a "which 1911 should i buy" thread

Quack · 01-20-2009, 15:46

seeing that this is a common type of thread, why not make a condensed thread with different (NIB) price points.

here's a few off the top of my head...

Less than $750:
Rock Island Armory (RIA)
STI Spartan
Springfield Armory (SA) Mil-spec, G.I.
Remington 1911-R1
Citadel
America Classic
Desert Eagle

$750 - $1000:
SA Loaded
SA Champion Operator
STI Trojan
STI Ranger II
STI Guardian
Kimber Custom II
S&W

$1000 - $1500:
SA TRP
SA Trophy Match
SA EMP
SA MC Operator
Dan Wesson Valor
Dan Wesson Guardian
STI Duty One
STI Sentry
STI Rangemaster

$1500 - $2000
STI Edge
STI Premier
Springfield Custom Shop Custom Carry
Les Baer

over $2000
Ed Brown
Wilson Combat
Springfield Custom Shop
Rock River Arms

bac1023 · 01-20-2009, 17:36

I was going to post a bunch of stuff and do a thread like this complete with pics and descriptions.

I've been saying that for a month or two. I started some drafts, but having continued.

I'll do it once I have my next two 1911s that I have on order. It should be this spring.

I the meantime, I can add a few to your list.

GlocksterPaulie · 01-20-2009, 17:44

After bac gets the Two 1911's he is waiting for there will be more, don't let him fool you.

Paulie

bac1023 · 01-20-2009, 17:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quack

seeing that this is a common type of thread, why not make a condensed thread with different (NIB) price points.

here's a few off the top of my head...

Less than $750:
Rock Island Armory (RIA)
STI Spartan
Springfield Armory (SA) Mil-spec, G.I.
Firestorm DLX
Charles Daly EFS
Thompson Custom 1911

$750 - $1000:
(SA) Loaded
STI Trojan
Dan Wesson (DW) CBOB, PM7
Kimber Custom II
S&W SW1911
Colt Gold Cup Trophy

$1000 - $1500:
SA TRP
SA EMP
Dan Wesson Valor
Colt Special Combat Government

$1500 - $2000
Baer Concept series
Baer TRS
Kimber Super Match
STI Legacy
S&W PC1911

over $2000

A bunch of stuff, but you need more catagories. There's a big difference between a $2K semi custom and a $4K+ Custom

Here's a few added.

bac1023 · 01-20-2009, 17:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by GlocksterPaulie

After bac gets the Two 1911's he is waiting for there will be more, don't let him fool you.

Paulie

Of course, but not this year. I want a custom from Gemini, but I won't be ordering it for a while and even then, its a year wait to get it.

Actually, I will be buying a Norinco later this year, I suppose.

The two on order are an SV Infinity and a Liebenberg Signature from Pistol Dynamics.

G21FAN · 01-20-2009, 17:58

Colt Series '70 reissue

Colt 1991A1 NRM. Both are excellent for as is or a base for customization.

GlocksterPaulie · 01-20-2009, 18:23

I hear the Gemini is really really sweet.

Paulie

leroyjq · 01-20-2009, 18:27

STI
Trojan

srothman · 01-20-2009, 19:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by GlocksterPaulie

I hear the Gemini is really really sweet.

Paulie

So do I.

Since Bac keeps posting all of his pics, and causing people to spend their money, I thought it was only fair.

Bac, you really need one of these.........

I also think that the list would be in-complete without Wilson Combat on it? I would also consider putting Rock River on it, but not sure since they don't currently make 1911's?

bac1023 · 01-20-2009, 19:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by srothman

Bac, you really need one of these.........

I also think that the list would be in-complete without Wilson Combat on it? I would also consider putting Rock River on it, but not sure since they don't currently make 1911's?

srothman, I'm definitely ordering a Gemini as soon as possible. Mine won't be quite as flashy as yours, but will be artistic either way.

Yeah, RRA 1911s are awesome, but they did stop building them, at least for the time being. What a damn shame.

srothman · 01-20-2009, 19:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by bac1023

srothman, I'm definitely ordering a Gemini as soon as possible. Mine won't be quite as flashy as yours, but will be artistic either way.

Yeah, RRA 1911s are awesome, but they did stop building them, at least for the time being. What a damn shame.

I will have to take some new pics, with the new grips.

It tones it down quite a bit, it removes some of the "bling" it has with them.

Hopefully when the current status of building AR's dies down, or levels off, Rock River will start making 1911's again.

GlocksterPaulie · 01-20-2009, 20:03

Srothman,

Love the eye for detail and artistic approach on that 1911. Thanks for sharing.

Paulie

bac1023 · 01-20-2009, 20:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by srothman

I will have to take some new pics, with the new grips.

It tones it down quite a bit, it removes some of the "bling" it has with them.

