I have $1K to spend on a 1911, what should I get?

[Ludacris]

I got the 2004 Wilson Combat catalog this month... I don't recommend anyone order one unless you have the money to buy their wares because you will want one! Since I can't afford a WC, I'm thinking of a Springfield Loaded or perhaps a Kimber? My only experience with 1911's is my stainless Springfield Mil-Spec that I've had for two years and I absolutely love. Now I want a high end 1911 ***** extension/paper puncher. I don't know much about the current offerings from SA or Kimber. I want something with a better trigger, stainless frame and slide, checkered front and back strap, rosewood grips. A set of non-ajustable Trijicon night sights would be nice too. In short, I want this gun:

http://www.wilsoncombat.com/images/product/2004_dream_gun_2.jpg

That's a SA customized by Wilson as seen on their website (http://www.wilsoncombat.com/info_dream_gun.htm). I'm in love.

Anyone have any suggestions?

[Kruzr]

At $1K or less, you want a Kimber Stainless TLE. You can get new grips after you have the gun.

[Short Cut]

Originally posted by Kruzr
At $1K or less, you want a Kimber Stainless TLE. You can get new grips after you have the gun.

I agree. The whole TLE line represents good value imo.

[Nalapombu]

With the options you have and the money you are wanting to spend, it will be hard to go with something other than a factory "custom." I would suggest that you take a look at the Springfield TRP. It has all of the features you require and from what I have read it is a really nice piece. There are other options too. With your budget it kinda rules out getting much custom work done by an outside gunsmith. After buying a good factory base, you'll have about $400 left over and while it is a good amount of money and it will get you some really nice work done, it isn't enough to get checkering, nice trigger jobs, and other hand work like that.
Another option would be to go with something like a Dan Wesson Patriot and then have THEM add a few features that you want. You can get the base gun for around $700 and that is a very nice buy. You might be able to make the money left stretch a long way if you deal with the Dan Wesson shop. You can also check out the STI Trojan. MANY people LOVE these guns and swear by them. They also have many of the features you list but I don't think they are available in stainless. Go to www.stiguns.com and check them out. They are also VERY good to deal with and are helpful with any and all question you may have.
One rule that I have found when buying 1911's is to go ahead and buy the gun WITH the options you want already on it. You might pay more for it up front, but you will save in the long run because it will be cheaper than going back and having things added to it months or years later.
Let us know what you decide. Good Luck

Nala

[bulm540]

STI Trojan. Dawson PRecision is running a special right now.

[sigarms229]

Kimber TLE, doesnt have to be stainless but both are within your budget.

[Berto]

The 25th anniv Kimber,has the series 1 innards,no Schwarz.;g
...or maybe a Colt NRM and some tasteful customizing.:)
The STI Trojan is also a great idea.

[auto45]

Another option is to spend the money on your existing mil-spec. Have Wilson do the work if you like the way they look.

[Ludacris]

I might have to pony up the cash for the Wilson or one of those stainless Sig GSR's. :)

[matt7184]

Id look into the KZ-45 if you like wilson. I believe it has a metal subframe and coated with polymer on the outside, but find out to make sure. Do a search, hear good things about them.

[Metric]

Here's my take on your situation: You want a Wilson. You have $1000 at your disposal right now, so you're not going to get a Wilson. Instead, you plan on getting something else, as you're a few hundred short.

Guess what is going to happen after you get your Springfield Loaded? You're still going to want a Wilson.

My advice: Save up for just a little longer and get what you really want. You're pretty close as it is right now.

[Ludacris]

Originally posted by Metric
Here's my take on your situation: You want a Wilson. You have $1000 at your disposal right now, so you're not going to get a Wilson. Instead, you plan on getting something else, as you're a few hundred short.

Guess what is going to happen after you get your Springfield Loaded? You're still going to want a Wilson.

My advice: Save up for just a little longer and get what you really want. You're pretty close as it is right now.

That's pretty much my take on things as it is. It's not a money issue, it's just that I've never spent more than around $650 at most for any of the pistols I own and I have this psychological aversion to breaking the $1K barrier for a handgun. There's the other side of my brain that tells me that I only live once and you might as well experience life in the company of quality firearms. The two voices cancel each other out but I'm hoping the one saying "get it" will win.

Now the question is which $1K+ 1911 do I choose, the Wilson or the Sig GSR? Please don't say "both". ;g

[Metric]

Evidently the GSR is having some teething issues right now -- I would hold off on that one for a while (or check over on the sigforum.com to see what the word is). Wilson, Brown, Les Baer are all truly awesome, but with a noticably different philosophy in construction.

The Baer is super-tight, super accurate, and takes a bunch of shooting to break in.

Wilson isn't quite so tight, but still has beautiful fit, and the finish is "unique."

Brown has probably the smoothest action out of the box. Not sure if they tend to get a little loose after heavy shooting or what. Nicely applied standard style of finish.

[Catbird]

I have a few 1911s; my SW1911 is my favorite, by far.

[Short Cut]

Originally posted by Ludacris
Now the question is which $1K+ 1911 do I choose, the Wilson or the Sig GSR? Please don't say "both". ;g

LES BAER (http://www.sportingarms.com/results.asp?mfr_name=117&category_descr=0&subcategory_descr=16&max_price=1500&keyword_descr=&B1=Submit&page_no=1)

[djf]

For 1K, I would go with the Springfield TRP. I swear by mine.

