First 1911

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First 1911

Postby sanderle on Thu Mar 07, 2013 8:28 am

I am looking to buy my first 1911. Being a CZ owner and fan, I naturally look to Dan Wesson.

My only 1911 experience is with son's Kimber Custom II. While out at the range a few weeks ago, we handled most everything we could get our hands on. Springfield, Smith & Wesson, Ruger, Dan Wesson, Ed Brown, and Nighthawk. Out of the field, I kept coming back to DW.

I've handled a V-Bob and a Heritage, but not had the opportunity to shoot them.

I'm trying to whittle down the DW list from the following. I would love to shoot them, but that is highly unlikely.
V-Bob
Heritage
Specialist
Valor

The planned usage would be range, home defense, and carry. Due to the latter, I was looking mostly at the V-Bob. However, since I carry a CZ 75B .40 S&W, I decided to expand my options. A good belt and holster, Ares and Raven, go a long way towards carry comfort and success. I know the Heritage is a great value, but shy away from the stainless finish for carry duty (my hangup).

Almost forgot, I am a lefty, so one way or another, an ambidextrous safety is a must.

I also have an opportunity to pick up a lightly used Kimber Custom TLE II with a Wilson Combat ambi safety. The other recommendation is for a Springfield TRP. I do see a DW Valor available. The last player would be a Les Baer Custom Carry. Basically, between these three, each is roughly a $500 step up in price. Is the jump worth it? I don't 'plan' on buying another 1911. ;) Or at least any time soon.

Enough rambling. Any insight into these 1911s would be greatly appreciated.
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Re: First 1911

Postby rugersol on Thu Mar 07, 2013 9:54 am

sanderle wrote:an ambidextrous safety is a must.

FWIW, an ambi safety can be fitted to most any 1911 ever made! ... you'll need grips to accommodate it ... but again, they're not hard to come by!

sanderle wrote:Is the jump worth it?

I usually get a lotta satisfaction outta payin' not too much fer a "stock" gun, and then slickin' it up ... to some extent! Sometimes, the result is quite comparable, IMHO, to some of the higher end guns, available!

However, I also have a higher end gun ... depending on the make/model ... some of 'em are simply BARGAINS! ... purdy much no one on the planet, with any amount of customization, can come close to the end result! ... certainly, not anywhere near the same price!

At which, the best advice I could give anyone considering such things ... is ... if ya've got the cash ... spend as much of it ... on only one gun ... as you can! If you chose a reputable make/model ... and they didn't otherwise **** up that particular gun ... you won't be disappointed! ... ever!

That said ... the idea ... having purchased such a gun ... that it could somehow be the last one ya'd ever want ... is downright laughable! Image

FWIW, I would take a very hard look at the Para GI LTC fer a carry gun ... IMO, fer the money ... and even then ... it's possibly the finest, there is! ... this side of $3,500! (S&W 4.25in Scandium otherwise bein' a very good choice ... though I'm not personally a fan of the "bobtail" frame!)

... AND ... then ... buy ANOTHER 1911 ... of yer choosing! ;)
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Re: First 1911

Postby sawgrass on Thu Mar 07, 2013 10:16 am

Take a look at this. It's a terrific accurate guide written from experience. Good luck.

http://www.1911addicts.com/showthread.p ... 11-addicts

Arnzen Arms just got in a Nighthawk V-Bob, Talon Commander. It's priced right around $3200.
Bills in Hudson has a similar if not the same gun for close to the same amt.

I have zero experience with Dan Wesson. I have a stainless TRP and it's a nice gun.
I have a Les Baer SRP that is a wonderful gun, but is nearly a grand more than a TRP.

Kimbers don't do a whole lot for me for some reason.
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Re: First 1911

Postby sawgrass on Thu Mar 07, 2013 10:31 am

Here's one on gunbroker. :mrgreen: :lol: :o

That poor gun...