Hopefully when the current status of building AR's dies down, or levels off, Rock River will start making 1911's again.

I'd like to see the Gemini with the new grips.

As far as RRA is concerned, I sure hope so. They build some of the best in the business.

5 screw smith · 01-23-2009, 14:10

Quote:

Quack;12114367]seeing that this is a common type of thread, why not make a condensed thread with different (NIB) price points. here's a few off the top of my head...

Less than $750:

$750 - $1000:
Dan Wesson (DW) CBOB
Kimber Royal

$1000 - $1500:
Dan Wesson Valor
Kimber Gold Combat II (Previous, not current production)
Kimber Aegis (New model with Commander hammer)
Kimber Tactical HD (New model)
Wilson Combat KZ45

$1500 - $2000 (Much closer to 2 grand)
Wilson Combat CQB (Base model)
Ed Brown Special Forces

over $2000
Ed Brown Special Forces Bobtail
Ed Brown Kobra Bobtail
Springfield Professional
The rest of the Wilson Combat models

Note: NIB prices are usually lower than MSRP

RUSH2112 · 01-25-2009, 09:16

As you can see in smith's post there are a ton of kimbers in each price range because they make so many darned variations on basically the same base. This is a good thing, I'm just saying the buyer needs to be aware that in such a list he may not see all the kimbers he may want to to consider.

And kimbers are so similar in performance and quality, if you're going to list one, there no reason to exclude any other, because there aren't good kimbers vs bad ones, as far as "which one is the best deal", there are simply different options and configurations.

bac1023 · 01-25-2009, 09:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by RUSH2112

And kimbers are so similar in performance and quality, if you're going to list one, there no reason to exclude any other, because there aren't good kimbers vs bad ones, as far as "which one is the best deal", there are simply different options and configurations.

Umm, I don't agree.

There is a huge difference in the top of the line Kimber and the entry level Kimber. I've got both.

One is three times the price of the other, and its more than just cosmetics.

liliysdad · 01-25-2009, 10:11

I disagree, Bac. They are all Custom IIs, with varying levels of pretty. When you open one of them up, they all share the same guts. Perhaps, at tone time, this was not the case, but can assure you it is now.

Their "Custom Shop" guns are a farce.

bac1023 · 01-25-2009, 10:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by liliysdad

I disagree, Bac. They are all Custom IIs, with varying levels of pretty. When you open one of them up, they all share the same guts. Perhaps, at tone time, this was not the case, but can assure you it is now.

Their "Custom Shop" guns are a farce.

I realize Kimber doesn't have a Custom shop, so to speak.

However, I see a very noticable difference in the fitting, finish, smoothness, trigger, and just overall quality, between the Super Match and the Custom II.

In fact, the SM comes with an accuracy guarentee and its a very accurate 1911, will the Custom II is average.

I realize I'm using the two extremes here, but the Super Match is a fine 1911. I thinks its the best full production 1911 on the market.

RUSH2112 · 01-25-2009, 11:06

Bac please read my post more carefully. I didn't say they are all exactly equal, I said similar in performance and quality, and I'm refering to all the models that fall within each of the above established price ranges, not the base model compared to the top of the line. I probably should have specified that.

I don't see the same upgrades in guts and performance-related options like you see, for example, between the SA GI and just one step higher in the Mil-Spec. With the SA you are actually deciding on performance related factors between the two guns in the same range +/- $50, where as with Kimber you just need to decide which cosmetic options you want, and things like ambi safety, more checkering, night sights, type finish. The one with more options is not a "better" gun, nor is either one a better "bargain" than the other.

Basically what I'm saying is regarding Kimber you can't just look at the above list and see "custom II" in the $750-1000 range, there are many variations a buyer needs to consider, and this choice is not about performance or quality.

bac1023 · 01-25-2009, 11:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by RUSH2112

Bac please read my post more carefully. I didn't say they are all exactly equal, I said similar in performance and quality, and I'm refering to all the models that fall within each of the above established price ranges, not the base model compared to the top of the line. I probably should have specified that.

That's cool. Like I said, I was giving the extremes. I do agree that the vast majority of Kimber models are essentially the same level of quality.

Quack · 11-11-2009, 17:30

just bringing this back to the top.

bac1023 · 11-11-2009, 17:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quack

just bringing this back to the top.

Yeah, I was two thirds of the way done the thread and needed a new computer.

I need to get the file off my old one.

Neener Neener · 11-11-2009, 17:37

5 Screw, you need to take that CQB out of the $1500-$2000 bracket. I just bought one at dealer cost, and it was more than that!!

Ian · 11-12-2009, 09:29

Just came across this great thread after searching for a couple of days.
It would help if it was a sticky, I think.

dances with guns · 11-12-2009, 14:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by srothman