First 1911 purchase

[Heythatsneat]

Hey, i am looking to get into the 1911 game and i have been wondering what a good starter 1911 is. In a perfect world id want a colt for the same reason i watch baseball in america and not brazil -- it was done first here.

In my research i have found the most recommended entry to mid range 1911s are springfield, colt, and kimber. I have also read about each brand and their faults. More specifically quality issues with colt series 80 and quality control with kimber.

Can anyone please school me on the 3 brands and what, in your opinion, will be the best for me. I will be using mainly for range time so i want a shooter.

THANKS!!

[Merc1138]

Colt, overpriced(because of the name)
Kimber, plastic parts on their lower end models(MSH is plastic), feel cheap
Springfield, not the easiest to find more than just the most basic models, made in Brazil anyway.

Sig, made in the USA, no cheap parts. People throw a fit because of the bevel on the slide, has an external extractor like S&W. The equivalent model from Colt compared to my Sig would have cost me $150 more and still not come with night sights.

[Heythatsneat]

Colt, overpriced(because of the name)
Kimber, plastic parts on their lower end models(MSH is plastic), feel cheap
Springfield, not the easiest to find more than just the most basic models, made in Brazil anyway.

Sig, made in the USA, no cheap parts. People throw a fit because of the bevel on the slide, has an external extractor like S&W. The equivalent model from Colt compared to my Sig would have cost me $150 more and still not come with night sights.

Are you speaking in terms of new? Im looking to buy used because i want a shooter. And it is my first 1911.

[Distro]

Are you speaking in terms of new? Im looking to buy used because i want a shooter. And it is my first 1911.

You should probably mention some sort of budget, some high end used can be more expensive than lower end new.

One simple solution for an inexpensive/shooter 1911, is the Rock Island Armory GI model. $419.98 at Turners this week. Not the prettiest, not the fanciest, but it shoots. Only potential problem is it's made in the Phillipines, and not sure if you want a strictly US made gun.

[thai562]

I dont know much about the 3 brands that you are asking. But I second on Sig 1911. They are great for the price you paid. At a used even better.

[Ubermcoupe]

You can't go wrong with any of the three.
IMO, you need to figure out caliber (9mm vs .45, I am assuming .45?) and size (3", 4.25", 5"; I am assuming 5") and go from there.

* I LIKE SA, my first 1911 was a SA, I still shoot that 1911, 1000s of rounds later.
* I shoot several Colts, love the colt name. I am always looking to expand my colt collection.
* I like shooting Kimbers, don't own one but have always thought about it. I just can't find one @ my price point where I didn't want something else more.

Yea yea, you can't make the claim about SA manufacturing pieces in Brazil, or Kimber using plastic pieces, or colt being over priced. Whatever.

I like how they shoot so I like them.

You say its going to be a shooter, are you going to mod it? or keep it bone stock?
Do you see yourself keeping this one forever? just want to start, etc?

I like SA because they are relatively inexpensive as a base and you can Mod out from there.
I will keep my colts forever because they are colts.
Kimbers are nice, but IMO, a little pricey when compared to some other 1911s... (I'd rather kick in more $ for a Semi-Custom/Custom)

Which ones have you shot? have any "called your name" ?

[Heythatsneat]

to be a little more clear. i am looking for a fullsized 1911 in .45. my price point is around 700 .. give or take a couple hundred. im looking new and used to keep my options open and i kinda want to stay away from the sub 600 new models.

i will most likely be keeping it stock but im not 100% sure yet. hopefully i will like everything about it.

as for keeping it forever, the only sentimental gun i have right now is my first gun. but who knows? i really enjoy shooting the rental kimbers and springfields at the range. it turns out that im more accurate with them than i am with my sig.

like i said these are the brands that i know most about at the price level. and i would love the slide to say colt but if theres a better quality gun out there then so be it. i read a forum thread bashing the series 80 1991 due to the lack of workmanship, QC, and fitment of the slide onto the frame.

basically i just want a reliable, nice, shooter around 700 bucks.

thanks for all the insight. i really appreciate it.

