So many 1911's

Namerifrats

Namerifrats

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I like the 45ACP caliber, and want a handgun chambered in it. So I've decided my next gun will be a 1911, 45ACP. Never knew there were so many. I want a decent one. Looking at a few. S&W E Series, Ruger, and Springfield Armory loaded. I don't care about it being GI or not. Just wanting functionality, reliability, and build quality. I have several handguns, but this will be my first 1911. I've read and watched reviews on each of these.....still kinda mixed thoughts on choosing one. Anybody own one or more of these? Thoughts? Pros and cons?
 
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Namerifrats said:
I like the 45ACP caliber, and want a handgun chambered in it. So I've decided my next gun will be a 1911, 45ACP. Never knew there were so many. I want a decent one. Looking at a few. S&W E Series, Ruger, and Springfield Armory loaded. I don't care about it being GI or not. Just wanting functionality, reliability, and build quality. I have several handguns, but this will be my first 1911. I've read and watched reviews on each of these.....still kinda mixed thoughts on choosing one. Anybody own one or more of these? Thoughts? Pros and cons?
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I'll be owning one soon, it's in layaway! Lol.
I'll get back to you, but I have shot some 1911s in .45 (Colt and Springfield) and they're great.
PS Be sure to shoot some guns, then make a decision based on what works for you. I learned that one the hard way. Lol.
 
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I'm still really hot on my Ruger commander although it is in 9mm. I have owned Colts, Kimbers, Rock Island and American Classics in .45, if I was looking for another. 45 Ruger would be my first choice.
Thousands of rounds so far thru mine with all sorts of ammo and not a single issue. No frill, dependable and shoots point of aim, works for me.
My next purchase is a Ruger officer size 9mm 1911, just down to price shopping at this point.
 
We had an old gent on 'the other site' who was a well-regarded expert on the 1911 who said, "if built to spec it has to run. It's a machine, it doesn't have a choice." Fortunately, the ones you mention are well-built and reliable. I prefer SA because it is the 1911 you mention with which I the most experience. The cons: some are finicky eaters and prefer certain brands of ammo, 1911 mags can be finicky, the more you do to it to upgrade the less spec it'll be and the less reliable. Out of the box triggers usually suck. The pro's: Trigger jobs are easy and cheap, and will run like a raped ape if you keep it maintained.
 
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I have had Rugers and Springers, and my next 1911 will be a Colt 70 series probably the Competition....because if it ain't a Colt, it's a copy ;)

My reasoning is that Ruger and SA have both crept up on the Colt's price......and I don't have to wonder if the Colt is as good as a Ruger, but I have to wonder if the Ruger is as built as well as a Colt (it ain't...)
 
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Ikarus1 said:
and I don't have to wonder if the Colt is as good as a Ruger, but I have to wonder if the Ruger is as built as well as a Colt (it ain't...)
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Curious how you come about that statement? No dog in the fight just curious...
 
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bigfelipe said:
Curious how you come about that statement? No dog in the fight just curious...
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I've owned all 3, shot all 3 various models of all 3 plus high end 1911s. The last Ruger went on down the road earlier this year. Plastic sites on a $700 gun don't really do much in the way of changing my mind. Colt esp the Competition series 70s offer more for a little more, and once you add decent sites and VZ grips to the Ruger you're basically at the same price point. My SA was a well worn forged Imbel frame custom gun that I had as much money in as a Colt costs with the same equipment.
https://www.gunsamerica.com/digest/colt-announces-new-1911s-lower-pricing/
 
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OP, what would be the purpose and budget for this 1911. As you said, lots of choices. My standard answer would be get a Dan Wesson because IMO they offer a great price to quality ratio. But there are other functionable 1911’s for less and some truly great 1911’s for more. The Wesson Vigil Series look sweet but they are aluminum frames. Great for carry, but maybe not if this is a dedicated range or target gun. Give us some more info so we can start a good and proper cat fight!
 
Colt has revamped their lineup in the last few years, probably due to pressure from Ruger and others. My thing is now that what was once the 'bottom end' US made 1911smanufacturers like Springfield, Ruger, and Smith have move up in price, Colt has lowered theirs, and then you have Rock Island firming up quality at the bottom.....there's really no reason not to skip over the mid-low grade offerings.
 
