Help me choose a 1911

My 1911 is US made...no Brazilian!

 

yes assembled and finished in the US


but forged in brazil.

 

Even though it has the IL stamp? huh.

 

'Merica.

 

mine has a IL stamp....

 

the forgings are from imbel but they are cut and finished here in the us in the custom shop for all the high end springers like the operators, trp, etc...

 

Good to know.

 

a lot of people dont realize is that springfield armory isnt the same springfield from back in the day.

nothing wrong with stuff from imbel.


i think they make FALs too.

 

SO OP, which one did you end up with?

Colt Commander Series 80 here..

Had a SA GI champion...

 

this is beautiful! how much are these runnin?

 

This is true.
And IMBEL is known for making quality forgings.

To the OP,
The 1911 is a platform I would not cut corners on, I personally would recommend a Dan Wesson, but know that there are many factors and it depends on what you want to do with the gun and what you want to get out of it. The SA Operator is also good for the money, I personally would not go anything below that for a solid shooter.

My list includes:
Dan Wesson
Wilson Combat
Colt
SA
Les Baer
Ed Brown

 

OP, look HARD at Dan Wesson. I have two of them and we will never part.
As a close second, I would look at Colt Series 70. But try handling a Dan Wesson first.

 

Go "full Brazilian" and get a Taurus PT1911, then drop in a Wilson Combat magazine for reliability...

All the "custom" features for $853 MSRP:
http://www.taurususa.com/product-details.cfm?id=60&category=Pistol&toggle=&breadcrumbseries=19

 

+1, no way would I ever talk someone into spending $800 on a Taurus

 

Only 1911 I every carried was a Colt delta elite in 10mm. Tough gun. Never had a failure to feed or misfire. Won three years in the local action pistol factory class and carried it on duty and never had any repair issues. That was back in the 80's.

List the features you need. List the features you want. Go to gun ranges without your buddies and shot every 1911 they have for rent. Keep your targets and make notes on the target about the likes and dislikes of each gun. Compare your notes to your need and want lists. Like the Tacoma truck, it is just a basic frame until you make it yours with the mods you need and want. Some will come with the mods and pay attention to them when they are available on the rental guns. Your gun should shot to point of aim with ever shot and ever range you decide to shot at. Which means you will be practicing a lot.

The ten mm that I had was fixed sights and plain stock. No bevels, no comp, no fancy grips. I could out shot the colt python and the model 57 that I had carried on duty. So do your research, test drive every 1911 you can and make it your choice. Let you buddies say what they think, then cluster a clip full in the bull-eyes and have a priceless moment.

good luck

 

if you want a starter 1911 you could always go with the rock island 1911. made in the Philippines. its around the 600 range. like i said its pretty much a starter 1911 without spending an arm and a leg. also if you want to customize it and bring it to a gun smith it will be less then buying a high end gun and shoot just as good or even better. this is the route im going and so far I have no problems with my gun and I enjoying customizing my weapon to the way i want it to feel and look.

either way good luck in the decision you make.

 

My dads gunsmith told him that he personally thought Kimber was the best.

 

Advantages of the standard GI model:
Non-ambi, smaller safety = Less likely to be bumped "off"
Plug and shorter guide rod = If you become partially disabled during the encounter, you can rack the slide on the edge of a table or the heel of your shoe.

Advantages of the upgraded "Tactical" type:
Beavertail grip safety prevents hammer bite
Larger ejection port
Taller sights


I bought an RIA Tactical and "downgraded" the safety and guide rod to standard Colt GI parts.

 

IMO,

For the money, you could buy a Kimber and run it stock. It is a great gun, the quality control has been lacking lately, you may have to send it back to Kimber for warranty work on a brand new gun, which sucks but after the shop hooks it up, great gun for life!

Or,

Buy a Springfield and find a quality gunsmith to add a couple upgrades, if needed (per your preference) or just spend the balance of your budget on ammo.

I have both and enjoy shooting my Kimber as much as my Springfield. Happy shooting...

 

First off I will say that I am not a firearms expert but I have experience with all three major brands mentioned. Personally I would go with a Springfield. I own an MC Operator and find it to be a fabulous gun and with Springfield you get a warranty for the life of the gun. So even a second hand Springfield will have will have the same warranty as a new gun.
Kimbers are very nice guns and I've enjoyed shooting them. The one thing about Kimbers, and I'm not sure why, only come with a one year warranty. If I'm going to spend 1k plus on a gun I want a better warranty than one year.
I have found Colts to be lacking in fit and finish. I know I'm going to catch flak for this but its true. For a 1k plus gun rattling triggers and sharp edges just don't fly with me.