1911 Pistol

C

c10darren

Joined
Nov 30, 2011
Messages
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Hi folks! I'm new to the forum and just getting settled. I thought y'all might be able to help me with a dilemma... I am trying to buy a new 1911 pistol to supplement or replace my current Springfield Armory 1911 G.I. .45 (haven't been impressed with it, but that's another discussion). Anyway, I have been hashing it out with my old man and crotchety uncle (waiting for the ball to drop). I thought you might have something to add. The four main models I'm considering are (in no order):

Colt Series 70 Government Model
Kimber Warrior
Kimber Custom II
Kimber Custom TLE II

Everything counts! Price, reliability, aesthetics, history, etc. I'm in a position where this may be the only 1911 I buy for 10 or 20 years. It's hard to move a gun collection around in the AF. Also, I already have a dedicated self defense gun, but that doesn't mean I don't want to consider the defense qualities of certain models.

Thanks for the help. Shoot away!
 
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Not satisfied with your Springfield? If there's something mechanically wrong with it, Springfield will resolve your issue, they have great warranty work.

For starters, I'm not a fan of Colt, you're mostly paying for a name and there are better products for the money. Pythons, Anacondas, neither lock up tight and they have rough machiening. Their new 1911s don't float my boat either, but most get excited when they see the pony on the side.

The 70 series on the other hand, if you can find one at a good price I'd say go for it, but deals on Colts right now are few and far between.

I like Kimbers, I've never had an issue out of my Custom II. The problem right now is finding certain models. When it comes to the Warriors, TLEs, and anything else with a rail a lot of places are sold out (well, at least in my state). And Kimber right now tells shops 4-6 months backorder, gunbroker is the best selection of Kimbers that I've found. One thing Kimber does that I'm not a huge fan of is putting plastic/polymer mainspring housings in their guns, plus, their mainsprings are really overkill. I cut off 5 choils if I remember right and it still launched a pencil 12 feet or more. I routinly shoot handguns at 30-35 yards, with my fixed sights I can keep the group within a foot if I can see the target well.

Looking at the Springfield TRPs wouldn't be a bad idea (or their Range Officer if you can find one), they're very nice, plus, as I said earlier, Springfield has a beyond amazing warranty.

Ruger makes a 1911, but it's stainless (your list appears to be "combat" pistols). I go to a lot of gun shows and have yet to handle one or even see one in person. They look good, besides the warning lable.

Remington GIs from the factory desperately need a trigger job, as in just a new trigger, hammer, and sear. I've yet to handle their Enhanced version, but it looks good.

Smith and Wessons, from what I've read and heard, are good. But, I'm not a fan of an external extractor on a 1911.

I've never been a Taurus fan. The few I've shot didn't shoot well, one was jammomatic, and for looks they're not great. However, I've yet to see one Taurus 1911 that had to go back to the factory for any type of work.

Beyond those, the prices increase. Dan Wessons are freaking awesome, but $1600 is a deal on one. Nighthawks are great too, but I beleive their cheapest is $1700.

If you're trying to get a new 1911 between $750 and $1200, I'd go Kimber or Springfield.
 
Are all of Springfield's 1911s made in Brazil? My G.I. model is and it kinda ticks me off. Also, that model is the worst combination of sights and trigger I have ever seen. True, that can all be fixed. I have a strange love/hate relationship with that pistol. It was my first 1911 and it's a beater. Maybe I'll keep it around to ward off mountain lions.
 
I've four 45's Glock 21, 30 , Sig 45 and Colt Gold Cup. For user friendly I'd have to suggest the Glocks. Anyone that wants to can customize their Glock. Happy New Year.
 
The GI Springer is what it is,bad trigger,small sights etc.. uprgrade and buy a Springer Loaded model and you will see a big difference
 
I hear the Ruger 1911 is a good one.
The older colts and Kimbers are good, according to a gunsmith buddy, the current Kimbers are not built to the same quality standards as the stuff from 10-15 years ago.
I love my Taurus PT1911 and a buddy who borrowed it to try out ended up with a stainless pt1911 of his own as a carry piece.
RIA makes a good "starter" 1911 -- in fact, the same gunsmith buddy told me that's the base pistol for a lot of customs he's seen.
I have not heard anything good about the Remngton R1.
Basic Springfield GI gets a lot of complaints, the higher end TRP gets a lot of good press, but you pay for it.

not sure what your budget is, you might consider going to an indoor range and renting a couple to see what you like.
If you have time to wait, go to the next Wanamaker show in Tulsa -- there will be a couple of acres of guns to drool over and maybe a few killer deals if you get there early enough on Saturday.
 
Maybe just upgrade the sights and have a gunsmith polish up your trigger. Some good Wolff springs will probably take the rattle out of the Springfield. Have Bar-Sto Precision Machine fit a nice barrel and you're set.
 
I was lucky enough to be taught the "facts of life" regarding 1911s by a retired LEO who loved them. He showed me everything in the case at the Turners he was working at. Even though he had more expensive guns, his recommendation was for Wilson Combat. I spent about 4 months researching high-end 1911s every way I could think of because I really didn't want to spend that much. The result was that I could find a ridiculous amount of complaints about even the most expensive guns (and some really bad customer service, too) but could not find a single complaint about Wilson Combat.

This was over 5 years ago, so I don't know if anything has changed, but my personal experience is that they live up to their claim of competition level accuracy with combat reliability. For me it was a case of buy quality once and never have to buy again. People will tell you that you're overpaying for the name, or that an expensive gun won't make you a better shooter. I challenge them to explain how you can possibly get to be as good a shooter with a gun that will only put out 2"-3" groups as you can with a gun that will put out 1" groups. When I don't put 8 rounds through one (large) hole, I know its my fault. Check them out before you spend your $$.
 
