What 1911 do you recommend to buy?

[brauchma]

I am in the market for a new gun(wife wants to buy me one) and want to own a nice 1911 style handgun. What are your suggestions? I may carry it someday...who knows.

S&W,Kimber..etc?
Full size, Smaller,...etc?

Thanks....

[Pat]

Actually, the recently introduced 1911 model from Taurus is pretty darned good for the moolah...

But once the 1911 bug has bitten, you are in for the haul!

[jac714]

This is possibly as contentious a question as what is the best caliber for carry.

I am a 1911 fan, I own or have owned 4 of them, an Eclipse Target, Ultra Carry II, both of which have gone to provide the funds for other aquisitions. I still own and carry a Kimber Pro CDP II and a Pro Raptor (IDPA/Range gun).

As soon as my finances allow I intend to buy another Kimber, probably a Target Match.

Most of the new mid range (Kimber, SA, S&W...) 1911's are great, as in any thing that is in large scale production there are some lemons out there. A Kimber with an external extractor is likely to be a problem, the same cannot be said for the same extractor on a S&W.

These companies will usually make it right if you have a problem.

I am an advocate of the Pro (or commander) size 1911, it is slightly easier to conceal than a full size but gives a full size grip. If you are at teh steel shoot tomorrow you are welcome to give mine a try.

I think the key is to find the "option package" you like made by a reputable manufacturer, break it in according to the manufacturers instructions and then shoot the heck out of it and enjoy.

One thing to watch out for is the highly addictive nature of the 1911, they are just a little more addictive than crack.

[brauchma]

This is possibly as contentious a question as what is the best caliber for carry.

I am a 1911 fan, I own or have owned 4 of them, an Eclipse Target, Ultra Carry II, both of which have gone to provide the funds for other aquisitions. I still own and carry a Kimberf Pro CDP II and a Pro Raptor (IDPA/Range gun).

As soon as my finances allow I intend to buy another Kimber, probably a Target Match.

Most of the new mid range (Kimber, SA, S&W...) 1911's are great, as in any thing that is in large scale production there are some lemons out there. A Kimber with an external extractor is likely to be a problem, the same cannot be said for the same extractor on a S&W.

These companies will usually make it right if you have a problem.

I am an advocate of the Pro (or commander) size 1911, it is slightly easier to conceal than a full size but gives a full size grip. If you are at teh steel shoot tomorrow you are welcome to give mine a try.

I think the key is to find the "option package" you like made by a reputable manufacturer, break it in according to the manufacturers instructions and then shoot the heck out of it and enjoy.

One thing to watch out for is the highly addictive nature of the 1911, they are just a little more addictive than crack.

I knew you would weigh in on this question! I can still see yours in my head from the "New thing" in October. SO Kimbers can fail, but you will buy another? They must be that good then?

[Ramoel]

I'm down to my last two which I plan to keep. A Series 80 Colt Combat Commander that I bought new in 1983 and A mint GI 1911A1 made by Remington Rand in 1945. Neither is readily available anymore but if you run across either one, grab it.

[jac714]

This is possibly as contentious a question as what is the best caliber for carry.

I am a 1911 fan, I own or have owned 4 of them, an Eclipse Target, Ultra Carry II, both of which have gone to provide the funds for other aquisitions. I still own and carry a Kimberf Pro CDP II and a Pro Raptor (IDPA/Range gun).

As soon as my finances allow I intend to buy another Kimber, probably a Target Match.

Most of the new mid range (Kimber, SA, S&W...) 1911's are great, as in any thing that is in large scale production there are some lemons out there. A Kimber with an external extractor is likely to be a problem, the same cannot be said for the same extractor on a S&W.

These companies will usually make it right if you have a problem.

I am an advocate of the Pro (or commander) size 1911, it is slightly easier to conceal than a full size but gives a full size grip. If you are at teh steel shoot tomorrow you are welcome to give mine a try.

I think the key is to find the "option package" you like made by a reputable manufacturer, break it in according to the manufacturers instructions and then shoot the heck out of it and enjoy.

One thing to watch out for is the highly addictive nature of the 1911, they are just a little more addictive than crack.

I knew you would weigh in on this question! I can still see yours in my head from the "New thing" in October. SO Kimbers can fail, but you will buy another? They must be that good then?

Any machine can fail, the key at that point is twofold 1) to know how to immediately get it going again or to abandon it and revert to a backup; and 2) if you are still alive figure out why it failed and either fix it or replace it. I have had a total of 5 failures with 4 different Kimbers with an aggregate of 9000 - 10000 rounds in the last 12 months. All of those could be traced to ammo or cheap magazines.

If you go with a Kimber IMMEDIATELY (if not sooner) buy as many Wilson 47 D series magazines, if you decide to do this I can provide links to the mags I like. Be aware that the 1911 has as many part suppliers as any gun so you will find people who like CMC or some other mag. Thats cool, it is a Ford/Chevvy argument.

