[Grovenator]

The thread title is a little misleading because I've had one "real" 1911 in my life. It was in about 1995, it was a Para Ordnance P-14 .45 all steel. I really hated that gun. Sorry but I did. I got really lucky and sold it for exactly what I had into it to my boss at the time. It was clunky. It started clunky and I thought it would "smooth out" over time. It never did. Some two thousand rounds later it was as gritty, clunky and clanky as the day I brought it home. I hated it!

Ok, on with the theme of the thread. I know the 1911 platform is a good one or else it would not have lasted or rather proliferated for 100 years. It's 2011 and I've decided to give it another go. Please suggest for me a "good" 1911. I'll tell you what I'm looking for in any handgun I might buy and specifically what I'd expect from any 1911 I'd buy.

Smooth, slim, accurate, easy pointing and easy on the hand when shot a lot. I realize that most 1911 guns already provide most of these so I won't wast your time about what I expect other than to say I think most 1911 guns are overpriced.

I know I can get anything from a Wilson Combat gun all the way down to a Llama. I can't afford a Wilson and you couldn't give me a Llama. Soooo, what do you think?

I want a flat mainspring housing, beavertail grip safety, skeletonized hammer and trigger, smooth combat sights, standard recoil spring set-up and standard type barrel bushing. I don't want to spend over say $700-800. Stainless is ok but I really like a nice utilitarian parkerizing too.

The closest thing I've found so far is the Springfield Milspec "loaded"(?). It's about what I want but I really can't stand the forward serrations on the slide. Yuk! I just can't do it! Ideas?

[20South]

Originally Posted by Grovenator

The thread title is a little misleading because I've had one "real" 1911 in my life. It was in about 1995, it was a Para Ordnance P-14 .45 all steel. I really hated that gun. Sorry but I did. I got really lucky and sold it for exactly what I had into it to my boss at the time. It was clunky. It started clunky and I thought it would "smooth out" over time. It never did. Some two thousand rounds later it was as gritty, clunky and clanky as the day I brought it home. I hated it!

Ok, on with the theme of the thread. I know the 1911 platform is a good one or else it would not have lasted or rather proliferated for 100 years. It's 2011 and I've decided to give it another go. Please suggest for me a "good" 1911. I'll tell you what I'm looking for in any handgun I might buy and specifically what I'd expect from any 1911 I'd buy.

Smooth, slim, accurate, easy pointing and easy on the hand when shot a lot. I realize that most 1911 guns already provide most of these so I won't wast your time about what I expect other than to say I think most 1911 guns are overpriced.

I know I can get anything from a Wilson Combat gun all the way down to a Llama. I can't afford a Wilson and you couldn't give me a Llama. Soooo, what do you think?

I want a flat mainspring housing, beavertail grip safety, skeletonized hammer and trigger, smooth combat sights, standard recoil spring set-up and standard type barrel bushing. I don't want to spend over say $700-800. Stainless is ok but I really like a nice utilitarian parkerizing too.

The closest thing I've found so far is the Springfield Milspec "loaded"(?). It's about what I want but I really can't stand the forward serrations on the slide. Yuk! I just can't do it! Ideas?

You should look at the Springfield RO for that price point. BAC has a very good article in the 1911 Resource sticky that goes over about 50 different 1911's and has them categorized by market (production, semi-custom, custom) As for the FCS, they seem to be common on most of the production guns, although I am sure someone here can come up with a sub 1k prod gun with no fcs. You could also look for a used STI Trojan that would come in close to your price. There was one on the GT Firearms Listing a week or two ago. Good luck!

[bac1023]

If it was a Para P-14, then it wasn't a 1911.





How about a Kimber Custom II?

[Nestor]

"Best" is the word I'm trying to stay away from.
However a very solid choice would be Springfield Mili-Spec IMO.
Colonel Cooper would advice You to take a look at this pistol instead of the "loaded" one and I think that he was right on this.
Forged frame, slide and barrel.
Improved sights and decent trigger.
Great 1911.

[TSAX]

Originally Posted by bac1023

If it was a Para P-14, then it wasn't a 1911.





How about a Kimber Custom II?

The Kimber Custom II was the first one I owned and was very happy with it.

[Freedom101]

I had an 80 series Government Model in the late 80's and can't say I'd recommend one. Some have had good experiences with the 80 series, but maybe I had a lemon. I shot my dad's 70 series Combat Commander and loved it. So, I bought the 80 series Goverment Model and it wasn't the same. Although not a 1911, I had a Star PD in the early 80's and it was a great shooting pistol. It was compact with an alloy frame but shot well. My dad had a gun shop for a few years in the early 80's and thanks to my paper route and a pro-gun father I was able to own and shoot many guns.....although I usually owned only one at a time due to limited funds. I have recently been contemplating buying an Ed Brown or Les Baer, but not sure I wanna part with the cash.

[fasteddie565]

For the $700-$800 mark, I would look at SA and used Kimbers

To spend a little less, consider the Remington 1911. At less than $600, they are well built guns, all steel and an almost direct clone of original 1911a1 (with better sights).

[MajorD]

used colts easily in the price range too. shoot a plain grip safety model first- they do not bite everyone-I usually find used colts in the 5-700 range in my area.

[Grovenator]

Thanks for the responses guys. I'm looking at the Mil-Spec.. I like it but with a skeletonized hammer. I suppose I can add that and a beaver-tail safety later.(?)

[Grovenator]

Originally Posted by bac1023

If it was a Para P-14, then it wasn't a 1911.

How was it not a 1911?

[Nickpisp]

Originally Posted by Grovenator

How was it not a 1911?

Not a 1911 frame.

[glock2740]

Try a Guncrafter No Name or a Wilson Supergrade. You won't need anything else.

[woodrowNC]

yall are gonna disagree but hey, i'm a colt man. 1991a1. colts qc is much better than in the 90's. and no, a para is not a 1911. i don't know what they are. a pos maybe.

maybe the colt xse gov. series.

[R0CKETMAN]

SA Mil Spec
Colt 70
Both great base guns and with just a little work can be a life long pistol.

[Hokie1911]

Originally Posted by Grovenator

Thanks for the responses guys. I'm looking at the Mil-Spec.. I like it but with a skeletonized hammer. I suppose I can add that and a beaver-tail safety later.(?)

Yep. The mil-spec is a great base model for modifications. You can send it to Springfield's Custom Shop and they will do just about anything you want to it.

[ijacek]

Originally Posted by woodrowNC

yall are gonna disagree but hey, i'm a colt man. 1991a1. colts qc is much better than in the 90's. and no, a para is not a 1911. i don't know what they are. a pos maybe.

maybe the colt xse gov. series.

I agree 100%

[mr00jimbo]

How much are Sig 1911s going for? I've heard good things about the S&W ones, but I don't know how much these guns go for in the US/if they're in your budget.

[finz50]

+1 on the Mil-Spec

[Cobra64]

Originally Posted by woodrowNC

yall are gonna disagree but hey, i'm a colt man. 1991a1. colts qc is much better than in the 90's. and no, a para is not a 1911. i don't know what they are. a pos maybe.

Today's Colt QC is worse than a hungover teacher for a sixth grade shop class.

Colt's custom shop: