WANTED: buying 1911 advice

[viet4lifeOC]

Hi,

I've only started reading up, shooting at the range, and buying handguns in the last 5 months. ONE of my regrets in life was not starting in this fine hobby earlier as my eye sight gives way to age . I've literally have bought 1-2 handguns a month since starting. Go to the range 2-3 a week. Have improve my shooting quite a bit following the advice of ppl on this site. ie dry firing, mixing a snap cap with rounds in a mag, etc

Here are the hand guns I have so far:
Sig P6
XD 9 tactical (dremeled and stippled by me to fit my hands better)
Sig Pro 2022
Sig Mosquito
RIA 1911 MATCH

still on my buy list to be crossed off after 30 days:
CZ 75B SA
Glock 34
9mm 1911

OK--here's the question. I love my RIA. The idea of shooting a .45 auto actually worried me when I started because of the recoil issue. I am SHOCKED how accurately I can shoot it. AND I JUST LOVE how it leaves BIG HOLES in the paper targets.

I've decided to buy another .45 auto. I don't want an entry level 1911 because I think this will probably be my last one. Purpose of the gun..shooting at the range TO IMPRESS and home defense. I will apply for a CCW and would like that to be an option. I generally love the metal guns over the polymers (my second favorite gun so far is my P6) and I would prefer a 5" barrel.

I really want a nice gun that's very accurate and reliably feeds all types of ammo, especiall HD rounds.

Sights..I have standard sights, Truglo TFOs, and Metrolights, but I just love standard GLOCK sights with the front white dot and U white outline rears. The glock sights allow me to easily focus my aim on the front while adjusting to the left-and-right gaps between the front and reat sights. I am suprised why other companies haven't copied it.

RIA Match 1911 requires a bushing wrench..I'd prefer not to use it on the new 1911, but it's no big deal if I have to.

I have a chance to buy a
Springfield 1911 PX9162LP or Kimber Custom 2 TLE/RL..Both have less than 500 rounds. The price difference: $180 more for the Kimber. Which would you choose.

ARGH.. just found seller to the Kimber decided to sell it to a local.

MAN..I just picked up 2 cases (40 boxes of Federals) of .45 from walmart this morning just for the Kimber custom 2 TLE/RL.

I need some recommendations from you 1911 fans.

thanks.

[ricknadine1111]

I bought these Talons used and sent them in for new springs and tuning since all Nighthawks are life time warrenty. I have around $4,000. invested in these two pistols so there are deals out there to be had.
I would never sell these they are flawless and have not malfunctioned yet.

[zman]

I've decided to buy another .45 auto. I don't want an entry level 1911 because I think this will probably be my last one. Purpose of the gun..shooting at the range TO IMPRESS and home defense. I will apply for a CCW and would like that to be an option. I generally love the metal guns over the polymers (my second favorite gun so far is my P6) and I would prefer a 5" barrel.

I really want a nice gun that's very accurate and reliably feeds all types of ammo, especiall HD rounds.

Cough up a little more moolah and go with a Les Baer, Wilson Combat, Ed Brown, or Nighthawk. It also sounded like you like slim grips (so do I). I went for a Les Baer TRS (Thunder Ranch Special). It was configured for HD and has standard slim grips.

Stock photo:


Mine with Slim Monkeygrips.

[ap3572001]

I would get a full size Nighthawk, Ed Brown, Wilson.

[viet4lifeOC]

Oh..to add.. I want something accurate and reliable out of the box. I'm not into sending a gun off to have things done to improve it.

Price limit: nothing over $1500.

From what I've read..I am leanign towards the Kimber Custom 2 with night sights (apparently this is what the LA SWAT team uses).

In terms of guns, I am more practical than LOOKS. I had no problem taking a Dremel to my 1 week old XD9 Tactical to customize the grip and using a soldering gun to stipple it afterwards .

[SVRider]

I don't want an entry level 1911 because I think this will probably be my last one.

