Which 1911 pistol do you recommend?
- Thread starter NoVAshooter
- Start date
- Status
That argument doesn't really hold much weight. You can say the same for almost any poorly built gun out there. Most people that buy guns aren't shooters so they aren't nearly as likely to encounter problems. Heck, most of them out there might only have a mag or 2 through them, if that. An older Kimber with the external extractor would still sell pretty quick for a decent price because most people out there don't know that they were problematic.
Even guns that are known to most of us as being problematic are still sold in pretty high volume on a regular basis. For instance, the Sig mosquito or the Walther P22....both of those guns have a fairly poor reputation with shooters but I see them selling all over the place. You know how many Sigmas S&W sold last year? A lot. Yet all I hear is people saying how crappy they are (not that I totally agree with that).
So which way is it anyways? First you suggest that there are no discounted Kimbers on the market and then you tell me they are on Gunbroker.
Most guns sold in the US are not sold through Gunbroker. Gunbroker users usually know what they are looking for and are internet savvy so they are also more likely to do research on a particular gun before purchasing. You have to go the extra mile to use Gunbroker....making an account, transferring funds, arranging transfer of the gun through FFL. Average Joe gunbuyer goes to a store (and has probably never even heard of Gunbroker).
I discussed 1911's with a friend last week. He is a LEO and has had years of experience with 1911's. He said that if he was buying a new one right now he would go with a Colt or Kimber. I always tend to put alot of faith in folks who I KNOW have had alot of experience with weapons which I may be considering. I had been leaning in the direction of Colt or Kimber myself but I am pretty sure at this point I am going to be buying one or the other as my next purchase.
mattlove444
Member
All springers are made in brazil. They are just custom tuned in America. If u can afford it, go for the kimber. It is a great pistol. I've shot two inch groups with match ammo at 25 yards with mine.
fastbolt
Member
Being a long time 1911 owner, shooter & user, and having seen a pretty fair number of various 1911 style pistols come through the range over the last 20 years, I would tend to favor something made by Colt, S&W or Springfield, in that order.
My own 1911's are Colts and a SW1911SC 5".
I've been thinking about maybe picking up a more expensive 1911 next year, and so far I'm leaning toward a S&W Performance Center SW1911.
However, I recently examined a Colt Special Combat Government one of the other instructors bought, and it's a beautifully made 1911, with very clean and precise workmanship.
Neither of these would be really be considered "affordable", though.
I've never really been interested in the hand-built of high end 1911's, preferring to use basic "working" models which offer normal good quality and reliability. I've had more than my fair share of opportunity to handle and shoot any number of custom and hand-built 1911's. I've just never felt like investing %2,500 - $5,000+ for a 1911 that doesn't really run any better than quality examples that could be bought for less than a $1,000.
I'm not a target/match shooter. If I can get a 1911 to pattern in 5" at 50 yards, shooting 2-handed unsupported, I'm pretty well satisfied. My Colt XSE Government can shoot 1 hole groups at 11 yards shooting 2-handed unsupported, and my SW1911SC easily equals it.
Try some examples of whatever interests you, if possible.
My own 1911's are Colts and a SW1911SC 5".
I've been thinking about maybe picking up a more expensive 1911 next year, and so far I'm leaning toward a S&W Performance Center SW1911.
However, I recently examined a Colt Special Combat Government one of the other instructors bought, and it's a beautifully made 1911, with very clean and precise workmanship.
Neither of these would be really be considered "affordable", though.
I've never really been interested in the hand-built of high end 1911's, preferring to use basic "working" models which offer normal good quality and reliability. I've had more than my fair share of opportunity to handle and shoot any number of custom and hand-built 1911's. I've just never felt like investing %2,500 - $5,000+ for a 1911 that doesn't really run any better than quality examples that could be bought for less than a $1,000.
I'm not a target/match shooter. If I can get a 1911 to pattern in 5" at 50 yards, shooting 2-handed unsupported, I'm pretty well satisfied. My Colt XSE Government can shoot 1 hole groups at 11 yards shooting 2-handed unsupported, and my SW1911SC easily equals it.
Try some examples of whatever interests you, if possible.
OmutaX
Member
Among OP's choices, I'd definitely go with Springfield as well. I unfortunately will join the negative remarks on Kimbers like quite a few others here, as some of the new ones I've seen past few years are just unbelievably sloppy. The tooling marks left over, burrs, and slide to frame mismatches are atrocious only because I'm sure myself and a lot of others here remember when Kimber used to build really great fit and looking pistols. For the price premium you pay, it's just disappointing when you compare to their past.
Also, nothing wrong with SA's Brazilian parts. I love made in USA stuff, but just because it's made in the USA doesn't guarantee quality.
Also, nothing wrong with SA's Brazilian parts. I love made in USA stuff, but just because it's made in the USA doesn't guarantee quality.
