Buying A 1911: Which One?

v65magnafan

v65magnafan

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I'm treating myself to a 1911.

I want it for target and IDPA.

And, I want it for CCW (in the US)--so I don't want big, sharp sights.

I really like the 1911 trigger.

And I want a break from the snappy .40 Beretta and the 686-3 I already enjoy. That's why I want one.

It will probably be stainless steel or aluminum--and probably a Commander-length barrel.

I've given myself around $1700 to spend.

I've checked out Para, S&W, Springfield, Sig, and STI. I still want to check out a Colt.

So, far, none of these stand out as clearly superior, although the S&W Scandium was beautiful and the Sig was striking--in appearance.

At that price range, I think that differences in trigger feel are very subjective and I don't know if blindfolded I could really tell one 1911 from another.

I know that each gun has a feature or two that removes it from the pure Browning original design.

So, help me choose.

TIA
 
I'd stay away from the SIG -- they have had a lot of teething issues -- looks nice -- but most of us want a gun that functions too...

As far a gun that you may carry

Wilson Combat - P&D stock them IIRC

Ed Brown

or if you want the utter in 1911 kick ass
Nighthawk -- you will need Questar (or another dealer that does) to import it from the US.


Kimber, Colt and others make a decent pistol but for a high round count gun you will want to replace the MIM parts with something like Wilson or Ed Brown parts.



I'm currently building a work 1911 out of an issue USGI gun (yes some people still get 1911's)
I know for Canadians (who live in Canada) its hard to get parts -- fortunately for me I this is not a Canadian gun. And Brownells ships to APO's

080-000-183 1911 AUTO ARMORER'S TOOL KIT 1 256.65 256.65
083-045-600 600 GRIT BROWNELLS ABRASIVE COMPOUND 1 17.92 17.92
084-093-000 INSTA-GRIP ASSORTMENT, 18 PIECES 1 25.87 25.87
087-011-100 854-E 1911 BLUE EXT TACH. MAG CATCH 1 15.96 15.96
087-814-000 814 ED BROWN 1911 AUTO REBUILD KIT 1 11.96 11.96
087-881-001 881-STD 1911 RECOIL SPRING PLUG 1 6.36 6.36
087-882-001 882-STD 1911 RECOIL SPRING GUIDE, BLUE 1 12.00 12.00
206-000-019 1911 24/7/365 PROF. 5 LB TRIGGER SET 1 113.56 113.56
207-145-228 14131 MC CORMICK POWER MAGAZINE 8 4 17.47 69.88
249-210-030 PROFESSIONAL NEEDLE FILE SET #4 (FINE) 1 107.85 107.85
475-100-000 1911 AUTO DELUXE COMPLETION KIT, BLUE 1 38.62 38.62
532-640-036 62040 HI TEMP RETAINING COMPOUND, 50ML 1 40.54 40.54
654-110-004 751 SS GRIP SCREW BUSHINGS, SET 4 1 4.45 4.45
662-002-004 LMC04 1911 BAR TRITIUM L-MT REAR SIGHT 1 72.06 72.06
662-005-180 DFS026180 .180 GOV'T TRITIUM DT FRONT 1 44.05 44.05
791-000-048 45ACP FLAT TOP CLASSIC SLIDE NVC 1 268.49 268.49
849-008-001 S&A COLT 1911 BLUE AMBI-MAG RELEASE 1 78.00 78.00
849-011-001 GM BLUE FLAT MAGAZINE GUIDE 1 58.50 58.50
965-000-026 458B 1911 AUTO PLUNGER TUBE, BLUE 1 12.76 12.76
965-011-152 R15A MAGAZINE CATCH SPRING 1 1.25 1.25
965-011-153 R15B MAGAZINE CATCH LOCK BLUE 1 2.25 2.25
965-033-645 33D,B 1911 DROP IN BARREL 1 165.06 165.06
965-047-110 47T BUREAUCRAT 10-ROUND MAGAZINE 4 28.75 115.00
965-399-070 399B,70 SERIES 70 FIRING PIN STOP 1 15.00 15.00
965-414-000 414B BULLET PROOF SLIDE STOP, BLUED 1 41.97 41.97
965-415-070 415,70 SERIES 70 BP EXTRACTOR 2 22.36 44.72
965-416-000 416,45 BULLET PROOF FIRING PIN 1 8.79 8.79
965-417-000 417 BULLET PROOF SEAR SPRING 1 4.76 4.76
965-429-100 429BG GOV'T BLUE DROPIN BT GRIP SAFETY 1 27.96 27.96
965-602-045 #192B WILSON BLUED AMBIDEXTROUS SAFETY 1 48.20 48.20
969-419-180 41918 TYPE C RECOIL SPRING 18 1/2# 1 5.26 5.26
*** NEW PRODUCT SUPPLEMENT *** 1

I got a Dawson rail (from Dawson Precision) for the X200, the Gunner Grips from Christine Smmonich,
and the 1911 w/ X200 SF 6004 from Lightfighter -- and Blade-Tech 1911/X200 IWB for more formal occasions.

A lot of the 1911 forums have some great advice -- and they may be more informative - due to the fact the guys are carrying them -- a luxury that just does not happen with 1911's (or is Delta BC Police still carrying them?) in Canada.
 
