wanting to get a 1911...

[wamphyri13]

I highly recommend the Dan Wesson line up as well. Just buy one, add your own grips, and you're good to go. If you want something more personalized, get a Springfield G.I. or Mil-Spec, and have it customized. I did.

Springfield Armory Stainless Mil-Spec by Chuck Rogers of Rogers Precision.

[elberettas]

A good friend of mine happens to have both the GLOCK 17 and the Springfield G.I. Mil-Spec. I sold him both about 4 years ago. He will never sell either one, but grabs for the G17 if something goes bump in the night.

[RolinThundr]

...I recommend the milspec for a first economy 1911

I'd recommend the SA Mil-Spec over the GI as well, the Mil-Spec has the lowered & flared ejection port which will help prevent FTE. Stick to your budget, use what works and what you can afford. Later on when finances are better you can check out the Dan Wessons, Wilson Combats, etc. I'd recommend the SA MC Operator, a lot of great features without blowing the budget.

Id rather have my long range gun than two pistols...

+1...I think everyone needs a handgun, a shotgun, and a rifle to start. Then build up from there. I went a different way and now the wait to get a shotgun is driving me , but it will just have to wait until my own finances are squared away.

[Rekrab]

I may get eaten alive for saying it...

But check out a Rock Island Armory Tactical. Cheaper than a Springer Mil-Spec, has lots of extras, and the quality is nearly as good.

[stix213]

I want to get myself a 1911 too, but you mentioned that cost was the reason you couldn't keep the Glock too. You realize that .45ACP costs at least twice as much as 9mm for even the cheap stuff right?

Your Glock can shoot the cheap Russian 9mm ammo that is less than $10 per box of 50, while your 1911 will be close to twice that much assuming it can handle the Russian stuff too.

Just something to keep in mind. I'd rather shoot 9mm every other weekend than .45ACP once a month. But maybe that's just me.

[GB0]

Since the OP said he would be reloading, a .45 1911 is a great choice. With all the money you will eventually save in ammo, maybe it's a good idea to get a semi-custom 1911.

I had a tough time deciding which 1911 to go with a while back; the customization route seems good for a personalized feel, but the cost for the work winds up being more than if a good semi-custom was purchased to begin with, and the resale value doesn't exactly go up after all the work has been performed either.

I would agree with the others who said to go with a Dan Wesson PointMan 7 or CBOB (Classic), they both have Ed Brown parts, Wolf springs and all the extra or custom work has already been done to it. These are definitely worth the extra money upfront.

http://cz-usa.com/products/view/dan-wesson-pointman-seven/

[Grumpyoldretiredcop]

Rekrab, I won't eat you alive... but I also have an RIA Tactical and its quality is nowhere near the Springfield. I'll just say to the OP that you get what you pay for with 1911s. Get the highest quality pistol that you can afford. Practice with it as much as possible before adding bells, whistles and mods.

I have both 1911s and Glocks. I wouldn't sell one of either to buy another; I'd wait until I had the wherewithal to buy without selling what I already had.

[ChrisO]

I want to get myself a 1911 too, but you mentioned that cost was the reason you couldn't keep the Glock too. You realize that .45ACP costs at least twice as much as 9mm for even the cheap stuff right?

Your Glock can shoot the cheap Russian 9mm ammo that is less than $10 per box of 50, while your 1911 will be close to twice that much assuming it can handle the Russian stuff too.

Just something to keep in mind. I'd rather shoot 9mm every other weekend than .45ACP once a month. But maybe that's just me.

Not the cost of ammo the cost issue is me not being able to afford another pistol I can sell the glock to get the 1911 but not just out right buy another pistol. Ammo cost is not much of a factor I already reload. I think the Mil-spec will be right in my price range...

