I Want a New 1911

OK, I need some help here. I'm not much of a semi-auto guy and I own mostly revolvers. I do however have a fairly old Springfield 1911A1 Gov't Model. I want another 1911...

I'm looking for something fairly nice in the $1000 range but if need be I can go to $1500 but I would rather not go that high. I would love to buy a Les Baer, Ed Brown or a Wilson Combat but those are out of my price range.

I'm mainly looking at 2 or 3 companies right now but I will consider others. I'm looking at SIG Sauer and Kimber and possibly a S&W E Series 1911. Like I said, I'm open to others if the reasons given change my mind.

I'm looking for something nice as well as reliable and accurate. I might carry it and I will for sure shoot it at the range.

Thanks in advance for the help and suggestions...

 

My opinion: Springfield. Best value for money

My favorite 1911's: RIA for the best "cheap" 1911. Ruger and Springfield for "middle class" models, I think they are best for what you pay for: reliable, pretty, and from a good company. If you're going to pay more, get the Colt. SIGs are also nice. But I do not feel they are worth the extra money. I think Kimbers are pretty and sell based on their name, but I think they are jam-o-matics... you can search them on this forum and others for more opinions on that.

 

I voted Colt, but I wouldn't choose a Series 70. The XSE line would be my pick from Colt. Swap out the ambi safety for a normal one-side-only model and you're good to go for carry. It'll run you around $1100 - a superb choice for the price.

 

From what little I know about Colts I read the Series 80 fire system is heavy because of the additional unnecessary safety the Series 70 fire system does not have.

That is the reason I specified the Series 70 models even though there are some very nice pistols in their other lines but all of those lines use the Series 80 fire system.

 

How many have you owned? My three never had a problem... Oh the sights did go dead on a CDP I bought used and Kimber replaced them for free.

 

I don't have to have herpes to voice my opinion on not wanting it... I feel I am educated enough from literature and other's experiences to make a solid case against it.

I have never personally owned a Kimber. I have shot them, and know of a few people who (about 3, if I recall) that have sworn off 1911's because theirs were finicky. I have talked to many people in the firearm community to get the general consensus that I would spend my money elsewhere. Having said that, a good family friend of mine loves his Kimber. Hence, the italisized keyword "opinions" in my post

EDIT: I don't want that to sound harsh/mean, I just don't like the "you must have owned every gun multiple times to speak in my presence" argument you hear on every forum.... remember, this is an open intenet, not a medical journal.

 

I prefer traditional style 1911's just how JMB designed it. So here are my suggestions.

Bottom of your budget at about $1,1xx: Colt Series 70, Dan Wesson Heritage

Higher end of your budget at about $1,5xx: Dan Wesson Valor

 

And I don't like it when people bicker in threads I start because I need information, not fighting. I would appreciate it if those who post act like adults and if they want to see who can pee further they can start their own thread to ruin.

 

Kimber makes a fine 1911. I would not hesitate to get another.

 

I voted Colt Series 70. I just bought one in fact. It has been 99% so far, about 500 various rounds through it. The 1% was due to an old worn out mag I had laying around, and would have been a problem in any gun. Beautifully made. I don't care for the Series 80 safety, but I think the actual trigger pull "problem" is a bit overblown. I just don't see the point to having the extra parts, especially if you make sure to keep a good FP spring.
I also own two Springfields that are good solid guns. A MilSpec and a Loaded. Both get some carry time. Neither is as nice as my Colt.
I have never owned a Kimber, but I know lots of people who have. Most Kimbers are very good. However enough of them have had problems that I would shy away from them.
I like the Sigs, just don't care for the propietary shape of the slide that requires dedicated holsters when I already have several 1911 holsters that I like.
I owned a Ruger SR1911 CMD for a short time. It went back to Ruger for feeding issues that never got resolved.
No experience with RIA, but people seem to like them at their pricepoint.
I've had a couple of Paras. One was great, the other seemed like they just through parts together from a bin and never bothered to fit anything.

 

I was thinking about Dan Wesson 1911's but like I said, I didn't know if they were good or not. What makes them so worth buying?

 

Other ... probably STI Trojan in 9mm

 

The Dan Wesson Valor does have a sterling reputation. The stainless version is available at Bud's right now for just barely under $1500.

I'm not sure what makes it "worth it" (what the extra cost is going toward, compared to, say, a Colt). I know they have a lot of hand fitting and matching parts done in the assembly process, but I would think (maybe incorrectly) that's also true of Colt offerings. Like I said earlier though, they have excellent reputations, and they are beautiful guns.

If I wanted to spend a bit more than $1100, Dan Wesson is the brand I would look to. But I honestly don't know if the extra cost is worth much more in terms of quality.

 

I would choose any of your top 3

I have 4 Kimbers right now and they are all extremely reliable including the 2 ultras, which are 3" guns. My other two are a Kimber Eclipse Pro and a Tactical Pro II. I also have a Taurus, a couple Rock Islands etc. I have had full sized Ruger and it was a great gun But I don't carry a full sized gun so I sold it for $150 more than I paid.

I have been looking at both the Sig Sauer and the E-Series S&W. I wouldn't hesitate to buy either.

I have had a couple of Springfields and I wasn't impressed. The same goes for colts though they were all 80 series guns.

If I were looking for another carry gun it would be either the Ruger commander, the Sig in a 4" configuration or the Smith in the same. I can't justify the cost of a Les Baer right now.

 

I have been quite impressed with my Sig saur. I had planned on a different direction but was lured to the Sig after fondling a couple.
Overall performance, fit and finish is pretty competitive for the price point.
That being said, my next 1911 would likely be the Colt.
I really would love the Trojan,but I can't get past the plastic trigger and main spring housing. I've heard great things about the Trojan, but again, for the price point it seems rediculous,"IMO", to have plastic on them.

 

I have owned everything on your list. I still own a Kimber, Springer, and S&W E-Series.

 

I really like my Springer. Probably the nicest gun I own. Certainly one of my favorites.

 

I have a Black Duty Coat DW Valor, it's my favorite in the collection, it's a joy to shoot, it's accurate and reliable. I had the chance to try one out a few times before I found mine & I bought it used.

 

Springfield for shooting. Colt for collecting.

I have a Springfield Loaded. It feeds any style or weight of bullet great and shoots nice ragged groups. I couldn't ask for more.

 

I voted the Colt Series 70 but I have 3 series 80 Colts and personally I believe the firing pin safety thing is way overblown. It causes me no gas to have them in my pistol, and the trigger pulls are just fine for a carry pistol. I have an officer model, new government model and a Gold Cup Trophy Match.

The other reason I suggested the Colt is that their new production models are put together quite nicely.

 

I voted Colt, but add that its a Gold Cup National Match. Older ones are Series 70. IMO, ITs not a self-defense / carry gun, the trigger is 2 to 3 lbs, but it makes it one heck of a target gun out of the box.

 

I use tapatalk so polls don't show for me.



What are the choices?


That aside, my vote is a Dan Wesson.



Although a $1500 budget will allow for building up a Tisas GI however you want.

Good barrel and bushing, grips, MS housing, refinish, sights, milling, checkering, etc.



Won't have resale value but it will be everything that YOU want on/in it.

 

I voted Colt and would be looking for a Combat Elite or a Special Combat Government.