the Sig was a 5". It felt better in my hand, I shot better with it... still not like my .40 but predictably, 10 rounds down and to the left. Easy to fix with practice.

I was surprsed that I liked the 1911 better. So now I am back at square one, needing to pick the right 1911 for me. I have considered Kimber, but have read some scary stuff about reliabilty. I also considered S&W, and have read some great things. I am looking preferably in the < $1000 range, but have a habit of expanding the limits I set just a little ;).

Because this is going to be a daily carry gun I want something that will work when I pull the trigger. I don't want to wonder.

So I thought I'd tap the wisdom and knowledge of this community for some good advice. I've been reading on here for a while, posted one reply in another thread the week after I got my M&P. Thanks for your help.
 
1911s are basically the girl with the curl in the middle of her forehead.

When they're good, they're very good but when they're bad they're horrid.

Unfortunately "good" when it comes to 1911s usually means "expensive" (but not always so).


Your best bet for a reasonably priced 1911 is to find a gently used one from someone you trust who has worked the kinks (if any) out of it.
 
If you could shoot the Metro Arms American classic ll in one of it's many flavors you might figure you found your 1911. There are plenty of good 1911s around but for price and quality myself and a few friends think it can't be beat. For $1000 you could buy 2 and still have money for ammo.
 
Ive been looking at the Kimber Custom II's the last 2 weeks. The problem with some of these 1911s is that people demand them to be built to such tight tolerances that the slightest amout of dirt or lack of lube effect it. The accuracy gained is not worth the lack of reliability. Especially in a handgun. If I can hit a 6" piece of steel or larger from 25ft its good enough for me. I'm still sold on the Kimber though because of its trigger. Unless anyone has a better example around the $800 mark......?
 
If yo want compact, look at the Colt Defender. It's easily under $1K and mine works great.

Colt1911s.jpg
 
Now that is too sexy Too Pure. I did play with a couple S&W 1911 at the shop today. Pretty good triger. Very equal to the Kimber just a bit heavier. Its got all the bings and buzzers you would want. It was just a bit too pricey for me at $999.
 
RIA 1911 Tactical CS: $450+shipping/transfer. I've had no problems with it aside from a few issues feeding the last round from a new magazine (cleared up on its own after running through 30 or so rds with the faulty magazine).

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My 1911 for carry is the SIG RCS It is a commander length slide on an officer size frame. It also has Novak night sights, a definite plus for a CCW. Runs flawless and shoots great, carries well and imprints less than my CZ PCR.
 
Too Pure, I guess you've already considered that your new choice is SA only, not DA/SA like the Equinox.
What condition do you plan to carry your 1911 in?
 
Condition 1 or 3. What do you suggest?

Thanks all for your feedback.

I am totally afraid of Kimber. I have spent a lot of time reading reveiws today and there is just too much negative feedback on them. I am more and more leaning toward the S&W, and I am biased because I am very happy with the one I have. I also like that lifetime warranty.

Since I am unable to actually shoot either I have to rely heavily on other's reports.

What is the deal with Kimber? I would be pretty upset (or pretty dead) if my new $1500.00 gun failed on me first time out with it. I've read many stories of them malfunctioning.
 
Too_Pure said:
Condition 1 or 3. What do you suggest?

Thanks all for your feedback.

I am totally afraid of Kimber. I have spent a lot of time reading reveiws today and there is just too much negative feedback on them. I am more and more leaning toward the S&W, and I am biased because I am very happy with the one I have. I also like that lifetime warranty.

Since I am unable to actually shoot either I have to rely heavily on other's reports.

What is the deal with Kimber? I would be pretty upset (or pretty dead) if my new $1500.00 gun failed on me first time out with it. I've read many stories of them malfunctioning.
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Cocked and Locked. In a good holster.

Deosn't hurt to completely take apart the gun and put the pins on the outside, use your frame as a sear/hammer jig to check how they interact. Making sure they are postive or nuetral, and safe. You can also assemble the gun with the grip safety missing to check to see if the sear moves at all with the safety on. For piece of mind, never hurts, of course this was all done at the factory most likely anyway. A cocked and locked 1911 is probally the safest pistol I own.

The problem with Kimber is they make a good $800 gun. (Give or take the Series II safety) But they also charge $1500 for that same exact gun with gaudy checkering, bling, ambisafety, etc. They come with poor mags. And I've noticed that the machined finish on the outside of the barrel is a bit rough. Takes a while for it to fit. The gun smooths out eventually. A legit and measureable breakin. I just polished the barrel down a little, but not the end that fits the bushing. And polished the recoil rod to reduce friction. I removed my Series II FP safety and switched to Tripp and Wilson mags.

The low end Kimbers are a good buy, the high end Kimbers are not. I've noticed no perfomance increase in any of the fancy Kimbers over the simple TLE.

I'd take a K over a S&W or SF. if your looking to spen $1500+ look towards DW, LB or EB.
 
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I carry my 1911 loaded, chambered and cocked, with the thumb safety on.

Personally I would NOT carry a gun I had never shot. It's always a good idea to go out to the range and familiarize yourself thoroughly with your carry piece before you carry it. That requires live fire.

I would, however, be angry if I just dropped $1500 on a gun and it didn't work as it was supposed to. I like my RIA.
 
Hard decision. Colt ser 70 or before, even the ser 80's are ok with a little tlc and extras added after purchase. IaI M6000 were great lil .45's...really good fit for something from overseas and at a great price. Combat commanders are great ones too. Good luck...expect to add a few bucks to overall price 'cause you're prob gonna want it set up "your way". Ask around at the range and places like this.
 
The "problem" with Kimber is that there are enough of them made that inevitably, malfunctioning guns crop up more often. Think about it. When was the last time you heard of an Olympic Arms 1911 that malfunctioned? But then again, when was the last time even you heard of an Olympic Arms 1911? :) I think a lot of people get "gun shy" about all the junk they read on forums. Shoot the guns you like, find the one that works best for you, and run with it. If you happen to get a lemon, call the company's CS (and hope it's not a Taurus or Para.) I personally like Kimbers very much, and would trust my life to a Custom II any day of the week. Go with whatever floats your boat.
 
get a Colt defender or a LTW Commander I have both and their great carry pistols

The LTW Commander weights about same as the Defender But you have a larger pistol
longer barrel 4 1/4" to Defender 3 inch
 
Because this is going to be a daily carry gun I want something that will work when I pull the trigger. I don't want to wonder.
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Sounds to me like you already have a reliable carry pistol....why not your S&W M&P40?

If it's too big for concealed carry then why not look at a S&W M&P compact .40?

Think about it....do you really want to carry a handgun with a manual safety but rely upon a house gun with no manual safety?
You're already used to shooting the M&P so there's a chance that you will forget to disable the safety on a 1911 style carry gun when you're life is on the line.

Just something to consider.

Good luck,
Easy
 
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