[diginit]

I really like my Kimber Stainless TLE II. It is accurate, Manufactured to tight tolerences, Eats anything-Including SWC's, And has gone up in value. The extractor broke after about 4000 rnds. That's what I get for loading 230 gr. hot. Kimber sent me a new one within a week, Free. I replaced the stock 16lb spring with a Wolf 18.5 kit and it runs flawlessly with loads running hot at 950fps. Yes 950fps. I could hit 975, But I didn't want to push the powder charge to the maximum. Try that with a springfield armory 1911. On second thought, Don't try it. There is good reason this is an L.A. SWAT issued weapon. Fast ,Reliable, Match grade barrel, Match fire control group with a 4lb pull and night or target sites stock from the factory.

[sholling]

I've been shooting 1911s for 30 plus years and own Springfield Armory, Smith & Wesson, and Kimber 1911s. My advice is to pick up a stainless steel S&W SW1911 for about $850. These very well made and reliable, come with a much better trigger than the Springer and a far better warranty than a Kimber. Accuracy is as good or better than the Kimber. All S&Ws come outstanding customer service and a lifetime warranty. The only downside is no factory night sights (can be added).

My second choice would be a Springfield Armory Loaded. These are well made but lack the refined fit and finish and trigger of the smith. On the plus side it's likely to be more reliable than the Kimber and comes with outstanding service and a lifetime warranty.

Kimbers tend to be pretty but the quality can be hit or miss. If you get a good one - and the odds are in your favor, then you'll have a very accurate pistol. They tend to have excellent triggers, but the downsides are the way Kimber implemented their Swartz safety, and sometimes overly tight chambers. A too tight chamber can effect feeding reliability. Kimber service can be frustrating and the warranty is only one year.

A word on Swartz safeties. Both S&W and Kimber use Swartz safeties which is a way of preventing an accidental discharge if the pistol is dropped on the muzzle. It retains the firing pin unless the grip safety is held engaged. The difference is the design of the Swartz safety. Where S&W's is a rock solid almost indestructible design - Kimber's seems very flimsy and is easily damaged while cleaning. Easily enough that Kimber will not fix it under warranty. I absolutely trust the S&W design, but I'll watch my Series II Kimber like a hawk. I just don't have a lot lot of faith in their design. Unfortunately it's the only alloy frame CCO format 1911 on the @#$% list.

[GuardianArmament]

I just bought my first 1911 and the decision was tough. I ended up with a Kimber Custom II. The price was right and everyone I know that has one swears by it. I know every company has problem like when I got my P220 Combat and every round would FTF. I just got a lemon and Sig took care of it. I hope I have a little better luck with the 1911. I think if I was to do it all over again I would have got an SA loaded.

[retired]

sholling, S&W is one 1911 I hadn't considered when I posted my thread about a week or so ago about buying a high line 1911. Based on your post I went to their sight and saw the pics of all the .45 1911 pistols they have.

The downside is, there is no description that I could find on each of the pistols. It just shows a price and talks about John Browning. Do you know of anyway to learn more about each .45 1911 model they have. They show 14. Thanks.

[sholling]

There is and overview page and a technical specs page there for each model. Basically what you need to know are which a CA legal (not shown) and a few feature codes. If it were me I'd look at the stainless with adjustable sights or stainless with fixed sights. You'll have to confirm they are CA approved. Bud's get's $891 and $812 respectively, plus whatever your dealer charges for the transfer. Actually they don't go for a lot more than that around here.

PD=Light weight alloy frame
Pro, tactical and ES models are probably too new to be CA legal.

For example this Full sized blued steel fixed sight model with wood grips:
SKU: 108285
Model: SW1911
Caliber: .45ACP
Capacity: 8+1 Rounds
Barrel Length: 5"
Front Sight: Dot Front Sight
Rear Sight: Novak Lo Mount Carry
Grip: Wood Grips
External Safety: Single Side
Frame: Large
Finish: Blue/Black
Overall Length: 8 3/4"
Material: Carbon Steel Frame and Slide
Weight Empty: 38.5 oz.