[c3 rolling]

Get a series 70 without the firing pin safety. 700 bucks would get you a Springfield loaded, great gun and has all the mods you need.

[Ubermcoupe]

To me, a shooter for 700 +/- my mind goes to SA. I love mine, they have many different models and are easy to Mod. There are X,xxx,xxx of treads about "check out my new SA 1911"

If you are going to keep it bone stock, and you get a little vigilant/luck you might be able to pick up a great deal on a nice kimber. I like the Kimber Custom IIs.

Something tells me you'll be fine! Best of luck and keep us updated!

Colt 1911s are different from 1991s just an FYI.

[esartori]

to be a little more clear. i am looking for a fullsized 1911 in .45. my price point is around 700 .. give or take a couple hundred. im looking new and used to keep my options open and i kinda want to stay away from the sub 600 new models.

i will most likely be keeping it stock but im not 100% sure yet. hopefully i will like everything about it.

as for keeping it forever, the only sentimental gun i have right now is my first gun. but who knows? i really enjoy shooting the rental kimbers and springfields at the range. it turns out that im more accurate with them than i am with my sig.

like i said these are the brands that i know most about at the price level. and i would love the slide to say colt but if theres a better quality gun out there then so be it. i read a forum thread bashing the series 80 1991 due to the lack of workmanship, QC, and fitment of the slide onto the frame.

basically i just want a reliable, nice, shooter around 700 bucks.

thanks for all the insight. i really appreciate it.

I did the same thing as you (went with a used 1911 first, will buy a nicer one later) but I picked up a Springfield Mil-Spec model. Mine is the Operator which they don't make anymore with the rail, but it is the same gun as the normal mil-spec. Mine shoots great and has been really reliable.

Here is an old crappy pic but you get the idea.


Here is another shot.


And here is a recent target of 10 shots at 10 yards. You don't NEED a $2000 gun for good groups


You can get a new mil-spec for about 700 I think but you can probably find a used one (like I did) for 600-650. Good luck!

[blockfort]

I'm interested in the same thing, though I would also consider a 9mm for myself (except that they are just about impossible to find in stock anywhere). $700 is an in-between price. There are some for around $400-$600 and some for around $800-$1000+ You could maybe find one used in the Private Sales forum or on GunBroker.com I have only fired a S&W, and a rental at that, but I would imagine that all of the $800+ versions are quite good. I have also read a lot of good things about the low end guns (RIA, Taurus). Your main decision is whether to buy a cheap one just to have it and possibly upgrade, or spend good money for one that you could likely keep for a lifetime with minimal work needed. I have a feeling that a $400 RIA with a good trigger job (maybe $150?) could be quite a nice pistol. An $1800 TRP is a pretty nice pistol too!, but I don;t know if we, as new shooters, would be able to tell the difference yet.

[Heythatsneat]

Get a series 70 without the firing pin safety. 700 bucks would get you a Springfield loaded, great gun and has all the mods you need.

this may be a dumb question but series 70 is now discontinued right? i cant find them anywhere :/

To me, a shooter for 700 +/- my mind goes to SA. I love mine, they have many different models and are easy to Mod. There are X,xxx,xxx of treads about "check out my new SA 1911"

If you are going to keep it bone stock, and you get a little vigilant/luck you might be able to pick up a great deal on a nice kimber. I like the Kimber Custom IIs.

Something tells me you'll be fine! Best of luck and keep us updated!

Colt 1911s are different from 1991s just an FYI.

i agree on the springfield and the only reason that isnt number one on my list is because it isnt a colt. im weird when i buy something i really like to have something made by the original manufacture or creator if at all possible..

and im sure i will be alright too haha this is probably me just over-thinking too much. i should just pull the trigger...

[AlchemyCustom]

This from an insider. Buy a used Springfield. They stand behind the product like no other.

[Heythatsneat]

now i have read that the springfield warranty is transferable.. is this true?

[AlchemyCustom]

You don't have to go through any kind of a transfer process or anything, but let's say you buy a used 1911 and you go shooting. After a few hundred rounds, something breaks. They will typically fix it under warranty no questions asked.

now i have read that the springfield warranty is transferable.. is this true?