Ikarus1 said:
I've owned all 3, shot all 3 various models of all 3 plus high end 1911s. The last Ruger went on down the road earlier this year. Plastic sites on a $700 gun don't really do much in the way of changing my mind. Colt esp the Competition series 70s offer more for a little more, and once you add decent sites and VZ grips to the Ruger you're basically at the same price point. My SA was a well worn forged Imbel frame custom gun that I had as much money in as a Colt costs with the same equipment.
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Didn't know they had plastic sights. I bought an early one. Sights were steel. It was a really nice pistol as far as I could tell. I sold it because other folks wanted them more than I did.

Besides competition sights and fancy grips(stuff many 1911 guys don't care about), what's better about the Colt? Better metallurgy or fit/finish? Or is it just the name?
 
Order yourself a Les Baer Custom and never look back.


1ed13ef15baadb69675feb4aaa9d3c7a.jpg



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bigfelipe said:
Didn't know they had plastic sights. I bought an early one. Sights were steel. It was a really nice pistol as far as I could tell. I sold it because other folks wanted them more than I did.

Besides competition sights and fancy grips(stuff many 1911 guys don't care about), what's better about the Colt? Better metallurgy or fit/finish? Or is it just the name?
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For about $125 street price more you get:
Forged Frame (Ruger is cast), undercut trigger guard, better sights, better grips, less MIM parts..........better resale.....and you can get one that is actually blued.
 
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bigfelipe said:
I guess with a 1911 the biggest thing is budget... Seems like you can get a perfectly functional and trustworthy 1911 for $500 or a beautiful gun for $5000(that is probably not any more reliable).

The rest is personal preference and aesthetics...
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For me it's about value. If I buy a made in Brazil machined in Geneseo Illinois Springfield Armory MilSpec for $550, then I have to dump $300-400 in it to get good sights, a beavertail, nice grips, and maybe some trigger work......it's no longer a value. And I'll never recover what I put into it if I sell it. That's where Ruger hit pay dirt in 2012 with the SR1911.......until the price crept up and they introduced 15 versions of the same type of handgun. STI had a similar winner in the Spartan but they got tired of competing with the Rugers and Smiths in the midmarket.

I say buy what you want the first time, if you know what you want. If you don't and the OP don't, get a Rock Island tactical with good sights and grips and shoot the pesos out of it.

Here's one OTD for less than $515 at my local dealer
https://www.idealsportsman.com/hand...s/rock-island-armory-1911-tactical-45-8-round
 
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Ikarus1 said:
Now there's the real question: What do you get for THREE times the price of a Colt, besides a spot on the LesBaer waiting list?
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No wait bud. I use one of the two Les Baer Master dealers in the U.S. crazy John at 1911 Heaven. Guy is awesome has the largest inventory in the country, and the quickest turnaround on actual out of stock orders and best prices to boot.

It’s worth noting that Les Baer makes roughly 3,500 pistols a year so ordering from other dealers can cause quite a long wait.


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From my experience, which is minimal:

If you want something to just dip your toe into the 1911 world, will function well, and will be a fun range gun, then the Rock Island line up is pretty hard to beat. for $400-600 you can get a wide range of styles to fit whatever you like.

For a bit more coin, the Remington R1, Springfields, and Ruger make a solid pistol. These are in the 600-700 range. I had an issue with my SR1911 where the front sight would shear off under recoil. Ruger fixed it for me, both times it happened, and they changed the material used in making the sight (no, it wasn't plastic).

A step above that is the Colts and the more fancy Springfields (Range Officer ect.) These are fine firearms that will be heirlooms and will serve you well for well...generations.

Those 1911's that are $1,200 and above, I have zero experience with, but I have heard that there does come a level of diminishing returns where the "performance" of a 3,000$ 1911 isn't going to be $2,000 more than a $1,000 1911..

In fact...I am finding myself wanting a new 1911 as we type this. There is something soulfull about the old girls...Something that draws me to CZs as well.
 
