So I am in the market for a new 1911, choices are down to 2 Colts, The Combat Elite, and the Competition Govt , and one springfield the Range Officer Series, Caliber is .45 as that is what I started off shooting and this will most likely be my last Handgun purchase for quite some time. I can't see any of these in person so am looking for any first hand experience advice.
New 1911 Purchase Decision
- Thread starter vhenem
- Start date
No experience with colts but i love my springfield ro. Frame to slide fit is super tight for the price point. And the price is excellent. A much better buy than the ruger sr1911. My only gripe is mine came with black front sights. I think wanstalls is selling the stainless with fiber optics.
ambishooter
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Southeastern Canuckstan
Have you tried some STI 1911s? An STI Trojan, Hardchrome in .45 is a good choice. Slide-to-frame fit is very good, hardchrome finish is virtually indestructible. I've seen a few Colts but older ones and they are good. Ruger SR1911 is also good but the slide to frame fit needs a little improvement. Older Springfield 1911 I have seen and they are good. Sig Sauer 1911 STX is also a nice pistol. So as Kimber 1911s. There are lots of good 1911s in the market. Depending on how much you are willing to spend, from at least $ 1000 to as much as $ 4000, quality and reliability varies.
My choice is STI Trojan Hardchrome. Why? Freedom Ventures offers superb customer service, after-sales support and competitive pricing. I have no affiliation with FV, but a few shooters in our club attests to what kind of service they got from FV even after years of enjoying their firearms.
https://www.freedomventures.ca/products/sti-trojan-hard-chrome
My choice is STI Trojan Hardchrome. Why? Freedom Ventures offers superb customer service, after-sales support and competitive pricing. I have no affiliation with FV, but a few shooters in our club attests to what kind of service they got from FV even after years of enjoying their firearms.
https://www.freedomventures.ca/products/sti-trojan-hard-chrome
First thing you need to decide are the features you want; Undercut frame, type of sights, checkering, type of finish, FCS, etc. All three offer something the other doesn't. Another thing to consider is the Colt name. If you're one of those, "if it aint a pony its a phoney" types, and its going to be your only 1911 you may always have second thoughts if you buy the RO.
I stopped by Prophet River a few weeks ago and the Combat Elite they had was quite nice. With the sale they're running right now you won't find a better price for one, $1400 or so. It will also hold value better than the other two. All that said, if it were my money, I would buy the RO as I prefer target style sights and despise FCS.
I stopped by Prophet River a few weeks ago and the Combat Elite they had was quite nice. With the sale they're running right now you won't find a better price for one, $1400 or so. It will also hold value better than the other two. All that said, if it were my money, I would buy the RO as I prefer target style sights and despise FCS.
OneBarfly
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Try dry firing one. If the trigger is good, that is most of the battle. My first handgun was a Colt Gold Cup in ss. My only regret is that I should have got a blued carbon steel version instead. (quite the opposite of my logic at the time) My stainless is loose as a result of 10's of thousands of rounds shot. Stainless autos just don't hold up the same as carbon steel.
I wouldn't worry about this too much for two reasons. First, the durability of stainless has come a long ways from even 10 years ago. Second, if you've got the money to shoot enough .45 to make a stainless gun loose, you've got the money to replace it. Buy the one you like the most.
Well I was hoping someone had first hand info / experience with them, but I pulled the trigger so to speak on the Combat Elite from Prophet River, the two colts are very similar really, both have the undercut frame , would be nice if the Elite had the fibre optic front sight but that's an easy fix.
I have had and built multiple 1911's mainly older Colts over the last 25 or so years, so I am familiar with the platform, I just have never bought a brand new one
Can't wait to get my hands on it and test it out
I have had and built multiple 1911's mainly older Colts over the last 25 or so years, so I am familiar with the platform, I just have never bought a brand new one
Can't wait to get my hands on it and test it out
- Location
- West Quebec
hatman1793
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
I like the Colts but kinda partial to STI stuff. My choice would have been STI's RangeMaster. It is just superb.
On the other thought about Freedom Ventures, I'm sure they must have improved their service since I purchased my STI TargetMaster. Purchased new, FV dinged me almost C$50.00 to ship my TM to the Niagara region. They put the TM factory case in a way oversize box. Neglecting to put any packing in to stop the case from moving around, the factory case was open, exposing the gun. Only the short height of the big shipping box prevented the case lid from completely opening and spilling out the contents. Luckily for me, the shipping box was not overturned or everything would have been ejected from the factory box.
On the other thought about Freedom Ventures, I'm sure they must have improved their service since I purchased my STI TargetMaster. Purchased new, FV dinged me almost C$50.00 to ship my TM to the Niagara region. They put the TM factory case in a way oversize box. Neglecting to put any packing in to stop the case from moving around, the factory case was open, exposing the gun. Only the short height of the big shipping box prevented the case lid from completely opening and spilling out the contents. Luckily for me, the shipping box was not overturned or everything would have been ejected from the factory box.
I own all 3 the OP has mentioned, the most cost effective IMHO is the Colt competition, it has all the newer options and upgrades, and a nice out of the box trigger. The fibre optic sight is dim at best, rellace it with color of choice.
I like the ROs rear sight, but thats my personal preference.
The Combat elite is nice 2tone, and the front sight is easy to replade if you want a FO sight.
you can't lose from choosing either manufacturer.
All 3 have similar out of the box triggers
other options in the similar price range, Sig TacOps, Kimber TRL/RL II Custom, choices that i like for the frontstrap checkering. An option that all 1911s should come with.
I like the ROs rear sight, but thats my personal preference.
The Combat elite is nice 2tone, and the front sight is easy to replade if you want a FO sight.
you can't lose from choosing either manufacturer.
All 3 have similar out of the box triggers
other options in the similar price range, Sig TacOps, Kimber TRL/RL II Custom, choices that i like for the frontstrap checkering. An option that all 1911s should come with.
