1911 Thoughts?

[xounlistedxox]

I have only ever seen one conventional 1911 that truly needed no modifications in my opinion. That was a Nighthawk Enforcer. Unfortunately these aren't CA Approved otherwise I would sell my soul to get one.

[KylaGWolf]

Let's just say that I been also looking at these:

http://www.lesbaer.com/calif.html

LOL I was looking at that one about two weeks ago. While I love the gun the price is just a bit more than I want to pay right now....but if I can find a job soon then I will . I just hate the fact to get the one change I need to have done it will cost me extra to have changed since I can't get it that way due to the stupid list. I have looked at several other 1911 and so far that is the only one I can pull the slide easy enough on. Well maybe one Kimber but that is about it. I haven't given up hope in finding one I can use. I also have to have the ambidextrous safety and ideal would be an ambidextrous mag release.

[xounlistedxox]

an ambi mag release is an easy add on

[redcliff]

[tiko]

I have SW1911, a Kimber Raptor and a Les Baer TRS.
The TRS very tight and very accurate, every details flush in, no gap, no free plays.
The Kimber is tight and very accurate too but not as tight as the TRS, however, no plays at all.
The SW 1911 is also very accurate, there are some litle plays between slide and frame, bushing and barrel and trigger is loose. But I love it and will never sell any of my 1911s.

[PutTogether]

For that price I would go for a Kimber, Para, or Springfield long before I would get a S&W poor attempt at a 1911. You can get a Kimber loaded up with go fast goodies and night sights for less than a S&W without night sights. Ultimately I would recommend spending a few more dollars and getting a Kimber TLE, Para SSP, or Springfield Loaded Model. You won't be disappointed. I can't count how many times I've been to the range with my pistols and a guy comes up with either a Sig "1911", or a S&W "1911" and wishes he could turn back time to purchase a "real" 1911.

I own a Kimber Tactical Custom II, and a Springfield TRP Operator both are over the price of the S&W, but are of considerably higher quality. I used to own a DGFM which is a Colt made in Argentina which was a good buy at $400.

I wish you'd "try" to "count" the number of times that someone has "come up with" Sig or SW 1911s and wish they could get a "real." one.

My "fake" Sig GSR AND my SW1911 have been amazing guns. I own "real" 1911s too (Kimber and Dan Wesson) and wouldn't for a second say they are "better" than the sig or the S&W.

[Black Majik]

From my experience it seems like the old guys recommend Colt and Les Baer. I'm assuming this is because it's what they know and what's been around awhile. You need to do what I did. Find a local shop that actually carries several of these brands in stock so you can do your own comparison as I did. I have been fortunate enough to be able to check out in detail Wilsons, Nighthawks, Dan Wessons, Springfields(Including the infamous TRP PRO), Les Baers, Paras, Sigs, S&W's, Colts, Remington Rand, DGFM, RIA, and many more I'm sure I've already forgotten

I have yet to be impressed with any les baer in any respect. They are like the Colt of "Custom" 1911's way over priced. You pay for the name.

May I ask if you've ever shot one?

Any new recommendations with that?

The 1911 is one area of firearms that I have limited hands on experience with.

I usually like to build the collection slow, understand the items then peak with the best.

As you can see with this thread, everyone will recommend the 1911 they own. The best thing to do is to try as many 1911 models as possible, try it all out at Calguns shoots, or rent them at a range. They'll all handle and shoot differently.

You'll have to decide what options really work for you. What you feel are essential;such as for myself, I like a undercut trigger guard, crisp trigger, beavertail, extended thumb safety, dehorned edges, and good quality sights. Everything else I can live without. The combination of which beavertail, the type of undercut trigger, the thumb safety and how far they all are in distance can drastically affect how well a 1911 handles. I've pretty much tried all the different 1911 makers out there, all have their plus and minuses, however what works for myself or anyone else on here might not work for you.

Regarding the Les Baer you linked earlier, the most popular models would be the Premier II, Custom Carry, and Thunder Ranch Special. These are the tightest of 1911s, some don't like the fact it requires a bushing wrench to disassemble. However, no other 1911 manufacturer rates their guns at 50 yards. All the other makers rate their accuracy guarantee at 25 yards, by Kimber, Springfield, Wilson, and Ed Brown. No one else also can offer an accuracy guarantee at 1.5" at 50 yards, fwiw.

