The Down Range Forum
Member Section => Handguns => Topic started by: jaybet on June 20, 2016, 01:38:17 PM
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I am fortunate enough to have the money saved up for a new 1911. Not even an expensive one, just a "better than bottom rung" one. My bucket list calls for a "Shiny 1911" so you can see it must be stainless or nickel.
I"m looking at Colts, S&W, Kimber (a little too $$$ though), and the Ruger. Springfield is a maybe too. The price of the Ruger is nice, but I"ve held a S&W and racked it and know that it's nice. AND I would just feel great if I got a Colt.
So, I know this is going to open a floodgate, but any opinions? I'm spending around 1K.
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Rock Island/ Armscor.
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The only one on your list I've ever owned was a Colt that I liked. The Ruger is a series 70 design and Colt is available as a series 70 or series 80. I don't mind having the series 80 safety but some people don't like it. It's easier to get a good trigger pull without it. My Para Ordnance kit gun came with a metal plate to take up the space of the series 80 safety parts so I could use series 70 parts but I chose to make it a series 80 anyway. Safer should be better.
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I have had my S&W for many years and man tens of thousand rounds. I would buy it all over again! A friend just bought a S&W Koenig for a good price new, and it looks worth as well, but I would not hesitate to go with the basic.
P.s.
Mine is SST,sso I do shower with it.
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I would go with the Smith & Wesson 1911 Enhanced great bang for the buck with all the bells and whistles.
Mike Mc
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Let's see:
I own S&W stock, so please buy S&W.
Personally, I own an original Mk IV Series 70 Colt and love it. Then again, I don't shot it often. It's wearing, Bullseye Target fiber optics right now. I wish I could get a spare collet or two for it.
I may have to take her out more often. But then the revolvers might get upset.
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Rock Island/ Armscor.
I think Rock Island is best bang for your buck. I remember when they were $300 at the gun shows and I was scared to buy one....now I wish I had bought a bushel basket of them. You can save a few $$$'s then use the savings to dress it up however you like.
Kimbers....maybe if you want a 10MM.
Ruger would probably be my choice.
S&W never wanted to get into the 1911 business. They were doing castings for someone who we would all recognize the name and the guy rejected them for a lower price. That's when they decided to go it on their own. I suspect they are good quality because the name we would all recognize is definitely Tier 1.
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Take a look at the Sig Sauer "traditional" line. It has the rounded slide where their regular line had the squared up slide like their P2xx series. If you are not a purist and can handle the external extractor I think you will find they have a lot of features that are normally seen on the higher dollar guns. IMHO they are currently the best deal in 1911.
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If you like shiny, Cabela's has the Ruger SR-1911 in High Polish Stainless Steel. It's much better than Nickel, and you can take any scratches or imperfections out with some Flitz Metal Polish and a microfiber towel. They're around $1K. (Click on the bottom left 3 images).
http://www.cabelas.com/product/shooting/firearms/handguns/semiautomatic-pistols%7C/pc/104792580/c/553829580/sc/105526980/i/105529680/ruger-reg-1911-centerfire-pistols/1226036.uts?destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fbrowse%2Fsemiautomatic-pistols%2F_%2FN-1114851%2FNo-48%2FNs-CATEGORY_SEQ_105529680%3FWTz_st%3DGuidedNav%26WTz_stype%3DGNP%26recordsPerPage%3D48
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I'm sure S&W makes a good 1911 but my SIL had one that just would not run. They had it back twice in a few months and could not determine the problem!
I liked my Para, learned on an old 50's era 1911A1 Colt with GI sights... That would work for me but they're pricey in MA cuz new Colts aren't approved here.
Ruger looks like a good buy. I like em blued or the equivalent. SS doesn't get my blood flowing..
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This is my Ruger SR-1911 in matte Stainless. I've always liked the black contrasting parts with the Stainless.
(http://i812.photobucket.com/albums/zz50/billt460/ArsenalMilledAK-47s009_zpsccd8f812.jpg) (http://s812.photobucket.com/user/billt460/media/ArsenalMilledAK-47s009_zpsccd8f812.jpg.html)
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Nobody has mentioned Springfield yet. So I will. While I don't own a 1911, and never have, I have friends that do and the last one I shot was a Springfield Stainless Steel Loaded Model. Trigger was awesome, I'm used to my XDM/XDS triggers but still, broke like glass and shot great. The TRP model is legend among most of the 1911 guys I've conversed with over the last few years (2011 I was considering buying a 1911 and talked to quite a few people about what to get).
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If you want to spend a couple hundred bucks on a big name go with any of those others.
If you are looking for a well made dependable GI or Series 70 1911 single or double stack, 38 Super, 45 ,9mm or 10 mm made in the US go with Rock Island.
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If you want looks, go for the Ruger SR1911 or a nickel-plated Colt. If you want practical functionality, you can't beat the new Colt Competition 1911, especially in 9mm.