I would go buy a couple boxes of .45 acp and go rent all 3 (4) sizes of 1911 and try them out, you will either love it or be so-so about it, that will really answer your question, not to mention a lot of fun. Your wife would probably like the full size as a range gun, many women do. It is big and heavy but that eats up the recoil.

Let me know if you want to meet somewhere and you can try both of mine. I have both an alloy frame (Pro CDP) and steel frame (Pro Raptor) 4" Kimber you can try.

Beware they are addictive. If the bug bites next time your wife proposes a new gun you will always want more 1911s.

[phorvick]

It was opined: Beware they are addictive. If the bug bites next time your wife proposes a new gun you will always want more 1911s.---

People that know me realize that I fall into the Glock camp for self-defense. Having said that, everyone needs at least one 1911, if for no other reason that the history behind them.

And, if you do get one, and you should, DO NOT shoot it. It could cost you $500-$1500 to shoot it, as you will discover that (a) 1911's are beautiful to hold and shoot and (b) you will need at least one more.

If a person is just getting into 1911's, and are not necessarily thinking about carrying them...but they want one... I suggest two models (well, OK 3): 1. The Springfield GI version, a nice (and inexpensive) copy of the original; or (2) the Taurus 1911...fairly well optioned for the price; or (3) a Kimber...beautiful guns. And, yes, get some good quality mags and have fun.

Here is a pic of my Springfield GI version (I changed the sights):

[hammAR]

I am in the market for a new gun(wife wants to buy me one) and want to own a nice 1911 style handgun.

If the wife wants to buy you one it doesn't matter as long as it is a 1911. Do it fast before she changes her mind.

Then you have a legitimate excuse for the next dozen or so that are required to quench your addiction..............
We will all testify that she started it..............

.

[brauchma]

I am in the market for a new gun(wife wants to buy me one) and want to own a nice 1911 style handgun.

If the wife wants to buy you one it doesn't matter as long as it is a 1911. Do it fast before she changes her mind.

Then you have a legitimate excuse for the next dozen or so that are required to quench your addiction..............
We will all testify that she started it..............

Ha Ha! I will book mark this thread!

[aypstony]

I am an advocate of the Pro (or commander) size 1911, it is slightly easier to conceal than a full size but gives a full size grip.

+++++1

[DieselDood]

I really like my Springfield. For a full stainless gun, night sights, and 2 magazines, I think I got a great deal at just under $800.

I plan on passing that gun down to my children, and I hope from my children to theirs.

Out of the box it ate everything I have thrown at it. I've had 2 problems, one with a magazine that the top opened up on, it would stovepipe occasionally. Switched out the mags and no more problems. The other is, with all of my mags, save one...the slide doesn't lock back on the last round. It fires every time I hit the bang switch, so till I can afford another carry weapon...it'll stay with me.

[DeanC]

The Taurus was a good deal at $450 when they first came out. They are now selling for $599. They do have a better finish on the slide than the originals.

[1911fan]

People have been saying great things about the new series of Rock island (armscorp) 1911's as they seem to have a manager on the assembly floor who gets what it takes to make a 1911 work.

Taurus are great for the money, and some dealers still have them at the lower prices.

I have always liked the way S&W puts a gun together, they have a good rep and a name to insure resale.

That said, if you look around you can find series 70 Colts out there that are as good as they get. Most will shoot JHP's with no added work, they tend to have a good trigger in them and they all tend to go bang every time you pull the trigger, while not match grade in accuracy, they have that perfect medium between great accuracy and unbending reliability. I bought one two weeks ago for 650 in NIB shape. its off getting night sights and a beavertail put on,

[JoeH]

I am in the market for a new gun(wife wants to buy me one) and want to own a nice 1911 style handgun. What are your suggestions? I may carry it someday...who knows.

S&W,Kimber..etc?
Full size, Smaller,...etc?

Thanks....

What's your budget? Would you like to spend $600, $1200, $1800, more?

Stick with names like Kimber and Springfield. It is kind of a Ford/Chevy thing. However, until you get into their higher-end guns, Springfields are made in Brazil. Kimbers are made in the USA.

Now I'm not against imports in general. I have guns from the US, Croatia, Japan, Finland, Italy, Brazil, and more. However, you are getting the AMERICAN original that changed handgun combat. This is a historic firearm. If you only have one, it should be made in America IMHO. (I know that JMB did have to go to Belgium to get his guns made.)

As others have said, decide on your frame size and barrel length first. Then decide on an alloy or steel frame. Remember that checkering, sites, triggers, etc can all be done later.

For the Kimber line, the models I see mostly are the Raptor, TLE, and Eclipse.

Lastly, from what I've heard, the best buy in higher-end 1911's is the Les Baer 1911 Premier II, 5” Model, .45 ACP. It's on my wish list.

[devilmutt]

I was in Hart Brothers Weaponry today, the owner (Milan) says the Taurus is a real good gun for the money. He says he out shoots his Kimber with the Taurus. If I remember correctly it was priced around $550.

http://www.hart-bros.com/