Old krow
Member
To the OP, I have the Kimber Custom II. I love it. I haven't had any issue with it what-so-ever. I wouldn't buy a Kimber that was over $1200. At that point I do not believe that they are as competitive with other 1911s in the same price range. I paid $700 for mine, and it was definitely a good gun for that price.
FWIW, I emailed SA recently about some of their line of gun, specifically the Operator and the TRP, and whether or not they were made in the US. They told me that those two models were. I do not know to what extent a gun being "made in the USA" is, but that was their answer.
If I were to go out today and buy another 1911, and I just might do it, I'd probably go with Colt. I wouldn't mind having a SA, STI, Les Baur, Ed Brown, Nighthawk, Caspian, Colt, DW, RIA, S&W, Rem R1, Kimber, Sig, Para or <insert manufacturer here>. In fact, any of you guys that know where all these junk guns are at ridiculously low prices, hit me up. For the right price I'd buy any one of the guns.
A gun in hand is worth 2 on gunbroker.
FWIW, I emailed SA recently about some of their line of gun, specifically the Operator and the TRP, and whether or not they were made in the US. They told me that those two models were. I do not know to what extent a gun being "made in the USA" is, but that was their answer.
If I were to go out today and buy another 1911, and I just might do it, I'd probably go with Colt. I wouldn't mind having a SA, STI, Les Baur, Ed Brown, Nighthawk, Caspian, Colt, DW, RIA, S&W, Rem R1, Kimber, Sig, Para or <insert manufacturer here>. In fact, any of you guys that know where all these junk guns are at ridiculously low prices, hit me up. For the right price I'd buy any one of the guns.
A gun in hand is worth 2 on gunbroker.
That means that greater than 50% of the final machining/fitting/parts manufacture (aftermarket) were done domestically...it is like the number of domestic parts that had to be added to a "foreign Black Rifle" (AK, FAL) to allow it's import
In general, I think you hear from the people who have problems way more than the people who are happy with a product. That goes for any type of product, not just guns.
Between my father and I, we have well over a dozen Kimbers. Many of ours were purchased a few years ago back when you could get them for $650-800 for a 'custom shop' though. My opinion is that as long as its not a 3" (ultra) with an external extractor, its really hard to be disappointed with them. My daily carry is a series 1 pro carry that's been utterly reliable.
I agree though if you're going much above $1000, I'd start to look at other 'higher end' stuff.
Between my father and I, we have well over a dozen Kimbers. Many of ours were purchased a few years ago back when you could get them for $650-800 for a 'custom shop' though. My opinion is that as long as its not a 3" (ultra) with an external extractor, its really hard to be disappointed with them. My daily carry is a series 1 pro carry that's been utterly reliable.
I agree though if you're going much above $1000, I'd start to look at other 'higher end' stuff.
Old krow
Member
Is that 50% a confirmed number or standard across firearms?
Now I know, thanks
Ragnar Danneskjold
Member
G19 
I don't know, I would think it is for each specific gun as some are marked Made in the USA and others are not.
...are you asking if the >50% is a confirmed number to qualify?
...or are you asking if the >50% applies to all firearms?
I'm sure there is some federal standard before a product can be claimed to be Made in the USA...like Honda Accords and Toyota Camrys
Para p-16 in 40. Carry it everyday for 6 yrs. Has not failed me yet. Every Thursday I run 200-800 rounds through it. It feeds round nose, flat point, tr. cone, swc's and of course h. points. I do have to admit that it gave me some feeding problems until I ran about 1500 rounds through it, other than that no problems. Alot of people talk bad about Para's not sure why, I sold my Kimber after it stovepiped on me with pissed off pitbull charging me. Good thing the first two did the job!
Krusty783
Member
I have a Springfield MC Operator and it's a tack driver even with Cabela's bulk ammo in an ammo can! I've put a couple hundred rounds through it, mostly bulk ammo and the only issues that came up are a couple suspect mags hanging up when ejected. They're Star mags, I think, and I blame the mags not the gun as they wore in and stopped sticking.
The Operator is probably out of your price range, but based on their rep, my experience with my pistol and their customer service the few times I've contacted them, I'd say go with the SA.
The Operator is probably out of your price range, but based on their rep, my experience with my pistol and their customer service the few times I've contacted them, I'd say go with the SA.
tbeb
Member
I have a mil-spec Springfield 1911-1A that I bought 15 years ago. Selling it has never crossed my mind. It is very, very reliable with my 230 gr. lead roundnose reloads and with 230 gr. Federal Hydra-Shok JHP's. The high profile fixed sights are very useable--a huge improvement over the low profile fixed sights on a Series 70 Colt Combat Commander I once owned.
alde
Member
I have had a Kimber Coustom II (internal extractor) for 5 years. It has well over 3k rounds through it and it has been 100% reliable from day one. It has never had a failure of any kind including shooting 300 reloaded cast SWC's in one session without cleaning or lube. It will shoot ragged holes all day long if I do my part. It is the most accurate pistol I own.
I have no experience with the other brands.
I have no experience with the other brands.
- Status
