Kentucky-roughrider
Member
Who makes the best 1911? For less than $500, $501 to $1000, and greater than a $1000? I don't know.
The best 1911?
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mr.trooper
Member
Neither does anyone else. "Best" is very subjective.
Your options are:
$ < $500 = Rock Island Armory, or base model Springfield armory. Both of them are generaly good guns, and both of them have fans.
$501 - 1,000 = high end Springfield's, Kimbers, and Dan Wesson. Also good guns....but most of them are specialty models or entry level target pistols. Id say that the Dan Wesson guns are the best USERS in this category, but they are all good.
$ > 1,000 = Night Hawk, Ed Brown, Wilson Combat, ect. These are fancy over-the-top super match grade guns that cost a crap load of money, and much of that cost goes towards the label. They will all shoot very small groups, and have the unique ability to make elderly men fawn over them... They also have a reputation (deserved or not) of failing multi-day pistol course.
But admittedly, iv only owned one 1911 in my time, and its a user model, not a target pistol. I don't know much about them other than how to detail strip, clean, and hit a target with one. I'm not up on all the latest wiz-bang features and design tweaks.
Your options are:
$ < $500 = Rock Island Armory, or base model Springfield armory. Both of them are generaly good guns, and both of them have fans.
$501 - 1,000 = high end Springfield's, Kimbers, and Dan Wesson. Also good guns....but most of them are specialty models or entry level target pistols. Id say that the Dan Wesson guns are the best USERS in this category, but they are all good.
$ > 1,000 = Night Hawk, Ed Brown, Wilson Combat, ect. These are fancy over-the-top super match grade guns that cost a crap load of money, and much of that cost goes towards the label. They will all shoot very small groups, and have the unique ability to make elderly men fawn over them... They also have a reputation (deserved or not) of failing multi-day pistol course.
But admittedly, iv only owned one 1911 in my time, and its a user model, not a target pistol. I don't know much about them other than how to detail strip, clean, and hit a target with one. I'm not up on all the latest wiz-bang features and design tweaks.
I think MrTrooper did an admirable job in answering the question. You ask ten 1911 owners who own more than one this question, and you'll probably get eight different answers. Even on the "cheap" end of the 1911 platform there are choices which will be more accurate than you will be able to take full advantage of, or at least be able to get that way with a minimum of gunsmithing. If you know you like .45 and want a 1911, IMO, the place to break into it is the second range ($800-$1100). The majority of the pistols in this range are going to have some important upgrades that make them more accurate, better to carry, and have longer service lives. Also, customer service in this range seems to be quite good. I have Kimbers, and I have Dan Wesson and they both have their strong points without any real weak points. Again, IMO, it's worth saving $$$ for the extra time to get one in this range over getting a cheaper brand right now. Others will disagree I'm sure, and that's fine, we live in America after all. 
Bottom line to all of this is - find a pistol that YOU can shoot well, feels good and points well in YOUR hand, with a level of fit and finish that YOU find acceptable, customer service that YOU can live with, and then buy it.
Good luck!
SRT
Bottom line to all of this is - find a pistol that YOU can shoot well, feels good and points well in YOUR hand, with a level of fit and finish that YOU find acceptable, customer service that YOU can live with, and then buy it.
Good luck!
SRT
steelyblue
Member
All their websights say that they are the best. Maybe the one that says "Makers of the most mediocre 1911's" should be considered?
I say the one that works for you is the best. Look at some, fondle them, dry fire them, and pick the one that feels the best. If you buy it, shoot well with it, and it is reliable, then you have found the very best 1911. If it doesn't work out, then don't buy that brand again. You've just ruled one out!!!!
I say the one that works for you is the best. Look at some, fondle them, dry fire them, and pick the one that feels the best. If you buy it, shoot well with it, and it is reliable, then you have found the very best 1911. If it doesn't work out, then don't buy that brand again. You've just ruled one out!!!!
What does 'best' mean?
Is there a 'best' automobile? Is there a 'best' food? Is there a 'best' shoe?
"Best" is in the eyes of the beholder. "Best" also changes over time as the owner's interests/abilities change.
I have a a pistol that cost several times your max $, does it mean it is the 'best' for you? I doubt it.
Figure out a list of what features you want for your pistol, then how much money you can spend, then subtract from the first until you can afford it. That will be your 'best' pistol.
Is there a 'best' automobile? Is there a 'best' food? Is there a 'best' shoe?
"Best" is in the eyes of the beholder. "Best" also changes over time as the owner's interests/abilities change.
I have a a pistol that cost several times your max $, does it mean it is the 'best' for you? I doubt it.
Figure out a list of what features you want for your pistol, then how much money you can spend, then subtract from the first until you can afford it. That will be your 'best' pistol.
Black Majik
Member
Best is the gun you built, or had built from the ground up.
While there are many, many 1911 manufacturers out there, and a lot of them come really close to my ideal 1911. The only way to get it to my idea of a "best" 1911 would be if I had it built from the ground up.
While there are many, many 1911 manufacturers out there, and a lot of them come really close to my ideal 1911. The only way to get it to my idea of a "best" 1911 would be if I had it built from the ground up.
Ske1etor
Member
<-500 Springfield GI
500-1000 Springfield Loaded, Kimber Custom TLE II
1000-> whatever your heart desires...
