1911's Which one?
- Thread starter Woodsman
- Start date
I've owned a few 1911's. My current favorite is a bare bones STI Ranger II. Nice and tight / straight shooting right out of the box. No issues with any type of ammo, if fact the thing has never jammed. I've lost track, but the round count is approaching 2K. It's one of my never sell guns 
. My only complaint (if I can call it that) is the blueing wore out fast in the grip area, but it gives the gun a nice patina IMO.
. My only complaint (if I can call it that) is the blueing wore out fast in the grip area, but it gives the gun a nice patina IMO.
Take a look on youtube, search for limalife, the girl made 3 videos explaining what to look for when shopping 1911s. You need to decide what you want; something like the original 1911(Colt) or something more modern. You have plenty of choice. There are about a dozen of good to excellent companies making those.
I would go for WWI replica, but maybe I am just old fashion. Good luck with your happy problem. Let us know what you bought!
I would go for WWI replica, but maybe I am just old fashion. Good luck with your happy problem. Let us know what you bought!
If there was ever a "Golden Age" for the 1911 this has to be it. I was sure I wanted an STI Spartan until I saw the RIA Tactical, but then there's also the Tanfoglio's (that's just the "affordable" ones). The mid and high end 1911's are seemingly getting cheaper by the week. I recently saw a Smith 1911 for less than $1100 (but with a $100 coupon - so an even $1000) that was very nicely finished. Then there's Dan Wesson. I'm going to end up poor - happy, but poor. And single.
- Location
- North of Toronto and South Carolina
Who knows?
Visit the 1911 forums. Each brand has a forum, with lots of owners heaping praise and scorn on each brand.
I finally checked out Springer, Para, Kimber, Colt, Norinco, and a few others. I almost bought an S&W. Finally, I decided that for the money the Para had the purest trigger feel. That is, at around $1 thousand, it had a trigger feel of a more expensive 1911. Also it's Canadian.
I'm sure, though, that you will be happy with any brand you select.
A 1911 is an absolutely wonderful gun to shoot.
Visit the 1911 forums. Each brand has a forum, with lots of owners heaping praise and scorn on each brand.
I finally checked out Springer, Para, Kimber, Colt, Norinco, and a few others. I almost bought an S&W. Finally, I decided that for the money the Para had the purest trigger feel. That is, at around $1 thousand, it had a trigger feel of a more expensive 1911. Also it's Canadian.
I'm sure, though, that you will be happy with any brand you select.
A 1911 is an absolutely wonderful gun to shoot.
A Dark 40 is a nice alternative. Check out My Dark 40 owners Thread.
I have lots of pics in there. You can have a Custoized tricked out top of the line pistol for the price of a brand new stock Para. And that's without any aftermarket gunsmithing done to it.
Thanks.
http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php?t=222687
I have lots of pics in there. You can have a Custoized tricked out top of the line pistol for the price of a brand new stock Para. And that's without any aftermarket gunsmithing done to it.
Thanks.
http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php?t=222687
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After extensive and exhaustive research of the 1911 market, I have a new Dan Wesson Commander Classic bob'tail on order. I believe that, for the money, DW currently offers the best value.
Too many even bigger names in the business are using a lot of MIM (Metal Injection Molded) and plastic parts, as well as cast, and not forged, slides and other critical parts - yet they still charge full price for these products.
The DW has a forged slide and the only MIM part is the thumb satefy (made by STI). It sports several parts made by Ed Brown, including the Brown special bob'tail MSH, the slide stop and the grip safety.
I can tolerate an MIM thumb safety, but will avoid it in more critical and stressed parts like hammers, sears and slide stops (the slide stop pin is what keeps your entire slide etc. from being launched forward right out off of your frame when the slide slams forward). I do not like any plastic in my 1911s. I also don't like 'soft' materials.
Take a peep as the DW Classic Commander bob'tail at www.cz-usa.com. Then compare it with the Ed Brown Executive Carry (in Stainless Commander size with the 4.25 inch barrel) at www.edbrown.com and consider the similarity of these two guns.
Both have excellent frame to slide lapping and general fit and finish. They're quite essentially the same gun AND of comparable quality, especially when you consider the prices. They share the same features, including fixed tritium night sights. The DW is not just some cheap knock off of the Brown product. Rather, its manufacture and materials are completely comparable.
As you can see, the Brown gun lists for $2495 US. The DW lists for only $1128 US (LESS THAN HALF PRICE). All the DW 1911s are like that, and I believe that they give you a lot more than comparably priced guns. If not for the dealer I found (who will have the gun to me in 2-4 weeks) everywhere else is a 4-6 month wait. The demand is higher than the supply.
I'm getting this gun, including shipping and taxes, complete for exactly $1300. That's exactly $500 less than my maximum budgetary allowance of $1800 that I had for this project.
DW can't make them fast enough - and at these prices I can clearly see why. I predict that they will start upping their prices in the not too distant future. With demand so high, why the hell wouldn't they.
Kimber was similarly priced, but too full of plastic and MIM. Rock River Arms (not to be confused with Rock Island Armories) had the quality but was $500 more AND they did not offer the bob'tail commander which is an Ed Brown invention and only DW is allowed to use it at this time.