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewIt ... =331604764
Last edited by sawgrass on Fri Mar 08, 2013 6:56 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: First 1911

Postby sanderle on Thu Mar 07, 2013 11:16 am

The Talon is out of my price range. TRP is around $1500, while the Custom Carry is $1800. The Valor would end up being $2200 after adding an ambi safety.

Sawgrass, any issues with keeping the muzzle area of your TRP clean?
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Re: First 1911

Postby sawgrass on Thu Mar 07, 2013 4:35 pm

sanderle wrote:The Talon is out of my price range. TRP is around $1500, while the Custom Carry is $1800. The Valor would end up being $2200 after adding an ambi safety.

Sawgrass, any issues with keeping the muzzle area of your TRP clean?


Naturally it gets dirty when it's shot, but I clean it afterwards and it looks brand new.

Rugersol, guess what I bought today. Seller's remorse sucks.
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Re: First 1911

Postby rugersol on Thu Mar 07, 2013 5:31 pm

sawgrass wrote:
sanderle wrote:The Talon is out of my price range. TRP is around $1500, while the Custom Carry is $1800. The Valor would end up being $2200 after adding an ambi safety.

Sawgrass, any issues with keeping the muzzle area of your TRP clean?


Naturally it gets dirty when it's shot, but I clean it afterwards and it looks brand new.

Rugersol, guess what I bought today. Seller's remorse sucks.

Not a Ruger?!... ya didn't sell yer TRP, did ya?!
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Re: First 1911

Postby sawgrass on Thu Mar 07, 2013 8:47 pm

Yep, a Ruger. Walked into The Frontiersman and there it was.
Test fired 6-2011 and almost looks unfired. I haven't sold anything since then.
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Re: First 1911

Postby sanderle on Thu Mar 07, 2013 9:40 pm

I couldn't pass up the Kimber Custom TLE II. Just needs some grips, VZ Operators in black, and plenty of break-in. Pictures after I get some grips on it.

We don't think it has any more than 500 rounds through it!

Anyone know if there is a serial number lookup to determine when it was manufactured?



Range Time
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Re: First 1911

Postby sawgrass on Thu Mar 07, 2013 10:02 pm

sanderle wrote:I couldn't pass up the Kimber Custom TLE II. Just needs some grips, VZ Operators in black, and plenty of break-in. Pictures after I get some grips on it.

We don't think it has any more than 500 rounds through it!

Anyone know if there is a serial number lookup to determine when it was manufactured?



Range Time


Congrats! Post some pics when you get them.
Happy Shooting. I just put a pair of black VZ's on a Kimber Eclipse. It looks great.

Here's a link for the gunbroker (TRP), it's back.
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewIt ... =331604764
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Re: First 1911

Postby sanderle on Fri Mar 08, 2013 2:01 pm

Learned that the Custom TLE II was manufactured in May of 2003. Supposedly, that was in the better days for Kimber.

Everything is very tight, and clean.

I need to pick up some more magazines. It came with four Chip McCormick Shooting Star mags, two with followers replaced (plastic). Thoughts on CMC Power Mags versus Wilson Combat?
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Re: First 1911

Postby sawgrass on Fri Mar 08, 2013 2:22 pm

Based upon personal experience I think the older Kimbers are better.
Be sure and let us know how it shoots!

I've had good luck with Wilson Combat magazines in my CCO, and for the range in my Govt. 1911's I use CM.
Haven't had issues either way.
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Re: First 1911

Postby bdub416 on Fri Mar 08, 2013 11:13 pm

+1 for the Kimber! People love them or hate them ... I love mine and have never had a single issue.

I also second the advice to pick up a few Wilson mags. Congrats on the new 1911!
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Re: First 1911

Postby sanderle on Sat Mar 09, 2013 9:28 am

Recommendations for a 1911 gunsmith? Preferably in the south metro.
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Re: First 1911

Postby rugersol on Sat Mar 09, 2013 9:31 am

sanderle wrote:Recommendations for a 1911 gunsmith? Preferably in the south metro.

Ya broke it already?! :shock:
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