What should I get as my second 1911?

[Sergei Mosin]

I own, carry, shoot, and generally love my Springfield Mil-Spec. I am sort of thinking about adding another 1911 to my stable, but I'm not really sure what to get. Thinking about a USGI pistol, or something in a different caliber, or a maybe a Commander-sized gun. I don't have much interest in guns that are loaded up with custom features. Any suggestions?

 

[creeper1956]

I don't have much interest in guns that are loaded up with custom features.

An older Government in .38 Super... or perhaps see if you can find a Lightweight or Gold Cup Commander in good condition.

C

 

[2wheels]

What's your price range? Want a carry gun? Range toy? Little bit of both?

Just thinking if it were me, I'd go for a nice Colt Commander for an all around 1911. I still need a true Commander, I got sidetracked at the last gunshow and picked up a CCO.

Or maybe a Colt Gold Cup or similar 1911 from another company if all I wanted was a range toy.

 

[Jaymo]

I'm a lifelong fan of the Commander.

 

[bannockburn]

Another big fan of the Combat Commander and Lightweight Commander. Very much an all-purpose gun for the range, home defense, and CCW.

 

[WoodchuckAssassin]

I've been looking for a Commander size 1911 myself. I'm still waiting patiently for Ruger to release their SR1911 in a Commander...but it might be a while yet

Until then, a Springfield Loaded Champion would be a nice addition. While it's not a TRUE commander sized 1911 (having only a 4 inch barrel), I almost prefer its shorter barrel for concealment reasons - and it's not SO short that it affects reliability (I don't trust 3 inch 1911's). Plus, you already have a Springfield, so your new gun will have an immediate friend. Haha. I've never shot one, but got the chance to hold one a while back. Great out-of-box trigger (even better than the Colt Defender I held), points well, and has a nice oversized thumb safety (though I could probably take or leave the Ambi-safety). Best of luck to ya. Happy Hunting!

 

[intercooler]

1 is plenty.

 

[History.Doc]

#2 should be either a beater or a safe queen (whatever you don't have), IMHO.

 

[CZ57]

If you plan to carry it you'll have a hard time finding anything better than a Dan Wesson VBob, if that fits your budget.

 

[tuj]

If you want a range toy, a race gun in 38 super (say an STI) would be pretty darn cool.

 

[Esoxchaser]

or something in a different caliber, or a maybe a Commander-sized gun. I don't have much interest in guns that are loaded up with custom features. Any suggestions?
__________________

Springfield EMP sounds like a perfect fit to what you are describing.

 

[Shuler13]

I say grab a 9mm (Springfield, STI, etc) for a less costly shooting session.

 

[Sergei Mosin]

Laying aside the USGI option for now (I will have one some day, but what applies to those doesn't really apply to a commercial gun), the budget is around $1000. It wouldn't have to be a carry gun, as I'm quite happy carrying that big ol' Springer. Don't really want a safe queen. Something I can shoot, something I wouldn't mind carrying (which is pretty much any 1911, really), something different from what I have now.

LGS had a Delta Elite but it's gone. The Talo LWT Commander in .38 Super looks pretty cool but they're pretty proud of those.

I guess I should go through what I like and don't like in a 1911.

Size: no smaller than four inches, no larger than five.

Caliber: any.

Sights: any.

Trigger: not a huge fan of the three-hole triggers but they're okay.

MSH: prefer arched but flat is okay.

Thumb safety: ambidextrous is useless to me and I don't particularly like the appearance. I prefer the traditional short, wide type to the long, skinny ones.

Grip safety: I really like the A1 style. I don't have very large hands and I find that the ducktail and beavertail safeties make it harder for me to manipulate the controls. I grip my 1911 high and have yet to suffer hammer bite, so the extended grip safeties don't help me any.

Hammer: prefer spur or circular (Commander style) hammers. Not much on skeletonized type.

Fire controls: doesn't much matter. I have no particular opinion on Series 80 vs Series 70 or earlier. I even put up with my Springer's ILS.

Materials: any.

Finish: nothing too shiny.

Serrations: depends on the gun and how the integrated whole looks.

Geez, maybe I ought to just build my own!

 

[Jed Carter]

I'm a sucker for Colt Mk IV Series 70 1911s, but my best shooting 1911 is an STI 9mm. I even have a Colt Mk IV Series 70 9mm 1911, but it has been a safe dweller since the STI arrived. Or you could get a Norinco and use it to build your own, just the way you want it.

 

[Greg528iT]

A commander length barrel.. improved sights. a beaver tail grip safety.... 45 or 9mm up to you.
now as to fit and finish.. that'll depend on how much you want to spend. I wouldn't hesitate to buy a Rock Island, I love the Springfields, STI, Colt, Dan Wesson ... on up

 

[mitchz]

look at coonan .357 1911 I love mine.

 

[MADDOG]

Springfield Ultra Compact and don't look back.

 

[g_one]

My vote, since you already have one in .45, would be to go for 9mm. Taurus makes a great 9mm 1911 that is affordable and reliable in the same package. The stainless looks great, and although some people consider a 1911 chambered in 9mm to be blasphemy, I think the platform carries over very well, especially for +P loads.