Ikarus1 said:
Now there's the real question: What do you get for THREE times the price of a Colt, besides a spot on the LesBaer waiting list?
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No waiting lists usually. I walked in and bought one once at a local sporting goods store in VA. You also get a much, much better gun. If that’s your thing. Can’t get something for nothing sonit costs.
 
bigfelipe said:
I guess with a 1911 the biggest thing is budget... Seems like you can get a perfectly functional and trustworthy 1911 for $500 or a beautiful gun for $5000(that is probably not any more reliable).

The rest is personal preference and aesthetics...
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You MIGHT get a perfectly functional and trustworthy 1911 for $500. You might not. I have had a few that were not 100% out of the box. Or even after hundreds of rounds. Won’t go there again.
 
B00ger said:
From my experience, which is minimal:

If you want something to just dip your toe into the 1911 world, will function well, and will be a fun range gun, then the Rock Island line up is pretty hard to beat. for $400-600 you can get a wide range of styles to fit whatever you like.

For a bit more coin, the Remington R1, Springfields, and Ruger make a solid pistol. These are in the 600-700 range. I had an issue with my SR1911 where the front sight would shear off under recoil. Ruger fixed it for me, both times it happened, and they changed the material used in making the sight (no, it wasn't plastic).

A step above that is the Colts and the more fancy Springfields (Range Officer ect.) These are fine firearms that will be heirlooms and will serve you well for well...generations.

Those 1911's that are $1,200 and above, I have zero experience with, but I have heard that there does come a level of diminishing returns where the "performance" of a 3,000$ 1911 isn't going to be $2,000 more than a $1,000 1911..

In fact...I am finding myself wanting a new 1911 as we type this. There is something soulfull about the old girls...Something that draws me to CZs as well.
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I’ll tell you, and anyone can feel free to argue the point, and I won’t budge on it. When you get to the level of Dan Wesson, and up minute differences are what drives people to choose a Baer or Wilson or Nighthawk or Gun crafter, SVI 1911, the now discontinued STI 1911s. Even the Colt Custom Shop and Springfield Professionals and don’t forget Ed Brown.

When you start to reaching into that starting price point of $1,450 up to $5,000 or $6,500 you will quickly notice that there is not a performance gap. It’s about how the gun is built and what materials are used. It’s about how many people worked on it and so on and so forth. You aren’t ever paying for a name when you buy a 1911 unless it’s a Kimber [emoji2961].

In my experience an average shooting isn’t going to notice these minute differences in detail, fit, finish etc. and it probably isn’t all that important to them. I don’t think though that you are gonna outshoot someone that has a Dan Wesson Valor or a Les Baer Concept VII because your Wilson or Nighthawk cost $2,000 more. At those price points function and accuracy have already peaked you are really looking at quality, fit, finish, aesthetics etc. feel free to disagree “change my mind”


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Ikarus1 said:
For me it's about value. If I buy a made in Brazil machined in Geneseo Illinois Springfield Armory MilSpec for $550, then I have to dump $300-400 in it to get good sights, a beavertail, nice grips, and maybe some trigger work......it's no longer a value. And I'll never recover what I put into it if I sell it. That's where Ruger hit pay dirt in 2012 with the SR1911.......until the price crept up and they introduced 15 versions of the same type of handgun. STI had a similar winner in the Spartan but they got tired of competing with the Rugers and Smiths in the midmarket.

I say buy what you want the first time, if you know what you want. If you don't and the OP don't, get a Rock Island tactical with good sights and grips and shoot the pesos out of it.

Here's one OTD for less than $515 at my local dealer
https://www.idealsportsman.com/hand...s/rock-island-armory-1911-tactical-45-8-round
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I think we are on the same page more or less. Value is arguable and varies. All that stuff you say you "have to add" isn't really necessary. Doesn't make the gun more reliable. Buy what you can afford that's reliable and suits your needs.

Myself I don't care about pretty guns or grips really. They're nice but hold no value to me. Just as you list a blued gun as a plus, I would gladly prefer a stainless gun or melonite/tenifir finish for the sake of durability/ease of maintenance.

YMMV...
 
