Tell me about 1911 variants.

[Carl]

I heard Kimber makes good 1911's. I'm a milsurp lover and if I'm going to get a handgun that's an autoloader, it's going to be something like a 1911. I'm also very unfamiliar when it comes to the world of handguns, especially autoloaders. Can you guys clue me in on the companies and specific 1911 models and what are the benefits from one over the other?

 

[Grizfire]

Kimber
Springfield
Colt
Smith and Wesson
Rock River Arms
Charles Daily
Wilson combat
Ed Brown
Les Baer
Para-Ordinance
Dan Wesson

To name a few,

you might browse http://forums.1911forum.com/

 

[L-2]

Here's some more references:
http://forum.m1911.org/

Taurus
SIG Sauer
Nighthawk
Rock Island Armory
Auto-Ordnance
STI International

A separate thread for each company's models could be generated for each model. There are just too many. Major things to consider are: price, purpose, caliber, and size. How relevant is your interest in "milsurp" to this potential 1911 purchase?

 

[Cloudpeak]

1911's I own and like: Springfield Armory Loaded target 5" SS 45 ACP, STI Trojan 5" in 9mm and Dan Wesson CBOB in 45 ACP. All three of these handguns are very accurate and function 100%. I did have some initial ftf problems with the Springfield but that was solved by reducing extractor tension and changing from Lee 200gr SWC lead bullets to the Lyman 200gr SWC. All three fed 230 factory RN rounds 100% (WWB).

The fit and finish is best on the STI and CBOB and these are a bit more expensive than the S.A. Loaded. All of these companies are very highly rated for customer service. Springfield has a lifetime warranty that follows the gun which comes in handy if you decide to sell. STI and D.W. also seem to receive high marks on customer service from what I read on the net.

I have several friends who have Kimber's and they have had good luck with them but, from what I read on the net, their customer service is "touch and go". Taurus also doesn't seem to win wide praise for their customer service.

From reading the RIA forum on the 1911.org forum ( http://forum.m1911.org/forumdisplay.php?f=17 ), they seem very pleased with the RIA's and the company's service and these seem to be very good, "value priced" 1911's.

Cloudpeak

 

[Blakenzy]

There is so much to say about this type of pistol, which has been in production for almost 100 years, that I very much doubt all issues, manufacturers and variants can be addressed in a single thread. You are in for a lot of reading my friend .

I'll repeat that http://forum.m1911.org/ is your best resource for this topic.

FWIW if you want a milspec pistol and you can't get a real USGI 1911 (pricey), Colt makes (or recently made) M1911 WWI issue and M1911-A1 WWII issue reproductions which I hear were very nice substitutes.

Oh, and in my humble opinion, slide to frame tightness is very overrated!

 

[Carl]

Well I know I'm not going to go for an original 1911 Colt milsurp, but simply the 1911 design is what I like. Same reason why I bought a Winchester 94 made in 1951. Old design, but not too old of a gun. I'm looking on Kimber's site and they have a good handful of choices and same with all the other companies. I don't know where to start looking. So far because of price, Colt isn't gonna happen. I've narrowed it down to Springfield Armory or Kimber.

 

[CWL]

Go with Springfield Armory, better quality nowadays.

If you like "tradition" get the SA GI-45 or the Mil-Spec, which are based on the original 1911A1 design. The Main difference between these 2 is that the Mil-spec has lowered & flared ejection port and dovetailed 3-dot sights, these contribute towards reliability and ease of target acquisition -there are other features but these 2 are probably the most-needed modifications on a base M1911. Forged steel slide & frame on both.

Colt makes a good one, but it will cost you.

Kimber...well, they advertise a lot.

 

[jaybr]

I like my Kimber.

 

[kragluver]

If you want a relatively inexpensive 1911 with nice "extra" features, look at the Taurus PT1911. I have one and am very pleased with it.

 

[Zerodefect]

The Kimber TLE 5" is the nicest 1911 I've shot yet.

 

[PT1911]

I have a taurus pt1911 and a springfield as well.. both are great guns... the taurus actually handles better....