Try as many out, see what you really need in a 1911, and shoot shoot shoot. Shooting a 1911 is different than handling all at a gunshop.

Good luck.

[Exiledviking]

Where's BigCaliDave?

IF you like the S&W, buy it. You might be able to find it for a little less if you look around. That particular model is one of my favorite sub-$1000 1911s.

[chickenfried]

S

As I stated I have a.....and Springfield TRP Operator.

I have yet to be impressed with any les baer in any respect. They are like the Colt of "Custom" 1911's way over priced. You pay for the name.

[xounlistedxox]

owners of s&w and sig 1911s show their inferiority complex here... and for good reason... they are truly inferior and are upset because they wasted their money when they could have have a much better more properly featured 1911 for the same price

[sholling]

I wish you'd "try" to "count" the number of times that someone has "come up with" Sig or SW 1911s and wish they could get a "real." one.

I suspect that he ran out of fingers at "none".

As you can see with this thread, everyone will recommend the 1911 they own. The best thing to do is to try as many 1911 models as possible, try it all out at Calguns shoots, or rent them at a range. They'll all handle and shoot differently.

You'll have to decide what options really work for you. What you feel are essential;such as for myself, I like a undercut trigger guard, crisp trigger, beavertail, extended thumb safety, dehorned edges, and good quality sights. Everything else I can live without. The combination of which beavertail, the type of undercut trigger, the thumb safety and how far they all are in distance can drastically affect how well a 1911 handles. I've pretty much tried all the different 1911 makers out there, all have their plus and minuses, however what works for myself or anyone else on here might not work for you.

+1

Try as many out, see what you really need in a 1911, and shoot shoot shoot. Shooting a 1911 is different than handling all at a gunshop.

Good luck.

+1 again.

[i1800collect]

owners of s&w and sig 1911s show their inferiority complex here... and for good reason... they are truly inferior and are upset because they wasted their money when they could have have a much better more properly featured 1911 for the same price

would you like to qualify any of your previous blanket statements calling sigs (p226 and 1911), s&w 1911s, and les baers crap/unimpressive/inferior? what about those guns made them so terrible?

you're talking about 2 different classes of 1911s (separated by at least $1500) when you compare a nighthawk to a sig or s&w 1911...

[Exiledviking]

owners of s&w and sig 1911s show their inferiority complex here... and for good reason... they are truly inferior and are upset because they wasted their money when they could have have a much better more properly featured 1911 for the same price

This should get interesting. BTW, I am very fond of my S&W 1911s.

[Black Majik]

This should get interesting. BTW, I am very fond of my S&W 1911s.

Well, ya know... the man is legit when Para Ordnance make's the OK list but S&W is crap.

For that price I would go for a Kimber, Para, or Springfield long before I would get a S&W poor attempt at a 1911. You can get a Kimber loaded up with go fast goodies and night sights for less than a S&W without night sights. Ultimately I would recommend spending a few more dollars and getting a Kimber TLE, Para SSP, or Springfield Loaded Model. You won't be disappointed. I can't count how many times I've been to the range with my pistols and a guy comes up with either a Sig "1911", or a S&W "1911" and wishes he could turn back time to purchase a "real" 1911.

[PutTogether]

owners of s&w and sig 1911s show their inferiority complex here... and for good reason... they are truly inferior and are upset because they wasted their money when they could have have a much better more properly featured 1911 for the same price

I would like to apologize to everyone for showing my inferiority complex.

To the OP:

Bottom line is this - if you are looking for a 1911, especially a first or second 1911, I just don't think you can go wrong with an S&W, Kimber, Springfield, or the like. They are all good guns, with the "right" features, at the comfortable sub $1000 price point. As you shoot more and different guns, you will start to develop your own tastes, and you'll be better able to determine which route suits YOU best, but in the meantime, you are going to be thrilled with any of them.

Anyone who tells you "Brand X sucks, Brand Y rules cause I say so" is just an idiot.