1911 options

kamagong

kamagong

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Jan 13, 2001
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I'm thinking of picking up a 1911. It'll be either my only or my first 1911. It all depends on how much I like this first one.

I have it narrowed down to two options--the Kimber Custom II and the Springfield Loaded. Both will be in the full sized version. I have a few questions for those who have experience with these guns. Which is the better value? Which is more accurate? Which one is more reliable? And finally which one would you recommend?

Thanks for the help in advance.
 
I love the kimbers overall, but they're getting a little pricey. I think that the springfield is a great gun as well. It really comes down to which has the options you prefer. At this time, It may come down to price for me.
 
Ive read on highroad that the series II kimbers are not so hot especially with the price tags, but truthfully, I wasnt looking to buy so I didnt pay much attention. Id say head over there do some searches and you should come up with a general concensus about both guns.
 
kamagong, find a group of people shooting 1911s, go to the range with them and try some for yourself. It may not be rational, but for me some 1911s shoot like a dream, and with some I couldn't hit a broad side of a barn. Outwardly, they all look the same. On top of that, a couple of them persistently hit me in the face with the empties, something that others did not do. I know, that sounds bizarre, but I would still recommend that you try them and pick what feels good and shoots to the point of aim. Ultimately, that's what matters.
 
The first 1911 I ever owned was a Springfield Loaded. It was a rattletrap piece of junk that was wildly innacurate and didn't feed anything but hardball worth a damn. That gun stunk up my safe for years until I finally had a smith convert it to a dedicated lower for my Marvel .22 conversion unit. My advice would be to stay far away from production 1911s unless your best friend is a gunsmith. At the very minimum, spend a bit more and get a semi-custom 1911 like a Les Baer or a Wilson. It will be a gun you're proud to own
 
Save your money.

Buy a Springer Mil-Spec, parked or stainless.

That leaves enough leftover cash for ammo (or reloading gear), a decent holster, and grips that really make it right for you.

I love mine, and during the first 500 rounds it's only malfunctioned a small handful of times, due to my reloads and the fact that it needs a bath after 200-300 rounds.
 
Don't any range experience with Kimbers myself but they look good. I'd stay away from Springfield, they make a good gun but usually need a little tuning to work well and they can be quite rough from the factory. Best bet is a probably a Colt '70 or '80 Series, MUCH better finished than Springfields I've seen, go with the a standard Government model, and btw the '80 series has no problems with hollowpoints, older 1911s often do.
 
for a pistol thats 100% ready to go out of the box the kimber cant be beat, i think they are very competitivly priced for what they offer.

in 1911's imho there are kimbers and there are the "other 1911's". the other 1911's gen'ly require some work to be 100% reliable and in most cases arent quite as accurate as the kimbers.

i have a kimber ultra carry from the custom shop and really really like it if i was gonna pack a 1911 that would be the 1.
 
I just bought my first 45, a S&W 1911. Its been great.


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Go buy an old series seventy and send it to Steve Fischer or Wilson combat for a bar-sto barrel and slide fit/ action job.
Don't forget bomar sights.
I gave up my FFL in 88 so you cant send it here.
 
I've had bad experience with a Springfield. I bought a loaded stainless Target model; the first time I shot it, the rear sight flew off. I got no help from their customer service department. I'm sure this is an isolated incident, but it leaves a bad taste. After repairing the rear sight (locktite), the pistol functioned fine. I also have a Kimber Compact. It is blue finish, and has been excellent. My favorite 1911 is an old Remington-Rand made in 1945, stamped US Government Property. I've had it over 35 years, it's had a boxcar of hardball put through it. It never jams or fails to fire. Anyway, after all this rambling, my suggestion to you would be as follows: Buy the base model full-size Kimber. If the trigger pull is too tough for you (because of "safety" reasons, they usually are from 6-8 lbs from the factory) have a reliable gunsmith install the Chip McCormick hammer, trigger, sear and spring for you. The set directly from McCormick runs about $ 75.00. They should't charge more than $ 50.00 to install it for you. While you're on the McCormick website, buy a couple of the great Shooting Star magazines, and you'll eliminate all jamming problems that are associated with the mags. Anyway, good luck to you. The .45 is the greatest of all handguns, in my humble opinion. Without the old Remington-Rand I would't be here today to write this.
 
Thanks for the help, I really appreciate it. To be honest I was already leaning a little bit towards the Kimber anyway. Call me cheap, but I looked on the Kimber and Springfield websites and the Kimber costs less. All other things being equal, cost will probably be the deciding factor.

wewaslim said:
Anyway, good luck to you. The .45 is the greatest of all handguns, in my humble opinion.
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Thanks. You won't get any argument from me about the 1911, that's why I want to get one in the first place. It's a great, sexy gun. I'm sure that if I get a good, working one I'll have the tremendous pride of ownership that comes from having a quality tool.

I have a friend whose dad used to own a gun shop. I'm pretty sure he knows a good smith. When the time comes I'll ask him who the best tinkerer around is.

I have a question about those Shooting Star mags. How do they compare with Wilson mags? A lot of people seem to favor Wilsons and say that they also eliminate most of the problems associated with mags.
 
I have both, and while I have had good luck with McCormick, I keep my oldie stuffed with a Wilson 8 shot magazine full of old Black Talon. I figure that will take care of anything that comes up.
 
Hmmmmmffffffff.
As a former sub contractor for the Colt Custom shop, under the guidance of Howard Dove.
I dun told you what to do.
BUY A SERIES 70, early one, and get it worked.. just a little bit. :rolleyes:
 
Gringogunsmith said:
Hmmmmmffffffff.
As a former sub contractor for the Colt Custom shop, under the guidance of Howard Dove.
I dun told you what to do.
BUY A SERIES 70, early one, and get it worked.. just a little bit. :rolleyes:
Click to expand...

Damn fine advice. I have two stock Colts, a MKIV enhanced govt and a pre-XS CCO. I couldn't be happier. No soul-less Brand K's for me.
 
kamagong said:
I have a question about those Shooting Star mags. How do they compare with Wilson mags? A lot of people seem to favor Wilsons and say that they also eliminate most of the problems associated with mags.
Click to expand...
I have no experience with the Shooting Star mags, I bought some Wilson 47D mags as my extras and have had no problems.
 
What brand are Series 70 1911s? Colt? Plus where is the best place to find them and how much do they usually go for?

Gringo,
How much does the rework you recommend cost?
 
kamagong said:
What brand are Series 70 1911s? Colt? Plus where is the best place to find them and how much do they usually go for?

Gringo,
How much does the rework you recommend cost?
Click to expand...

series 70's are pre '78 or so colts, they are easy to find and the price varies from ~$200 & up, they dont have the same safety devices as the series '80 colts and are therefore simpler to work on as it has fewer parts. fewer parts to break too some say.

lotsa folks really like the '70s i like them too, but i like the '80s also, i suppose an arguement could be made that the '80s are safer to carry, maybe so. between the 2 i would probably go with the '70 if the price wasnt outta sight compared to the '80. ya can get a good trigger on an '80 also.
 
I would buy EVERY Series 70 .45 in good shape I can find for $ 200.00, just for resale or trading purposes. Here in my area a Colt in good shape sells for $ 400 up. However, most of the ones I have seen and fired needed several hundred dollars of work (sights, lowering injector port, throating, etc) before they will function with anything except hardball. Again, just my opinion.
 
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