Help me select my first 1911

[xxINKxx]

The Kimber Custom II is my favorite, so I recommend it.

That's what I own.

No issues. Just clean it up after you pass every 500 rounds and you should be happy.

There's so much hate on kimbers, and everyone who talks crap is just repeating what they read online with no experience themself. Probably read something that someone else read and posted so on and so forth.

They HAD a bad rap back in the day (pre 06' i think) when they used external extractors and alot of people experienced FTE's. Since they went away with that (bad design on any 1911 no matter what brand) I see more happy customers then bad.

Those issues kinda followed them and has haunted them. I am 100% happy with mine. Never jams, fit and finish seems pretty good. I've blasted ALOT of rounds down range. To the point the finish is wearing away from use.

[JDay]

There's so much hate on kimbers, and everyone who talks crap is just repeating what they read online with no experience themself. Probably read something that someone else read and posted so on and so forth.

They HAD a bad rap back in the day (pre 06' i think) when they used external extractors and alot of people experienced FTE's. Since they went away with that (bad design on any 1911 no matter what brand) I see more happy customers then bad.

There is nothing wrong with having external extractors. They only get a bad rap because 1911 purists love to bash them.

[BilletGarage]

I have owned 1911's from Rock Island to Nighthawk. I also do general gunsmithing on the 1911 platform. Having owned, fired, and worked on a wide variety of 1911's, I have come to the following conclusion: You definitely get what you pay for in terms of quality and fit and finish. No doubt. However, more money spent, does not necessarily translate to more shooting pleasure. My favorite 1911 to shoot for years was a Rock Island GI customized by legendary smith Will O'hara. Had less than $800 in that gun and the accuracy and trigger were bested only by my NH GRP Recon. Sold it to a buddy so I'd have visitation rights. :-) I would buy the most gun you can afford if your a stickler for quality and fit and finish. If your just looking for fun at the range, grab a Rock Island Tactical and have competant smith dial you in a 3.5-4lb trigger and do a reliability job on it. I guarantee big smiles at the range. Did a trigger job on a buddies Rock Island 2011 a few weeks ago and his response after the first magazine was, 'I can't believe this is the same gun'! His groupings dropped in half. I'm reluctant to push any brand as there are alot of nice 1911's out there. But I agree there is great value in SA's Loaded 1911's. If you shot one and liked it, don't out smart your common sense. :-)

[BilletGarage]

But, don't overlook the Taurus PT1911, it's a sleeper.

I agree! Alot of 1911 for the money and a good shooter. Only downsides are that they are off list I think (SSE or PPT required) and have an 80 series type FCS so the trigger won't be quite as crisp before or after smith work. Surprisingly nice gun though. Had one up until last December.

[Det]

Dan Wesson, no contest

[Libertarian71]

Thanks, everyone, for all of your input. I really appreciate it. Still haven't made up my mind, but your feedback is excellent. I am a little less bullish on Colt now, and may give Kimber and SIG Sauer another look, and Dan Wesson, too. And it seems like most everyone likes Springfield.

[Souper]

Thanks, everyone, for all of your input. I really appreciate it. Still haven't made up my mind, but your feedback is excellent. I am a little less bullish on Colt now, and may give Kimber and SIG Sauer another look, and Dan Wesson, too. And it seems like most everyone likes Springfield.

I own a kimber and this is my second one. I would recommend kimber obviously, equally I would recommend Springfield, and with a bit more budget I would highly recommend Dan Wesson. I would shy away from sig and if you paid me to own a colt I would sell it.

[damndave]

Springfield TRP will be your 1st and last 1911! I really like mine over my old Kimber.

[1911ShooterPhil]

Colt. The original. The best? Depends on who you ask...

I have never owned one before. It will be for recreational shooting, not as a home defense gun or for conceal carry. I am interested in a Government-size production-level gun. I shot a Springfield Loaded at the range recently, and loved it.

The three manufacturers I am interested in are Colt, Springfield, and Smith & Wesson. Any thoughts on a make and model? I am really interested in hearing your experiences, positive or negative, with these manufacturers, especially their quality control and customer service. I am interested in custom models, too, but would like to get a production 1911 first, and get accustomed to the platform. Based on my preliminary research, I am leaning towards a Colt, but am open to a Springfield or Smith & Wesson.