However you may want to check these others:

Kimber TLE
Kimber Eclipse
Dan Wesson Patriot

[gregshin]

i would look into a Dan Wesson, SA TRP, or Kimber Custom Target model

[Doctor Suarez]

I was going to start my own thread, but this one's so close I figured, why be a hog?

I was going to go with a Glock, until I found out that Gaston likes to donate money to Jorg Haider, who's, well, a fascist.

So, I want to come home to the 1911 family. I'll need some more work to get good with them, but I wasn't gripping properly before and I have the time to practice.

I need a good 1911 full-size for home-defense and target practicing for same. I need something that will reliably feed practice ammo and premium defense loads (such as Cor Bons or Hydra-Shoks). I realize that 1911s require more complex regular maintenance than Glocks, but it's worth it to me so long as I'm supporting American workers and someone shows me how.

I'd like to spend no more than $700 on the weapon and a few mags.

So far, Kimber seems to be the frontrunner, with Springers a close second. What do you suggest?

[aglocker1911]

The Wilson KZ-45 is the way to go. Had one last year until times
got bad. Lightweight, reliable, and dead on accurate. Love my
Glock 37, but when times get better my first purchase will be
to replace my KZ.

[Nalapombu]

Suarez, for the $700 limit I think I would go with a Colt. You can get the NRM in blue or stainless or you may even be able to squeeze a Series 70 repro in under the amount. Even better still if you had another C Note, you could get a WW1 or WW2 re-issue and they are VERY nice.
That's 4 choices right there in which you'd be supporting an American company that has UNION workers. You could also go with a Dan Wesson Patriot. The people that own them say that they are as close to a semi custom as you are going to get without the price tag that comes along with it. I think they can be had for about $675 or so.
Lots of good choices for you.

Nala

[Doctor Suarez]

How much more expensive is a Kimber TLE? Prices are hard to find. I could spend up to 1000 if it was worth it.

[Rob96]

Asked by Doctor Suarez

So far, Kimber seems to be the frontrunner, with Springers a close second. What do you suggest?
I also suggest Colt. Unless you can find a Series I Kimber, I have experienced trouble with two different SerieII's, and the one even went back tothe Custom Shop. Springers are nice. I don't like the 9mm titanium firing pin they use or the two piece guide rods. Colt uses less MIM than either one of them, and they are putting out some outstanding pistols. You may see some with minor cosmetic issues, but it is very rare to get one with a reliability issue.

[Doctor Suarez]

Rob, that's a great suggestion, and a cool photo.

I noticed that your Colts have fixed sights. On Colt's web page, they show only a Gold Cup NM, not an NMR, and theirs has plastic-looking adjustables.

This weapon will be strictly for home-defense, so I don't think that kind of sighting is really going to help me. If they still sell an NMR as shown in your photo, and if it's around 700 bucks, then I'd definitely consider it. Cosmetically, it's perfectly sexy-looking as well.

[Doctor Suarez]

Since this would be my first firearm, I have one bit of anxiety.

Judging by what I've read online, it seems that the 1911 is much more complex in terms of takedown and maintenance than, say, Glocks, Rugers, or Berettas. Is this true? If so, how does one learn proper 1911 maintenance in person?

[Wolfgang]

A Kim TLE is an ok choice I suppose. Another good choice would be a Colt NRM for around $600.00. A Springfield loaded parkerized for around $625 is a good choice. If you want nite sites, the TLE and the loaded come with them and a few other features.

Still leaves $$$ for holster, accessories, and ammo.

[Rob96]

You are correct about my Colts having fixed sights. Here is a link to the models that I have. http://www.colt.com/CMCI/1991.asp My blued is actually one I just picked up like new in the box. It only ran me $349. My stainless one I bought brand new for $609.

[SeanK]

Spend $400 on a Springfield GI, or $550 on one of the new rollmark Colt 1991's. Don't change anything expect maybe the finish and grips,

Spend the rest on training, ammo, range goodies... Join IDPA or another group and spend money on how to SHOT your gun instead of modifying it into an unreliable piece of junk that your gunsmith made that way so you keep coming back...

The least you depart from John Browning’s original design the better off you will be. Buy only Colt or Springfield.

[Robert McLeod]

I have a Colt Series 70 Reproduction that was 100% reliable right out of the box. I have been very happy with it so far. I am planning on a few modifications, just to make it better for me.

[BillK@tcmhmrs.o]

I feel your pain. There is a pychological barrier to spending big bucks on a gun that you really want. Save your cash,get the Wilson gun at some point, but compromise while you do - update your current sights, grips, trigger etc.... Everyone needs more than one 1911 and more than one Glock.

[tackdriver]

Do look at STI www.stiguns.com I have the Trojan and it is everything a Wilson is. If you really want a tackdriver ;) look at the Rangemaster or Targetmaster models. For regular size, the Lawman has a two tone finish if you want that "Wilson look".

The Springfield TRP is nice too, not as nice as STI.

If the Wilson name means the best to you, than it is what you must buy. Even if a better pistol is to be had you will always wonder...

You will pay for that though.

[rsilvers]

A Caspian cast frame and barstock slide, Kart barrel, and the rest of the money in parts.

If you budget is tight, no need to compromise -- just have to do more work.