Which 1911 to get?

[moshow9]

Well last thread didn't get a response, maybe a poll will work? I'm looking to pick up a new compact 1911 in .45 ACP within the next couple of months. Opinions welcome on what others would choose or prefer through their experience with these options. Currently have a Kimber Ultra Carry II and while it is nice, and I was previously looking at possibly another Kimber, I would like to try something different.

 

[Alvaro Candanedo]

Well, since there is the option "other", I'd suggest a Philipine-made gun. It's the Armscor Compact model. I have one and while it doesn't come even close of those high end .45 pistol listed, in any way, it's a lot cheaper (but, as far as I can tell, not cheaply made), it does the job of being a self defense pistol, and it can be had with 7 shot magazines. If it has to be USA-made, then forget what I said

 

[sechip]

get either a wilson combat cqb compact or a nighthawk custom t3, i have both and you can't go wrong. awesome quality and a lifetime warranty...not that you will need it.

 

[weech3]

personally Old School: Colt Combat Commander, series 80, satin nickle plated, all OEM!

Out of kimbers, s&w, remington, randall, etc...I'll take my old original combat commanders any day. I have them all by the way.

Whatever you decide- I highly recommend picking up a junker and tearing her down to bare parts. Know your weapon!

 

[welderknifenut]

Colts hold their value or go up I would get a combat commander too I hear defenders are good also.

 

[USAknives]

ruger sr1911 commander

 

[Maddogg774]

STI's are great, especially being from Texas, but not everyman's 1911. If you already have a 1911 and want to go up yes and or are shooting comp. or tri-gun. Wilson is great as well. Kimber is undeniable as well.

 

[Medicburke]

I have a Kimber Pro Carry 2. 4 inch barrel 1911 as opposed to the traditional 5 inch. Carries nicely and shoot like a dream. The Kimber Ultra carry is an even shorter 3 inch barrel on a smaller frame but I hear it recoils like a mule.

 

[alwayscarryaknife]

I have a Kimber Pro Carry 2. 4 inch barrel 1911 as opposed to the traditional 5 inch. Carries nicely and shoot like a dream. The Kimber Super carry is an even shorter 3 inch barrel on a smaller frame but I hear it recoils like a mule.

I have the CDP Ultra II and the recoil isn't that bad. Just shoot 230 gr regular pressure loads and it's fine. I do like the 4 in a little better but the Ultra is a nice package. Especially the CDP version.

Edit: But I've been shooting .45 ACP since I was a 90lb 12 year old, so it's all relative.

 

[jasonp]

I've been a firearms instructor for years and have been fortunate enough to have shot just about everything under the sun. I love my 1911's but mainly because they are 1911's (and their trigger pull). For function, I go with a modern pistol (Glock, Smith M&P series, XDm's, etc.) I have owned several 1911's including Colt Gold cup, Colt Combat Comander, a few Kimbers, One Wilson combat and the STI Guardian. Shooting and reliability go to the Wilson and STI, nestalgia obviously goes to the colts, looks go the Kimbers. I've sold them all except the STI Guardian. I reluctantly traded the Wilson for an AR-10. STI just knows how to make a good fuctioning 1911 and in the looks department is 2nd only to Kimber. My Kimbers unfortunately didn't fuction near as good as I thought they should.
The only 1911 I have left; an STI Guardian:

 

[m@tt]

I have a SMITH and WESSON fully loaded. Love that thing. Pricey but - hey - its my grail. 1911 - approved.

 

[Sulaco]

I shoot a Ruger SR1911 Commander. For me the Commander length is the best compromise for carry vs/ performance. With Federal HST 230gr +P I'm still getting velocities similar to or better than standard pressure 230gr HP's out of a 5" barrel. The grip length in the Officer models is too short for my hands and I have no problem concealing the larger, full-sized grip. But the 3/4" shorter barrel makes a big difference for me when carrying it.

I've had one malfunction with this gun and it was my fault (worn out from shooting too much and I limp-wristed it). If I shake it holding the slide, it rattles. I'd rather have a little rattle and a good running gun that one so tight the stars have to align to get a mag through it properly. The gun is very accurate and I can shoot fist-sized groups all day long at 15 yards or further. I'm sure it will do better but I can't (and don't need to).

 

[338375]

I've owned a pile of 1911's, and use to collect Colts. I've had Colt 1911's from 1918, up to and including a couple Series 80's :barf:

The Series 70's and earlier Colts are very nice. They did a great job building and finishing them. That said, unless you want a 1911 in it's original platform, it costs a lot of money to upgrade them, into the same league as others...

If I was going to buy another 1911, and hopefully I will in a couple years, it will be a Wilson or Ed Brown. The absolute most accurate 1911 I have ever owned was, a Springfield Loaded, that I sent back to the factory for some tuning, that was done in the Custom Shop.
Springfield really does make a great 1911.

 

[mqqn]

Kimber Ultra RCP II.

Very nice piece.

Not the cheapest, but I like mine.

best

mqqn

 

[SpikeHawk]

I have had zero problems with my Rock Island Armory CS (Compact). Bought it for under 400 new at a gun show a few years back. Paired with my Crossbreed Supertuck, and Winchester Ranger hollowpoints, this is my primary carry gun. The higher end guns are nice, don't get me wrong, but for a IWB carry in Florida, I really didn't want to spend 1k+ on a gun that would be exposed to humidity and sweat all the time.

 

[DDA2011]

Definitely a Kimber pro carry 2. I can hit bulls-eyes at 60 yards with that gun

 

[Sharpnessis]

I had a trigger job done on my 1911 and the guy that did it told me that the best two 1911's right now are #1 s&w #2 Springfield armory. He says they have forged frames and that is a great platform to build on. Some of even the higher end firearms are cast instead of forged, so they are not as great.
His words not mine, a pro, who was mentioned in one of massad ayoob's books.

 

[Hawk45]

I'm a Les Baer guy, but lots of nice options out there. Could go Springfield and have their custom shop do a workup to whatever you want.

 

[moshow9]

Thanks for the responses and votes so far. I'm checking a few suggestions out here that I had not looked at prior to this thread. Wilson Combat, Les Bauer, Nighthawk Custom and Ed Brown all make fine looking 1911's, but they are all out of my price range. One thing I did not mention was working budget... I will have up to ~$2000. Due to my size (only 5'05") for ease of concealability, and improved accuracy with smaller sized guns, I would prefer barrel length to be in the 3" - 4" range.

 

[bobbystoney]

I'm a Wilson Combat guy but I shot my buddy's Dan Wesson ECO a couple of weeks ago and it was pretty nice. He did a lot of research on a compact 1911's in the $2,000 and under price range and that was the one he chose.