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Yep. Checked out the Sig. Beautiful. Also, lots of threads all over the place about poor quality control, at least for the early production run.

And, the slide is a little wide. Holster selection problems?

I like the idea of Condition 1 carry.
 
Whoa. I really admire your knowledge and devotion, KevinB, but I want to shoot a a reliable 1911 right out-of-the-box.

Like my Beretta, which eats everything. (This might be starting to sound like an anti-1911 rant, but I really want one, mainly because I love the trigger.)

If I wanted to fix things, my wife's car is ten years old and mine is a 2000.:D

Is is possible to find a beautiful, reliable 1911 for $1700?
 
I have had my TRP Operator for about six months now and love it. She is more accurate than I can be and more like a timex than any other gun I know of. She may be a bit heavier than most 1911 framed pistols, but with the right CCW support system (good holster, belt, magazines & mag carriers) you could wear it all day and not have any worries.
There is even one for sale here in EE.

Of course, I'm not too sure about the beautiful part, unless you appreciate function over form. ;)
 
i second the trp operator
i had a standard operator and found it to be one of the most accurate and tightest 1911 ive ever owned
i just sold it and brought the brand new TRP operator and cant believe that its even better
ive never shot such nice groups with a 45 then i have with the trp operator
and yes there is one on the ee i believe for 1500 not bad compared to the 2k plus tax price tag for a new one
 
v65magnafan said:
I'm treating myself to a 1911.

I want it for target and IDPA.
Click to expand...

If you want to shoot IDPA, stay away from 1911s with bull barrels (longer than 4.25") and/or full length dust covers as those pistols don't meet the criteria for IDPA.

mannymtl said:
i second the trp operator
Click to expand...

The TRP Operator is a perfect example......;)
 
Dragoon said:
If you want to shoot IDPA, stay away from 1911s with bull barrels (longer than 4.25") and/or full length dust covers as those pistols don't meet the criteria for IDPA.

The TRP Operator is a perfect example......;)
Click to expand...

That's a shame, I was planning on joining and using my TRP Operator. I was under the impression it did fit under ESP.
 
Great ideas. But because I'm a little vain, I'd like one in stainless steel. I think any 1911 will be more accurate than I am.

Interesting about IDPA. I could use my Beretta for that. Or my 686-3, maybe. I'll check the rule book before the weekend.

Funny. Not a big selection of 1911's in the Southern Ontario shops these days. I might even visit Giovanni's. Maybe he has something good.:)

Not even a big selection of Kimbers at Shooters Choice. Disappointing.
 
How about a Kimber Eclipse? Stainless with a black oxide finish.
http: //www.kimberamerica.com/pistols/eclipse/eclipsetarget.php

OR the Springfield Loaded with 'black' stainless steel....
http: //www.springfield-armory.com/armory.php?version=19
 
misfire said:
How about a Kimber Eclipse? Stainless with a black oxide finish.
http: //www.kimberamerica.com/pistols/eclipse/eclipsetarget.php

OR the Springfield Loaded with 'black' stainless steel....
http: //www.springfield-armory.com/armory.php?version=19
Click to expand...

The Springfield is at Al Simmons and the Kimber is in Waterloo. Busy Friday!
 
v65magnafan said:
Great ideas. But because I'm a little vain, I'd like one in stainless steel. I think any 1911 will be more accurate than I am.
Click to expand...

One of these little puppies..........

http://w w w .kimberamerica.com/pistols/custom/stainless.php

http://w w w .kimberamerica.com/pistols/cdp/customcdp.php
 
Get an STI Ranger II with the hard chrome option (if you absolutely must have a 'stainless look' in your pistol).

Its commander length, but the .45 shoots VERY light... the low amount of recoil is surprising. It'll fit your budget and leave some money left over for a holster.... though one thing to keep in mind is the full length frame which supposedly makes finding a holster tougher.
 
darko said:
Get an STI Ranger II with the hard chrome option (if you absolutely must have a 'stainless look' in your pistol).

Its commander length, but the .45 shoots VERY light... the low amount of recoil is surprising. It'll fit your budget and leave some money left over for a holster.... though one thing to keep in mind is the full length frame which supposedly makes finding a holster tougher.
Click to expand...

Sounds good. Epps has a few in .40, so I can get an idea of the look. And the feel.

But I understand the Trojan is a little wide for a 1911--making holster choices a bit limited. Is this the case for the Ranger? I'll contact FV.
 
This is the first time I hear about the Trojan being any wider than usual... so I can't comment on that.

They're sweet shooting guns though. If I was after a 1911 for carry I'd definitely look at the Ranger II first and foremost. I'll also suggest you look into getting a Bobtail installed, it improves the feel and gets rid of the sharp edges and corners at the bottom rear of the grips on a 1911 so it would be less prone to snag. Also it helps with the concealment under a shirt by making it harder to 'print'.

My DW with Bobtail:
danwesson1.jpg
 
The one in the bottom corner may be up for sale soon. It is a Kimber Compact Stainless in .45 ACP.

IMG_0364.jpg


Here is a close up. I've added night sights since the photo.

IMG_0357.jpg


It only has about 300 rounds through it.
 
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