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I've also seen polished Stainless Steel Colt Government Models. Albeit they're hard to come by, and expensive when you do. Cimarron also makes a polished nickel 1911 that's reasonably priced. I believe it's manufactured for them by Rock Island Armory with their name on it.
http://www.cimarron-firearms.com/1911-semi-automatic-45-acp-5-barrel-nickel.html
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If you like Kimber, look at their TLE II. It is not shiny, but shoots good. They can be had for under a grand.
I had one for about 1500 rounds, shooting great, and then some unknown person now has it somewhere.
It got stolen out of of my truck. They eventually did catch the guy, and he admitted to the police that he took it, and sold it 2 days later. He was a convicted felon at the time.
Enough of that, But I do have 2 grand raptor 2's now, and they shoot great. With a replaceable bushing from Brownell's the barrels are very snug at lockup.
Ruger makes a good one. I personally have no experience with Smith semi's.
As far as .45 caliber, I also have a Springfield XDM match 5.25 barrel that is a very good but with a large frame. Had to do a trigger job, but worth it. It does not have the bushing for the barrel, and made in Croatia. But shoots as well as I can. Good knock around pistol. But not 1911 frame.
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All my 1911's are Colts save for one which is a Loaded Springfield black stainless. I love the SA, very accurate and very reliable. I had it over ten years and would buy another, funds permitting.
I had a Rock Island I got in a trade with one of my son's and sold it...it worked flawlessly and reminded me of the old GI Colts and I do wish I had it back.
I've heard several guys who know pistols say that the once-great Kimbers are not the high quality they used to be. YMMV
Colt...what can I say?
Colt 1911's have my heart when it comes to pistols....I have both the Series 70 and Series 80 and while the 70 trigger is easier to tune, I have a stock 80 with a smooth trigger and one that I tuned that feels every bit as crisp and smooth as the 70.
Colt went through a quality slump themselves, but from what I've seen and heard, they are back in the game big time. I really want an old Ser. 70 LW Commander but they are like hens teeth on the market from what I understand. A Defender would be nice as well.
All that being said, I've heard good things about the Rugers, and wouldn't mind having one of their versions of the Light Commander.
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I'm partial to the duo-tone guns. I love my sig c3, it's every bit as good in fit and finish as every kimber I've ever held. The action is TIGHT and it's more accurate than my eyes will allow.
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I have a Ruger SR1911 and it is FANTASTIC for a production 1911 at around $700 or maybe a little less. I also have a RIA tactical in 9mm that I paid a little under $500. Both function flawlessly but the Ruger is better in looks/fit and finish. The Springfield Range Officer is also great value. If you want to spend just a little over $1k, like $1100ish, the Colt Combat Elite is a sweet pistol. But if it were me I would buy the Dan Wesson Heritage 1911. They can be had for around $1100, and currently come in a few different finish options other than the polished ss. It is their entry level model without expensive bells and whistles, but it is a fully american made, no mim parts, totally hand fit, all steel 1911. They are rock solid fit/finish and barrel/bushibg/slide lockup. That will be my next competition 1911 when my ruger gets retired. Good luck, there are great options available in your price range. Do yourself a favor and look at the Dan Wesson. You will not regret it.
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All good advice guys. I've realized that it's going to be a range gun and also that I'm looking for the name. I've got a Colt Gold Cup Trophy coming in hopefully this week.
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I shoot my guns a lot, and 1911's for a long time. Although I have not owned a Ruger, I do know a few that have and they seem to be good guns. Love my Springfield Loaded. A few years ago I took a jump and purchased the Sig 1911 Scorpion. Shot a ton and used it in competition. I would not hesitate to buy another at all.
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Well, like I said, I got a Colt Gold Cup Trophy. Ordered it from D&M, who had the best price by the way (thanks Derek). Here it is:
(http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll237/jaybethel/COLT_zpss5qth4wh.jpg) (http://s289.photobucket.com/user/jaybethel/media/COLT_zpss5qth4wh.jpg.html)
It's a very tight gun...Since I saw a little oil oozing out I put about 88 rounds through it right out of the box and with a little height adjustment on the rear sight I was punching a two inch hole at ten yards, rapid fire. Sadly, that's good for me. The trigger is not light, but has very little takeup and it breaks nice.
I just cleaned it up and it's a nice pistol. I'm thinking about 500 rounds and I'll start to see what it's really like. So far I'm really enjoying it.
If someday I can afford a custom gun I might do it, but this is more gun than my Sig GSR, for sure. It scratches that itch for a shiny 1911.
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Nice gun! I have one I bought new back in 1973 for $225.00. I would never part with it.
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Congrats, Jay....Nice pistola!!!!!
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Nice gun! I have one I bought new back in 1973 for $225.00. I would never part with it.
Pulled out the receipt on my Mk IV mod 70 Colt bought in 1971 right after it came out... $190.00