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OT: 1911 input

kyturkey

kyturkey

Joined
Oct 10, 2007
Messages
1,121
I haven't been around here much lately but I'd like the groups input on a good quality 1911. Every so often I get to really wanting a 1911 of some kind, but usually it passes. Well here lately I have fallen back into old habits of looking at guns, and have gotten the itch again.

I figure I can sell a couple polymer framed guns and add some saved up money and get a nice 1911 that will hold it's value or hopefully increase in value, and that I can one day pass along to one of my kids (might have to eventually end up with two, to be fair). Dad has a Colt that I've handled but I don't remember shooting it, I'm gonna have to do that.

I know next to nothing about 1911's, so I've talked to a couple guys that are into guns or 1911's and got a few suggestions. So far these are the recommendations- Dan Wesson Valor, Springfield TRP, or a Colt. Kimber was mentioned by one guy, but seems I've read they're not what they used to be. I did stop at Gander Mountain and looked around, and the employees there were recommending Sig's.

I'm not looking for anything more expensive than the Dan Wesson's, and that's probably pushing it. Anyway I wanted suggestions for specific 1911's to look at that hold their value well. Thanks
 
I`ve had at least a dozen Colts, from the old Series 70 Model to early Combat Commanders, and liked them all, but have no experience with the newer ones. Also owned Springfields, but so far nothing, and I do mean nothing, has compared with my early Kimber. Never had any problems with it at all. After the rest of my guns are sold, the Kimber will still be with me.
 
I've got an original pre CZ Dan Wesson Razorback. Amazing firearm. I also own some Springfield and some Para Ordnance, I think for the money Springfield is a good choice, that or CZ. 1911's are like knives though, 1 becomes 2, turns to 3, 4......... Nothing compares, all my plastic guns got sold except for my S&W Shield 9, I carry it everyday.
 
From a strictly "hold value" standpoint, an Excellant condition, USED, Genuine Colt will likely do the best. If I was putting one away I would look thru Gunbroker for a previously owned, but still with the box, Colt Custom Shop gun, or a Standard model, but with the box!!!!! 20 years after Kimber or Springfield or Dan Wesson are gone, people will still know COLT. Old, un-messed with, GI guns are also going up fast but may already be over the budget

I just ordered myself a NEW 1911 however but I am not concerned with resale value, plus I don't have much to spend, PLUS I am wanting something very, very particular. (Bright Nickle. 38 Super, under $600) So my options were very limited! Rock Island catalogs one, and my dealer is looking!
 
I have only owned a few 1911s. I currently have a Colt Commander and a SIG Fastback Carry and like them both. The SIG is my EDC. For about the same price as I paid for the Colt, the SIG has more features like night sights, checkering etc. I use to own a Springfield Loaded and it was a good pistol but I ended up trading it for something else. My first 1911 was a Kimber but it had feeding issues. I sent it back to the factory for repair but I had to cover shipping which I didn't think was right. When I got it back I traded it in on a SIG P220ST.
 
Two freinds of mine own Rock Island Armory 1911's that's about as far as my experience with 1911's go.

That being said these pistols do shoot well, very dependable and surprisely accurate, they probably won't hold their value
though.
 
Colt is not what is used to be. An older Colt would be a good user and also should retain its value well. Springfield Armory, SIG (yes, SIG), Smith&Wesson, Ruger and Kimber probably make the best 1911 pattern production guns. You can't go wrong by buying one of them. Of course Les Baer and Wilson are some of the best that you can get, but very expensive. I have read mixed reviews of the lower end guns like Dan Wesson.
 
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I've never heard of Dan Wesson as being a lower end gun. I think its one of the best 1911s you can get for the money. It uses many of the same parts as higher end guns such as Ed Browns. They are all hand fitted. Its is considered semi-custom for a production gun price. There are bad reviews from many years ago from just before they became part of CZ, but you won't have much luck finding bad reviews from the current lineup of 1911s. My Dan Wesson Heritage shoots better, has tighter tolerances, and is an all around better gun than any Colt, Springfield, or Kimber I have owned or shot. It is one gun I'll never sell. Of course, if I had the funds I would pick up a Wilson in a second.

Of the cheaper 1911s, I do like the Rock Island Tacticals. They are not as smooth, polished, or with as tight of tolerances, but they shoot well and are reliable.
 
What about the Colt 1991A1 Series 80?

A retired co worker has one, and in passing a few months ago he mentioned selling it. We were talking guns and he commented on it having feeding problems, which I think it ended up being a magazine problem.

Thanks for the replies.
 
kyturkey said:
What about the Colt 1991A1 Series 80?

A retired co worker has one, and in passing a few months ago he mentioned selling it. We were talking guns and he commented on it having feeding problems, which I think it ended up being a magazine problem.

