Hmm...
Top tier:
- Ed Brown
-Nighthawk
- Springfield Professional model (even though it uses MIM
)
2nd tier
- Les Baer
- Wilson
- STI/SVI
(The first and second teir models are so close, but in regards to fit and finish there is a difference. All makers above use first rate parts)
Ed Brown and Nighthawk both make some beautiful guns. Ed Brown more so for the fancy, stylish 1911s with the snake scales and very soft edges. Overall very beautiful pieces. Nighthawk is also pretty impressive in fit and finish department, and while it closely resembles Wilson, the fit and finish IMO are leagues ahead of the Wilson guns.
Les Baer: Moreso for the defensive fighting guns, I view Les' line of guns to be "All go, no show" type guns. Quality parts in every respect and spectacular fit... but very simple finish. The Baercoat was less than impressive, and the bluing, while gorgeous is very thin and wears easily. Mainly look for pictures of my PII for my explanation in regards to Baer's finish. Also to note, the main feature I LOVE is the undercut triggerguard so the bore sits lower in the hand. Awesome feature. I actually like the very tight, vault like fit. It feels like you're holding one solid piece of steel. Very well done Les. But couldn't you put on hex screws at least instead on such a high dollar firearm?
Wilson, no urge to spluge on one. Good parts but no wow factor for me.
Springfield PRO: Impressive fit and finish. Beautiful Black T finish. All around impressive. Someday I'll get one.
Ed Brown: One thing I did notice is the inside of the hammers sometimes has tool marks. Something to look to.
Production model
- Springfield
- Smith and Wesson
- Kimber
- Colt
- SIG GSR/Revolution
- Para Ordnance
- Rock Island Armory
- Charles Daly
Some notes:
Smith and Wesson, while the 1911 is a great gun, there are two main points that really killed the fit and finish. Firstly, the messy crown jobs on most S&W 1911 pistols. Secondly, the crappy fit of most rear fixed sights. There is usally enough gap that light will pass through, and pretty much looks like a kitchen butcher gunsmith job.
Springfield's guns are usually well put together, but they're guns aren't really that tight. Newer production 1911s have tighter slide to frame fit than the older models from what I've seen.
Kimber: Their damn grip safety looks like a pumas rock. Seriously, that MIM pos grip safety kills the asthetics of the gun, as well as dropping serious points on the ranking quality scale. Slide to frame fit is usually pretty good, as well as dehorned front and rear of the slide. Where Springfield Armory beats Kimber is Kimber's "Custom Shop." Kimber's Custom shop is a complete joke.
Colt: QC is getting better for Colt, they're making guns that work really well, but there are still asthetic issues to make note of. The off center drilling for the recoil spring hole as well as slide overhang at the rear. Small, but notable issues. Also they cant spend the small amount of time to dehorn the edges just a LITTLE? Those things are friggin' sharp to hold. Slide to frame fit is classic Colt, it'll rattle no matter which Colt you pick up. They are accurate though.
SIGarms: Their GSR and Revolution may have quality parts, but there are still many reports of failures. Good parts means squat if the gun doesn't run correctly. The Mosquito may be the black sheep of SIG's line, but the 1911s are the redheaded stepchild.
Para Ordnance. Not high on my list because the lack of fit and finish. Pretty substandard, light tooling marks on frame from examples I've seen. Some models don't even feel like a 1911. So-so triggers and action. Eh...
Anyways, my $0.02