1911 Recommendations

[neomedic]

I a noob on 1911. I have been into polymer frame guns (Glock,HK,ect.) But I think I would like to finally get a 1911. What is a good make that I should get now? (Full size).

I heard people say Colt has not made such great 1911 recently and that Kimber is a better choice. Any truth to that? Any recommendation of models and make is greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

[xenophobe]

There are 201 threads with 1911 in the title here...

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=58401&highlight=1911

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=58518&highlight=1911

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=57324&highlight=1911

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=55422&highlight=1911

[slick_711]

I'm three sheets to the wind, so I beg of you ahead of time that you forgive me. That said, this has been rehashed many times. Colt is the king of 1911s in name, and it's always nice to have a prancing pony on your pistol. However, these days Colt, while still an excellent gun, is no better than SA or Kimber, and you're paying extra $$$ for that little pony. The basic SAs are great guns and inexpensive, the "rounded out" package Kimbers are better than the equivalent SAs, but the top-notch SAs are better than any of the Kimbers.

i.e. : SA TRP > Kimber Warrior > Kimber TLE > SA Loaded > Kimber CII > SA Mil-spec

As a thought basis anyway. The SA Loaded seem to vary a little in quality whereas the Kimbers are pretty consistent. Out of the box the Kimbers will have about a 4-5# trigger whereas the SAs are 5-6#. If you want to buy one 1911 and never feel a need for another get a Baer. If you want a nice 1911 to round out your pistol collection without spending a ton look at the SA loadeds & the Kimber TLE. If you want a semi-custom slightly less common but still production pistol look at the Kimber Raptor & SA TRP.

You'll notice I don't mention anything but SA & Kimber, there are others out there, and I've handled/shot most of them, but SA/Kimber/Baer/Colt(old production) are the only ones I've handled extensively so they're all I care to comment on. Really, you get what you pay for, find a $750+ 1911 and you'll be happy, anything less and you'll be toying with it a bit, no matter the manufacturer. My SA mil-spec shot well out of the box, but I dumped $200+ into it anyway and now I'm perfectly satisfied with it.

I'm sure other members will have something to say, and I'll probably be correcting myself tomorrow, but I'd say thats a pretty good starting place. Find a 1911 that has the features you want and is from a reputable manufacturer and you'll be happy.

[markymark]

I also think that if you're going to be buying just one 1911, might as well get a higher end one. Les Baer, Wilson Combat, Nighthawk Custom. Handle them and see which you like best.

[neomedic]

But point me to a first time purchase.......Not looking for a $3000 gun purchase

[markymark]

What kind of features are you looking for? Price range?

Need to narrow down the choices..

[neomedic]

um...probably 800 OTD or around there. Can't really justify more that since it will just be a safe queen. I don't do matches or anything like that.

As to features...not sure what is available. A rail for light/laser would be nice. Will not be carrying so, I would like full size. A light crisp trigger since people say this the best feature (As compared to my other collection like glocks and HK) Although the HK is not bad.

[slick_711]

um...probably 800 OTD or around there. Can't really justify more that since it will just be a safe queen. I don't do matches or anything like that.

As to features...not sure what is available. A rail for light/laser would be nice. Will not be carrying so, I would like full size. A light crisp trigger since people say this the best feature (As compared to my other collection like glocks and HK) Although the HK is not bad.

If you put a laser on a 1911 I will hunt you down (despite your location only saying CA) and smack you. A light is nearly as disgusting but not quite as bad. If you intend to only have one 1911 and it will be a safe queen as you say, don't get anything with a railed frame. In the $800 price range look at the Kimber Custom II, it is a very good, reliable pistol, with everything you would want on a first 1911 out the door without being too dressed up.

As you said, if you're not going to be carrying it, a gov't (full size) is your best option. Any decent 1911 will be better (trigger pull wise) than any of your other pistols (while I admit HK isn't bad for DA), but the Kimber is definitely a smooth pull. Use that as your starting point.

[Shenaniguns]

Les Baer TRS... No Nonsense, reliable, accurate and only about $1700 OTD.

[trashman]

For my money, I'd start with a mil-spec gun (improved 3-dot sights, lower/flared ejection port) from Springfield. It's a good value (the stainless particularly) and you will appreciate the astonishing ingenuity of the gun's basic design every time you field-strip it.