Thanks in advance for your input.

I have not had experience with S&W 1911s, so I can't comment on those, but I have plenty of experience with Colt 1911s (Series 70 and 1991 Series) and Springfield 1911s (Mil-Spec and GI). The Colt Series 70 is an awesome weapon system which can trace its lineage to the same design that the US Army adopted back on March 29, 1911, except with some more flair for today's modern shooters. Many manufacturers have copied the basic platform and put their own spin on it. The Series 80 (on the 1991 Series), though, uses a firing pin block mechanism which many 1911 shooters curse and will argue against. So, out of the Colt guns, I recommend the Series 70. You can really do a lot of work to a Series 70 and tailor it to meet your shooting needs and desires.

I also really like the Springfield Armory 1911s, particularly the Mil-Spec and the GI. Both are no-frills work horses which are pretty accurate to the WWII offerings by Colt (the M1911A1). The Mil-Spec has tall 3-dot sights, a stainless steel barrel, lowered & flared ejection port, polished feed ramp, and flared mag well. So, basically, a Colt Series 70, but made by Springfield Armory. The GI is as "GI" as it gets. Think Saving Private Ryan GI, you know what I mean? The SA GI doesn't have the aforementioned upgrades. It has the original small sights and a parkerized barrel. The ejection port hasn't been worked on and it has the original shaped mag well. So, literally, it's as "GI" as it gets. If you want a WWII-style 1911 that's as close to a Colt M1911 as you can get without paying the extra money for the Colt name, then get the SA GI.

At the time when I got into 1911s, and I have owned several 1911s over the years, I was torn between the Springfield Armory Mil-Spec 1911 and the Rock Island Armory 1911A1FS. Due to budget constraints, I opted for the Rock Island Armory series of pistols. I currently own 5 RIA's in various forms. All of them have been worked on by Mark Bunach, the OC Gunsmith (http://www.ocgunsmith.com/1911customs.html), and finished by Mac's Shootin Irons (http://www.shootiniron.com/). Mark Bunach currently is working on my 9mm 1911 and turning it into a bowling pin match gun. He's also going to Cerakote it. I can't wait to get it back. If you own a 1911, then you need to know at least one good gunsmith. Mark Bunach is the 1911 guru which I go to when my 1911s hiccup.

I'd personally recommend a Rock Island Armory 1911 to you, but out of the brands you're interested in, you won't go wrong with either Colt of Springfield Armory. My beloved United States Marine Corps has put its stamp of approval on both brands of 1911s, and I can't say bad things about either Colt or Springfield Armory. Good look with your decision. Cheers! --1911ShooterPhil

[missiontrails]

Best value: Sig Stainless 1911. About $900, only two MIM parts, full extended controls, front and rear checkering, de-horned, Novak Night sights, and match grade barrel. Part for part, fit, finish, someone please point out a better option for that.

[c3 rolling]

Springfield if its your first man. LIFETIME WARRANTY AND THEY ARE QUICK!

[JDay]

Best value: Sig Stainless 1911. About $900, only two MIM parts, full extended controls, front and rear checkering, de-horned, Novak Night sights, and match grade barrel. Part for part, fit, finish, someone please point out a better option for that.

You forgot about the match grade trigger. I have one in jail right now that I paid $800 for. They also have a lifetime warranty.

Sent from my SGH-T999 using Tapatalk 2

[missiontrails]

You forgot about the match grade trigger. I have one in jail right now that I paid $800 for. They also have a lifetime warranty.

Sent from my SGH-T999 using Tapatalk 2

Yes.... awesome,... like I said, nothing can touch that under $1000, and some that are $1200.

[Libertarian71]

I think I like the Springfield TRP and Trophy Match. Anyone have any thoughts on which one they prefer, of those two?

[1911ShooterPhil]

The Springfield Armory TRP is a sexy beast, no doubt. Of course, the Trophy Match is an excellent gun as well. A gun is a tool. You need to pick the right tool for the job at hand. Do you plan on doing any shooting competitions? Bullseye matches or bowling pin shoots? Then, go with the Trophy Match. Or, do you plan on doing tactical/carry/home defense shooting? If so, go with the TRP. Both are excellent guns. Good luck. Cheers! --1911ShooterPhil