What's the minimum you'd recommend spending on a 1911 for a guaranteed upgrade

[jlh26oo]

for someone whose current favorite is a p220, and to whom every pistol upgrade thus far has seemed worth the price increase (ie taurus to ruger to glock to kahr to sig, ymmv). They've all been reliable, and even the taurus and rugers have been very accurate (the p220 tops)- but what's most impressive with sig is how nice the grip, feel, and balance are, that all the controls and mag interface solidly CLICK! into place, its fit and finish, nice sights, and most importantly the trigger and just how smoothly it shoots.

So in general, overall shooting experience, will a stock $800 1911 be as nice a step up from Sig as the Sig was for example from glock, or would it take a custom level 1911 to get similar upgrades?

 

[Thernlund]

To answer you directly, I'd say $800 to $900. But, I don't feel that a 1911 is a step up from a P220. More of a lateral move.

As far as I'm concerned, the P220 is the heir apparent to the 1911.


-T.

 

[mattw]

You'll never find a better trigger than a 1911. I recommend a Colt Series 70 reproduction if you want to stay around $900, a Springfield Armory Loaded if you want to stay around $700, a Kimber TLE/RL if you want something for under $1000 with a light rail and a sweet trigger, and an Ed Brown Special Forces if you want to stay around $1800 and buy my next dream pistol.

FWIW, I own a Springfield Armory Loaded, a Colt 1911 reproduction, and a Springfield Armory XD. I want to get a Sig but they just don't seem to fit my hand properly.

I would definitely say that a 1911 is a step up from a Sig. Maybe not in terms of accuracy or reliability, but in terms of pleasure to shoot.

 

[robctwo]

My first .45 was a Sig 220ST. Very nice gun. I had a good 226ST 9mm and wanted a companion in .45. I then bought the SA Black Stainless 1911 .45. I'd say that the Sig and the SA were very comparable for fit, finish and accuracy. I had a problem with my extractor breaking on the SA. Good customer service and it appeared to be a rare event from other responses on the forums. The single action trigger was nice, but heavy at 5-6 pounds as advertised.

I have small hands and the 1911 fits better. I ended up selling the Sigs. I have bought two Les Baers, one in .45 with the 1.5" guarantee and one in 9mm. Also bought an Ed Brown Executive Target. Both .45s were bought used.

I also bought a S&W1911PD Commander. Nice gun. Alloy frame makes for great carry and not so great at the range for 4-500 rounds.

If I were looking to try a 1911 from where you are I'd go with the Dan Wesson PM7 or S&W Stainless full size in the around $1,000 range. Very nice guns and you can get higher end later if you get the 1911 bug.

 

[bluto]

I'm a big SIG and 1911 guy in .45 platforms. Four P220's and 6 1911's. I understand your predicament.

As far as accuracy and reliability, I can shoot all my 1911's as well as my P220's and they've been just as reliable through thousands of rounds. What I've found though is that I always end up taking a P220 because they're just fun to shoot. The 1911's that I enjoy as much are my Les Baer and my SA Custom Competition. That's because they both have great triggers and adjustable sights.

I don't think you have to step up that far price-wise to find a 1911 that's as much fun to shoot as a P220. A Springfield Loaded might do the trick, but I'd make sure that whatever you consider has some upgrades from a stock 1911 like a great trigger and good sights. What you risk in a midrange 1911 is fit and finish. It can be the equal of a semi-custom or it can be downright sloppy. Just the luck of the draw. If you want to be sure then a semi-custom like a Wilson, Les Baer, Brown, Nighthawk, STI is the way to go. 2-3X a P220 in cost but you get what you pay for.

P.S. 1911's can be addictive so starting at or near the top might save you money and disappointment in the long run.

 

[mattw]

P.S. 1911's can be addictive so starting at or near the top might save you money and disappointment in the long run.

He speaks the truth. My first 1911 was the Springfield which had great sights (Novaks), and my second one was the 1911 repro and had a nice trigger because it was fitted very well. The next one I buy will be an Ed Brown Special Forces or Executive Elite, I haven't decided which yet.

If you're not willing to spend the big bucks on a semi-custom though, I would recommend a Kimber if you want something other than a stock-style 1911. Out of all the manufacturers Kimber consistantly has the best triggers and factory sights.