1911 recommendations

HardDrive · 10:07 PM

Ok, you old school gun nuts have turned me on to the idea of getting a 1911. I shot 9-10 guns today at the range ($125 worth of ammo....). I always love the HK USP and the Sigs, but I shot a Kimber and I was impressed.

Can you guys recommend a 1911 around $800? I guess the only criteria are that it should have decent sites and the ramps should accept any ammo without issues. I would rather buy a decent gun than spend wads of cash later on gunsmithing and parts.

What about the lower end of the scale? I saw a Springfield Armory 1911 for around $575. ( trying to get something for nothing....)

Once again...it pays to read the Pelican BB...

tabs · 09-08-2005, 01:06 AM

My Tactical Neighbor bought a Springfield Operator for about $800 and loves it....it really is a tight gun....

For a little more you could buy a 1960's pre Series 70 Colt 1911, they really are the last of the truly GOOD Colts....about 1K...and it's collectable. I bought a National Match Gold Cup of this vintage for 1K..it likes wadcutter though..as a shooter..

I think there is quiet a wide range of 1911's in the 1000 to 1500 range ..Les Baer, Kimber, Springfield etc that would suit your needs..

targa911S · 09-08-2005, 02:19 AM

Look for an early gun that has been refinished. They usually don't bring the full pop. I bought my 1911, Govt. Iss. made in 1917 for only $650.00 because it was refinished. It was a steal at that even. The Springfield gun is good. Look at Gunbroker.com or gunsamerica.com to get a feel for what is out there. Then buy locally. Buying a gun on the internet is dicey. Just use it to check out the market. I just saw a Govt. issue officers mdl. in the box (old) for $875.00. Unfired.

Shuie · 09-08-2005, 03:20 AM

You should be able to find a used Colt 70 series reissue for that kind of money. If not you can find a recent manufacture 80 series Colt with the new roll marks for a lot less than $800. No bells, no whistles. Do not spend money on one of the previous generation Colt guns that are still lying around on the shelves (1991A1 or the 'Enhanced' line). Shoot it for a while before you change anything on it.

targa911S · 09-08-2005, 04:10 AM

Colt has "reissued" the original 1911. I don't know anything about them but I saw one the other day in a local shop for about a grand new in the box with all the papers.

ChrisBennet · ChrisBennet's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by Shuie
You should be able to find a used Colt 70 series reissue for that kind of money. If not you can find a recent manufacture 80 series Colt with the new roll marks for a lot less than $800. No bells, no whistles. Do not spend money on one of the previous generation Colt guns that are still lying around on the shelves (1991A1 or the 'Enhanced' line). Shoot it for a while before you change anything on it.

In 2000 I bought a Colt Gov't "Enhanced" model and promptly handed it over to my gunsmith to have some work done.
One nice feature the Enhanced model has is the relief under the trigger guard that lets you grip a little higher.
But..
Another "feature" of the Enhanced line is a different grip safety with a longer beavertail. It makes it look more like a custom gun but it has the effect of not letting you grip as high as before - the absolute opposite of what you want!
-Chris

304065 · 09-08-2005, 05:37 AM

I have a Colt Enhanced Government model. Shoots great, although it doesn't have a lot of the features of the Gold Cup National Match.

However, in terms of ergonomics/pointability, the polymer frame guns are a LOT more comfortable in my opinion.

Anyway, why not start with a cheap Colt 1911 of whatever type, and then once you get good with it, send it to a gunsmith to be worked over with all the custom touches.

Jeff Higgins · 09-08-2005, 05:48 AM

I like my Springfield Armory. It is a very basic, parkerized finish, no frills issue grade gun. The sights could be better and it could use a beavertail safety, but other than that, no complaints. I polished the feed ramp and opened up the mouth of the chamber on the bottom per specifications given in Kunhausen's book on 1911's. It feeds anything and everything, including target wadcutters.

When I bought this thing 20 odd years ago, the accepted practice was to buy a standard mil-spec 1911 and go to work on it. Things are much better today. You can buy guns with the good sights, beavertail grip safety, throated barrels, and all of that right out of the box. I'm particularly impressed with the new Springfields and Kimbers. You can't go wrong with either. Features are a matter of personal taste, but at a minimum I would recomend a beavertail and good sights. The beavertail will save the web of your shooting hand; the sights make it easier to hit.

RickM · RickM's Garage

I love my Colt Combat Elite. Well executed with stainless frame, pachmayr grips, parkerized slide and accurate...yet not finicky when it comes to ammo selection.

