Another 1911 Question

[wisco]

I bought a Colt Commander just before they went off the roster. The gun is well-made, reliable and i shoot it well. I love that gun. So much so, I'd like to get a full sized 1911.

I would have bought the 1991 series pistol as a "big brother" to my Commander but no more new Colts in California. I was looking at a Springfield Mil Spec and wonder how the two (Colt and Springfield) compare in quality. I know I'd have to redo a few things like the mainspring housing to get the same feel.

What do you guys think? And Big Pimping, I hope you'll forgive me.

[9mmContagion]

Just find a nice fitting one and it will feel close.. don't forget though, you'll be comparing a GI basic pistol and grip safety vs your colt's beaver tail. I'd get the Springfield Loaded model as more of a comparison

[BigDragon]

Having bought a Colt and having a lot of work done, I can speak with some authority. I am sure you would be better served by buying what you want from Dan Wesson, Les Baer, Ed Brown, Wilson Combat and that type of 1911 houses. Another alternative is a Colt Special Combat (really nice pistol).

[Hank15]

Having bought a Colt and having a lot of work done, I can speak with some authority. I am sure you would be better served by buying what you want from Dan Wesson, Les Baer, Ed Brown, Wilson Combat and that type of 1911 houses. Another alternative is a Colt Special Combat (really nice pistol).

What he said. My $1000 Colt XSE ended up as a $3500 gun. Bought a Les Baer for $1800 and it's awfully close to what I want on the Colt

[JTROKS]

The Springfield Loaded will be a nicer shooting 1911 than a mil spec. What are you looking for in a 1911?

[Fishslayer]

What are you looking for in a 1911?

This is it right there...

[BigPimping]

I got nothing but love for you playa. As we say in the hood, it's your hard-earned money. Don't buy Sony if you want RCA.

[rubbman]

I got nothing but love for you playa. As we say in the hood, it's your hard-earned money. Don't buy Sony if you want RCA.

True poetry.

[9mmContagion]

I got nothing but love for you playa. As we say in the hood, it's your hard-earned money. Don't buy Sony if you want RCA.

Spoken like a true playa...

[XDJYo]

You're looking in the right direction. The Springfield line up has some real gems! I would echo the same sentiment on going up-market just a tad and get the SA Loaded model. You'll really like the extra's they throw in: Beavertail, Grip Safety, better sights and the Loaded coupon. You can buy extra parkerized 7 round GI mags for $12(?). Heck of a deal on those. If you buy your SA before 6/30, you get 4 mags FREE!!! Those upgrades don't just make for a nicer gun, but make for a nicer shooting gun, a more user friendly gun that you can enjoy more whether you're plinking at the range or in a class.

If you have thoughts of using it for Home Defense, think about going with the MC Operator. This is just a little more expensive than the regular Loaded models, but the integrated rail make for a handy upgrade.

If you've got a nice tax refund that's been burning a hole in your wallet, check out the TRP series. FANTASTIC fit and finish. It's one of the better production line 1911's out there.

If you've got a REALLY nice tax refund, then definitely shop Dan Wesson, Les Baer etc.

That being said, being the last year you can buy ammo online, think about your priorities to feed your hobby. You can always purchase one of the above mentioned pistols (sans the roster going nuts), but cheap and I mean CHEAP ammo is really cheap right now. I haven't seen prices this low since I started shooting 5 years ago.

Like I said, you're looking in the right direction. SA has an awesome product. Should you ever need any service from them, they will take care of you no worries. Buy from them with confidence.

Also, remember, right now is a buyers market. The gun shops are flush with inventory, so see if you can get a cash discount or see what kind of deals they're willing to make.

Happy shooting and happy shopping!

[Hank15]

One thing to note about Springfields, their grip safety tang is overcut, so should you decide you want to upgrade it later on you'll be SOL unless you want to weld and recut.

Their ignition components are junk. Otherwise it's a good buy.

[Dellinger]

As stated above, Springfield has great warranty services. Better than Glock in my opinion. Glock made me pay 1way for shipping on a warranty busted frame.

[AKexpat]

I bought a Colt Commander just before they went off the roster. The gun is well-made, reliable and i shoot it well. I love that gun. So much so, I'd like to get a full sized 1911.

I would have bought the 1991 series pistol as a "big brother" to my Commander but no more new Colts in California. I was looking at a Springfield Mil Spec and wonder how the two (Colt and Springfield) compare in quality. I know I'd have to redo a few things like the mainspring housing to get the same feel.

What do you guys think?

If you are speaking of a 1911 Government Model .45 ACP (Colt or clones), I can comment.

I find it amazing that you CA folks rely so much on aftermarket plug and play parts.

Is it against CA law that an owner cannot work on his/her own 1911?

The pistols that you folks show here are sooo spendy to me that I cringe when seeing the price.

Bought an AMT-Covina Hardballer .45 with two factory stainless mags in 1992 for $150 outside of a gun show in Alaska. It had a soft sear pin that allowed the pistol (when cocked and locked) on the pull of the trigger to drop both the thumb safety and the hammer. Not good. I replaced the sear pin, the hammer pin, the thumb safety, the hammer strut, and the extractor with blued carbon steel parts and throated the barrel (Kuhnhausen: I have the print book but I can lead you to a free .pdf version online if you want).

With the throated barrel it shoots just about whatever you stuff into it. I had a friend (a proud NRA instructor) with an early factory stock AMT Hardballer .45 challenge me to a shoot at an indoor range in the mid-'90's. He had so many failures to fire that I was embarrassed for him, and we were just firing hardball. My modified Hardballer never hiccupped.

I have a total of $350 (1992 dollars) into this gun. If you want to extrapolate to 2017 terms, it's probably a $500 gun.

And you guys have no problem with spending $1000+ on 1911 pistols plus aftermarket mods?

At 65, I am old school, and am on SS. That precludes me from spending the kind of money I see here.

Pay no attention to the ClipDraw piece that I use in lieu of a holster. I wear suspenders. It works well here on the mini-farm.

Regards,

Jim

[AKexpat]

We're not all octogenarians tooling around on a tractor living off Social Security.

I had a very good laugh from that comment. Your point is good, sir, even if I am not an octogenarian, yet (about a decade and a half to go!).

Your reply still did not address my main point insofar as what you folks spend on guns when one can have a used one with a bit of work at home and obviate the (in my opinion) expenses insofar as plug and play is concerned.

We just have to agree to disagree, I guess.

Sincerely, thanks much for the reply!

Have a good day!

Jim

[sintax]

Having bought a Colt and having a lot of work done, I can speak with some authority. I am sure you would be better served by buying what you want from Dan Wesson, Les Baer, Ed Brown, Wilson Combat and that type of 1911 houses. Another alternative is a Colt Special Combat (really nice pistol).

I agree also

Find a Wesson that you like, they are a great bang for the buck and they are not too ridiculously priced

If you want a colt, maybe also look at the Wiley Clapp Govt 1911