....famous last words. I've heard it uttered by many, actually followed by few.

Good luck with your search!

[zman]

Price limit: nothing over $1500.

Give Crazy John at Proload.com a call. I have heard some Les Baer owners get the Baer Premier II model for ~$1500 a few months back It's worth a shot IMHO.

Les Baer Premier II 5"

[Shawn L]

MC Operator over the Kimber.

[viet4lifeOC]

....famous last words. I've heard it uttered by many, actually followed by few.

Good luck with your search!

I knew someone would point that out . Before I bought my first gun..I read quite a bit and just accepted that I was NOT going to buy 1-2 handguns. So that's why I just buy and buy to what the state law allows .
Only reason why I buy via PPT (I prefer to buy via internet shops) is to be exempt from the 30 day rule....that's how GOOD this addiction is.

[viet4lifeOC]

Cough up a little more moolah and go with a Les Baer, Wilson Combat, Ed Brown, or Nighthawk. It also sounded like you like slim grips (so do I). I went for a Les Baer TRS (Thunder Ranch Special). It was configured for HD and has standard slim grips.

Stock photo:


Mine with Slim Monkeygrips.

Just read an online review after reading your post. On of the few sites that isn't blocked "weapons" on the work computer. Great recommendation..It sounds like it fits my bill in every way BUT...the review author mentioning he had to send the gun in to improve the trigger..how do you like the trigger?

I LOVE clint smith on youtube..dude is funny and PRACTICAL. I acutally read up and consider it but thought that they no longer make the TRS? How much does it cost?

[HPGunner]

Wilson, Nighthawk, Ed Brown, Les Baer - are all out of reach at $1,500 unless a nicely kept used one pops up somewhere. I'd have to sell two or three of my guns to fund one of those. I need to be strong and just start putting money aside for a premium custom 1911 from one of those brands.

I like the 30 day rule - it keeps me from going bankrupt.

[bombadillo]

Not to be rude at all but if you're looking for a gun to IMPRESS, don't buy a Kimber. Those are a dime a dozen and a LOT of people own Kimber now and a LOT of people are selling them off or sending them back for repair work. I cannot say buy a kimber because I have seen a lot of issues with quality control as of the last year or two. I would go with a wilson, Baer, or Ed Brown, due to their reliability, accuracy, and customer service. Drop a few more bones on something you're REALLY going to love and not a "nice kimber" like a lot of people want to do. Good luck with your choice.

[bombadillo]

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/654_774/products_id/411541504

Here's one for ya!

[zman]

Just read an online review after reading your post. On of the few sites that isn't blocked "weapons" on the work computer. Great recommendation..It sounds like it fits my bill in every way BUT...the review author mentioning he had to send the gun in to improve the trigger..how do you like the trigger?

I LOVE clint smith on youtube..dude is funny and PRACTICAL. I acutally read up and consider it but thought that they no longer make the TRS? How much does it cost?

They still make the TRS. The trigger is excellent on mine. The author probably likes a "competition" trigger? Read my other post too regarding the Premier II.

[Black Majik]

Just read an online review after reading your post. On of the few sites that isn't blocked "weapons" on the work computer. Great recommendation..It sounds like it fits my bill in every way BUT...the review author mentioning he had to send the gun in to improve the trigger..how do you like the trigger?

I LOVE clint smith on youtube..dude is funny and PRACTICAL. I acutally read up and consider it but thought that they no longer make the TRS? How much does it cost?

Honestly, you don't have to worry about the trigger. The author is most likely just being very picky, a stock LB trigger will be better and lighter than most (if not all) production made 1911s. They will rival the triggers of Wilsons, Ed Brown, Nighthawk, and SA Pros.

You can always improve the trigger on a semi-custom 1911. But, diminishing returns certainly applies here, as a trigger job on these 1911s are not necessary.

With all that said, of course YMMV.