DaleGribble82 said:
I’ll tell you, and anyone can feel free to argue the point, and I won’t budge on it. When you get to the level of Dan Wesson, and up minute differences are what drives people to choose a Baer or Wilson or Nighthawk or Gun crafter, SVI 1911, the now discontinued STI 1911s. Even the Colt Custom Shop and Springfield Professionals and don’t forget Ed Brown.

When you start to reaching into that starting price point of $1,450 up to $5,000 or $6,500 you will quickly notice that there is not a performance gap. It’s about how the gun is built and what materials are used. It’s about how many people worked on it and so on and so forth. You aren’t ever paying for a name when you buy a 1911 unless it’s a Kimber [emoji2961].

In my experience an average shooting isn’t going to notice these minute differences in detail, fit, finish etc. and it probably isn’t all that important to them. I don’t think though that you are gonna outshoot someone that has a Dan Wesson Valor or a Les Baer Concept VII because your Wilson or Nighthawk cost $2,000 more. At those price points function and accuracy have already peaked you are really looking at quality, fit, finish, aesthetics etc. feel free to disagree “change my mind”


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I agree with that. You are buying as much a refined art piece as a weapon at that point. Not a thing wrong with functional art IMO...



Btw, I had Ed Brown customize a Kimber once... :D
 
Namerifrats said:
I like the 45ACP caliber, and want a handgun chambered in it. So I've decided my next gun will be a 1911, 45ACP. Never knew there were so many. I want a decent one. Looking at a few. S&W E Series, Ruger, and Springfield Armory loaded. I don't care about it being GI or not. Just wanting functionality, reliability, and build quality. I have several handguns, but this will be my first 1911. I've read and watched reviews on each of these.....still kinda mixed thoughts on choosing one. Anybody own one or more of these? Thoughts? Pros and cons?
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In big name factory 1911's, i own a Smith E series commander size round butt that has a lot of "custom" features and is a good shooter. I also own a SA EMP4CC, similar size snd features as the Smith but in 9mm. Sweet, sweet little gun. I also have a SA TRP Operator with half rail/dust cover. Great shooting gun, built like a tank but if i had to do over i would get full rail/dustcover gun for the added weight. Tames muzzle flip a lot.
 
Custom, semi custom, hand built...whatever you want to call Baer's, theres plenty available at Buds. I have two PII'S. One is 1.5" guaranteed group at 50yd gun. And it will do it on the Ransom rest with FGMM 230ball. Great guns.
 
jimmyjames8 said:
Custom, semi custom, hand built...whatever you want to call Baer's, theres plenty available at Buds. I have two PII'S. One is 1.5" guaranteed group at 50yd gun. And it will do it on the Ransom rest with FGMM 230ball. Great guns.
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They are my favorite. Just something about them makes me feel great inside. I love Wilson, Nighthawk and Ed Brown but the Baer pistols to me are exactly what I want in a 1911. No frills no crazy aesthetics all gun.


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People will have so many different views on guns and 1911s are one the people get real “opinionated” on real fast. Personally, I love ‘em ... carry one as my EDC ... shot the crap out of ... maintain it very easily ... but there are others who say it only carries to few rounds, has to be maintained to much, is to heavy, etc. Fine go get what floats your boat and I’ll stick with mine ... that being said I do have Glocks staged around the house also so I’m not a complete snob. Yes, I do keep my EDC wiped down with what I feel is proper grease and oil every weekend (dust bunnies love a .45” bore). I do keep an extra mag “just in case” and I do wear a more sturdy belt but since I’m use to it it’s nothing I even notice.

As to specific make or model ... I own a Para Ordnance (of the old original Canadian origin), a couple Les Baers (back from their Hillsdale days) one full size & one “Commanche” size, a couple Springfields, a couple Colts, a WWII Remington Rand GI and a few other assorted. Honestly, my suggestion for anyone’s first 1911 is a full size or even commander size one with the GI bushing type recoil setup. After that if they what the other extras like beaver tail grip, checkered front strap, nite sights, super duper trigger, etc go for it when you buy. You mentioned SA and S&W wihich both offer models with various add ons to choose from. Now we are talking the first one ... to me the SA Loaded you mention along with their Range Officer if you’re looking for a more “target” sighted one. Both will serve you well for the rest of your days (and your kid’s too) with proper maintenance and give you a platform to learn the 1911 with little to no problem. After that though ... 1911 nut has to have at least one Prancing Pony, one WWII GI war horse, a higher dollar Baer-Wilson-Nighthawk and some other niches. Truth be told 1911s can be very addictive ... and they do tend to breed in the gun safe ... but once you taste the firearm a Jedi would choose you’ll know why ... welcome to the force.
 
