Need some help on selecting a 1911

[GoDougGo]

I have started looking for a handgun.
This is what I know so far:
1. 1911 style.
2. 45 caliber.
3. Steel or stainless no plastic or whatever is used.
4. I want a full size model for now.
5. A smaller model latter.

I went and rented a SIG 1911-45-S to see if I could handle a 45. Shooting it was no problem. It jammed about 8 times in 50 rounds using 5230 Blazer ammo. Very unhappy with that. Do not know if that is characteristic of the Sig or if it was a range gun or maybe it was dirty or possibly a bad feeding day.

I am a bit over whelmed with all of the 1911 styles and models. I was first told about Springfield's. I heard good things about Kimber but not the newer II models. I heard good things about Sigs. Maybe their other models in 45 and just not the 1911? A local shop showed/recommended a Dan Wesson. A buddy just rented a Les Baer and he was VERY pleased with that.

I want it for defense first. I would also like to get some professional training to become proficient at maintaining it, properly shooting it and using it if the need should arise. I have questions about training facilities, but that is a question for a separate post. I am not a hunter. I have heard mention that certain brands are very "tight", is that good for all guns or is that just really good for a gun that you are target shooting or in a competition with? Do I want something that is a bit on the "looser" side for a self protection and "fun"? Where if it gets dirty it will work where the tight gun will not.

I am a locksmith by trade and I remember a Swedish lock maker made locks that were so tight that they would not work very well. The slightest issue and they had problems. Locks like most mechanical things need a bit of tolerance to work. Is this a balance between accuracy and working or tighter the better? I have a tendency to like the nicer items like most people. I am willing to pay for a good piece but I am not trying to impress anyone.

I would like to get this down to 2-4 choices and then see what I like from there. Once I get into it I am sure I will have my favorites and complaints/wishes like everyone else. I know a bit about locks and can help people through that maze but would like some help here.

[Z ME FLY]

Hey Doug,
Most important thing is how much do you want to spend? There is a huge amount of 1911 info here. It depends on how much you want to spend? $500-600 will get you a RIA 1911 or a SA GI. Anything higher you can look into a Colt $700-800 along with SA loaded and Kimbers. More than that you have a lot of options. Here is the search that I use to find out a lot of info on Calguns.

http://www.google.com/coop/cse?cx=018149931542195181678:pzxbzjzh1zk

Good luck and welcome to Calguns.

[Miltiades]

Partial to Colts

I've owned quite a few 1911s over the years and most have been Colts. This is the original brand of 1911s and I've always had good luck with them, experiencing very few problems in operation. I also have one Kimber that has performed well.

Other brands with a good "buzz" in the $1000 and under category include Dan Wesson, S&W and Sig. Here are my two favorite Colts - both older Gold Cup models and both with many thousands of rounds down the pipe:

[GoDougGo]

I am new to this so I do not have a preconceived price range. Do not have that "I used to pay $350.00 for those in the day". I would say that I am willing to pay between $500-$1500 to get what I want. I tried you link it did not work. That does not suprise me as I know as much about computers as I do 1911's.
I do not want to pay more than I have to, but price is not the main concern.
I understand Colt is the creator of this platform. Is this a case of the originator is still the best or have the later players taken it up a notch. I am not really into buying it as an "investment" to have it go up in value, although that is a nice plus. Certainly by Buell S3T (motorcycle) did not do that...I want a very well made piece that will stand the test of time and work in my time of need should it arise.
The 2 Colts pictured are beautiful.

[Timberland]

If you want the good "raddle" get a Colt. And it will never devalue. Kimber uses plastic parts if that bothers you.

[08duramax]

springfield armory loaded is a great basic 1911. i havent heard good things about the kimber series 80 1911s. if you are looking in the $1500 range save a little more and get a les baer, wilson or nighthawk. check out the 1911 forum for more info than you can handle. i own the springfield armory SS TRP. love the gun. i have 5-10k rounds through it.

[gadjeep]

I have a SIG 1911 TTT and I like it a lot. Crazy accurate (much better than me!). When I first bought it it would have FTFs about every 50 or so. I now have close to 1k through it and I rarely have any troubles. Make sure you try several types of mags, many 1911s are picky eaters. Good luck.

[Exposed]

I have a Kimber pro CDP II. Although I have also heard "things" about the series 2 Kimbers, my experience tells me different. When I first bought it I did have some trouble with the feeding of ammo. But I purchased a spring upgrade from wolff springs for cheap and some wilson combat mags. Since then, I have shot close to 1k flawless rounds, and I mostly shoot reloads. Its a compact 4" barrel which I know your not in the market for. But I absolutely love my Kimber. The trigger is as smooth as butter and the reset is incredibly short. Although its a compact gun, the accuracy is better than I am. I'm actually looking for a Springfield 5" for my next 1911. I'm torn between the TRP Operator and the MC Operator. Good luck on your search. BTW, most high quality 1911s are very tight which is why many of them have issues at first. The 1911 is not a gun to have as a "safe queen". The platform was meant to be used, a lot. The 1911 is a gun that takes many many rounds to break in. And the more its used, the better it works. Its not like a Glock which perform adequately out of the box. Its a gun that goes from tight and awkward to super smooth and amazing with time. Once its broken in, you will never want to shoot another gun again.

