What 1911 best exemplifies 100 years of service?

[Commander Crusty]

For 2011, I'm considering buying my first 1911. I've never owned one because I generally shoot pivoting triggers better (revolvers, tupperware, etc.) Now, at the 100 year mark, I'd like to try one again--but which 1911?

• I don't want to spend a fortune so most Wilson-Baer-Brown products are off the table (probably).
• I like retro guns but is the 1911 "perfect" as it was?
• I like modern guns, but can a ported, dot sighted 1911 be carried frequently?
• I'm not opposed to plastic frames or laser engraving.
• I have no problem switching to a 9mm, such as the SA EMP.
• I want to be able to carry the pistol concealed several days per week.

On the other hand, if I'm going to buy a new gun, part of me just wants to buy a Beretta M9 or a S&W Nightwatch. What would you do to honor the 1911's 100 years of service?

Thanks for your suggestions.

Commander Crusty

 

[jr_roosa]

You can carry a full size 1911 IWB, but it's a little bulky and heavy. If you really want to celebrate 2011:

Colt 1918 Reproduction
Colt Model 70 Reproduction (Stainless for the south?)

If you want to carry:

Colt New Agent
Colt Defender

Colts are good value for the money. You're not into the super-custom range, but the fit and finish is a little bit better than Springfields and they're made in the US. I'm ignoring Kimbers because I don't like them personally, but you'll hear a lot about those soon I'm sure and they're good pistols.

-J.

 

[snmosley]

1911

I too have been looking to get a 1911 model and have little to spend. I have been looking at the Rock Island Armory 1911 A1 in a 9mm. Gives the look and feel but, cheaper to fire. Auto-Ammunitioin and Para are also fine brands. My part was trying to find one that is reasonable and made in USA. You might want to check the for sale section and the auction sites as they do have some good buys on the higher end models. I have not bought one just yet and I check the site daily to see if there is any good buys but, they don't ussually last very long.
Good Luck

 

[Harvey]

You just can't go wrong with a good Colt Officer's Model ... a timeless classic.

 

[NMGonzo]

south east = stainless

DAMHIk

 

[NMGonzo]

I too have been looking to get a 1911 model and have little to spend. I have been looking at the Rock Island Armory 1911 A1 in a 9mm. Gives the look and feel but, cheaper to fire. Auto-Ammunitioin and Para are also fine brands. My part was trying to find one that is reasonable and made in USA. You might want to check the for sale section and the auction sites as they do have some good buys on the higher end models. I have not bought one just yet and I check the site daily to see if there is any good buys but, they don't ussually last very long.
Good Luck

I can't wait to fire a RIA in 9mm.

I saw this guy at the range with a 1911 that had no muzzle rise at all.

I thought it was a .22 but upon closer inspection it was a 9mm.

He was a bigger guy and he knew what he was doing, but there was NO muzzle rise that I could perceive from two lines over.

 

[Nushif]

South East ... What kind of Holster is that? and do they have it for a New Agent?

 

[xring]

I hate to say it, but you're certainly not honoring the 1911 if you buy a ported, plastic framed, laser engraved 9mm.
Steel, 5" .45 from COLT. How far you stray from there is well, just straying.

 

[rondog]

What 1911 best exemplifies 100 years of service?

In my not so humble opinion, MINE! Well, my Colt WWI repro, anyway.

 

[mothermopar]

Any Colt 1911. Even the full size (government models) aren't hard to conceal unless you're a pigmy.

 

[Robert101]

In celebration of the 1911 I would not take it to fundamentally literal. I don't believe you should have to buy a bone stock 1911 spec retro gun. My idea would be to find a Government style, 45 ACP, extended beavertail, fixed or adjustable sights, finish to your preference. To that end, I would suggest a SA Loaded, DW Heritage or PM-7, or Kimber. Any of these mentioned pistols would certainly celebrate the heritage of the 1911 format. I'm sure some puritst will disagree, but hey, that is what a forum and opinions are all about. So my hard core answer would be a DW Stainless Heritage 45 ACP.

 

[Lonestar49]

With the right belt and holster..

...

4" or 4.25" barreled Commander..

CCW wise, where there's a_will, there's a way..


Best of all worlds, IMHO


Ls

Ps.. re-read addition: SA EMP SAO 1911's 9+1 124gr JHP 3" massive-built bull barrel (sweet ccw gun) as mine now has just over 6k flawless rounds.. good investment IF you go 9mm (recoil is balanced thru full grip) fyi - tack drivers when it comes to HD/SD point and shoot accuracy along with one-hand or weak hand shooting "reliability" as well.

