which 1911 to buy

marlin60

marlin60

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Have looked back through some threads, but can't find a technical one discussing some of the 1911 models.

Don't want a Norinco, or high priced model, but looking for a middle of the road 1911 in .45 of course. Still building my collection...I am addicted.

A guy at our club shoots a Springfield Armory, and one as a Norinco...but is there an obvious choice for around a Grand (new) or less?
 
Springfield Armoury Mil-Spec. Nice piece for the price. However, I would save a couple more beans and get one with some better sights.
 
SigArms GSR

I'm not too sure about the price or availability but the new Sigarms GSR Revolution just got a great review in Guns & Weapons for Law Enforcement. Could be a great gun. They are built with some very quailty parts
 
I've had a bit of experience with 1911's. And I would recommend a Springlfield "Loaded" government model. Right from the box they work great. I've got two of them and they are hole punchers! Colts are nice too. Especially the older series 70 models. They may be a bit rougher though and may need some work. But they are collector items and you pay for the name. Kimbers are shiny and pretty, but in my experience they are over priced and don't match up to a Springfield. I've also heard of a few problems with Kimbers, so I would steer clear of them, and I am not a fan of an external extractor on a 1911 (which many Kimbers have). Norinco's are dirt cheap and are hit or miss. I've had one that shot great but another shot groups like a shotgun pattern. S & W's look nice, I haven't shot them yet but once again they have external extractors. I didn't like the Sig 1911, it just didn't feel right and was little expensive. Wilson 1911's are gorgeous but you will be paying huge bucks for one. STI's are very reliable and good shooters, but you will be spending about $1600 for one. So, after all this, my advise is still to get a Springfield Loaded 1911-A1. Anywhere from $900- $1400 (depending on which model you want) they are the best 1911's out there for you're money. Coming with ambi safeties, 5 lbs trigger, great sights, front and rear cocking serrations, and a tight slide to frame match. You can not go wrong with one!
 
Kimber's number one in my opinion, owned many and still do, they are one of the only guns TSE's rental range hasn't had to replace major parts on, and those guns see a LOT of rounds.

Kimbers are forged steel, Springfields are cast, considerable difference in steel quality. Springfields are nice enough guns, but sloppier than Kimbers on average, and in my experience I haven't run into a 1911 (including roughly a dozen of my own) that keeps up with a stainless II I use from the bench for accuracy, they are tight guns. Springfields have more variation in quality control I find too, many would agree.

Now my praise of Kimbers isn't without reservation; I agree, might as well avoid the external extractor guns, the standard 1911 extractor has been working great for almost a century. What happened is Kimber switched to the external extractor for a bit, then switched back to the standard.

And yes, STI's are GREAT guns, you'd be pleased.
 
Ardent said:
Kimbers are forged steel, Springfields are cast, considerable difference in steel quality.
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Springfields are not cast – they are forged, like most others. They do have a lot of cast and MIM internal parts but so do Kimbers (they don't call it MIMber for nothing...)

And to answer marlin60's question, get the real deal – Colt. A basic 1991A1 can be bought for around $1000, which should meet your middle of the road requirement. They are great, reliable shooters and have the least amount of cost-saving MIM and cast internal parts of any 1911 in their price range. And on top of that, they have much better resale value than any of the clones.
 
Take a look at the S&W 1911. Excellent quality guns that IMHO match if not better the quality of a comparably priced Kimber. S&W has been working with external extractor pistols since the 60's and got them right in their 1911.
 
Claybuster said:
Take a look at the S&W 1911. Excellent quality guns that IMHO match if not better the quality of a comparably priced Kimber. S&W has been working with external extractor pistols since the 60's and got them right in their 1911.
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The Smiths are indeed nice pistols, but I don't know if they're $1300 nice pistols. Considering that entry-level Kimbers are showing up under the $900 price point, it's pretty hard to justify the extra cost of the S&W.
 
Ardent said:
Kimbers are forged steel, Springfields are cast,
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Umm... no.

Springfield is forged steel, made in Brazil. Kimbers have been cast in the past - not sure if they are currently forged or not, but SA is definitely forged.

If you can't/won't own Norinco, surplus GI, or a used SA - I'd look for a used Colt Series 70 or 80. they are always under $1000 and are top guns with known quantity resale values. You will pay extra though for the pony on the side compared to a comparable offering from any other company. The Series 80 will likely be less expensive used b/c lots of guys (like me) DESPISE the firing pin safety and the horrible resultant trigger pull.
 
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capp325 said:
Springfields are not cast – they are forged, like most others. They do have a lot of cast and MIM internal parts but so do Kimbers (they don't call it MIMber for nothing...)

And to answer marlin60's question, get the real deal – Colt. A basic 1991A1 can be bought for around $1000, which should meet your middle of the road requirement. They are great, reliable shooters and have the least amount of cost-saving MIM and cast internal parts of any 1911 in their price range. And on top of that, they have much better resale value than any of the clones.
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Claven2 said:
Umm... no.

Springfield is forged steel, made in Brazil. Kimbers have been cast in the past - not sure if they are currently forged or not, but SA is definitely forged.

If you can't/won't own Norinco, surplus GI, or a used SA - I'd look for a used Colt Series 70 or 80. they are always under $1000 and are top guns with known quantity resale values. You will pay extra though for the pony on the side compared to a comparable offering from any other company. The Series 80 will likely be less expensive used b/c lots of guys (like me) DESPISE the firing pin safety and the horrible resultant trigger pull.
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Are you guys sure? I've had it on good authority Springfield's slides and frames are investment cast in Brazil by IMBEL. I received this info when I was in Brazil for a month in 2004, hence the 'good authority'. I've also heard it from numerous local sources who are well versed in firearms, and believed it to be common knowledge. Their M1A receivers are also investment cast.

Kimbers are most deffinately forged for those curious.
 
Ardent said:
Are you guys sure? I've had it on good authority Springfield's slides and frames are investment cast in Brazil by IMBEL. I received this info when I was in Brazil for a month in 2004, hence the 'good authority'. I've also heard it from numerous local sources who are well versed in firearms, and believed it to be common knowledge. Their M1A receivers are also investment cast.

Kimbers are most deffinately forged for those curious.
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From Springfield Armory's website:

Every Springfield 1911 begins with a forged frame and slide as the foundation for a true custom-quality pistol. In addition, Springfield forged frames and slides are hardened in the tradition of John Browning's discriminating specifications. While some of today's 1911 manufacturers use investment castings or non-standard specifications when producing their components, Springfield's commitment to quality remains absolutely stringent, as does its dedication to the grand and honored tradition of the 1911.
 
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