Thanks for the replies.
Click to expand...

I had one, nothing wrong with them.
 
What do you want it for? Carry or casual plinking? Have you actually ever fired a GI style model? Are you subject to hammer bite? Are you recoil sensitive? Answers to these and other questions should inform your choice. For instance, if you want to carry and are subject to hammer bite, you might want to look for a LW Commander or Officers model with a beavertail. If your'e recoil sensitive, look for a 9mm Sprinfield EMP. If you just want to casually shoot it and aren't prone to hammer bite, a nice steel Colt GI style model might be for you and it'll hold it's value. If you want a house gun with a rail and external extractor, Sig is the way to go. The great thing (and the horrible thing) about 1911's is that they can be had in infinite variety. Just about any name brand manufacturer - including the Philipine brands - should be fine in terms of build quality and reliability, especially in full size 5 inch guns.
 
I think the Springfield Mil Spec is a good value. JK grips optional. :)

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1394291652.161032.jpg

Jeff
 
I've had a couple of low-end 1911's and if I was getting back into one for a user, I'd look at Rock island Armory (RIA), Citadel, Springfield Range Officer, and Ruger for the under $1k set.
for something to have, use occasionally, and hope it appreciates:
new Kimber - not a fan. Old Kimber (pre-y2k) - good stuff.
same deal with old Colt Vs newer Colt.
 
45Shooter said:
What do you want it for? Carry or casual plinking? Have you actually ever fired a GI style model? Are you subject to hammer bite? Are you recoil sensitive? Answers to these and other questions should inform your choice. For instance, if you want to carry and are subject to hammer bite, you might want to look for a LW Commander or Officers model with a beavertail. If your'e recoil sensitive, look for a 9mm Sprinfield EMP. If you just want to casually shoot it and aren't prone to hammer bite, a nice steel Colt GI style model might be for you and it'll hold it's value. If you want a house gun with a rail and external extractor, Sig is the way to go. The great thing (and the horrible thing) about 1911's is that they can be had in infinite variety. Just about any name brand manufacturer - including the Philipine brands - should be fine in terms of build quality and reliability, especially in full size 5 inch guns.
Click to expand...

I don't plan on carrying it much if at all, as I have others firearms that I carry now and probably won't change. The bobtail frame is appealing for carry though. I have an XDS in 45 so I don't think recoil will be a problem. As of now, I don't plan on using a rail on one either.
 
Thanks for all the ideas.

As of now I'm leaning toward either a Dan Wesson, Colt, or Springfield. Don't guess I could go wrong with any of those. Really thinking about that Colt 1991 A1 now, gonna check and see if he's still in the mood to sell it.
 
You can get a brand new Colt Government for under 1k, and I have not heard anything bad about Colt's new or old.

Kimbers are nice but spendy, and Springfield makes a nice piece.

1911 dot com is a good place to look, but the folks there tend to be polarized on their own brand, so it is hard to find objective info unless you really dig.

Remington is making a new 1911, Smith and Wesson makes models as well.

I have been looking at Colts myself, and finding a used one where the ask is much less than the cost of a new one is not very easy.

The series 70 models lack the additional action components that eliminate the potential for discharge if dropped on the muzzle, but some do not like the additional mechanical complexity of the series 80 designs.

I do love the 1911, always have.

best

mqqn
 
mqqn said:
The series 70 models lack the additional action components that eliminate the potential for discharge if dropped on the muzzle, but some do not like the additional mechanical complexity of the series 80 designs.

I do love the 1911, always have.

best

mqqn
Click to expand...
Thanks for that info Andy,I always wondered about the difference between the 70 & 80 series, but never was bothered enough to look it up.(too lazy)
My 1991 A1 was an 80 series & I had no problem taking it apart to install the Wilson trigger or for cleaning.

And to kyturkey..the 1991 I had would shoot where I pointed it right out of the box & never gave me a problem.
Sadly I had to sell it......
 
I would agree with what has been said already about an early Colt or a Kimber. I sold a Colt series 70 Officer Model many years ago when I was offered too much to ignore. I have a Kimber now and never had any issues with it. I've had it for quite a few years and I'm sure current market value is higher than what I originally paid. My brother picked up one of the Ruger 1911s, seems like a very good gun for the money. I looked at the S&W 1911 at a show recently. Fit, finish, and feel were very nice but I have never shot one or know anyone who has.
 
Metro Arms is another good budget priced 1911. I have the American Classic Trophy. I paid $600 a few years ago for it. It has all the bells and whistles and has shot every type of ammo that I have put through it without any so called breakin period that some companies suggest and it has never jammed. It's also very accurate and I think it's suppose to be to top model Metro Arms offers.
 
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