Most Popular 1911 Part 1.....

[Ben Russell]

I am Wanting some help with a study that i am doing. I would like to see and hear about the most popular 1911 models in a .45 caliber. I also want to know what everyone thinks about the models that would be the best on a budget.

Part 2 of this will be the accessories that are everyone's favorite.

 

[krs]

Colt.

 

[hornblower]

Colt

 

[Deanimator]

I like Springfield, the plainer the better.

If I was on a budget, I'd go Rock Island Armory (RIA). I'm thinking about one of their .38 Supers.

 

[Black Majik]

I like Les Baer, but I vote for Colt too.

 

[Ben Russell]

I like what you all have to say. I will let everyone know what the total is after this thread has some time to mature.

Thanks All.

 

[elChupacabra!]

If you're going for popularity, you can be guaranteed you're going to get COLT all day long.

I can only tell you what NOT to get - Taurus. Worst mistake ever. Good shooter now after dumping several hundred dollars worth of aftermarket parts and gunsmithing into... would give anything to go back and pick a S&W, Kimber, Springfield - ANYTHING.

Leave Taurus well alone and you'll be glad you did.

 

[DeathByCactus]

Colt

 

[wuluf]

Kimber

I have two, one 3" and one 5". Both reliable and accurate.

 

[kamagong]

Colt

There's a reason people often refer to a 1911 as a Colt .45.

 

[surjimmy]

I carry a Les Baer(best weapon I have ever shot), but there's just something about an vintage Colt. Now just.... FYI.....A custom 1911 builder told me a Springfield TRP was the best 1911 off the shelf. The Loaded was a good second.

 

[swampshooter]

1911

I'd say Kimber, stay away from Taurus and other foreign made 1911's. Colt is fine, Springfield is fine.

 

[nalioth]

Most popular? Colt, of course.

Best budget 1911? Rock Island Armory is an overlooked jewel. Why pay for a "name" when the performance is the same?

 

[easyrider604]

Budget 1911? Rock Island Armory

I don't know the U.S. situation, but we can still find them "used" occasionally here in Canada, Norinco 1911. My buddy has the Commander version with beavertail, ring hammer and combat sights. While not as well finished as the pricier makes, it is built on a forged frame and slide.

My favorite, regardless of price, Springfield Armory Mil-Spec Stainless Steel

 

[sb350hp]

RIA or Taurus. Friend has RIA and I have Taurus. Both shoot very very well for the price. Accurate and reliable. NO issues what so ever. It is a budget gun so don't look for the finish of a 1k or more pistol but can't be beat for in regards to bang for the buck.

 

[Hunter0924]

Colt.
Not sure why a gunsmith would say the Springfield TRP is the best off the shelf.
A lot of MIM and a glued in ejector.

 

[jfrey]

Briley
Best kept secret for the money. Claudio builds fantastic pistols and they last.

 

[proud2deviate]

I love my Rock Island Armory Tactical. Runs great, and reasonable accurate. Can't beat it at it's price point. Also, they're built loose enough that you don't have to drop $160 on ammo for a "break in period". It's recommended, but I had maybe three failures, all of them mag related. Nary a hitch since I got some CMC Shooting Stars for it. It gobbles my carry ammo (Federal HST.) RIA customer support is reputed to be excellent (I couldn't tell you first hand, I've never needed it.) Very nice build quality for the price. I'm pretty sure the extractor is gen-you-wine tool steel, not MIM crap (MIM is okay for lots of parts. NOT extractors.)

My main gripe is that the finish doesn't hold up too well.

Center Fire Systems has them for a good price.

 

[WVMountainBoy]

Almost everyone who wants a 1911 usually has some desire to own a Colt. A lot of us settle for other makes and models because to get a colt with the options wanted/needed would often be beyond our budget. I have three 1911's now, a Taurus PT1911 which is what I CCW with 90% of the time, a Springfield GI in stainless that will become a project at some point in the future, and a Charles Daly that has sorta got put in the back of the cabinet (was a gift, can't sell it and it won't feed reliably) but I would love a Colt in Stainless with all the options of my Taurus PT

 

[jdc1244]

Colt’s 1911.

 

[Dobe]

Colt

 

[Phil DeGraves]

I have 5 Colts and three Kimbers. Colt.

 

[wtfd661]

Kimber

 

[bp78]

Anyone have actual sales figures for recent year?

I'd bet Springfield, and perhaps even Kimber, handily outsells Colt these days.

My vote Springfield as most popular. Best value in a common 1911, STI.

 

[ZeSpectre]

Most popular - Colt
Kimber being a very close runner up these days.

Great "budget" gun - RIA or Charles Daly