Newbie to 1911 and ACP (Sorry, I have a GAP)

[thurn55]

I'm looking for a 1911. It will be my first 1911 and .45ACP. I've been looking at Springfield and Kimber. Not sure what will meet my needs...

Barrel: 4 inches (I like the idea of a 4", but I could live with 5")

I would like to have a equipment rail, but I haven't really found any in 4", unless I'm not looking hard enough. I can live without the rail.

Ambidextrous safety is a must

Night Sights (Novak?)

Weight: Anything lighter than my Beretta 92-Series is a plus for me! This will be a carry gun to help my Glock 19.

Finish: Black something...

Grips: black checkered, rubber, wraparound of some sort. The checkered front and mainspring housing don't really matter too much to me.

Price: $1,000 or less (I'm looking to spend $700)

What out there meets my needs? Thanks for the help. By the way, I'm not replacing my .45GAP, I'm just putting it away for a little while so I can put my full attention on a 1911 (at least that's what I keep telling my G37).

Thanks, in advance, for the help!

[Lobezno001]

You might be interested in the Kimber Pro TLE/RL. Full size grip, frame has a rail, 4 inch bull barrel, night sights, and it's black. I don't believe it has an ambi safety, but that's a drop in part. And most time you can find that gun for less than $800 (at least here in S. FL).

Good hunting, and shoot safe.

Lobez

[thurn55]

I like the Pro TLE/RL II! It's a 4" barrel version of the LAPD SWAT 1911 TLE/RL II! Price is right.

I held a Springfield Champion and must admit I liked it too.

While looking through Kimber booklets, I noticed the Tactical Pro II. I really like the color combo on it. The gray anodized frame and matte black slide look awesome with the black/silver grip! Has the ambi safety already, but no rail, but that's fine by me. Not sure on price yet, but I'll have to weigh all the options out there on 1911s.

What about the Kimber Pro Ten II? Is the grip extrordinarily different than the 1911? I do like the idea of 13+1, but that isn't why I'm buying a 1911 (I would of went with a Glock 21 if I wanted 13+1).

[Lobezno001]

It's my understanding that the grip on the Ten II is actually a hair or two thinner than a stock 1911 grip. But I agree, if I want high capacity I choose something else. I have a Para Tac-Four for that reason, commander size with 13+1. PLus the LDA trigger is pretty cool, if you dig the DA thing. And it's in the 1911 clone arena, so it has familiarity going for it too.

Lobez

[thurn55]

Okay, I talked to my local gun shop who says Kimber is night-and-day better than Springfield. True or False?

My Kimber Top Three to choose from:

1) 5" Warrior
2) 5" Custom TLE/RL II
3) 4" or 5" Tactical Pro/Custom II (This may be my number one depending on price...)

My Springfield Armory Top Three:

1) 5" TRP Armory Kote (maybe a rail...)
2) 5" Loaded Full Size Parkerized (Again, this may be my number one depending on price)
3) 4" Loaded Champion OD Green/Black

If at all possible, could someone compare and contrast my picks. Good from bad. Over priced vs. Perfect Package.

[OJ]

I'm sure those are good breeds - I've shot a Kimber and was very impressed. However, after some time of looking, I found this Colt MK IV Series 70 Govenrment Model - "new in box, unfired, with manual" - apparently from an estate sale. Now, some 500 rounds down the road, I have to confess, all those glowing reports about how wonderful the Series 70 trigger is, are true - if anything, understated.;)

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y25/kmastf/P2240006.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y25/kmastf/P2240002.jpg

It was a 26th anniversary present from my wife.:)

;z ;z ;z

[Slvr Surfr]

S&W 1911s are the shiznit. I have the scandium commander blued 4.25" and is 28 oz empty. The full magazine feels heavier than the gun.

[thurn55]

I haven't ordered it yet, but I will probably order my Kimber Custom TLE/RL II in black matte, night sights, and a ambi safety catch to install later-ish soon. Actually, I'm still debating on getting it without the rail... I haven't price shopped anywhere but one shop... how does $849.00 sound NIB?

Now is your chance to talk me out of it! I pretty much set my mind to it after holding a Kimber Custom TLE II at my gunshop, the Springfield looking cheaper made, in my opinion.

Broaden my spectrum before I make my purchase on my first 1911, or 1911-style pistol!

[OJ]

Okay, I've made my decision... Kimber Custom TLE/RL II Black Matte

I say - GO FOR IT MAN!!!;)

;z ;z ;z

[Lobezno001]

That's a great deal you've got there. I wouldn't hesitate to pick one up at that price, then I would have twins;f

Lobez

[thurn55]

Okay, I didn't buy the Kimber I had originally fell in love with. It was too much money for what I was looking for in a base 1911. So, I reluctantly put down my Kimber catalog, where I had been looking at the Kimber TLE/RL II, and picked up my Springfield catalog... At my local gun shop, a Kimber TLE II was $849, no rail. With rail, it brought it up to $944. I'm way over my budget of $700! Based on the information I had on the TLE's, I went back to my other choice of Springfield. In my price range, and at my local gunshop for $689, was a NIB Springfield Armory Loaded Full Size Parkerized. So, I bought it. It's LOADED with everything I was looking for when initially shopping for a 1911. Plus, I'm a little under budget, so I can buy 8-round and 10-round mags! Plus, ammo of course too... I only have 50rds of Remington 230gr MC, so I need to fill the stockpile. Thanks for the help in choosing my new tool, and I am proud to own a example of the legendary 1911!

[Lobezno001]

Shame, shame! New gun post without pics??? Gonna need a range report too ya know! ;f

[thurn55]

Range report is coming up. I planned on doing it tomorrow, Friday, but I'll have to push it a week due to my work schedule. I would take pics if I had a camera... I'm still using film (I'm 'old-school'). Plus, if I bought a digital camera, it would eat into my gun funds...

[Lobezno001]

My apologies, I would NEVER suggest anyone EVER dip into the gun fund, for anything. Unless it was for something related to shooting (i.e. gun cleaner) and never for more than necessary (i.e. nothing over $10)!!;f