Which 1911 pistol do you recommend?

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I own a Para Ordnance GI Expert and it works great after the breakin period. I got a great deal on it at Cabela's. It is well built and the slide to frame fit is excellent. I replaced the grips on it as I didn't care for the plastic grips. It comes with a skeleton hammer. So, no hammer bite even though it doesn't have a beavertail grip safety.

I would go with either the Para GI Expert or Springfield Mil-Spec.
 
I would pick Kimber. I have only had one springfield and the Kimber was way better for me. Rock Island for the money is a great pistol. S&W was not very good at all in 1911.
I can only speak from my own expierence so thats all I got !!
 
At the risk of sounding naive, what is the deal with the beaver tail safety?
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It's actually grip safety. You can't pull the trigger unless you deactivate the grip safety with the trigger hand.

As to beaver tail (many variations), it helps shooter get a very firm/high grip without injury during recoil.
 
For the money, you can't beat an STI Spartan, though I am partial to Springfield Armory, they are a little more pricey.
 
As a Kimber owner (Never again!) all I can say is, there's a reason people jokingly call them MIMbers.
 
what exactly are the problems with recent Kimbers? Most of the problems I've heard of were from years past, apparently.

I haven't heard a whole lot of good about Para. For that price, the SA mil-spec, Taurus PT1911s, or Spartans would be better.
 
What is the difference between the springer GI and milspec? I compared them and couldn't see any.......
 
There are some differences. The GI has the older, smaller GI sights. The Mil-spec has upgraded those to larger dot sights. The mil-spec has a lowered, flared ejection port. They have different slide serrations.The GI has a lanyard loop. They have aesthetic differences such as different grips and logos, etc.

The one that's the biggest for me is the sights. There's a really big difference between those tiny little GI sights and the mil-spec ones. The GI ones are usable and all, but you should get a sight picture on each before you decide because they are very small. If the mil-spec is $100 more, it's worth it to me because a new set of sights costs about that anyways.
 
In your list I like the SA also.

But, I notice you left CZ/Dan Wesson off your initial list. In my opinion they are worth considering. I have 2 models from them and I've been very happy with them (both are 10mm though).
 
I am going to challenge anyone here that has owned a Kimber that supposedly had MIM parts to show me how those parts failed. I have owned no less than 20 Kimber 1911 models over the last 15 years. I still have a couple of them. Not one of them had MIM parts problems. Ever. Extractor issues, sure, Kimber had some problems with them. Show me one company that has never had its issues and I'll show you a liar. For the money the Springfield loaded is the best value, but you wouldnt look back with either the Kimber or Springer. Buy the one that feels the best in your hand, and if you can rent either to test, then the one that shoots, and feels the best. There are plenty of gun snobs out there that dont have a clue what another makers firearms feel like or shoot like, I have both, shoot both regularly and have nothing to gain from you purchasing either one. Just buy the one you like, dont worry about what anyone else thinks.


Bass
 
What is the difference between the springer GI and milspec? I compared them and couldn't see any.......
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besides the sights, the lowered and flared ejection port is a big issue with me. its just that extra margin for reliable ejection...especially if you're trying to clear an unfired cartridge. they serrations are a matter of taste, but i really like the lanyard loop...i have one on my Beretta 92/96 and old Sig 226
 
I am going to challenge anyone here that has owned a Kimber that supposedly had MIM parts to show me how those parts failed.
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You can "challenge" a few people in this thread linked below. I have seen MIM parts break. I have also seen cast parts break. On the m1911 forums, here on THR, and elsewhere I've seen plenty of pics of broken parts, many of them MIM. Let's face it....good or bad.. the parts are cheaper and Kimber puts a ton of them in their top dollar guns. Not many will argue that MIM parts are better. If you are ok with that, that's fine. I guess I'm ok with that on a $500 or $600 gun. On a $1200 gun...not so much.