I've spent as little as $800 on 1911's, and as much as $3000, and several points in between. Three have been Colts.

For my money if I was just getting into 1911's I would buy a Springfield Range Officer. Best fit and finish for the money, and has never given me a minutes trouble.
 
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Having recently dipped into the 1911 world myself, I’d echo the above sentiment-your budget is going to determine recommendations here:

$500 or so = Rock Island Armory or maybe a Ruger

$600-$1000 = Colt or Springfield Armory

$1000-$1500 = the sweet spot for me, here you can get a high end production gun from Colt (Combat Unit), Springfield (TRP or LB/Marine Operator) or a Dan Wesson. For this price you can typically expect front and backstrap checkering (I think this is essential and I won’t consider a 1911 without checkering, based on my limited experience), maybe night sights, maybe a magwell and better fitting (slide to frame) than your typical production gun. I personally have picked up a non railed TRP in .45 ACP about 6 months ago and a Dan Wesson Vigil Commander in 9mm over the past few weeks and I’d highly recommend either. I also had Colt Commander for a while, but decided it made more sense to buy the Dan Wesson set up exactly as I liked it than to send off the Colt to get it set up how I’d like.

$1500 and up = you lost me. I’m sure custom fit guns are great, but I can’t justify the prices they command when the high end production guns give me everything I want out of a 1911.
 
NCFubar said:
$1500 ... I’d go with a SA TRP ... one of the models without the bull barrel setup ... one of these two

https://www.springfield-armory.com/products/1911-trp-45-acp/#PC9108L18


... they can be had for well under $1500. In fact there is a new TRP in the handgun buy-sell-trade section for $1150 right now ... long with a very nice Dan Wesson for $1200 also.
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The link above is the model I have. Bought brand new for $1150. I caught it at Buds when they had a lot in stock, thus the lower price.

800 flawless rds later, it’s one of my favorites to shoot at the range.

Obligatory pic:

3F93922B-6CF1-431C-86DA-C4D783481726.jpeg

Additional 1911 porn (Dan Wesson Vigil Commander):

FBFC4BB9-5651-4512-8DE5-37D4897AE38C.jpeg
 
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My springfield Black stainless target got sold when the $650.00 RIA ultra out shot it by a wide margin I have 2 STI 1911s and 9 RIA 1911 including EDC RIA CS tactical So you can see where my value lies I have had 5 colt and none of the worked very well for me the were lookers but not shooters (I know they must make some good 1911 but I have not owned a good Colt 1911) I just had a guy at the range try my RIA ultra FS 45 and wanted to trade me his Kimber for it I kept my RIA someone mententioned the STI Spartan it was a RIA built gun and is almost the same as the RIA ultra series (ultra has better grips G10)
 
spockrock said:
$1500 and up = you lost me. I’m sure custom fit guns are great, but I can’t justify the prices they command when the high end production guns give me everything I want out of a 1911.
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This is stated perfectly. “give me everything I want out of a 1911”. If you’ve attained that cost isn’t relevant.
 
Namerifrats said:
Anybody own one or more of these? Thoughts? Pros and cons?
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I own one or more 1911s... I've had SAs, Colts, RIAs, STIs, DW, and Colt Sistemas. I've kept SAs, DWs, Colts, and Sistemas. I like Colt Commanders best.

Me. said:
All but one of my 1911's have been Colts. None of them would run reliably out of the box.
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Every Colt I have ever bought ran reliably from the start. All were made before 1980. All use 7 round Checkmate or Colt mags with hybrid feed lips and dimpled followers.

CZfool68 said:
...get a Dan Wesson because IMO they offer a great price to quality ratio.
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That's been my experience. I own two... one in 45 acp and one in 10mm.

When's the cat fight start?
 
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