which handgun would you pick?
- Thread starter loonie
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chaim
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I've read fewer internet complaints on the S&W 1911s than the others. The only one of the major 1911 makers (mine is a Charles Daly and not on the list of my 2nd in quality) I have experience with is my best friend's Kimber which hasn't had any issues to speak of. All the big ones will be good- SIG, Colt, Kimber, Springfield- it is just that I have seen fewer complaints about the S&W than the others.
1911 guy
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Springer, then S&W, then Colt, then Kimber.
Here's my reasoning.
The Springfields have the best frames out there. Forged and machined true. No jiggling parts around to make up for mis-aligned holes and off-center milling. No muss, no fuss.
S&W seems to make a good pistol. I've never used one, but everyone I know who has one seems to like it. I did handle one without shooting it, looked good.
Colt makes a good pistol, just overpriced in my opinion.
Kimber has extractor problems. They went to the external extractor to get away from failures, but couldn't get that right, either. Now they're back to the same extractors they tried to get away from the first time. It's a crap shoot. You might get one that runs like a million bucks, you might be singing the blues.
I didn't mention Para Ordnance because you mentioned you'd like a .22 conversion. Para's have ramped barrels and most, if not all, conversions are for standard frames.
Here's my reasoning.
The Springfields have the best frames out there. Forged and machined true. No jiggling parts around to make up for mis-aligned holes and off-center milling. No muss, no fuss.
S&W seems to make a good pistol. I've never used one, but everyone I know who has one seems to like it. I did handle one without shooting it, looked good.
Colt makes a good pistol, just overpriced in my opinion.
Kimber has extractor problems. They went to the external extractor to get away from failures, but couldn't get that right, either. Now they're back to the same extractors they tried to get away from the first time. It's a crap shoot. You might get one that runs like a million bucks, you might be singing the blues.
I didn't mention Para Ordnance because you mentioned you'd like a .22 conversion. Para's have ramped barrels and most, if not all, conversions are for standard frames.
Yeah, I seem to remember something about 220SAO teething problems...never heard anything bad about standard P220's though. Good luck with your purchase, I want to get a 1911 again soon. Had a Para a long time ago, but it was never reliable for me.
Try and remember - I'd be real interested because I've never read a single bad thing about P220's other than the finish tends to rust a bit in harsh environments (mine included). My personal experience is they take a lickin' and keep on tickin'. Thousands of rounds thru mine with not a single failure - EVER - and it rides on my hip many a day when deep concealment isn't a requirement.
The reliability of that P220 is one of the reasons that a P226 in .40 S&W is high on my list of handguns that I will eventually acquire.
Werewolf, this is the thread about the early P220 SAO problems on Sigforums http://sigforum.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/430601935/m/493104195/p/1
In summary, the gun will fire when the trigger is squeezed and the safety is depressed as little as 1/8" or so. Don't know if the problem has been fixed.
I've never heard anything bad about the standard P220 though.
In summary, the gun will fire when the trigger is squeezed and the safety is depressed as little as 1/8" or so. Don't know if the problem has been fixed.
I've never heard anything bad about the standard P220 though.
Baba Louie
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Loonie,
You're in Canada right?
I've got Colt 1911's, Springfield 1911's and thanks to BJ Clinton, 1 lousy Norinco 1911. I used the term lousy only in a manner of speaking. It, believe it or not, is the most accurate and reliable, out of the box 1911 I own and I would own another or two if I could find them readily available here... as you can there.
http://www.marstar.ca/
Well, it appears that Marstar is out of stock right now, but please do not overlook Norinco if a 1911 is one of your choices.
If your SIG P226 has been good to you, consider SIG's P220ST in .45.
And while it's not on your list, CZ's 97 is another pretty fine (not so) little .45.
I really don't think you can go wrong with any of the items you listed.
You're in Canada right?
I've got Colt 1911's, Springfield 1911's and thanks to BJ Clinton, 1 lousy Norinco 1911. I used the term lousy only in a manner of speaking. It, believe it or not, is the most accurate and reliable, out of the box 1911 I own and I would own another or two if I could find them readily available here... as you can there.
http://www.marstar.ca/
Well, it appears that Marstar is out of stock right now, but please do not overlook Norinco if a 1911 is one of your choices.
If your SIG P226 has been good to you, consider SIG's P220ST in .45.
And while it's not on your list, CZ's 97 is another pretty fine (not so) little .45.
I really don't think you can go wrong with any of the items you listed.
mjb
Member.
Colt. It will keeps it's value like your Sig 226.
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