Looking for suggestions

Tyler Durden

Tyler Durden

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I'm interested in picking up another 1911, though this time I'd like one in 9mm. While there are plenty of gov't length/5 inch models available, I'm more interested in a commander/4.25" length model or possibly an officer length model, with either an threaded barrel or an extended Canadian length barrel. Price isn't really huge factor, performance and reliability are most important.

I'm seriously considering the Kimber Stainless Pro Carry II, but I've also looked at;
Colt XSE,
SIG Traditional
STI Spartan IV,
Ed Brown Executive Carry,
Dan Wesson Classic V-Bob,
Dan Wesson Guardian (though I prefer stainless this time),
Para Ord. Recon 9/18 (again, not stainless and I prefer single stack),
Nighthawk Custom Ladyhawk (not stainless but a beautiful gun just the same. The name however...),
SAM Sigma-9 (currently not available),
and building my own Dlask diy kit.

Anything not on this list you'd suggest?

Anything on this list you have experience with and would either advise I look at more closely or stay away from altogether?

Any other comments and suggestions would also be appreciated.

Thanks
 
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So if price truly isn't an issue why is most of that list still there? A SAM or STI Spartan in the running with a Brown? You clearly know what you want, a stainless commander in 9mm, so why include non-stainless options; it will just end in regret.

Of all those listed I've only had the two full size cousins of the DW V-Bob & the EB Executive, Valor & Executive Target, both in .45. I still have the Brown; only 1911 I still own. If you've got the money a Brown is damn hard to beat. I've heard good things about Nighthawk but find their styling a little too forward so have never owned one. For the price of DW these days I'd take a hard look at Les Baer.
 
Just because I have the money, doesn't mean I'll run out and buy the most expensive one I can find. Some guns here may be just as good as others at fraction of the price. Basically, I'm looking for feedback on any of the ones listed, both positive and negative. Also, if anyone can suggest one that's not on the list, that would be appreciated also. I have an *idea* of what I want, now I'm trying to narrow it down. Thanks.
 
Out of that list of fine names I'm thinking that the poorest choice is the actual Colt. All I've read or heard about Colt made guns is that they TEND to have rather sloppy "service" quality fits to the parts. The quality of fit in all the others on that list tending to be better.

Another I'd suggest you look into a lot more carefully is the Para Ordinance gun. They used to have a rather mixed reputation when made here in Canada. And I understand that they carried that on when they moved south for at least a few years. Maybe the current offerings have a better rep?

The SAM is a budget gun and as such is likely to be best viewed as a "kit that is loosely assembled for shipping". On its own it's a NICE lower cost option. But in terms of fit, finish and trigger consistency won't hold a candle to the others on the list without some custom work. Which obviously you are not afraid of given the Dlask kit on the list as well.
 
Law of diminishing returns. Define your requirements on performance and reliability. What are you using the gun for?
 
Sounds like you really want a stainless commander in 9mm, so go with that. You have good options listed, but that is a good spread from high$ to low: Brown (4K+), Dan Wesson (2.2K), Kimber (1.6K).

Unless you are mortgaging the farm, not too many regret getting a high quality gun and the Brown will certainly be that.

If you are not that committed, and still just testing the waters, nothing wrong with the Kimber, but the Dan Wesson would be a noticeable step up in quality and would be the sweet spot imo. Unless you have a line on one now, the Browns and Nighthawks will take a while to get. The Dan Wesson and the Kimber are readily available from site sponsors (IRG has many DWs, Epps has Kimbers).

If you could live without stainless and wanted to keep costs more manageable, I'd look at the STI Ranger II (see Freedom Ventures or Wanstalls). Its is a top performer and great value at 1350.
 
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As nice as the Ranger II is take note that it's a Commander length gun. As such it has a slightly shorter sight baseline length. That means that if you're shooting for bullseye practice you REALLY need to have a dead on sight picture. A longer baseline length is a touch more forgiving of slight differences in the width of the lines of light to either side of the front sight.

For a gun used for faster paced shooting though it's a winner.
 
I already have a few 1911s, a commander in stainless and 9mm is a combination I don't have but would like. I've pretty much narrowed it down to either the Kimber or building a Dlask. I'm not in a rush and I'm only using it to punch paper, in rotation with my other range guns. Of course, there is also the visual factor, whether you're showing it off to friends and family or just sitting there on your own admiring it from time to time :d

Thanks for replies fellas.
 
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