1911 recommendations

[voiceofreason]

Springfield MC Operator

The 1911 fans I know would not buy a current Kimber.

Don't buy a "decent" 1911, buy a good one. Or you will regret it.

[puRe59]

Or keep the weapon budget at $1000 and use that potentiality boosted budget to pay for ammo.

$500 of factory .45ACP is not even 2k rounds. if you're going to be shooting regularly you'll burn through that in less than a year. the jump in quality you get from ~$1.5k vs. ~$1k price range is definitely worth it imo.

its just my opinion based on what i've experienced. The cost of shooting is not in the gun, but in the ammo. So, get a nice gun you can enjoy (which may in fact be in the ~$1k range, in the end its all up to the individual).

Springfield MC Operator

The 1911 fans I know would not buy a current Kimber.

Don't buy a "decent" 1911, buy a good one. Or you will regret it.

^^aye. I had a Springfield Loaded (in 9mm), but decided to start reloading and shoot .45ACP. I went with the Dan Wesson Valor. Had to pay a little extra since it was off-roster, but you can definitely notice the difference in quality.

[InGrAM]

Out of the ones you listed I would go Colt or Springfield. But you forgot about SIG which should be on your list, IMO.

[illustriouswreck]

Tell your friend, go with the original... Colt !!

[darqhelmet]

Colt. The only 1911 you will ever need.

[Bobby Hated]

Colt's a keeper

Springfield is a shooter

Kimber is a s***er

[saltyesq]

He bought a Kimber custom 2 today.
He checked out the SF and didn't like the feel.

[DArBad]

He bought a Kimber custom 2 today.
He checked out the SF and didn't like the feel.

Good decision! Kimbers for me too.

[missiontrails]

This looks like a good price for the Operator.....

[skosh69]

I dealt with Kimber's warranty service and they are crappy. Doesn't want to stand by their product. They lost a customer for life. Btw, warranty is like insurance. You want to have a good one when you need to use it.

That's a bummer to hear! I on the other hand had a fantastic encounter with them and would have to say the complete opposite of everything you stated about them. Again, sorry to hear they drove away customer!

[Josh3239]

I am a Springfield Armory owner and love mine. Thus far in my experience I find them accurate and reliable. The Brazil thing shouldn't turn you off, IMBEL in addition to being licensed to make FALs has been making 1911s under the SA name for over 30 years. IMBEL is an excellent manufacturer. From what I know now I give the advantage to SA. Located in America, great CS, great product(s), don't appear as finicky as a few others, big name that isn't going anywhere.

Kimber angered alot of people with a couple bad runs and CS from my understanding. Most people I don't think realize Kimber suggests a break in period of IIRC 500 rounds. Kimber makes very good 1911s, my buddy who lives in Alaska carries in on him and I am looking to pick one up as well.

Colt I have no opinion. I would hold a former government issued one in higher esteem than a current production one, maybe that is wrong but that's just my opinion. Rock Island seems to the be the DTI/M1S of 1911s, lower end starters that are considered to compared to others poorer looking and poorer performing.

You should also consider Sig and Dan Wesson/CZ. The Sig name speaks for itself, their handguns are obviously excellent and are used by SEALs. The Dan Wessons are another one on the to-buy list. They are supposed to be excellent, I believe Dan Wessons are now owned by CZ whom is an excellent manufacturer.

[71RR440]

I currently have a Caspian and I love it. I want another but you will spend more than double the $1K limit here having one built. Very sweet shooting 1911 though.
My next one is most likely going to be a Springfield. Or I just might have another Caspian built.

[Plisk]

$500 of factory .45ACP is not even 2k rounds. if you're going to be shooting regularly you'll burn through that in less than a year. the jump in quality you get from ~$1.5k vs. ~$1k price range is definitely worth it imo.

Ammo is ammo. If its $10 worth or $500 worth, every round helps. We're all hurting and on a budget, it doesn't hurt to be a little thrifty in the right places.

[sreiter]

Granted double the money, but my les baer custom is the best 1911 i ever fired (and i shot other high end 1911s of comparable dollar value...

The extra money is well worth it. Buy once cry once. Tell him save up and buy a used baer for a few hundred more.

[Bulldog1911]

I think it depends on your friends budget... But i will get the Springfield Armory