USA made 1911 input.

[ZX-10R]

Anyone have one and want to share their experience? Myself and two other buddies are interested in getting 1911s. One has a Ruger P90 one has an HK 45, and I have M&P 45 and FNP-9. Here are our choices:

Colt, Kimber, and Smith and Wesson.

- MUST BE MADE IN USA. No Brazilian SA stuff.
- Must have ambi safety
- 4 inch to 5 inch
- Budget $1300

I liked the way the Colt felt in my hand and seemed extremely well made. I like the 100 Years of Service on the side. The Smith and Wesson was really nice. It came with a crimson trace already but would rather have ambi safety. It seemed to have more heft to it. Kimbers are nice as my buddy Mark let me shoot his a few times and it is accurate.

Seems all of us are leaning toward a Colt 1911. However would like input from people who have owned any of those three makes. I DO NOT want any Springfield or any brand not made in USA input as they are not on the list and quite honestly made in USA is important to all three of us. One of my buds was in the Navy.

Thank you in advance.

[Iknownot]

Does it have to be new? If it were me, I'd get a good condition, used colt (series 70 or gold cup).

[ZX-10R]

Does it have to be new? If it were me, I'd get a good condition, used colt (series 70 or gold cup).

Yes, new. However, I am flexible...I like the 100 Year Service engraved on the Colt. That makes it special.

[ns3v3n]

Seems like you already made up your mind on Colt, then just get the Colt 1911. I would love to own a colt too but I just recently bought a springfield.

[Iknownot]

Yes, new. However, I am flexible...I like the 100 Year Service engraved on the Colt. That makes it special.

If new, then just pick the one that gives you the most amount of features you want with in your budget.

Still if it were me, I'd be looking at used. There are plenty of barely used 1911s that come up for sale. You could end up getting a much nicer one for the money, or one that would be equivalent to any new one your are looking at (a used kimber for example) which would leave you $ left over for some custom gunsmith upgrades in the future.

Anyway, my 2 cents.

[NiteQwill]

You'd get a Kimber, with their lack of QC and 1 year warranty, over a Springfield Armory NM-frame finished in the US with a lifetime warranty?

Make sense.

Get a Colt, Dan Wesson, or S&W E-series.

[camron882]

warrior if u want ambi safety, night sights, and a great looking kimber...sporting arms is under 1200 for the gun minus fees...

[IPSICK]

Find a Series 70 Colt.

Although you kind of bag on the 'Brazilian' SA stuff (not sure why), I would rather have a forged steel frame vs. a cast frame.

[Iknownot]

Yes, new. However, I am flexible...I like the 100 Year Service engraved on the Colt. That makes it special.

BTW, not for nothing, but that does not make it special. It makes it a new 1911 with "100 years service" engraved on the side.

But whatever floats your boat. People buy different things for different reasons.

[MrMarco]

Yes, new. However, I am flexible...I like the 100 Year Service engraved on the Colt. That makes it special.

+1 on the Colt, especially the 100 year anniversary model. I've had a few 1911s, but I always still wanted a Colt...

[MAC USMC]

There are a ton of great .45's out there to chose from and they are all fine guns. I have owned a lot of them over the years. You should make a choice on just HOW you will be using the gun, e.g., target work, carry weapon, home defense, etc. Personally I think it is kinda dumb to spend over $1200 (Kimber, Les Bauer, etc.) on a "carry" weapon because you will over time beat it up. If you can afford it, OK, then go for it.

I carry a Springfield Armory Champion .45 a lot; great shooter and stainless. Sometimes it is my Colt mil-spec in hunting or camping scenarios. I really like my HK .45C and I suppose it is my overall favorite for many reasons mostly the fit of the weapon in my hand.

Try not to form opinions based on advertisements or other folks taste in guns. Check out the customer service for the company. For example, Springfield Armory is outstanding.

SUGGESTION: Go to a range and rent a few .45's and shoot the heck out of them. One or two will jump out of the pack as favorites. This will aid you in making an informed choice.

[joeAR47]

I go for colt, SA then Kimber in that order. Whatever feels good in your hand when you shoot it. When it all comes down you will be the one shooting it and all you choices are good 1911s. It woud be best to try it out at a rental place or a friend who has one.

[Paradiddle]

I'm a Colt guy and I love my Colt. I would also recommend trying to find a series 70. Even the series 80 are great guns.

Ride the PONY!

Jeff

[c20rj]

Arent para's made in usa? I love my colt and para, but the para fits in my big hands better (p-14 45 double stack mag)

[IPSICK]

I thought Para's were Canadian.