Railed 1911 choice for bedstand gun

[MTMilitiaman]

I am looking to get a railed 1911 as a bedstand gun. If it is ever carried, it will be open carried in a drop leg holster when I am hiking or hunting. I intend to put a Surefire or Insight white light on it. Through experience, I've been led to construct the following list of features which must be present:

-Series 70 without firing pin safety
-Internal extractor
-Original guide rod for easier, tool-less disassembly
-Ambi safety
-Night sights
-Picitanny rail on dust cover

I would also like the take down pin to be as flush as possible with the right side of the frame. As a lefty with long fingers, I've had problems in the past with my support hand thumb pushing the take down pin on my brother's MilSpec through as I shoot it, and this bad ju-ju from a fighting handgun.

I've found three different Gov Model 1911s that meet these requirements from my price range; two from Kimber--the Warrior and the new SIS Model, and one from Springfield Armory--the MC Operator.

I am leaning towards the Operator right now as there are two Springfields in the family and they are both well made, reliable firearms. My experience tells me Springfield puts together a pretty good 1911 so the Operator will have a decent chance of being reliable right from the box. I have handled the Warrior from Kimber though and will admit to being tempted. It seemed well built, and truth be told, I think I could be satisfied with either.

I am looking for suggestions and experiences with the three aforementioned 1911s. Which of them stands the better chance of being reliable from the box? Is there any really practical advantages possessed by one over the others that would make it a better fighting gun?

 

[GunNut]

If I were to get back into the 1911 game, it would be with a Springfield MC Operator.

I've never had an issue with any of the Kimbers or SA's I have owned, but for some reason I really prefer the SA offerings.

 

[wyocarp]

Can't we have something better than a 1911 as a choice?

 

[az_imuth]

Or you can try finding one of these...

 

[sturmgewehr]

The Springfield will have all critical parts (barrel, slide, extractor, ejector) hand fitted by a SA gunsmith. They are about to close to semi-custom as you will get without buying a Brown or Wilson (for another $1k).

Here's the innards of one of my TRP's. Note the hand etched serial number on all of the critical parts.



You don't get that level of detail in a Kimber, yet they cost about the same. All of Kimbers pistols are assembled on an assembly line. So, for the price, you're getting more gun for the money when you buy mid-tier SA's.

Also, the TRP/Operators are US made.

 

[MICHAEL T]

Series 70 without firing pin safety
Kimber has a fireingpin safety Least mine did . Worked off grip safety and sucked compaired to my Colts.
Forget the rail and buy a Dan Wesson. Meets you needs.

 

[tbtrout]

I have a Warrior. If there had been a MC Operator in the shop I would have been able to compare them. I liked both. My Warrior has been an excellent pistol. Accurate and comfortable to shoot with CCI Blazer, Wolf , LSWC and LRN bullets. Speer GDHP's worked well. The only issue i have had was one of my loads was not strong enough to cycle the slide. It would not cycle in any of my 45's. I would not hesitate to get another Warrior.

 

[sturmgewehr]

The Warrior and the SIS do not have Swartz safeties.

 

[10-Ring]

I prefer the Operator

 

[possum]

i have and reccomend the mc opereator, i love it, 3k through it and it is accurate, reliable, and a joy to shoot. i have only one 1911, and i am glad that that is the one that i have.

 

[Kind of Blued]

Forget the rail and buy a Dan Wesson. Meets you needs.

He's looking for a "Railed 1911 choice for bedstand gun". Therefore, one without a rail does not, in fact, meet his needs.

I've heard too many problems and reliability issues with Kimbers (especially the Warriors) in comparison to anything SA has put out.

I'd go with the Operator (and yes, I know some of you have perfectly reliable Kimbers that you will defend to the death).

 

[MTMilitiaman]

Can't we have something better than a 1911 as a choice?

Like what?

I already have an HK USP45 and a Glock 20. The HK has been disappointing, and I know I shoot 1911s better than either.

I considered a SIG P220SAO briefly. In the end I decided to stick with the 1911 for the commonality of parts and availability of good gunsmithing work. My experience with HK has taught me never to rely on a company's reputation, as all will put out lemons, and never to rely on a company's customer service. With something like the SIG, if the company refuses to service it, your options are much more limited than if a company like Springfield refuses to service one of their pistols. Builders and gunsmiths for 1911s are everywhere, as are parts.

I am tired of polymer framed wonder pistols and I am tired of taking risks with operating systems I don't know and have no experience with based on their reputation. I know 1911s and I trust them. I shoot better with them than just about anything I have experience with.

So from where I am standing, there aren't a whole lot of options available that are better than the 1911.

 

[possum]

The HK has been disappointing,

could you please explain the issues you have had? it is rare that you hear of people having problems/issues with h&k. thanks.

 

[sturmgewehr]

Regarding the new HK's...

I picked up one of the HK P30's and I was completely unsatisfied with it. The gun barely ejected spent casings, and when it did the pistol threw them almost straight up or over the left side of the gun. Twice I had spent casings not eject at all and had a classic stove pipe. This was with WWB ammo.

I've had good luck with HK's in the past and I really wanted the P30. But after shooting it I found the new HK's just aren't for me. I shot my buddies HK 45 and again, I just wasn't as impressed as I was hoping to be. The HK 45 worked fine, but the trigger was toyish feeling, the recoil wasn't better than a standard USP and over all the pistol just didn't feel good to me. It felt... cheap for an HK. I also don't like the finish they're putting on the slide releases. It looks like black magic marker over brass. Very cheap looking, for a $1k pistol.

 

[Mainsail]

Sig GSR.