In the market for a 1911, want advice

[Ballistic40]

Ive always been a glock guy because Ive never had the money for the quality 1911 I would want. Now I will be getting some money next month and think I will make the switch to 1911 as main piece for carry. My preferences are:
1. Reliable, goes bang everytime pull trigger
2. 4.5" barrel (if thats possible), if not then between 4-5 inch
3. Fixed low profile sights.
4. Skeleton hammer
5. Skeleton trigger
6. Extended beavertail
7. Gun is as "thin" as possible for carry
8. Must be new
9. ~$850 price
Thanks for any input.

[ThePainkiller]

Honestly you could pretty much pick any 1911 around 850 and not go wrong, but here are a few good ones.

1. Colt XSE or Gunsite (Gunbroker.com you can find one around 800$)
2. Pretty much any Kimber with an Internal Extractor
3. Smith and Wesson 1911PD (They have these in 4.25 or 4.5 I cant remember which)
4. Sig GSR Revolution

I would tell you what I'd get but its not on the list. I own a Springfield TRP. Amazing gun. But it will cost you close to 1100$. Also, If you're goin Colt, try and snag you self a Gunsite pistol they are awesome(check gunbroker under "colt gunsite").

Stay away from the Springfield Loaded, IMO they are good but the ones above are better.

You may be able to get an STI Ranger II for a good deal. STI, I hear, makes a quality firearm.

[ShipWreck]

U will get tons of advice on this issue. Go check out the two 1911 forums.

As for the SIg Revolution - man, there are so many complaints about that thing on the Sig forum (that is full of sig lovers) that I'd never chance buying one of those.

Kimber, Springfield and S&W are good choices for not a lot of money. I'd take a hard look at the S&W models...

Here are the two forums...

http://forum.m1911.org/index.php?

http://forums.1911forum.com/

[6285108]

Get rid of the #8 requirement and this one is a dandy (in no way connected to the seller just a slick looking Colt)
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=62688736

[Ballistic40]

Originally posted by 6285108
Get rid of the #8 requirement and this one is a dandy (in no way connected to the seller just a slick looking Colt)
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=62688736
That is slick as hell, but tinkered with entirely too much I like to know exactly what Im getting into sort of like buying a car overly modded out.

[ShipWreck]

I don't buy used guns - but I think it is crazy to buy a used 1911 - too many people have issues with some of them new. You are really rolling the dice on a used one, and may not get any warranty coverage.

[6285108]

I forget that I have been working on 1911's for darn near 10 years and I apologize fer putting the fear of John Moses Browning in ya.
My new 1911's remain factory for about 20 minutes:animlol:

It's OK, Crazy ain't always a bad thing shipwreck

[SilverState]

As mentioned, the S&W1911PD.

[brownie]

I don't buy used guns - but I think it is crazy to buy a used 1911

Though one has to be careful with who one buys a 1911 from and if they worked on or had it worked on in the past, used 1911's are not something I shy from.

I just bought a used LW commander at the shop a few months ago. I talked with the owner who had it since new sitting in a safe, shot it 400 rds.

I called Colt and it was made in 1984. You'd cry if I told you what I paid for it. Used guns are for the most part, not used.

Used guns to me means it has over 20K through it. I don't see many used guns in the shop I work at part time that have over 2K, let alone 20K through them.

They get to be used once I own them though:thumbsup:

Brownie

[ShipWreck]

For a 1st time 1911 buyer, I do not think used is the way to go - how many people have U seen complain about Kimbers or some other brand - never getting it to work and then getting rid of it. Where do U think all those guns go?

[brownie]

how many people have U seen complain about Kimbers or some other brand - never getting it to work and then getting rid of it. Where do U think all those guns go?

"All those" were new guns when they didn't work right weren't they:rofl:

Brownie

[ShipWreck]

Originally posted by brownie
how many people have U seen complain about Kimbers or some other brand - never getting it to work and then getting rid of it. Where do U think all those guns go?

"All those" were new guns when they didn't work right weren't they:rofl:

Brownie

Yea, they were new. And, they soon become "used" ones...

[6285108]

Originally posted by ShipWreck
Yea, they were new. And, they soon become "used" ones...

Hell I've sold used guns and every damn one em was better as I sold them than when I got it...so let's not go assumin just cause it's used it's a gamble. My guns all functionally perform comparable to a new limited production 1911 with exception of Ole Les Baer's guns (too tight). You don't know me but all the guns I've sold here or on GB have 7 day return period and yes you are permitted to fire the gun...never had one returned or complained about. Same record with the 8 1911's I've built from the ground up.

[brownie]

ShipWreck;

The point was you won't buy a used gun for it may be someone elses problem, but those problem guns were bought new by the person before that.

So the point being all those used guns that don't work were someones new guns that didnt work from the factory, thereby giving credence to the idea there's not much more to worry about in buying a used gun over a new gun as you suggested.

Used 1911's come into the shop all the time, and they get rebought by people all the time. We don't get them back any more than the new 1911's we sell that have issues for some reason.

There's absolutely no more risk in buying a used 1911 [ that someone hasn't mucked with which should be obvious if one knows there 1911's to begin with ], than buying a new 1911. In fact, there may be benefit to buying used, they have been shot some and therefore less prone to "break in" issues as with the new 1911's.

I'll buy used 1911's all day long if the price is right or it is something I want to have. I've saved a lot of money over their new counterparts in the last 30 years, and other than the ones I knew were problems when I bought them [ and got them at the respective lower price ], none have had issues anymore than any of the NIB 1911's I've purchased.

