Which 1911?

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Very tuff decision, I had in mind a $1000 range 1911 also but decided to save some more and purchashed a Wilson Combat Professional. Glad I waited for the the xtra money, this is the one that fit me the best as far as size for carry and is exceptionally accurate, great finish and have not have any problems at all. But at the price I would not expect to have any problems. It is a Wilson and gauranteed forever. Good luck in your choice. :D
 
In my opinion Colt is by far the best option. They also have a lifetime warranty.
I have a cross section of Colts and all have been 100%. I also have right many friends that have switched to Colts and they understand my enthusiasm.
You can also look at m1911.org for opinions.
 
Gee Hunter, when did Colt start giving a lifetime warranty? All the manuals that came with my older ones only stated a one year limited warranty. Not that I ever had to use it.
 
In the top of the line category, Baer's- Nighthawk's- Brown's- and Wilson's
will serve you well; but are very expensive.

In the next group, comes the Springfield Armory TRP stainless "Tactical"
at a bit over $1300, and Kimber's Warrior at a'round 12 C-notes.

Occupying the third category, comes the Springfield "Loaded"; closely
followed by several Kimber's.

Bringing up the rear, you have the Taurus PT1911, Springfield's MIL SPEC
and G.I. models, and Rock Island 1911's.

Its just a matter of how much $$$$ you want to spend~! In the hands
of master class shooter's, I've seen some great work from the standard
Springfield Armory G.I. models. These guys saved bundles of $$$, by
staying away from the "high dollar" guns~! ;):D
 
Springfield or Colt.

I've never owned a Colt, but I've shot a few and like their reliability. I have a friend who owns one and it's been good to him for a long time.

I've got two Springfields that have been awesome. Reliable out of the box, good quality and accurate.

I had, notice the past tense, a Para Ordnance. I must have gotten the obligatory lemon and was very unhappy with it. failure to feed, hammer follow, failure to eject, all with a brand, spanking new pistol. Oddly, everybody else seems to like theirs. I'll never, and I seldom say never, buy another.
 
I love my S&W 1911 Sc...you can pick the Smiths up in the $800 or so range. A life time warranty with shipping paid both ways has already been mentioned as well as the best warranty is the one you will not need.... I think that sums it up well for the smith 1911's...I know some have had to send their smiths back for minor to major repairs/adjustments....Mine may go back one day for brass landing on my head every so often. I don't shoot as often as many on the forum do, so it isn't a really big deal to me. Other than the smith 1911 line, I would save a little more for one of the better known customs houses..i.e. NightHawk, Wilson, Les Baer, Ed Brown, I am looking hard at these guys for my first 1911 custom....good luck...
 
Could someone please explain why a Nighthawk commands a ~$1500 premium over a Springfield loaded?

I know that the top of the line 1911s are hand-fitted and don't use MIM components, but what does that really mean? Is there any difference in accuracy or reliability, or are you just paying for a brand name and fancy checkering? :scrutiny:
 
I have two 1911's.

My first is a Charles Daly that I bought used. For a cast frame Phillipino-made handgun, it's pretty darn good. I picked it up for about $250, IIRC. I wore it hiking in the desert a lot and wore the bluing completely off, then had it parkoted by a local gunsmith/refurbishing outfit called AZEX arms. I had some feed problems at one point, but it turned out to be a questionable magazine that I got with the gun. I switched all mags to Wilson Combat 8rd mags, haven't had the problem since.

I became concerned about some of the cast components of the gun after a fellow on another forum (TFL) wrote about a broken safety in the middle of NEEDING his gun... and it was the Daly 1911 that he was carrying. So I started shopping in the $500-$700 market.

My new 1911 is a Sig GSR Revolution. I had problems in the beginning, with a terrible 50% probability of a nose dive on feeding. Local shop I bought it at offered to fix it, but they made it worse. I made them explain the problem to Sig directly and pay for the shipping to them, it came back from Sig in perfect shape. Since I've gotten it back I've put about 500 rounds through it with no problems at all. The GSR set me back about $650 + tax. Sweet trigger, tight barrel bushing, just a hint of wiggle in the slide-to-frame fit.

Sig is now on their 3rd generation of GSR 1911's since they still hadn't gotten it right on their first two gens. Don't know anything about these, but I have heard that they hired away one of Kimber's top guys to revitalize the product line.
 
$1,000.00

I would buy 2 Rock Island Armory .45 acp Tactical models. One full size and one Commander size. I think $1,000.00 would cover 2 tacticals.
 
I have a Springfield "Loaded', Sig GSR 1911, 2 Kimbers and 2 Para Ordnances (both LDAs), and can honestly say that ALL are quality weapons.

Let me address the Para Ordnances first. They aren't "true" 1911s and as such, won't accept many Colt drop in upgrades. However, they are great for what they are. The "LDA" triggers are simply amazing if you want a great compromise between an ultra light single action trigger and the longer pull of a double action.The LDA (which means "light double action") has a very smooth light pull with a very crisp and sharp break.

The Kimbers and the Springfield are true 1911s and are renowned for their quality. For $1000 there are many models in both to choose from.

As for the Sig GSR, this is also a finely made gun. many think that it is overpriced, but I love Sigs (this is one of five Sig I own).

Ultimately, I would go to a range that rents these guns and try them all out and go with feels best to you.
 
I know guys that love them their 1911s regardless of who made it! Me, I prefer Colts over all and feel very well armed w/ my XSE cocked & locked! ;)
 
Many 1911's to choose from, it would take one weeks of constant study
just to pick what they think might be the best out there~! From my own
studies, there are plenty of good ones in the $800-1200 price range; yes
even a few Kimber's. Two that strike my fancy, are the 3" Stainless Ultra
Carry and the 5" Kimber Team Match weapon. I own a copy of the SST
Ultra Carry II, and its been 100% reliable; with all types of JHP ammo as
well as the regular 230 grain "ball ammo". So much so, that its now my
primary CCW piece~! ;):D
 
For that budget, I'd got a Colt... specifically the new manufacture Series 70. In stainless. ;)

There are other good 1911's out there, but nothing else will hold value and reliably appreciate like a Colt.

You'll be pleased. :)
 
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