Top 3 1911-45's
- Thread starter younger
- Start date
happiness is a warm gun
Regular
My S&W1911 is a tack driver. We shot the entire Para line a few years ago and even the LDA was sweet to shoot. I want the Kimber 1911 rimfire so bad, but you said .45acp so I'll still go for the Kimber this time.
Always wanted a Springfield too. My wife will probably buy me one or the other for our wedding anniversary. She wants the CZ85b as her gift.
Always wanted a Springfield too. My wife will probably buy me one or the other for our wedding anniversary. She wants the CZ85b as her gift.
cwlam3 said:
I think the GSRs are not being mentioned because there are virually none out there. I have brought in most the ones in Canada, and still have half in stock. They are a little higher priced than the indicated price points, but they seem to be nicely finished.
For the original poster's price range, I'd probably look around for a VG-EXC condition Colt 1911, preferably a Series 70 made back when Colt's quality control was top notch and Colt was "The King" of 1911s.... They come up for sale every now and then in the EE forum...typically when I'm cash poor! 
My second choice would be the Kimber, followed by Para-Ordnance. You'd have to up your price range a little to cover taxes, etc...if you plan on buying new. MIM or not, most of the Kimbers I've owned, shot and/or handled always seem well made, finished and are typically quite accurate. Its too bad their prices have risen a fair bit over the past 6-7 years.
As for Para-Ordnance, I've got a couple of older custom P-14 LTDs that I love. Very accurate pistols, well made and finished. Just buy good magazines for them. Had a number of FTF/FTE problems with them which was the result of a crappy USA Mag that I was using. Junked the mag and the problems when away. Both are in the black carbon steel finish. Over the years, the finish along the front strap has worn when my fingers grip. I guess this will happen with any pistol, however, I understand that the new Para-kote finishes are much tougher and longer lasting than the old finishes used in the LTD line.
I guess you can find lemons in any product line and I've heard about a few in the Para line. However, I'm still tempted to pick up a LTC. It is one sharp looking 1911...The Para HAWG is also on the wish list. Very cool looking little pistol. Great for concealed carry for our American cousins and probably useless beyond 20 yards, but still looks like a fun, fun little 1911.
As for Springfield Armoury...I've yet to have a good experience with their products. I've had two 1911s from SA, a Loaded and a Mil-Spec, both had reliability issues and were poorly finished. Both ended up going back for warranty work. I ultimately got rid of them at a loss and I made it a point to tell the new owner my experience with them. I seriously doubt if I'll ever puchase another SA...hell, I even requested a copy of their then current catalog (after just buying two SA 1911s) and they totally blew me off. I sent them a letter expressing my dissatisfaction, along with photo copies of my receipts, letting them know that they would be my last SA products and that I would make it a point to tell all of my shooting buddies and fellow on-line shooting forum readers about their crappy service and products. I got a stock letter in reply, and a belated catalog...too little, too late.
My second choice would be the Kimber, followed by Para-Ordnance. You'd have to up your price range a little to cover taxes, etc...if you plan on buying new. MIM or not, most of the Kimbers I've owned, shot and/or handled always seem well made, finished and are typically quite accurate. Its too bad their prices have risen a fair bit over the past 6-7 years.
As for Para-Ordnance, I've got a couple of older custom P-14 LTDs that I love. Very accurate pistols, well made and finished. Just buy good magazines for them. Had a number of FTF/FTE problems with them which was the result of a crappy USA Mag that I was using. Junked the mag and the problems when away. Both are in the black carbon steel finish. Over the years, the finish along the front strap has worn when my fingers grip. I guess this will happen with any pistol, however, I understand that the new Para-kote finishes are much tougher and longer lasting than the old finishes used in the LTD line.
I guess you can find lemons in any product line and I've heard about a few in the Para line. However, I'm still tempted to pick up a LTC. It is one sharp looking 1911...The Para HAWG is also on the wish list. Very cool looking little pistol. Great for concealed carry for our American cousins and probably useless beyond 20 yards, but still looks like a fun, fun little 1911.
As for Springfield Armoury...I've yet to have a good experience with their products. I've had two 1911s from SA, a Loaded and a Mil-Spec, both had reliability issues and were poorly finished. Both ended up going back for warranty work. I ultimately got rid of them at a loss and I made it a point to tell the new owner my experience with them. I seriously doubt if I'll ever puchase another SA...hell, I even requested a copy of their then current catalog (after just buying two SA 1911s) and they totally blew me off. I sent them a letter expressing my dissatisfaction, along with photo copies of my receipts, letting them know that they would be my last SA products and that I would make it a point to tell all of my shooting buddies and fellow on-line shooting forum readers about their crappy service and products. I got a stock letter in reply, and a belated catalog...too little, too late.
- Location
- Sudbury, On
Claven2 said:
That's actually a pretty smart way to look at it...
redleg said:
Have any of your guys put a GSR through the paces? I'm thinking of picking up a 1911 sooner or later (after we move into our new place in August of '07 and I get a membership, courses and paperwork addressed), the GSR looks pretty sharp and I think it would be a good pistol for starting into the 1911 addiction, depending upon what's said.
I know it sounds like its a ways down the road, but when I get there, I want to make a well researched and informed choice.
