Which 1911?

[Brandon04GT]

There are definitely some differences between an N and NM Loaded...the slide to frame fit always seems to be tighter and the roll marks on the NM always appear to be cleaner. If you notice, the NM Loaded's all come with a stainless barrel bushing whereas the N ones do not. Also, it appears that the N's come with a serrated mainspring housing while the NM ones come checkered.

At least from what I've seen, all shops charge the same price for either of them and the one you get is basically random when they pull one off their shelf. I also personally don't love the fact that there is a big "MADE IN BRAZIL - IMBEL" on the side of the gun. Yes I know even the NM's start their life in Brazil. For the most part, if I am going to buy an American gun from an American company.....I would want it (at least mostly) made in America.

[Sig Sauer 9mm]

The SA loaded is fine for the money. I've had one since 2009. There's nothing magic about an NM frame -- likely you won't find an NM right now anyway. Someday, and it looks like it won't be soon, I'd like to move up to a high end 1911 (story for another thread and day.)

Why are the Kimber's not in contention here -- don't they make a good 1911 in the $1000 price range?

I agree with you, someday I would like to get a high end 1911. As for the Kimbers, I heard on other forums and websites, that the barrels rust from being in a safe or too long. And they use plastic mainspring housings??

[Rightwinger]

If it was me I'd buy the Springfield, or the Ruger SR1911 $799.00 retail. Just my two cents.

[Sig Sauer 9mm]

what are the mim parts on the SA loaded, would it be the slide release?

[Brandon04GT]

what are the mim parts on the SA loaded, would it be the slide release?

Pretty much everything....including the slide release.

[Sig Sauer 9mm]

really? I didn't know that. But it doesn't cause problems or anything does it?

[whipkiller]

I'm very happy with my SA Loaded (N serial #)

I hear good reviews about the Sigs also, so I'm sure you'd be happy with either one if it comes down to personal preference.

When I was researching mine and kept hearing over and over about the best customer service going and the no questions asked lifetime warranty, that certainly entered into the equation.

[Brandon04GT]

really? I didn't know that. But it doesn't cause problems or anything does it?

Any 1911 short of several thousand dollars will have MIM parts...even the SA Professional has a couple of them, like the firing pin stop and sear disconnector I believe. Properly MIM'd parts seem to hold up a lot better than what the internet leads you to believe. Either way, you can always buy an SA Loaded and ease your worries by upgrading the ignition parts to tool steel components when getting a trigger job done. Those are the parts that most people prefer to have in tool steel. That and the slide stop I believe. Stuff like the firing pin stop being MIM isn't a big deal at all although most people like to fit an over-sized firing pin stop to get rid of extractor clocking and most quality aftermarket firing pin stop's are made of barstock anyway.

[Sig Sauer 9mm]

I'm very happy with my SA Loaded (N serial #)

I hear good reviews about the Sigs also, so I'm sure you'd be happy with either one if it comes down to personal preference.

When I was researching mine and kept hearing over and over about the best customer service going and the no questions asked lifetime warranty, that certainly entered into the equation.

well that's good to hear that you are happy with yours, I also have heard about SA's customer service which got me looking at the Loaded model. especially the lifetime warranty. How's the accuracy?

[hundreddollarman]

Anyone have any thoughts on Ruger's SR1911? I've seen a lot of positive reviews on Youtube.

[KandyRedCoi]

Kimber is also a good choice...love my raptor 2

[Sig Sauer 9mm]

how is the eclipse target? do you know? beautiful gun by the way!

[KandyRedCoi]

how is the eclipse target? do you know? beautiful gun by the way!

thanks!

as far as the Eclipse "target" model im not familair with, but i did shoot my step dads Eclipse Custom 2 quite a bit, love the finish, gun runs flawless with ZERO issues til this day

sucks theres been a lot of bad media on the KIMBERS, but as ive mentioned in many of the threads here, me and 6 of my close buddies all have KIMBERS and NONE has had any issues except for mine and it was finish related and all functioned 100%

[JTROKS]

Judging with my most recent 1911 purchases I would pick Springfield Armory.

I own a Sig 1911 TTT and a SA Loaded Target in 9mm.

[keenkeen]

Anyone have any thoughts on Ruger's SR1911? I've seen a lot of positive reviews on Youtube.

My thoughts:

They look very good for the price...


They are hard to get for MSRP as they are WAY back ordered and not on the CA roster.