Joeaksa · 09-08-2005, 07:20 AM

HD,

You have already shot the 1911 you need to buy! The Kimber is one of the best out there and FOR THE PRICE it cannot be beaten. They are extremely accurate out of the box and need no fine tuning, which can run the cost well above the limits you have set for a pistol.

The Los Angeles SWAT got tired of all the fancy schmancy pistols and went back to a 1911. Kimber make a special model just for them that is now avaliable to the public. Well worth looking at...

Joe A

pbs911 · pbs911's Garage

I picked up a S&W 1911 a couple months ago and love it. About $750 on sale out the door.

Groesbeck Hurricane · 09-08-2005, 10:01 AM

IMHO Colt wrote the book on how to make a 1911!! Find a used Colt from an individual at a gun show (I don't know your state's laws so go to WWW.NRA.ORG and check on them). Look at several that dealers are selling, get to know the tool. If it were me, I'd buy a used Colt.

I've shot two different Springfield Armories and took one apart at the NRA National Show. The first one I shot was wonderful, good movement, but it was a pricier model. I shot one of their less expensive models and it was rough, not so accurate. This could be because the owner did not know how to properly prep it/oil it, but I don't know. The dimantled piece was easy to work with and seemed to be tooled very well.

tabs · 09-08-2005, 10:04 AM

First I wouldn't buy a NEW Colt for LUV nor money....I don't even know if they are made in the USA....I think they are JUNK...I've got a Series 80 Gold Cup Stainsless for sale NIB for $1050...I bought that gun back in 1991 or so...Right before Colt went BK first time.....

Cheap Springfields are made in Brazil....the parts on the more expensive ones are made in Brazil and assembeld here.

Your far better off....buying one that is allready jazzed up than buying a cheapo and fixing it.....it is far cheaper...

Here is the latest Colt in my collection...A Colt Bisley Flattop Target....in 45LC....976 made between 1890 and 1913....http://www.larrylinkous.com/photos/20050827/PICT0043.JPG

911boost · 911boost's Garage

http://forums.1911forum.com/

All kinds of good info there.

I carry a Kimber. If you get one, see if you can find and older one with the internal extractor.

Bill

tabs · 09-08-2005, 10:14 AM

Orrrrr if ya really want a BAD BOY Colt 1911...here it is.... a pre WW2 National Match.....

HardDrive · 09-08-2005, 10:20 AM

Thanks all.

At the risk of starting a riot....are Kimbers reliable? I came across a 1911 forum where they had a 'sticky' post at the top about well know problems with Kimbers. And some of the comments from the guy in the shop were not entirely positive.

I have come across a lot of positive comment about the new SWs.....

Again, thanks for the input guys.

Joeaksa · 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by HardDrive
Thanks all.

At the risk of starting a riot....are Kimbers reliable? I came across a 1911 forum where they had a 'sticky' post at the top about well know problems with Kimbers. And some of the comments from the guy in the shop were not entirely positive.

I have come across a lot of positive comment about the new SWs..... Again, thanks for the input guys.

If there was a reliability issue do not believe that the LA SWAT team would even entertain them.

Never seen a problem with any of the Kimbers I have shot and they have been out in the market for years. After all, the Kimber is a 1911 that has been massaged with various good parts inside like a McCormack trigger assy etc that are well known to anyone who is going to "sweeten" a 1911.

Edit: Just went to 1911forum and into the Kimber section. Saw the sticky you mentioned. Almost every issue so far has been one of ammo, something needed polishing or fitting. Gun was either taken care of at the shop or sent to the factory and returned in excellent condition. Not one so far that I read that was unhappy with the pistol.

Joe A

targa911S · 11:29 AM

My Colt 1911 made 1917 marked US government. Yes I know it looks weird, it's a photoshop flopped photo so it's backwards.

targa911S · 09-08-2005, 11:33 AM

Before photoshop, before refinish, and with mammoth ivory instead of elephant ivory.

911boost · 911boost's Garage

When Kimber went to the external extractors, and combined it with the smaller framed guns (like the Ultra CDP), there have been some issues. Kimber has sent out some new extractors, and tried various fixes.

I have an Ultra CDP and as long as I use quality ammo, the gun does not jam (stovepipe), but I have had some reliability issues. It fires Federal Hydrashocks just fine though....

Take everythign you read with a grain of salt though, as my Kimber likes a lot more oil than any other gun I have owned. Take good care of them, and they will do the same to you.

If you have any specific questions, don't hesitate asking me. I carry mine in a Milt Sparks Versa Max holster too, definitly worth the extra $$...

Bill