In all honesty, from what the market actually has to offer, I believe that I was sold a DW 1911 that was to $500 to $1000 UNDERpriced.
Too many even bigger names in the business are using a lot of MIM (Metal Injection Molded) and plastic parts, as well as cast, and not forged, slides and other critical parts - yet they still charge full price for these products.
The DW has a forged slide and the only MIM part is the thumb satefy (made by STI). It sports several parts made by Ed Brown, including the Brown special bob'tail MSH, the slide stop and the grip safety.
I can tolerate an MIM thumb safety, but will avoid it in more critical and stressed parts like hammers, sears and slide stops (the slide stop pin is what keeps your entire slide etc. from being launched forward right out off of your frame when the slide slams forward). I do not like any plastic in my 1911s. I also don't like 'soft' materials.
Take a peep as the DW Classic Commander bob'tail at www.cz-usa.com. Then compare it with the Ed Brown Executive Carry (in Stainless Commander size with the 4.25 inch barrel) at www.edbrown.com and consider the similarity of these two guns.
Both have excellent frame to slide lapping and general fit and finish. They're quite essentially the same gun AND of comparable quality, especially when you consider the prices. They share the same features, including fixed tritium night sights. The DW is not just some cheap knock off of the Brown product. Rather, its manufacture and materials are completely comparable.
As you can see, the Brown gun lists for $2495 US. The DW lists for only $1128 US (LESS THAN HALF PRICE). All the DW 1911s are like that, and I believe that they give you a lot more than comparably priced guns. If not for the dealer I found (who will have the gun to me in 2-4 weeks) everywhere else is a 4-6 month wait. The demand is higher than the supply.
I'm getting this gun, including shipping and taxes, complete for exactly $1300. That's exactly $500 less than my maximum budgetary allowance of $1800 that I had for this project.
DW can't make them fast enough - and at these prices I can clearly see why. I predict that they will start upping their prices in the not too distant future. With demand so high, why the hell wouldn't they.
Kimber was similarly priced, but too full of plastic and MIM. Rock River Arms (not to be confused with Rock Island Armories) had the quality but was $500 more AND they did not offer the bob'tail commander which is an Ed Brown invention and only DW is allowed to use it at this time.
In all honesty, from what the market actually has to offer, I believe that I was sold a DW 1911 that was to $500 to $1000 UNDERpriced.
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Depends on two things... 1) your budget/price range. 2) How long do you want to wait? Local purchase or wait for Canada Post to arrive?
Most of the major brands are putting out about the same quality so it all depends on what catches your eye. Pricing would dictate which features you get for the money. Are you looking at a basic one? One with better features and parts already done?
At the club, they had a couple of nice Para's. I like shooting my buddy's Para but the high-cap frame is weird feeling for me. Didn't like the attitude some of the Kimber owners had but the guns were nice except I seen a couple new ones lock up the first few rounds. STI has a couple nice models, too. Colt just doesn't have the quality they had years ago.
I have two Springfield Loaded's and they are great but anything Springfield is hard to get so you will have to call around to find one in stock.
PRO-TECH GUNS
New member
- Location
- Penticton B.C.
1911
I built this one six years ago.
10mm colt delta elite.
it looks nice & shoots well but I'm kicking myself, I sold it. you can find the pic on my web site http://www.pro-techguns.com
I built this one six years ago.
10mm colt delta elite.
it looks nice & shoots well but I'm kicking myself, I sold it. you can find the pic on my web site http://www.pro-techguns.com
okcorral1881
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- East of Toronto
Woodsman,
Having read all the GNs answers to your post, I think that sums it up pretty much!
Opinions on 1911 brands differ just as with car/trucks brands.
At first you have to decide how much you are ready to spend, then what do you intend to do with the gun! Do you want (as someone said earlier) a traditional look or modern look with bells & whistles!
Eventhough all 1911s and Governments are made from the same platform (JMB's design) they do not all feel and point the same in each others hands. If you can try to go to gunshops and handle different gun to see the way they feel and how natural they point!
Old plain jane!
or customized, all depends on your taste (and budget
mebiuspower
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Morontario
STI Trojan .45. It's a no-frill shooter. Undercut trigger guard, no firing pin safety - thumbs up.
Don't like the Bomar rear sight but I had a gunsmith put on white dots on the front & rear and have the rear sight trimmed to look more like regular fixed sights.
Would like to build a 1911 from a Colt Commander or Mk IV Series 70 but there's no gunsmith on this side of the border that's willing to do the work that I wanted at a good price.
Don't like the Bomar rear sight but I had a gunsmith put on white dots on the front & rear and have the rear sight trimmed to look more like regular fixed sights.
Would like to build a 1911 from a Colt Commander or Mk IV Series 70 but there's no gunsmith on this side of the border that's willing to do the work that I wanted at a good price.
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Looks like I will need to go and try some! I'm probably looking at eventually getting a more plain jane one as funds are not unlimited! I just don't want an inaccurate loose crappy shooter... or one that is sensitive to loads and loves to jam. Any of them that I should stay away from?