Brownie

[6285108]

Heck I've bought used cars sans warranty and I am no mechanic..I must be really Crazy...at least the used 1911's I've bought I can fix if need be:banana:

[Ballistic40]

Im not qualified to evaluate a used 1911 for suitability beyond basic functions. Therefore I will buy a new piece and if there are any issues then the warranty will take care of it.

[ShipWreck]

Originally posted by Ballistic40
Im not qualified to evaluate a used 1911 for suitability beyond basic functions. Therefore I will buy a new piece and if there are any issues then the warranty will take care of it.

Yes, that is my point...

[.45MoonClip]

Buying new will not necessarily mean you have a reliable gun. You would have the warranty though. Getting performance on the warranty sometimes can be problematic, depending on the manufacturer.
I'm not a pistolsmith, but I've learned enough about 1911s to make an assessment on funtion before purchasing. I would apply the same assessment to a new gun as I would to a used piece. I've handled brand new guns that were not functional, and I would not buy them.
I've purchased many used firearms that were 100 percent from the get go.
Best advice: learn about the pistol from reputable dealers or other knowledgable folks. Most of us would rather talk about guns that anything else. There are also wonderful resources out there on the 1911 such as Stephen Camp's treatise on the pistol.
Good hunting. What you are looking for is not unobtainable.

[ShipWreck]

Argue all U want - I'd rather have a new one with a wrarranty than chance a getting someone else's reject w/ no warranty.....

[SilverState]

Here you go, NEW for under $800:

http://www.sincitypitbulls.freeservers.com/SW1911PD.JPG

[brownie]

ShipWreck;

No argument here sir.:hugs:

Have a very nice holiday season.

Brownie

[Alaskapopo]

The Kimber Warrior represents the cheapest serviceable 1911 on the market in my opinion. I would not own any other Kimber right now because of the Series two safety. Personally I would recommend you save your money and get a Wilson or simular quality semi production gun.

I don't care for Smith 1911's. The ones I have tried had sticky safety's and general poor overall fitting. Plus I don't care for external extractors.
Pat

[6285108]

This one fits all your criteria and Colt customer service and warranty department is right up there with Springfield Armory and Smith and Wesson and I've dealt with all of them at one time or another. No one has a better warranty (lifetime and transferable)than Springfield though.

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=62946432

[RickJZ]

The Springfield Armory Mil-Spec 1911 is a great entry model into the world of 1911's. I have had one now for quite some time. Good value for the $ and is reliable out of the box. Also, as a 'base' 1911, it allows you to add up-grades later on at your discretion.

[6285108]

Originally posted by RickJZ
The Springfield Armory Mil-Spec 1911 is a great entry model into the world of 1911's. I have had one now for quite some time. Good value for the $ and is reliable out of the box. Also, as a 'base' 1911, it allows you to add up-grades later on at your discretion.

#3,#4,#5,#6 are'nt covered by the SA model you mentioned and unless SA custom shop does all the upgrading the new parts will not be covered under their warranty. The SA loaded Champion would be a better choice IMO for the thread starter if he wants an SA

Like this http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=62959262

[Ballistic40]

I think Ive got it narrowed down between Colt Commander LW, and SA Champion loaded. If Colts Commander didnt have the front slide serrations it would be better.

[brownie]

I like my LW milspec Champion, it's been going with me daily since I bought it three weeks ago.

My glock 17 does not like it one bit either.:supergrin:

Brownie

[eddief4]

go with a springfield:thumbsup: :supergrin: :wavey:

[Alaskapopo]

Originally posted by Ballistic40
I think Ive got it narrowed down between Colt Commander LW, and SA Champion loaded. If Colts Commander didnt have the front slide serrations it would be better.

I don't trust Springfield until you get to their very high end american made guns. (vs brazilian crap)

So I say go Colt between those two choices.
Pat

[happyguy]

Originally posted by Ballistic40
I think Ive got it narrowed down between Colt Commander LW, and SA Champion loaded. If Colts Commander didnt have the front slide serrations it would be better.

I've got a Colt Lightweight Commander XSE that I paid $850 for and it will do anything any of the boutique 1911's will do.

I tweaked it a little (EGW bushing, GI recoil system, and drop-in Wilson grip safety) but I have no regrets whatsoever purchasing it.

It will soon go out for refinishing (I like black guns) and I will probably have a fitted Wilson safety added. That will push the total investment up to around $1200, but I honestly had no qualms carrying it straight out of the box. It's never had a failure in something like 2000 rounds(even after I tinkered with it) and now it shoots under 2 inches at 25 yards.

The sights that came on it are some of the best non-tritiums I have found on a factory gun, in my opinion.

Regards,
Happyguy :)

[6285108]

Originally posted by happyguy
I tweaked it a little (EGW bushing, GI recoil system, and drop-in Wilson grip safety) but I have no regrets whatsoever purchasing it.

It's never had a failure in something like 2000 rounds(even after I tinkered with it) and now it shoots under 2 inches at 25 yards.


Regards,
Happyguy :)

I did the same with my series 70 re-issue duty gun with the exception of the GI plug (already was there). The EGW bushing change turned it from a 3"-3.5" @ 25 yards to a 1"-1.5" gun @ 25 yards

:thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

[dahflyboy1]

You'll love any of them I'm sure. I've been an HK fan, but decided it was time for a 1911. Almost went kimber but decided on a Smith 1911 SC. Awsome gun, goes bang every time (1000rds), picked it up new for $600. Might consider one. Good luck either way!!!

[okie]

I like the Kimbers;) :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: