Which 1911 brand?

[Combat-wombat]

Which 1911 brand would you recommend for the best quality, accuracy, reliability, etc.? No $2000+ custom guns, I'm just talking into the $1500 max range. Kimber, Springfield, Valtro, Colt, etc. What do you think?

 

[denfoote]

Springfield!!!

 

[MrAcheson]

It depends. 1911 manufacturers tend to go in cycles, probably because of tooling and manufacturing base issues. Tooling wears out and quality declines. A generation of workers retire dropping the skill level of the workforce and the product quality. Some swear by Colts, but for a while there lots more folks were swearing at their Colts. Similarly with Springfields and now Series II Kimbers.

Out of your list go Valtro if you can afford it. If their current price is too high or the wait too long then look around. Colts are "the genuine article", but are $100 more expensive than a similar gun from Springfield. Maybe the Colt parts are worth it. Kimbers are nice and probably tend to be the most accurate.

The new Springfield mil-spec guns are supposed to be very nice, so I'll probably be buying one of those if they pass my buyers checkout.

 

[fix]

IMO, while Kimber, Springfield, Colt, etc. have all taken their turn at the top...Springfield is the only one that has stayed in the top 2 or 3 consistently over the years. I base this on personal experience, other posters reports, close friends, and "range talk" with other 1911 owners.

 

[JoeHatley]

With a budget of $1500, I'd take a hard look at www.rockriverarms.com

Appears to be a lot of value there...

Joe

 

[Soap]

The Springfield that I had was terrible. The breech face was machined too small so it caused a million malfs until I got it fixed. Even after that things were hit or miss. My current Colt NRM Govt. has worked flawlessly so far. I really think the Colts are the best gun in that price range right now. For higher end guns I would look for a Les Baer TRS or CQB used model. The Valtros have a spotless repuation but I have no personal experience with one.

 

[400CB1911]

i'd have to agree about the springfield

but don't rule out the newcomers
the dan wesson is the best deal out there
IMO

 

[Sean Smith]

At the limit, Rock River Arms will build you a Basic Limited Match for you to order.

Below the limit, Colt.

 

[Berg01]

EGW Ultimate Tactical Carry Pkg.

 

[45R]

Kimber or Sig

 

[Swamprabbit]

I own two SA mill-specs and both are great. You may consider getting a mill-spec then after shooting it, take the rest of the money and have it customized the way you want it.

 

[Tamara]

Combat-wombat,

While I don't know how the 1911 makers will stack up in seven years when you're old enough to buy one, if I had $1500 right now to spend on a new gun, I'd look at Rock River or Les Baer based on my personal experience. By word-of-mouth, Valtro deserves inclusion in that list, too.

Broaden your search to used guns, and you can find deals like the $1400 Ed Brown picked up by an acquaintance, or the Springer Pro I snagged for a measly thirteen bills...

 

[ReadyontheRight]

I'm kind a cheapskate, so there are probably great guns in the $1500 range that I'll never touch. From my limited experience:

Either a nice Colt or Springfield mil-spec that you shoot for a while and then have a gunsmith work up into a nice tight match pistol.

OR

http://www.m1911.org/mod_dwesson.htm

Right now Dan Wesson Patriots seem to be a great value while they try to get a name for themselves. They also have a custom shop that will build you exactly what you want.

Check out the Dan Wesson forum at http://www.1911forum.com/forums/

The fact that the President of the company will answer specific questions (at least for now) tells me a lot about his interest in creating a quality product.

Pictures from tests by Stephen A. Camp.

Warning -- DW Patriots have a small Christian Cross in the Patriot logo. Some have been offended.

The cross, Patriot logo, smooth action and accuracy certainly don't offend me. Slickest little 1911 I've ever experienced, and less than $700.

 

[dsk]

Combat-wombat,

If as Tamara says you're about 7 years from being able to buy a handgun, the truth is at this point there's no use worrying about it. Who knows what the 1911 market will look like in seven years? For example, seven years ago (1997) Colt was at its lowest point regarding QC, and just about ready to fold entirely. Springfield had changed all their 1911's to incorporate a blocky frame that felt like holding a 2x4, and there was this new 1911 made by a previously-bankrupt company that everybody said was an awesome gun for the price. Heck, even Para Ordinance was putting out good guns at the time.