All of the higher-end 1911's have improvements designed for the 1911's shortcomings; beavertail safety and commander-style hammer, larger and ambi- manual safeties; "melt" treatment, dehorning, adjustable triggers, fitted bushings, etc. It's tough to *really* appreciate a $2500 1911 until you've shot, and become proficient with, a 1911 that rattles a little (which is just fine).

In short - the law of diminishing returns applies here: for $~500 you will get 80% of the "performance" of a high-end 1911 (unless you are a bullseye shooter already...). You can spend another $2000 trying to tighten up that platform the remaining 20%.

So IMO , you should buy a mil-spec; just save the $2000 and apply it....TO YOUR SECOND 1911!!!!!!!

cheers,
--Neill

[Shenaniguns]

The TRS is my first 1911 and I don't think that I needed to start out with a cheaper one to appreciate it. Better material, better fitted, more accurate and probably more reliable as well... Why would I start with an inferior model and then have to send it to a smith for $1500 in work later?

For my money, I'd start with a mil-spec gun (improved 3-dot sights, lower/flared ejection port) from Springfield. It's a good value (the stainless particularly) and you will appreciate the astonishing ingenuity of the gun's basic design every time you field-strip it.

All of the higher-end 1911's have improvements designed for the 1911's shortcomings; beavertail safety and commander-style hammer, larger and ambi- manual safeties; "melt" treatment, dehorning, adjustable triggers, fitted bushings, etc. It's tough to *really* appreciate a $2500 1911 until you've shot, and become proficient with, a 1911 that rattles a little (which is just fine).

In short - the law of diminishing returns applies here: for $~500 you will get 80% of the "performance" of a high-end 1911 (unless you are a bullseye shooter already...). You can spend another $2000 trying to tighten up that platform the remaining 20%.

So IMO , you should buy a mil-spec; just save the $2000 and apply it....TO YOUR SECOND 1911!!!!!!!

cheers,
--Neill

[ianS]

Once you get to the $2000 1911 category people can get a little touchy. People who own $500 1911 believe there's nothing wrong with theirs and that these high dollar 1911 owners suggest that the less expensive ones are lacking. And people who own these premium 1911's aren't satisfied with anything less and get criticized for buying them. And everyone in between argues with everyone else about what everyone else chooses. There's a lot of assumptions and myths about economy priced 1911's (that they can't be as durable) as there are about premium priced ones (that they are tighter thus less reliable).

Suffice it to say I believe if the 1911 works for someone and their perceived needs, whether it cost $500 or $5000, there's no need criticize each others choices. What one person is happy with someone else is not.

[Kruzr]

I know exactly which 1911 I'd buy if I wanted another one (I have 10.) But, I don't know you or how big your hands are or how you shoot so I sure as heck can't tell you which one is best for you. You need to go and handle as many as you can. You'll find each one will sit in your hand differently.

Brand names mean nothing.......every maker has put out problem guns.......even the high end ones (another story.) You need to pick the gun that is comfortable for you. Just keep in mind that with 1911's you get what you pay for.

(BTW, Kimber Super Match > SA TRP)

[Shenaniguns]

Not sure if this was directed towards me or not, but I wasn't criticizing anothers choice, I was just pointing out that there is a difference between production,semi-custom and full custom.

Suffice it to say I believe if the 1911 works for someone and their perceived needs, whether it cost $500 or $5000, there's no need criticize each others choices. What one person is happy with someone else is not.

[slick_711]

Not sure if this was directed towards me or not, but I wasn't criticizing anothers choice, I was just pointing out that there is a difference between production,semi-custom and full custom.

Wow.

I've shot every single Les Baer that is on the CA approved list, and a few that aren't. I've shot the TRS quite a bit (for not owning one, 600+ rounds). I will be the first to say that the TRS is the best 1911 currently made, and if I had the money to toss around it would be my next gun. However, I don't have the money to toss around, and I assure you that when comparing my SA or my Colt to a TRS, while they pale slightly in comparison, they don't come up in the "crappy" category. Do the poor folk a favor and be a little less repugnant in the way you describe their guns.