500-1000 Springfield Loaded, Kimber Custom TLE II
1000-> whatever your heart desires...
thegoodfight
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Les Baer
I_AM_LEGEND
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well I'm sure the flaming will follow but this is from a gun shop owner that really, really know his stuff and he told me Springfield Armory is made in Brazil with sometimes bad quality control and that he wouldn't recommend Colt or Para, for $1000 he said go with a Kimber so I got the Kimber TLE II Stainless, I know there are Kimber haters out there and yes MIM parts do have their problems sometimes but this is the sweetest 1911 and smoothest trigger I've ever seen. For under $500, I say Rock Island Armory and many love Norinco's. $500 - $1000 - I say go with a Kimber or Dan Wesson. $1000 and up, Nighthawk, Les Baer, Ed Brown, Wilson Combat.
possum
Member
less that $500 i would have to say the sa low end models, if you could get one of the taurus models that cheap then that would definetly be the best value.
for the $501-$1000 I i would say a sa mc operator or other loaded model, with some of the kimber custom series guns falling in at a close 2nd.
for the $501-$1000 I i would say a sa mc operator or other loaded model, with some of the kimber custom series guns falling in at a close 2nd.
40SWHero51
Member
Anybody like S&W 1911s? Didn't really see them mentioned...
I am thinking of picking up a 1911 and want to get a dependable and accurate model for under $1000. I know S&W is expensive - are they worth it? They hold 1 more round than the Springfields, I'm just saying.
I am thinking of picking up a 1911 and want to get a dependable and accurate model for under $1000. I know S&W is expensive - are they worth it? They hold 1 more round than the Springfields, I'm just saying.
Stevie-Ray
Member
Colt
jhco
Member
used colt, kimber/springfield,
ed brown
ed brown
tiger rag
Member
I agree with jhco can't beat that lineup when price is a consideration.The Kimber is like a custom with out the wait.
I also am a Yankee man!!
I also am a Yankee man!!
I agree that "best" is in the eye of the beholder. I like my high end guns, and have several Les Baers and Nighthawks. And BTW, several regularly see heavy use in multi-day pistol courses, including five days at Gunsite, and none have ever failed.
start collecting and shooting the 1911 and you will have your own opinion,or at least your favorites. These questions just go in circles and have been ask
987654321 times this year alone.
I would really like a true custom gun but can not pay the price at this time.
987654321 times this year alone.
I would really like a true custom gun but can not pay the price at this time.
+1
There are plenty of quality manufacturers, but it is very hard to say which one is best. I doubt many here have had experience with more than 3 or 4 manufacturers and probably only a couple samples of each. So none of us really has a basis for saying which is best.
Kentucky-roughrider
Member
I should of said favorite not best in those price ranges.
38 Super Auto
Member
I have the Koenig model SW1911. It's a tack driver with a sweet trigger. The fit and finish is very nice. I got it for 899 at sporty warehouse.
I read about a lot of Kimber issues and their spotty service, so I decided on SW. I don't know how scientific this is. I do know that a lot of guys really like their Kimbers and some have had a lot of issues with function and poor factory response.
If I were to do it again, I'd go with the same rig.
XavierBreath
Member
In general I prefer Colts, but I also own Springfields, Smith & Wessons and even a Kimber.
I have found the SW1911s to be durable, reliable, and accurate. The fitting of the beavertail is not as nice as many folks would like, and there is generally a space underneath the rear sight on the fixed sight models. Smith & Wesson had a long history of external extractors on their double action pistols, so putting one on a 1911 did not create the same problems for them that Kimber had in doing so. The SW1911 (not the DK) usually has a bit of wiggle in the trigger, and some folks do not like that. It's easy enough to swap out a trigger if you want one with less tolerance. The stock trigger breaks cleanly, it's just a little more loose on take-up than other similar 1911s. The scandium SW1911PD is a great carry gun IMHO.
If you stick an eight round Wilson Combat magazine in a Springfield, Kimber or Colt, it will hold eight rounds plus one in the chamber too.
weisse52
Member
A COLT IS ALWAYS THE RIGHT ANSWER!
On the low end SA builds a nice pistol, on the high end I like Les Baer, OR a COLT tuned by one of the many fine pistolsmiths out in the world.
On the low end SA builds a nice pistol, on the high end I like Les Baer, OR a COLT tuned by one of the many fine pistolsmiths out in the world.
Only from my own experience.
Under $500, I have a rock solid Norinco. I paid less than $300 for it.
From $501 - 1000, I have 5 Kimbers, four of which are pre Series II. I won't sell those.
In your last catagory, I own an Ed Brown. I know that some will say that no handgun is worth what one will pay for such a 1911, but it's not true. I may never own another, but I can die knowing I at least had one. I simply have never shot nor owned any handgun its equal.
Under $500, I have a rock solid Norinco. I paid less than $300 for it.
From $501 - 1000, I have 5 Kimbers, four of which are pre Series II. I won't sell those.
In your last catagory, I own an Ed Brown. I know that some will say that no handgun is worth what one will pay for such a 1911, but it's not true. I may never own another, but I can die knowing I at least had one. I simply have never shot nor owned any handgun its equal.
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