Now take a look at things. Colt has so far survived, and not only makes better guns than before but even makes the Series 70 again. Springfield now makes guns that feel good in the hand, while the "awesome new" 1911 has degraded to a crapshoot with more lawyer-resistant parts. And don't forget Para's, which have sadly become what Colts were seven years ago.

 

[tlhelmer]

I have had two Springfields and both had reliability problems.

I bought a Kimber TLE-RL that functioned flawlessly right out of the box.

 

[ggamyang]

Colt, SW, RRA, & STI Trojan

 

[45R]

Hey just because he is a minor doesnt mean his parents can't buy it for him .................now so that he can learn get his 1911 jonesing in right now

 

[10mmshooter]

Unless your budget allows you to spend without discretion....I wouldn't advise spending $1500.00 on your first 1911. I spent less than $600.00 on my Dan Wesson Pointman in 10mm, and it has been 100% reliable with all JHP ammo I've fed it. You can't do better than 100% reliability...can you? Also, I have yet to find anyone who can show me a pistol in the same price range...that offers superior accuracy, or a better selection of standard features than you get with a Dan Wesson 1911.
I'm not saying that Dan Wesson makes the absolute best 1911 in the world. What I am saying....Is that, in my oppinion...Dan Wesson makes the best bang for the buck, entry-level 1911 on the market. That's my two pesos anyway.

 

[Black Majik]

Colt









NRM Government Model

My experience though: Colt and Kimber are my choices for the everyday 1911's pistols.

Wilsons, Les Baer, Valtro, Ed Brown are the more semi-custom/custom makers into the $1000+ range.

Springfield, well... eh. Their Mil-spec versions though have gotten great reviews and stack up well against the Colt 1991A1 but without the nice finish and fit.

 

[OF]

I'm with 10mmshooter: I wouldn't spend that much on a first 1911. I got my first .45 a little while back and am glad I went with the base loaded Springfield that I did. It's letting me get a handle on what I like, what I don't like and what I want to change as well as how to run it, work on it and take care of it. And the gun is fantastic - I, literally, couldn't be happier.

After a while, you'll get a better idea of what kind of premium 1911 will do it for you and then you can make a more informed decision that you'll likely be happier with in the long run.

- Gabe

 

[ReadyontheRight]

I didn't realize you were a youngster Combat-Wombat.

If I had gotten more into guns when I was your age in the late 70s, I would probably have gotten a true WW2 1911 for $100 or so, a Garand for the same price and a match-grade pre-ban Colt AR for what? $300?.

I also would probably have gotten into NRA bullseye and high power shooting at a time in my life when I had more time to practice and more places to shoot.

If your parents support it, it seems like a great time to get into shooting. Just be smart and don't make a big deal about it. Especially with your non-shooting friends. It's best if non-shooters don't even know you own a gun.

 

[Tom C.]

My first 1911 was Colt Series 70. It got the gunsmith custom treatment. When I wanted another 1911 with Bomar sights, I bought a Caspian frame and slide and built my own. Bought most of the internal parts from Brownell's. Fairly cost effective and you know exactly what you have.

 

[Shmackey]

$1500 gets you into the high-class realm.

For that money, I think Rock River is the way to go. Or get a $550 NRM Colt and put $1000 into professional mods for a unique and hand-built 1911.

For $550, Colt NRM, hands-down. For $1000, STI Trojan, hands-down. $1500 is where it gets interesting.

 

[ruger357]

Springfield. Have the GI Mil-Spec version and love it so much, I'm picking up the stainless version of it next week.

 

[jimmyjoebob]

old Colt, Kimber, or the Dan Wesson if you want a 10mm. I think bang for the buck Kimber has everyone beat with the TLE II, most of the custom job features built in a stock items( including night sights) if you bought a Colt with the same features you would already be near that $1500 limit, with the TLE II, you get it for $800.