mljdeckard
Member
Two RIAs, one to leave stock and one to customize.
What 1911 would you buy with $1200?
- Thread starter maskedman504
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For $1200 I'd get Fusion Firearms to build one with the features and controls I wanted. For $1200 it'll be on a STI frame but an excellent handgun built how you ask for it.
http://www.fusionfirearms.com/
http://www.fusionfirearms.com/
Guillermo
member
Dan Wesson is, in my never-so-humble opinion, the finest 1911 on the market.
rbernie
Contributing Member
Frankly, I'd be quite happy spending my money on a nice Colt. I'd not spend that kind of money on a Kimber or a Springfield; they're $750 pistols at best, IMO.
weisse52
Member
I agree with most of what he said.
A COLT IS ALWAYS THE RIGHT ANSWER!
earlthegoat2
Member
Springfield TRP w/o that useless rail.
10-Ring
Member
The next 1911 on my wish list is the SA Operator
maskedman504
Member
I am narrowing down the selection. I am looking to buy a mid-tier 1911; this is my first pistol in this platform. I don't really want to enter this platform with a top tier custom builder- what if I end up disliking the platform? Spare me your value retention arguments! 
Likewise, I don't want to be burned by buying a lower tier weapon; I know yours has worked flawlessy from inception- what if I get a piece that fell through the cracks?
My short list:
STI Ranger II
Positives: STI has a stunning reputation; many STI parts are used by other manufacturers. + Bull barrell. Challenges CBOB in cash/features. Blued finish.
Negatives: Billboard logoing, blued finish.
DW CBOB
Positives: Amazing customer service, I already own and enjoy several CZs; reputation for reliability. Might have best cash/feature ratio. Many Ed Brown and/or match grade parts.
Negatives: Tendency for safe queen status. "Oh my god dude, you just scratched my CBOB!"
Colt XSE Commander:
Positives: The original standard, it's a Colt! Great resale value. Great reliability.
Negatives: Will Colt be around in 10 years?
SW 1911 Compact ES
Positives: Although maybe not revered for their 1911s, S&W is an industry leader in quality, reliability and customer service. External extractor improves function. Life-time warranty.
Negatives: External extractor design deviation. Cash/feature ratio somewhat lacking.
Likewise, I don't want to be burned by buying a lower tier weapon; I know yours has worked flawlessy from inception- what if I get a piece that fell through the cracks? My short list:
STI Ranger II
Positives: STI has a stunning reputation; many STI parts are used by other manufacturers. + Bull barrell. Challenges CBOB in cash/features. Blued finish.
Negatives: Billboard logoing, blued finish.
DW CBOB
Positives: Amazing customer service, I already own and enjoy several CZs; reputation for reliability. Might have best cash/feature ratio. Many Ed Brown and/or match grade parts.
Negatives: Tendency for safe queen status. "Oh my god dude, you just scratched my CBOB!"
Colt XSE Commander:
Positives: The original standard, it's a Colt! Great resale value. Great reliability.
Negatives: Will Colt be around in 10 years?
SW 1911 Compact ES
Positives: Although maybe not revered for their 1911s, S&W is an industry leader in quality, reliability and customer service. External extractor improves function. Life-time warranty.
Negatives: External extractor design deviation. Cash/feature ratio somewhat lacking.
jpwilly
Member
I'd go Dan Wesson for that amount.
Maybe a Valor Bud's had them for $1250:
Maybe a Valor Bud's had them for $1250:
I would be MUCH more worried about STI, Kimber, and even CZ having the Dan Wesson line going, and many other makers being around in 10 years, but not Colt. They will not be going away, and are on a really nice upswing right now.
Besides, these things are like shovels. They are built, then work. And anyone can repair them. If Colt did go under, you'd have an instant classic worth much more. So I just don't see the downside/negative here.
Don't ignore the 1991 models, too. I picked up a matte blue Series 80 NRM Commander this month I am very, very pleased with. Very pleased.
maskedman504
Member
STI and Kimber sure; but I won't buy a Kimber. CZ only acquired Dan Wesson in 2005 and the line has an immense following; additionally, with CZ recent acquisition of BRNO- they seem fond of keeping a 'family' of products. Smith & Wesson, well, it's Smith & Wesson.
To be honest I am not sure it is a negative either- look at Winchester rifles. Plus, Colt pistols always seem to retain value, if not appreciate in it.
They are probably more like clocks than shovels
Even after spending 45 minutes on the Colt website, which is improved since the last time I was there, I am not sure what the difference is between the 70 series, 80 series and the 1991.
Basically, I am interested in a Commander sized pistol- feel free to sing the praises of each!
I admire your loyalty but I have basically set myself upon a set of four pistols as evidenced by a post I made earlier in this thread. A thread you apparently did not read.
I also want to purchase a U.S. manufactured pistol. thats why I ruled out Springfield.