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=506223
 
I am going to challenge anyone here that has owned a Kimber that supposedly had MIM parts to show me how those parts failed.
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Failed? I only own one MIMber, and it hasn't failed to fire. Once I learned how many MIM parts they have in them for the price they have failed to impress me. :)
You see, for some of us it isn't about whether or not the parts fail, it's about an American company using cheap methods while still charging a high price. I haven't heard about Colt's plastic mainspring housings failing but I sure as heck don't want one on any gun of mine!

I spent $30 swapping the plasticrud MSH out of my Colt with a stainless one, but to replace all the MIM parts in a MIMber would cost a lot of money. To me cheap parts make the gun worth a good deal less, on a personal level.
 
Whats with the front serrations on the loaded and STI? YUK! Doesn't anyone like a nice clean looking 1911 anymore?
 
Colt or Dan Wesson My Para Ordnance experience was should have left it in store. My Kimber shot pretty good but had other issues never a problem with my Colts or Dan Wesson CBOB
 
I vote Kimber, if you cannot find or afford a Colt. I do not own one, personally, but a close friend and shooting buddy has a "full sized" one and loves it. I have never seen it fail to feed, fire or extract in the thousands of rounds I have seen him shoot with it. Just make sure that it has the internal extractor...those external extractors, I have heard from some owners, can be problematic.
 
Bass Ackwardz said:
I am going to challenge anyone here that has owned a Kimber that supposedly had MIM parts to show me how those parts failed. I have owned no less than 20 Kimber 1911 models over the last 15 years. I still have a couple of them. Not one of them had MIM parts problems. Ever. Extractor issues, sure, Kimber had some problems with them. Show me one company that has never had its issues and I'll show you a liar. For the money the Springfield loaded is the best value, but you wouldnt look back with either the Kimber or Springer. Buy the one that feels the best in your hand, and if you can rent either to test, then the one that shoots, and feels the best. There are plenty of gun snobs out there that dont have a clue what another makers firearms feel like or shoot like, I have both, shoot both regularly and have nothing to gain from you purchasing either one. Just buy the one you like, dont worry about what anyone else thinks.


Bass
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Sound advice, Bass Ackwards!

+1
 
Okay, I'm going to further complicate this thread by suggesting that you look hard at Dan Wesson. I think even though they've raised their prices for 2010 they're still the best value out there. I'd suggest finding a good deal on a leftover '09. If you want to know where to find one got the the DW site at 1911forum.com. There's a thread there on locating DW's in brick and mortar gun sales places that have them in stock.
 
Okay, I'm going to further complicate this thread by suggesting that you look hard at Dan Wesson. I think even though they've raised their prices for 2010 they're still the best value out there. I'd suggest finding a good deal on a leftover '09. If you want to know where to find one got the the DW site at 1911forum.com. There's a thread there on locating DW's in brick and mortar gun sales places that have them in stock.
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I am sorry but I would not consider a new DW at this point. The raising of their prices was ridiculous and if I am going to spend $1500 on a DW then I will just move up and go with a better Ed Brown. Now if you can find one of the older models new in the store(pre jacked up prices) then I would agree with considering the DW. The only bad thing is that from what I understand gunshops are raising prices on the old models just because of the increase in the new models. They really messed up big time jacking their prices up and pretty much every one I have spoken with agree.
 
ttheel said:
I am sorry but I would not consider a new DW at this point. The raising of their prices was ridiculous and if I am going to spend $1500 on a DW then I will just move up and go with a better Ed Brown. Now if you can find one of the older models new in the store(pre jacked up prices) then I would agree with considering the DW. The only bad thing is that from what I understand gunshops are raising prices on the old models just because of the increase in the new models. They really messed up big time jacking their prices up and pretty much every one I have spoken with agree.
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The price difference is still going to be over $800 when you look at the street prices. Not the $400 to $500 like many have suggested. I'm talking about when you compare the SS Valor vs. a SS Ed KC or EC. I don't think anyone can truly know what the value is until we see some in the marketplace. No 2010 DW's have shipped save a couple of Heritage's or the CA version of the CBOB (which is no different from the '09 that was available everywhere). Let's save the 2010 debate until we can say people have bought one and we really know what the new quality is like.
 
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