Please help me choose a 1911 .45

On a bit of a side note: you think you've got a pretty sweet gun, then you shoot Clint Smith's own pistol (not a Baer, incidentally, though he has a bunch of those). Now I need to save up quite a bit more.
 
I'll second the Rock Island Armory G.I. I bought one last yr for a little over $400 as a project gun. All I have done is add new Brown grips to it so far.
It has never had any FTF, FTE using Win White box. I have around 1000 rds through it so far and I LOVE IT.
Just starting to reload for it now once I find a good recipe.Should save some $'s reloading, plus its fun.
45's rock, I cant get enough.
 
So it looks like I'm 1911 shopping on my day off this coming week. As fate would have it, I got a line on a Kimber Compact 1911 for $100 less than my budget. I wanted a full size but the compact is more economical in price and carry size. I don't think I could effectively conceal a full-size 1911, though I want one badly, so I am seriously considering the idea. Any thoughts?
 
Blais said:
So it looks like I'm 1911 shopping on my day off this coming week. As fate would have it, I got a line on a Kimber Compact 1911 for $100 less than my budget. I wanted a full size but the compact is more economical in price and carry size. I don't think I could effectively conceal a full-size 1911, though I want one badly, so I am seriously considering the idea. Any thoughts?
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The Kimber compact should serve you well. It will be easier to conceal.
I have used and carried 1911's for quite a few years. I'm 6'2" and 220 pounds, and can easily conceal the full size when using a good holster. I only carry IWB, and all my holsters have F.B.I cant, and that helps.
You still have to be careful though, because they will "print" easily...

For EDC, my absolute favorite is an old 60's era Colt Combat Commander Lightweight.
Shorter barrel, but still has a full size grip, and with the alloy frame, it is fairly light.
 
I have consulted with a very knowledgeable gunsmith, and upon his recommendation, I am seriously considering a Taurus 1911. Otherwise, it would not have been in my top 5 choices, but I trust his opinion. The price is right around 5 to 600, and according to my source, it is an extremely well built pistol and as if not more reliable than more expensive models. I am not saying it is the one and only, but you may want to consider this one. I am.

I was thinking I needed a Springfield Armory prior to my inquiring with my friend.

Now, maybe I can buy 2 guns instead of just one. Hee Hee.
 
The compact 1911s are very good.I have been thinking on trading my full size Kimber for one.
 
u812 said:
The compact 1911s are very good.I have been thinking on trading my full size Kimber for one.
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Like them that much? That's a pretty good endorsement, I think I'll give the compact a good hard look. From the prices I've found elsewhere, I'd be stupid to not buy the one I'm looking at. The seller is still unsure whether or not he wants to part with it so I may yet end up with a full size.
 
I've had my 1911 Springfield mil spec for 20 or so years.It's been in water,heat,rain,snow,sand and mud over the years.It even took a 10 foot drop onto concrete one time and after all that it's still a great .45:eek::D:thumbup:
 
Springfield. Forged Imbel frame and slide. Outstanding platform to build on.
Rem is cast, American Classic is a Bersa.
 
BTW, just saw the Taurus post. Non-mil spec. I had to put waaay too much time into making the one right I had, briefly, so I could sleep nights when I sold it.
 
I wanted a kimber for a long time...but then they went the way of walmart and started getting cheap... Now I drool over a Dan Wesson. now if anyone makes a 10mm in the size of a SA EMP.40 I want it... I love a 10mm..
 
I wonder what shop they went to to be sold... I am local here in raleigh and I guess I am going to start calling... I dislike Kimber but If its cheap I can tinker with it...
 
MegaGlide said:
BTW, just saw the Taurus post. Non-mil spec. I had to put waaay too much time into making the one right I had, briefly, so I could sleep nights when I sold it.
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Can you tell me what issues you had with it? I am curious what to watch out for. Thanks.
 
crackerjax said:
I wonder what shop they went to to be sold... I am local here in raleigh and I guess I am going to start calling... I dislike Kimber but If its cheap I can tinker with it...
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Why don't you like Kimber? I'm not challenging, honestly curious before I drop half a grand on one.

cj65 said:
Can you tell me what issues you had with it? I am curious what to watch out for. Thanks.
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I'm also curious about that.
 
I just read on another forum that gave Taurus a very good review. All parts manufactured in the same place ensured tighter tolerances. I googled "Problems with Taurus 1911." and found a thread that really disclosed a well built gun for the price. In fact compared to one 2 to 3 hundred dollars more, it fired as well if not better. I am still considering the Taurus for 500. If I had more money, I may go for the Springfield. It was always my first want in a 1911. I cannot tell anyone why, just stupid blind OCD stuff. LOL.

Just went back to the google list, and more favor towards the Taurus. One comment about a possible heavy trigger, but the poster said his was fine.

I am a bit amazed that I googled, "problems with Taurus 1911" and read positive threads about that model.. I wish I had the money right now to buy one. LOL.
 
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Probably the only reason I even found most of it was because I was replacing all the MIM stuff (especially that hideous hammer) with custom parts.
Not out of spec, but important - the thing wouldn't feed anything but ball right out of the box. None of my 200gr SWCs, and most importantly, not Hydra-Shoks. Had to do a full ramp and throat on it. I.D. of plunger tube undersize, had to be reamed. Plungers lacked the head needed to retain them in the plunger spring, and the plunger spring didn't have the required kink to retain it in the tube. Mainspring housing actually had to be driven from the frame with a hammer and punch. Didn't bother figuring out which part was crap, just fitted the housing since it is the less expensive part. Firing pin safety parts appeared to have been chewed to spec by angry beavers. Extractor needed to be tuned. I'm sure there's more, but my fingers are cramping up, and you get the idea.
 
On a 1911 you don't want really tight tolerance unless maybe it's a target competition pistol.You want a gun that can feed a dog turd that's been dropped in the sand.That's how the one I used in the Army was.
 
Blais said:
I find that statement a little hard to swallow. Are the ALE officers limp-wristing with really crappy reload ammo? I have never heard of reliability issues with Kimber until now.
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I've seen a lot of people comment negatively about Kimber's recent quality control.

Here's Hilton Yam, of 10-8 Precision, summarizing why he no longer recommends the Kimber Warrior as a duty gun:

http://10-8performance.blogspot.com/2010/07/kimber-warrior.html
 
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