yet another "help me pick a 1911" thread

[strongpoint]

i'm shopping for a dark-finish 4-inch barrel 1911 without a rail -- not for right this second, but a little ways down the road. range use and HD are in the plans, with a sub-$1K budget.

i've been interested for a while in the kimber pro TLE II (i tried the pro carry), but i just recently noticed that colt's recent 1991 models fall into the affordable range. anybody have one that they'd care to review?

i know, being all picky about the finish and the commander-length barrel limits my choices. the springfield GI and the RIA seem a little underfurnished for how much i'm willing to spend, though i'd consider spending less out the door and doing some homesmithing myself.

it also looks like some para models might fit into my price/feature range as well, but i don't know much about that brand.

thoughts?

[PandaLuv]

Colt or Ruger

[strongpoint]

ruger's only 1911 is stainless with a 5-inch barrel. picky, picky, picky.

are S&W models any good? what about sig sauer? i'd consider taurus, but i've heard too many complaints about quality control.

[Cyc Wid It]

4 inch isn't a true commander length (4.25)
I'd go for a Colt, which has the correct dimensions.

[NotEnufGarage]

I'm real happy with my $500 Springfield, now that I've polished the machining mark that was left on the feed ramp by the factory that was causing it to stovepipe.

[WishinIwerFishin]

I like my Smith SW1911PD, but would be happier with a Springer or Colt.

[ZX-10R]

4 inch isn't a true commander length (4.25)
I'd go for a Colt, which has the correct dimensions.

Winner winner chicken dinner...Colt. Because getting and having one is saying something. When I was looking for a 1911 it was Colt, S&W, and Kimber in that order. Of those three you will be a winner no matter what. I am sure the SA guys will chime in. I wanted the original, USA made, had a good weight to it, and the ambi safety...It came down to the Colt and S&W. I already have a S&W handgun and 100 Years of Service on the side guided me to the Colt.

Good luck.

[jonzer77]

Yes go with a colt. If you get a Kimber then you will likely have to put 1000 rounds through It to break it in and may even have to send it in to be fixed. Check out the 1911 forum and go to the kimber page and they have a sticky post on issues. The nice thing about a colt is they are good to go from the box without needing a break in. My new colt will also feed whatever reloads I make which is nice.

One thing I noticed from going into gun stores was that they all would rag on colt and try to sell me a Kimber because there is a good profit in selling them. Colts are a little harder to find but worth the wait.

[Dhena81]

Whatever you choose you can't have the factory do any kind of modification including color to it otherwise it wont be considered the same firearm that was approved by the roster. What you do with it after the fact is up to you I know it sucks but hey its CA.

[jonzer77]

Yeah you have to send it to them after you buy it to have anything changed.

[Paradiddle]

4 inch isn't a true commander length (4.25)
I'd go for a Colt, which has the correct dimensions.

Colt.

[InGrAM]

ruger's only 1911 is stainless with a 5-inch barrel. picky, picky, picky.

are S&W models any good? what about sig sauer? i'd consider taurus, but i've heard too many complaints about quality control.

People talk a lot of **** about taurus. Iv never had any problems with mine, though.

Yes, S&W and SIG make good 1911's. I would get the SIG carry nitron. But thats just me.

But for you, I say get the colt like others have said. They have 3 commander length models on the DOJ list. So no SS stuff to worry about.

[realrider]

Maybe a mint DAN WESSON Commander Classic Bobtail?

[Cyc Wid It]

Maybe a mint DAN WESSON Commander Classic Bobtail?

<$1000? where

PS, if you want a durable dark finish after you're done modifying, there's a user/vendor here who does IonBond/cerakote etc. in the Walnut Creek area
also, 1911's are so easy to exempt that if you find something off roster you really like it shouldn't be a problem, especially in the Bay Area

[DT556]

Colt 80 Series Combat Commander