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TexasRifleman
Moderator Emeritus
The Series 80 has a firing pin block that was added for safety(lawsuit prevention) reasons. Some feel that it makes the trigger mushier.
The half cock notch was a little different as well, supposedly less chance of the hammer falling from half cock, or really less chance of it firing the primer if it DOES fall from half cock.
The Series 70 does not have this firing pin block, less moving parts basically. Originally the Series 70 had this funky barrel bushing but it didn't work so well so Colt went back to the one we see now.
The 1991 was sort of the "economy" series but they have Series 80 guts if I remember correctly and there really isn't anything different about the 1991's now.
"Purists" prefer the 70 it seems.
John Wayne
Member
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- Dec 11, 2007
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- 1,133
For a shooter I would go with an STI in keeping with yoiur American-made requirement. I have admittedly never shot one of their 1911 pistols, though they have an excellent reputation for quality.
Para Ordnance is also another option, also North American made and very innovative.
If you're going for a collector's item, I'd suggest a Colt 10mm Delta Elite.
Para Ordnance is also another option, also North American made and very innovative.
If you're going for a collector's item, I'd suggest a Colt 10mm Delta Elite.
maskedman504
Member
I had considered Para-Ordnance; they also have good customer service and a lifetime warranty for their pistols. I just did not really find a commander that 'striked my fancy'. They seem like a company focused on full size 1911s and compact 1911s (read: 3" barrels).
TurboFC3S
Member
Have you considered Sig Sauer 1911's? I have 2 right now, just ordered a 3rd ... a C3 which is Commander slide on an alloy Officers frame, should be a killer carry gun. I have a lot of 1911's in the $800-$1000 range, and I gotta say, the Sigs have been huge surprises. I first got one because I loved how they looked, and wanted to try a 1911 with an external extractor. Once I got it (Commander size) I saw things like the EGW bushing and Wilson beavertail, and decided to add a full size stainless as well. They both have been excellent guns, and probably the only thing that'll keep me from moving my 1911 collection over to all Fusions.
maskedman504
Member
I handled a Sig at a local store; the quality definitely seemed representative of Sig, but I haven't fired one of their examples. I do love Sig and haven't ruled them out- for some reason they seem to never ever get mentioned as a 1911 model. I remember hearing some fussing over the original GSR models but have heard nothing about the newer series. Thank you for your input.
I would love to purchase a DW Valor for $1250; they seem as easy to find as a ghost.
chabanais
Member
I bought a Gold Cup for $800. Seems good enough for me.
maskedman504
Member
I see you! You love semantics! The question of "What would you buy with XXXX"" Could easily be interpreted as "What would you recommend for XXXX?" I hope you are not confused anymore!!!
Not mine! It was a factory blem (but I really had to hunt for it!) and it cost something like $940 NIB. The week after I got it, I walked into an aluminum ladder and scuffed up the slide, then caught it on a door knob. I stopped OC-ing it...
My vote .. DW CBOB, preferably a factory blem, and a bunch of ammo.
Well, let me put it this way. I've had Springfields and sold them. Had two Kimbers and since getting my Nighthawk, sold both of them. Still have the Nighthawk and bought a Colt, it's a keeper and I'd buy another in a heartbeat.
I wouldn't buy another of the other two.
I wouldn't buy another of the other two.
Here's another opinion to balance out the Colt-mania.
I'll suggest buying a "real" 1911 without all the reimagined parts crammed into it like the Colt Series 80's and 90's. A classic Colt might retain resale value but the Colt XSE I bought didn't - when forsale it generated a lot of beautiful pistol comments from people but few offers. The fit on that pistol was also the worst of several 1911s I've owned, well below the Kimber and STI and on par with an old Armscor. The slide rattled when you shook the pistol.
I'll never buy another modern Colt. 1911 or AR. I don't need lawyer parts or proprietary large pin lowers because the company doesn't trust me.
I'll second the STI, Dan Wesson suggestions as well as my earlier suggestion for Fusion Firearms. Any of those are well made, simple 1911 designs (Series 70, standard extractors).
I'll suggest buying a "real" 1911 without all the reimagined parts crammed into it like the Colt Series 80's and 90's. A classic Colt might retain resale value but the Colt XSE I bought didn't - when forsale it generated a lot of beautiful pistol comments from people but few offers. The fit on that pistol was also the worst of several 1911s I've owned, well below the Kimber and STI and on par with an old Armscor. The slide rattled when you shook the pistol.
I'll never buy another modern Colt. 1911 or AR. I don't need lawyer parts or proprietary large pin lowers because the company doesn't trust me.
I'll second the STI, Dan Wesson suggestions as well as my earlier suggestion for Fusion Firearms. Any of those are well made, simple 1911 designs (Series 70, standard extractors).
I'd get a Colt Custom shop glossy stainless 38 Super and put some Cocobolo grips on it, that way I'd FINALLY have a BBQ gun.
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