Which one would you pick? 1911

[f155mph]

I am looking to get a 9mm 1911. Which one will you pick?

1. Colt Blue(used in good condtion)

2. Springfield SS loaded (New)

3. Kimber SS

4. STI "maybe" cost more then the rest.

I was told Colt hold better resale value and they are rare. Springfield I know will need trigger work. Kimber I am not sure of. STI I heard are great but cost a few hundred more.

Thanks!

 

[PlayboyPenguin]

Hard choice between the Springfield and the Kimber. I would have to give it to the Kimber though.

 

[Sergeant Sabre]

The way I see it, the choice is between two pistols that are chock-full of cost-cutting MIM parts, or one that is hand-crafted by an individual gunsmith from high-quality tool steel. Hmmm...Choices, choices.

I'll take Colt every time.

I've owned Kimber and Springfield. Still have the Springfield GI Model. I Sold the Kimber. They're not all they are cracked up to be, in my opinion. They have a good marketing strategy, though.

 

[DunedinDragon]

I think the best value out there right now for a non-MIM 1911 with most of the bells and whistles one would want and dependable engineering, fit and finish is probably the Sig GSR Revolution. It will cost more than Springfield, but most likely less than the Kimber.

Try one out and see for yourself.

 

[XavierBreath]

I chose the 9mm Colt Commander. It was one of the best buys I ever made.

 

[BozemanMT]

I actually have one from everyone, except the Springfield (including the SIG and a para)
The Sig and the STI are really high quality pieces, esp the STI. The STI fits together just beautifully. The Kimber is a nice gun and I have a couple, but it's not at the same level as the STI or really the Sig. the STI is a steal, you get almost handcrafted for just a little more.
Look at many competitors they use STI, SVI a lot. Says something when it's their own money.
The older blued Colts are pretty, but hit or miss.
I'd rank them
1. STI
2. SIG GSR
3. Kimber
4. Colt
5. Springfield
6. Para

MHO

 

[jmorris]

It depends on what you want it for, how much money you want to spend and how long you want to wait. The first 9mm 1911 I purchased was a Springfield; it’s a good pistol and uses the series 70 configuration. I would definitely consider an STI a step up and you can go with a true 1911 like the Trojan or one of the 2011 double stacks. SVI shares the patent for the double stack 1911’s with STI; however, they either have better machining equipment or take more time ensuring accuracy, as my STI is much closer to the Springfield than my SV. As you said one 1911, that would make my choice an SVI because you can get an interchangeable breech face that allows you to change calibers, so you can have one slide/frame and have many calibers. The down side of the SV is it costs twice as much as the STI (and that’s already twice the Springfield) and you’ll wait close to a year to get it.

 

[AirForceShooter]

Springer

Reliable and nice looking with a lifetime warranty

AFS

 

[226]

If this is for home defense or carry, I would get the Colt and immediately send it to Yost-Bonitz for, at the very least, a complete reliability package.

Some recommended work:

Best Quality 1911 trigger job uses matched Yost-Bonitz Custom action components. Includes hammer, sear, disconnector, hammer strut, and your choice of long, medium or short trigger -- $300.00

Complete 1911 dependability package - Wilson Bulletproof extractor, tune ejector, polish feed ramp and throat barrel, polish breech face, chamfer firing pin hole, ream chamber if necessary -- $115.00

What I did was order a new Series 70 reproduction and had it sent directly to Yost-Bonitz to get the 1* Elite package. I substituted the Novak sights with Heine straight 8s and opted not to get the 24k gold line front sight.

 

[Duramaximum]

Kimber, that's what my Marine friends say is the best. I don't tend to argue.

 

[BullfrogKen]

This former Marine, owning a Kimber, Colt and Springfield base gun, would pick the used Colt. Who cares about resale value and rarity when its going to be a piece you use.

If you know the Springfield needs work, pass on it. The Colt will do just fine. I can't tolerate what Kimber puts out these days. And the STI - yep, gonna cost more. And they do seem to require someone with more than a novice's understanding of 1911's to keep them up to speed. The parts are different enough you're going to be limited to what you can do to it.

Colt. Just do it.

 

[Longbow]

Either the Colt or springfield. In that order.

 

[Kramer Krazy]

I'd pick the Colt. If I had the money available and you didn't want it, I'd take that Colt.