I recently purchased my first 45 auto, I went with a Sig Sauer P220 Elite, If I was going to get a 1911, I would either get a Colt or Les Baer.
 
If it's not for defense, what is it for? Target shooting? Surely not plinking at the cost of .45. Accuracy tends to cost.
 
I picked up a STI Guardian a few years back and couldn't be more happy with it. The only issue I've had was the stop pin sheared so it wouldn't lock back on a empty mag, but one quick call got me a new one that dropped right in place.

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk
 
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I agree about Wilson Combat. I got to shoot one from one of the workers at the range I go to. What a piece. I was shooting the Wilson Combat CQB Elite which is something like 3300 USD from what I remember.

Still, my .45 is an HK45, but there are definitely 1911s that are just as reliable, that Wilson Combat being one of them.

EDIT: Here's that CQB: http://wilsoncombat.com/new/handgun-cqb-elite.asp
 
Looks great, Flashpoint. I've always eyed the STI Spartan, but then again I don't collect guns, so my next purchase is gonna be uber expensive and not a 1911. For .45 I have my HK.
 
I have a Kimber Custom II that has been great to me. I have not had a single failure to feed or fire with it and if I do my part it will blow one hole out to 15 yards for me or 25 yards (my range max) with a better shooter. I was going to get a TLE II but the guy at my local shop talked me into buying a custom II and then just adding a Wilson Combat front grip checkering strip and night sights to it. It feels exactly the same as a TLE and was cheeper.

I think Wilson Combats are great guns and would love to own one one day but unless you are a very good shot I think the Kimber will be plenty, and more accurate than you are.

P.S. One thing that I would do if you get a Kimber regardless of the model is buy better magazines, they operate fine and haven't failed to feed on my once but they are a pain to load compared to my Wilsons and I have lost a few rounds down range because the bullet seemed like it was in the magazine and then shot out of it when I moved my finger to load another round

[EDIT] I mean shot out as in the spring forcefully pushed the entire round out of the magazine and it flew a couple yards down range. Not shot as in exploded firing the bullet. I just wanted to make that clear
 
Both Colt and Kimber make excellent guns, just clean them regularly and they should function fine. I owned a Colt series 70 and sold it and bought a HK 45 Tactical. This gun hasn't had not one malfunction and it has the capability to be carried in any condition, it has both a decocker and safety, making it to me the most versatile for all tastes of carry.
 
c10darren said:
Everything counts! Price, reliability, aesthetics, history, etc. I'm in a position where this may be the only 1911 I buy for 10 or 20 years. It's hard to move a gun collection around in the AF. Also, I already have a dedicated self defense gun, but that doesn't mean I don't want to consider the defense qualities of certain models.

Thanks for the help. Shoot away!
Click to expand...

First, thanks for your service. Also, it's better to buy the RIGHT pistol the first time whether you are in a restrictive gun ownership environment or not.

An "Entry level quality" 1911 in my book is an STI Trojan or better. They OEM parts for other manufacturers FWIW. Colt has a big name but, quality is not were it used to be. Kimber is a good place to start but, their quality has slipped IMHO. For anyone wanting a traditional 1911, stay away from the manufacturers that are looking to cash in with some quick sales and go with a tried and true name that has been around a long time.

For your Springfield, have you considered having one of the armorers tune it up for you? That can be cost effective for members of the military. What do you want out of this "new" pistol? Are you looking for an STI Lawman type model or an STI Sentinel style? Is this for paper punching, shoot houses, or other uses?

If you can swing $1400 to ~$2K, a Wilson Combat CQB, STI Sentinel, or classic ED Brown model are worthy of serious consideration. In the $600 range, the only one I would consider is an STI Spartan which is a good solid basic model without the marketing dollars and mall ninja stuff to add cost and slow you down.

Where in Oklahoma are you? A shoot and tell might be enlightening. Also, can you talk to and/or shoot with the local marksmanship team?
 
find a good smith that builds Limited Class USPSA pistols...if money is tight, do some modifictions in stages
a. trigger job and reliability job (polish and throat barrel, profile and adjust the extractor)
b. dovetail front sight, good fixed rear sight
c. high beavertail grip safety
d. ambi thumb safeties
e. spring guide rod, mag well (if you decide to play any of the pistol games)

you will then have a pistol rivaling anything you can get in a box (minus any bling), and designed by yourself
 
You mentioned in your original post that this may be the only 1911 for 10 or 20 years. In this case, it might be wise to shell out the big bucks now, and you will not regret it later.

Also, I know that the guns I will recommend are not on your list, but you may want to consider them for the following reason. If your intent is for the 1911 to be a defensive weapon, a reliability check from a gunsmith can cost around $500. If you add this to the purchase price of a Colt or Kimber , you begin to approach the price of a higher end 1911, like a Baer for instance.

I was in a similar situation about 8 years ago. Having never owned a 1911, I had become intrigued with this platform as a fighting handgun and I wanted one outstanding 1911 for a concealed carry piece. After a lot of research and a lot of guilt for thinking about spending so much cash, I went for a Wilson CQB Compact in stainless steel. It has served me well as my everyday carry, and looks, handles and shoots awesomely.

Shortly after the purchasing the Wilson, I was now so hooked on the 1911 concept that I had to have a full size one. I knew that this would be my last handgun splurge for a long long time, maybe for the rest of my days. I went for a Les Baer Premier II in blue steel, a very traditional appearing 1911, and I could not be happier with my decision.

Anyway, I am glad I took this plunge years ago and got these two beauties, as the money is no longer there and it ain't looking too good into the future. Both the Wilson and Baer are used for carry and are nothing short of outstanding. I will be very happy to grow old with 'em and I could recommend either one without qualifications.
 
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