I am looking for a good 1911 and I am undecided which direction to go in. I can spend at the most $700. I have looked at Kimber Stainless II , some SA, and a S&W. I would like skeleton hammer and trigger and a 5" probably. Any suggestions?
Which 1911?
- Thread starter todd-45
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XavierBreath
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Usually what happens on these threads is people suggest what the own, and that is natural. For $700 you can net a decent 1911 that will be accurate and durable. We need more information though.
Are you going to carry the gun?
Will you compete with the gun?
Will it be a range gun only?
Are you a traditionalist? Do you drive a sedan or a pick-up truck? Does your automobile have a spoiler? Sounds nuts, I know, but a fellow's vehicle often is reflected in his 1911.
Kimber, Colt, Springfield and S&W all make good 1911s.
The best all around bargain is probably a Springfield. It has no firing pin safety, and the ILS is easily eliminated with a MSH swap. The price is right. I usually recommend a Springfield Mil-Spec to a new 1911 shooter. It has everything needed, is priced right, and can be modified into whatever the owner desires if they later change their mind. It does not have a skeletonized trigger or hammer. These can be added later if desired. A $500 Mil-Spec and $200 of ammo is better than a $700 Loaded and no ammo. The Springfield Loadeds have low profile sights, skeletonized parts, and a beavertail if that's what you want. One shoots as accurately as the other.
Colts are for a traditionalist, I think. Other guns will shoot as well, but for some folks, and I'm one of them, only a Colt will do. A Colt is like a Harley. If that is what you want, it's best to just go ahead and get it. Nothing else will measure up.
I'm not a Kimber fan, at least not of the Series II. Shy away from external extractors on Kimbers.
S&W makes a good 1911 too, and their external extractor works. Their small parts are Chip McCormick.
Are you going to carry the gun?
Will you compete with the gun?
Will it be a range gun only?
Are you a traditionalist? Do you drive a sedan or a pick-up truck? Does your automobile have a spoiler? Sounds nuts, I know, but a fellow's vehicle often is reflected in his 1911.
Kimber, Colt, Springfield and S&W all make good 1911s.
The best all around bargain is probably a Springfield. It has no firing pin safety, and the ILS is easily eliminated with a MSH swap. The price is right. I usually recommend a Springfield Mil-Spec to a new 1911 shooter. It has everything needed, is priced right, and can be modified into whatever the owner desires if they later change their mind. It does not have a skeletonized trigger or hammer. These can be added later if desired. A $500 Mil-Spec and $200 of ammo is better than a $700 Loaded and no ammo. The Springfield Loadeds have low profile sights, skeletonized parts, and a beavertail if that's what you want. One shoots as accurately as the other.
Colts are for a traditionalist, I think. Other guns will shoot as well, but for some folks, and I'm one of them, only a Colt will do. A Colt is like a Harley. If that is what you want, it's best to just go ahead and get it. Nothing else will measure up.
I'm not a Kimber fan, at least not of the Series II. Shy away from external extractors on Kimbers.
S&W makes a good 1911 too, and their external extractor works. Their small parts are Chip McCormick.
slystad810
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How about a Springfield Mil-Spec?
This ran me $545 brand new and I couldn't be happier. That also leaves you with plenty of cash for ammo.
This ran me $545 brand new and I couldn't be happier. That also leaves you with plenty of cash for ammo.
That's a beauty Slystad. I'm not exactly new to 1911's. I've owned one, a SA that I had a trigger done. I shot alot of ammo through it and really liked it but other financial obligations demanded I sell it. I've shot several others, and have shopped around alot, probably 6 mos. now. I have read some about Kimber's external extractors and I don't know that I like the bushingless barrell on 4" models. I have a couple boxes of ammo so that won't be a reason to spend less. Way I figure it if I spend $500 on a mil-spec and then decide to do a trigger job and skeleton hammer and better sights would I be better to spend $689 on a Kimber Stainless II or something comperable initially?
XavierBreath
Member
It all depends on how you look at it. Assuming you did the work yourself, the end cost would be about the same I suppose. You would then own a pistol that was more unique than the standard gunstore fare. The problem is, you killed trade-in value. You won't get your money back out of it. Of course, you could save your old parts.........
Also, most skeletonized hammers require a beavertail grip safety, or at least a Commander type grip safety. If you have to have that hammer, then it would be best to get it outright perhaps.
My perspective is I own a couple of Springfields. I prefer Colts, but it's because of pride in ownership, not because they shoot better (I can't shoot them well enough to see a difference). I have several Colts. I bought a couple of SW1911s that were to good a deal to pass up. They have been very good pistols. I have not owned any Kimbers, although I have shot them.