 

[kbheiner7]

Rather than pick a brand, I'd be stripping my prospective new pistols and see how each of them are put together.

I've seen significant discrepancies between individual samples of the same model of gun in several makes. I wouldn't rule any of those makers out, but I'll certainly strip every pistol I buy going forward.

 

[f155mph]

Thank you for all inputs! However I am still deciding since everyone made some good points.

 

[Black Majik]

They'll all feel different. Pick what you like best.

The STI is in a higher league than the rest though.

Between the Colt, Kimber, and SA... the Colt uses the best parts, but sometimes have machining defects or so so slide to frame fit. They're still great shooters though, and very accurate.

Kimber & SA... its a toss up. I generally like the Kimber more, but both have their ups and downs.

Ah screw it... read my post in this thread. It'll have my opinion in there.

http://thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=188380&page=3

 

[farscott]

I have owned three 9x19 1911 pistols, a Series '70 Colt, an STI Trojan 5.0, and a Precision Gunworks Colt Series '80 that started life as a 9x23. I have only the Series '80 pistol left, and I regret selling the Series '70 Colt. I have also had the chance to shoot an SA 9x19.

The Trojan is a heck of a value for the money, but the frame is cast versus the forged frames of the Colt and SA pistols. The Trojan frame is plenty strong, but the casting has surface voids and some rough areas. This impacts looks only; it has no effect on function. It also comes with the STIppling, and I prefer serrations or checkering. The smooth front strap of the Colt and SA allows one to pick the surface treatment. The STI also comes with a smooth magazine release button unless one specifies an optional drilled and tapped release versus a serrated button provided on the Colt and SA pistols.

The Colts are just that, Colt 1911's, and, growing up with them, I prefer the Colt. I really think any of the choices will give you a pistol that will do the job. Me, I just prefer Colt. My next choice would be the SA and then the STI. I have no experience with the Kimber 9x19 pistol, so I cannot comment on it.

 

[TX1911fan]

Springfield. Excellent gun, superb customer service.

 

[robctwo]

I went with the SA Black Stainless.

Had extractor break. Factory fixed under warranty and sent me the cost of Fed Ex to them. Very happy. The super slim grips were a bit thin for me, so I put Nills on. Haven't gotten to shoot it yet except with the camera.

 

[Sergeant Sabre]

I'll take Colt every time.

I was a Marine, too.

 

[MICHAEL T]

Gee a 1911 in 9mm Well I'd get a Colt !! I would also upgrade to 45acp.

 

[BullfrogKen]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Sergeant Sabre
I was a Marine, too.

Semper Fi Leatherneck. Once a jarhead, always a jarhead. Life's better now come Friday afternoon that we don't get the big green weenie screwing us with armory duty or some such detail.

Gee a 1911 in 9mm Well I'd get a Colt !! I would also upgrade to 45acp

No way, upgrade to 38 Super and 9x23. MUCH easier.

 

[f155mph]

45acp are too expensive to shoot. Everytime I go to the range is 2 boxes of 100rds Willy's white box @ $20 a pop. So $40 plus range time equal $50 each time at the range. I like to go at least once a week so that is $200 per month to waste bullets on a paper target. $200x12=$2400

9mm 100rds WWB cost around $8 each times 2 equal $16 plus range time equal $26 times 4 equal $104 per month times 12 equal $1248. Shooting 9mm save me $1152 a year!

There are always reloads but I don't do reload so that's out. I like the .22 for target practice.

 

[Missouri Mule]

Any of them would be ok in 9mm.

 

[Kramer Krazy]

9mm 100rds WWB cost around $8 each

When did you last buy some WWB from Walmart? For almost a year, they've been $11.34 for a box of 100 and before that, they were $10.98. If 45ACP cost is an issue, a reloader will knock the price down tremendously. I'm reloading for about $11 per 100 with Speer 230 gr TMJ bullets. You'd pay off a Lee Anniversary kit in about the first 1k to 1.5k rounds worth of savings. I know a guy who casts his own bullets and buys components in bulk. He's averaging $36-$40 per 1000 rounds of 45ACP with existing brass. With the quantities you shoot (10k+ rounds a year), I'm surprised you aren't reloading, yet......even if you were to reload 9mm. I'm reloading 45ACP, 44 Mag, 44 Special, 357 Mag, and 38 Special. the next set of dies will be 9mm. In only 2 months of reloading, I've saved about $300 over WWB prices.