Break-in 300 rounds or less and not a "high maintenance" gun.. will go 800 - 1000 rounds, easy, with good, clean ammo..

 

[Lonestar49]

Harvey's gun

...

Harvey, whew, that makes me drool, being honest here..

Had a Colt Defender - sold it after 1450 rounds though, just couldn't count on it with one hand, or weak hand, shots/jams.

Other than that, it performed..


Ls

 

[KodiakBeer]

I'd have to go along with Rondog if you want something that exemplifies 100 years of service. I suspect if you wait a bit, there will be more original 1911 reproductions out by various companies.

The 1911 in its original configuration is just fine. All the extended beavertails and other bells and whistles don't do a thing to improve the actual function, which is to shoot a man in the chest out to fifty or so yards. About the only improvement in 100 years is to the sights.

 

[jeepguy]

if you want a 1911 to honor 100 years of service then it has to be a colt either lt. wt commander, defender, or officers model. if you want a nice 1911 for carry i would get a good quality commander size colt, s&w, kimber, or springfield. i have the kimber ss pro carry & love it now i want one in 9mm.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

I may not be understanding your question.

What 1911 best exemplifies 100 years of service?

The only maker that has had 100 years of service is Colt. They make several models that are identical - or nearly so - to the models of the past that established their reputation, as well as fancy ones with bells and whistles. While not cheap, their prices are competitive.

 

[Pilot]

I concur with Rondog. The O1911 and O1918 Colt WWI Repros are the best Anniversary model Colt could produce.

 

[Black Dime]

Colt Light Weight Commander. Alloy frame. Carry it every day. 8+1 and a 10 rounder on the other side.

 

[Oro]

What would you do to honor the 1911's 100 years of service?

As mentioned, with that in mind there's a few excellent options you have. The 2003-2006 O1911 model, the 2005-2009 O1918 model, or the O1911ANVIII Colt is making next year as a 100th model. It's just the O1918 with "1911-2011" rollmarks instead of the traditional ones like on the O1911/O1918. For my money, one of those is a better bet since it's more authentic (at least in markings; otherwise identical). Colt will be making as many of them as people want from 11/2010 to 11/2011. They debuted it at the NRA show last week.

For that matter, the Talo "Armed Services" model is not bad, either. They are a limited run available right now. They aren't 100% authentic to any particular military model, but they are nicely done and well built.

To answer another of the OP's question, yes, the basic 1911 design works well. The long trigger/flat MSH (which the Army and Colt commercial models moved away from in 1924) is actually what most commercial models have moved back to in the last 10 to 20 years. The hammer is more versatile than most modern ones with more leverage available from the wide spur and makes manipulating it easier and safer. The only "weak" points are the sights and grip safety. But they are plenty workable. I know of a few people who have made the basic O1911 or O1918 reproduction guns their carry guns. I personally have a Series '70 I set up as a WWI style gun (WWI take-off gs, MSH, trigger, and hammer) and carry occasionally as a woods gun. I've also got an O1918 and it's a very well made gun that gives up nothing in accuracy and quality to similar priced guns ($1k roughly).

If I did not already have an O1918, I'd certainly get an O1911ANVIII (the anniversary model), but it's not substantially different enough from it to warrant another $1k for it. Colt even kept the same "Black Army" style black oxide finish instead of bluing it like an early military or commercial model.

 

[MICHAEL T]

COLT is the only answer for the 100 years

 

[Glocked-N-Loaded]

I would always recommend a DW but if we're talking classic, a name or brand that immediately brings to mind the classic style of the 1911, I would always say Colt, there is no other.

 

[Oceans]

A Colt, preferably a series 70 style model, or a good used pre- series 70 Government model will fit the bill nicely. That and a copy of FM 23-35 would suit your purposes quite well.

 

[71Commander]

You can carry a full size 1911 IWB, but it's a little bulky and heavy.

jr_roosa. I think that's the 1st time I've seen 1911 and bulky used in the same sentence.

 

[Marshall]

Colt, of course.

 

[mongo4567]

I have a Kimber for that role. I like the alloy frame, updated sights, rounded/skeleton hammer, match barrel/bushing, extended beavertail, extended slide release, and larger ejection port; these are the modifications that people did to the originals over the years to make them better.