I could write up a whole long post about 1911's and my opinions of each company, but I think I'll just write the Cliff Notes Version..
There are three main classes of production 1911s (not custom made). There's the cheaper production 1911s, the regular production 1911s, then the semi-custom/semi-production 1911s.
The "value" end (under $400) woud be:
- Norinco
- Amscor / Rock Island Armory
- Charles Daly
- Springfield GI (best deal going)
The regular production ($500 - $1200) 1911s would be:
- Colt
- Kimber
-Springfield Armory
- Para Ordnance
- Smith and Wesson
- Dan Wesson
Then theres the semi-custom ($1300 +) 1911s. These would be:
- Les Baer
- Wilson Combat
- Nighthawk
- Rock River Arms
- Ed Brown
- STI/SVI
The class you're looking into for under $1500 would be the production class. The three most popular 1911s would be Colt, Kimber, and Springfield Armory. All three are great companies. Kimber and Springfield Armory are pretty much neck and neck in terms of popularity.
Colt is still best known of making the no frills 1911s. Only a few of their models come with the bells and whistles, but they're mainly known to produce the "old school" 1911s. Watch out though, they don't dehorn their pistols any, even their top end model can slice your hand if not possible. They're sharp around the edges. Colt probably has the loosest slide to frame fit, if that matters any to you
Kimber has had a reputation of problematic 1911s, yet they are the highest sellers. The biggest complaint for Kimber would be the external extractors, the Schwartz "Series II" safety, and the MIM parts. If you get a working, reliable 1911, keep it! They're still fantastic 1911s.
The Springfields are great also. They don't have any internal safety systems like the Colt's Series 80 and the Kimber Series II. They have the ILS in the MSH, but that can be chaged easily with one without the lock. I've shot quite a few Springfields, all of the ones I've shot have been reliable.
All three companies can have problems. But yet I have so far not experienced any problems with any of the companies I've just listed (SA, Kimber, Colt). Only what I've read on other forums such as 1911forum. I do own a Kimber and Colt, and those are great shooters also, which serve different purposes. My Kimber is an older one (series I) so I'll never sell it since it doesn't have the external extractor and/or the schwartz safety system
The newest contender would be the Smith and Wesson 1911s. I've fondled them at the store (no experience shooting them yet), but I've been impressed with it. Though one of the display model stainless fullsize rattled like an old Colt, but the rest I've seen were very top notch. Only gripe would be the messy barrel crown, and the rear sight has a noticeable gap on all of their Scandium models that you can see light passing through. With I had more input on this brand but unfortunately I don't.
Para Ordnance, I'm not too fond of. The ones I've seen had tool marks, I shot one before, and it shot straight without any malfunctions, but it just didn't feel "right". I personally would pass on the PO since there are many other better companies out there, JMO of course
For $1500 you can break into the semi-custom 1911s. The one I would recommend would be the Les Baer Premier II, which start out at $1400. There is a noticeable difference between my Baer and the other 1911s. Fit and finish is very good. Slide to frame fit is very tight. Barrel lockup is incredible with zero play on the barrel hood and bushing. The LB is also noticeably more accurate than the regular production 1911's. The semi-custom 1911s have more hand fitting, better quality parts with no MIM parts.
There are some production companies that try and break into the Semi-Custom market, but few succeed. Kimber and Springfield Armory has their custom shop, but only Springfield tops out on this one. Colt honestly doesn't impress me much with their high end 1911s. Don't be fooled by Kimber's uber tactical custom shop guns. They still have the same parts as all their other 1911s. The SA Professional model is SA's flagship 1911. Now THAT's a quality 1911. No cheap MIM parts in there, the fitting and finish is 1st class. That is one gun I would not mind owning.
Best thing to do, handle them all! You'll find one that you'll like more than the others. Since you have experience with them, I'm sure you'll know what "bells and whistles" you want on a 1911 and which you can live without.
For $1500, I'd try to go for the Les Baer Premier II, if you want to go production gun route, I'd either go with the Kimber TLE or the Springfield Armory TRP. All those are great guns.
Anyways, I've written a little more than I planned to. Hope this helps.
. That Dillon can really crank out some rounds...