I'll post a pic too.
Gold Cup National Match
slystad810
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If you want a commander hammer and beavertail, then it really makes more economic sense to choose a 1911 that already comes with those features. If you just want something basic, then go with the milspec.
To install Novak sights, a beavertail, and a commander hammer would put the price of my milspec well above a "loaded" model.
To install Novak sights, a beavertail, and a commander hammer would put the price of my milspec well above a "loaded" model.
Ala Dan
Member in memoriam
I Don't Own One-
but, how a'bout a Smith & Wesson commander size, stainless steel 1911Sc?
With a 4" barrel, and its scandium frame it would be a super carry gun with
all the bells and whistles that you want.~!
but, how a'bout a Smith & Wesson commander size, stainless steel 1911Sc?
With a 4" barrel, and its scandium frame it would be a super carry gun with
all the bells and whistles that you want.~!
Re: 1911s, I Love my Colts
I like my Colts more than any other 1911s that I have owned. I have had 3 Colts, and at least 3 times that many Kimbers.
Regarding Kimbers, I have owned every model from Custom Classics (the cheapest) all the way up to a Custom Shop's "Gold Combat", as well as 3 or 4 other Custom Shop Kimbers. I have owned 3, 4 and 5" Kimbers and all things considered, settled on owning only 1kimber: my Warriror, a series 70 pistol.
I like my Series 70 SS Colt most. It's accurate, reliable, and it's good looking. I also like the short trigger. It just feels better in my hand. Sometimes when you spend upward of $2,000.00 on a 1911, you do NOT get what you paid for. Get a Colt, series 70 for around $750.00 N.I.B. and you will get what you paid for.
JMHO,
Doc2005
I like my Colts more than any other 1911s that I have owned. I have had 3 Colts, and at least 3 times that many Kimbers.
Regarding Kimbers, I have owned every model from Custom Classics (the cheapest) all the way up to a Custom Shop's "Gold Combat", as well as 3 or 4 other Custom Shop Kimbers. I have owned 3, 4 and 5" Kimbers and all things considered, settled on owning only 1kimber: my Warriror, a series 70 pistol.
I like my Series 70 SS Colt most. It's accurate, reliable, and it's good looking. I also like the short trigger. It just feels better in my hand. Sometimes when you spend upward of $2,000.00 on a 1911, you do NOT get what you paid for. Get a Colt, series 70 for around $750.00 N.I.B. and you will get what you paid for.
JMHO,
Doc2005
wildehond
Member
Hi
I would recommend you pick one that you like the feel and look of.
Then put at least 200 through it.
If it works without malfunctions for those 200 rounds only then put your money on the table.
I would personally look for a Colt that can do this but that is a personal choice.
You will only anjoy the weapon if it works well.
wildehond
I would recommend you pick one that you like the feel and look of.
Then put at least 200 through it.
If it works without malfunctions for those 200 rounds only then put your money on the table.
I would personally look for a Colt that can do this but that is a personal choice.
You will only anjoy the weapon if it works well.
wildehond
brickboy240
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- Jan 19, 2005
- Messages
- 304
I have owned three Colts and one Springfield stainless model, like the one shown above.
Truth be told, the Colts have all been more trouble than the Springfield. All of the Colts have had springs swapped, feedramps polished and a myriad of other things done to ensure their reliability. The Springfield ate everything right out of the damn box. Springfields also have lifetime warranties and cost tons less than the bottom of the line Colt.
Collectors may swoon over the Colt logo on the slide, but its like comparing the Mercedes to the Lexus. Both will get you down the road in luxury, but one will do so with less headaches, although it does not carry the name recognition of the other.
If you value namesake, buy a Colt, if you want a shooter right out of the box, buy a Springfield or maybe a Kimber Custom II.
These have been my expereinces with Colt and Springfield 1911s.
Flame away.
- Brickboy240
Truth be told, the Colts have all been more trouble than the Springfield. All of the Colts have had springs swapped, feedramps polished and a myriad of other things done to ensure their reliability. The Springfield ate everything right out of the damn box. Springfields also have lifetime warranties and cost tons less than the bottom of the line Colt.
Collectors may swoon over the Colt logo on the slide, but its like comparing the Mercedes to the Lexus. Both will get you down the road in luxury, but one will do so with less headaches, although it does not carry the name recognition of the other.
If you value namesake, buy a Colt, if you want a shooter right out of the box, buy a Springfield or maybe a Kimber Custom II.
These have been my expereinces with Colt and Springfield 1911s.
Flame away.
- Brickboy240
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