Or this light weight (PD in the name = alloy frame) commander with blued slide:
SKU: 108283
Model: SW1911PD
Caliber: .45ACP
Capacity: 8+1 Rounds
Barrel Length: 4 1/4"
Front Sight: Dot Front Sight
Rear Sight: Novak Lo Mount Carry
Grip: Wood Grips
External Safety: Single Side
Frame: Medium
Finish: Blue/Black
Overall Length: 8"
Material: Scandium Alloy Frame/Carbon Steel Slide
Weight Empty: 28 oz.

Stanless with adjustable target sights
SKU: 108284
Model: SW1911
Caliber: .45ACP
Capacity: 8+1 Rounds
Barrel Length: 5"
Front Sight: Black Blade Front
Rear Sight: Adjustable
Grip: Wood Grips
External Safety: Ambidextrous
Frame: Large
Finish: Matte
Overall Length: 8 3/4"
Material: Stainless Steel Frame and Slide
Weight Empty: 39 oz.

Stainless full sized with fixed sights
SKU: 108282
Model: SW1911
Caliber: .45ACP
Capacity: 8+1 Rounds
Barrel Length: 5"
Front Sight: Dot Front Sight
Rear Sight: Novak Lo Mount Carry
Grip: Rubber Grips
External Safety: Single Side
Frame: Large
Finish: Matte
Overall Length: 8 3/4"
Material: Stainless Steel Frame and Slide
Weight Empty: 39 oz.

They also make a high-end hand-built line in their Performance Center. Buds price
SKU: 170243
Model: SW1911
Caliber: .45ACP
Capacity: 8+1 Rounds
Barrel Length: 5"
Front Sight: Black Post Sight
Rear Sight: Adjustable
Grip: Wood Grips
Trigger: Competition Match with Overtravel Stop
Hammer: Competition Speed Configuration
External Safety: Grip and Frame Mounted Ambidextrous
Frame: Large
Finish: Melonite
Overall Length: 8 3/4"
Material: Stainless Melonite
Weight Empty: 41 oz.


My Performance Center 1911

[NiteQwill]

I've been shooting 1911s for 30 plus years and own Springfield Armory, Smith & Wesson, and Kimber 1911s. My advice is to pick up a stainless steel S&W SW1911 for about $850. These very well made and reliable, come with a much better trigger than the Springer and a far better warranty than a Kimber. Accuracy is as good or better than the Kimber. All S&Ws come outstanding customer service and a lifetime warranty. The only downside is no factory night sights (can be added).

My second choice would be a Springfield Armory Loaded. These are well made but lack the refined fit and finish and trigger of the smith. On the plus side it's likely to be more reliable than the Kimber and comes with outstanding service and a lifetime warranty.

Kimbers tend to be pretty but the quality can be hit or miss. If you get a good one - and the odds are in your favor, then you'll have a very accurate pistol. They tend to have excellent triggers, but the downsides are the way Kimber implemented their Swartz safety, and sometimes overly tight chambers. A too tight chamber can effect feeding reliability. Kimber service can be frustrating and the warranty is only one year.

A word on Swartz safeties. Both S&W and Kimber use Swartz safeties which is a way of preventing an accidental discharge if the pistol is dropped on the muzzle. It retains the firing pin unless the grip safety is held engaged. The difference is the design of the Swartz safety. Where S&W's is a rock solid almost indestructible design - Kimber's seems very flimsy and is easily damaged while cleaning. Easily enough that Kimber will not fix it under warranty. I absolutely trust the S&W design, but I'll watch my Series II Kimber like a hawk. I just don't have a lot lot of faith in their design. Unfortunately it's the only alloy frame CCO format 1911 on the @#$% list.

Another reason to go for a Springfield.

ILS can easily be changed out for a standard MSH. No dealing with a Swartz device.

Other's have said it, you get what you pay for. With that said, a Dan Wesson PM7 is the best gun money can buy in that price range.

[wamphyri13]

Another reason to go for a Springfield.

ILS can easily be changed out for a standard MSH. No dealing with a Swartz device.

Other's have said it, you get what you pay for. With that said, a Dan Wesson PM7 is the best gun money can buy in that price range.

Or a Cbob. Don't forget the Cbob. You remember the Cbob, right. Okay, cool.