[Z ME FLY]

I am new to this so I do not have a preconceived price range. Do not have that "I used to pay $350.00 for those in the day". I would say that I am willing to pay between $500-$1500 to get what I want. I tried you link it did not work. That does not suprise me as I know as much about computers as I do 1911's.
I do not want to pay more than I have to, but price is not the main concern.
I understand Colt is the creator of this platform. Is this a case of the originator is still the best or have the later players taken it up a notch. I am not really into buying it as an "investment" to have it go up in value, although that is a nice plus. Certainly by Buell S3T (motorcycle) did not do that...I want a very well made piece that will stand the test of time and work in my time of need should it arise.
The 2 Colts pictured are beautiful.

Oh buddy 500-1500 is a huge range. For that price, it covers most 1911s.

[Exposed]

+1 Z ME FLY. For a budget of $1500 you can get any RIA, and almost any Springfield, Kimber, Colt, S&W, or Sig. Les Bear, Wilson Combats, and Nighthawks go for about 1k more. I personally would never pay more than $1500 for a 1911 platform gun myself, especially when that amount is plenty to get you a 1911 that will last your lifetime and you will enjoy shooting it till the day you die.

[mtenenhaus]

I'm seeing a fair amount of used production-semi custom pistols (Les Baer/Wilson etc.) comming to market of late. You can save a good bit of money on these...as long as you don't mind some holster wear. For me that's a good deal.

The other option you might consider is to purchase a good new basic 1911 platform..the colt or SA etc. Shoot it for a couple of months, you'll have a solid warranty should that be required and it would allow you the opportunity to really figure out what you want and what you need. Then if you want, you can send it off to a reputable smith for judicious and defined fine tuning and modification.

What i thought i wanted/needed in a 1911 has really changed/evolved over the past year or two.

I love a well machined pistol, that smooth as glass running of slide on frame, the precise tuned trigger etc. These elements remain critical for me.

Early on i seemed to really be attracted to pistols with significant intricacies machined into them....the pretty gooves and holes etc. After shooting a couple the appeal has started to wane. They're very pretty but I'm more concerned with a smooth and more functional style.

Give it some time, gain some experience with the platform before you spend a fortune in both time and finance.

EIther way it should buy you a good quality pistol and at the same time keep you in the price range you're considering. Please let us know what you've decided. Its a fun journey.

[Legasat]

For what it's worth, I think Dan Wesson 1911's are the best value on the planet. Very very close to the "boutique" 1911's, for about the price of a fine Kimber.

[Z ME FLY]

I'm seeing a fair amount of used production-semi custom pistols (Les Baer/Wilson etc.) comming to market of late. You can save a good bit of money on these...as long as you don't mind some holster wear. For me that's a good deal.

The other option you might consider is to purchase a good new basic 1911 platform..the colt or SA etc. Shoot it for a couple of months, you'll have a solid warranty should that be required and it would allow you the opportunity to really figure out what you want and what you need. Then if you want, you can send it off to a reputable smith for judicious and defined fine tuning and modification.

What i thought i wanted/needed in a 1911 has really changed/evolved over the past year or two.

I love a well machined pistol, that smooth as glass running of slide on frame, the precise tuned trigger etc. These elements remain critical for me.

Early on i seemed to really be attracted to pistols with significant intricacies machined into them....the pretty gooves and holes etc. After shooting a couple the appeal has started to wane. They're very pretty but I'm more concerned with a smooth and more functional style.

Give it some time, gain some experience with the platform before you spend a fortune in both time and finance.

EIther way it should buy you a good quality pistol and at the same time keep you in the price range you're considering. Please let us know what you've decided. Its a fun journey.

I think you said it well. It depends on what you want from your pistol. For me, I can spend $1K-1500 for a gun but I can't really see myself spending that much on one. It's probably because I haven't got a 1911 before yet.

Like what others said, you can go two ways with your budget. You can spend it all on the gun at once or you can buy a basic model and upgrade from there. I'm personally thinking about a SA 1911 Loaded 9mm. I like the 1911 platform but would want something in 9mm so it's cheaper to shoot.

For example like mtenenhaus said buy a basic model and you can upgrade from there. This way the gun will be customized to what you want. Or you can spend the extra money and get a model with more features.

Oh yeah I am not sure what you mean the link I posted didn't work. Just click on it and it will open up the search page for calguns.

Without knowing what you want the gun for we can just name brands but that isn't going to help. Are you the type of person that wants to change things on your gun? 1911s are like legos and you can piece together once from the ground up and change everything also. If you just want to buy one and shoot it, you can look into a RIA 1911 also.

SO basically what I am saying, tell us more info about what you want.

[tiko]

For the first one , do not buy a Les Baer or Dan Wesson/ Ed Brown, buy something else because you definitely will have more than 2 1911s, then shoot them, be familiar with them, inevitably you will buy a Les Baer. It is not like marriage which you can have only 1 wife, for guns you can have many more and never end.

[dfletcher]

For what it's worth, I think Dan Wesson 1911's are the best value on the planet. Very very close to the "boutique" 1911's, for about the price of a fine Kimber.

I bought the CBOB first then the PM7. I think they're a great value and are very, very well made. All stainless and wood, very clean with an extremely tight barrel, slide & frame fit.