I KNOW this has been done to death but opinions change and you guys really touch on every twist on a certain model S&W . I'm thinking of finally getting a 1911 to add to my collection . NOW , which model is worth a look-over ? I always thought there's only ONE model worth it's weight...the Colt , because it was the original , but I can't break tradition , or should I ?

So , any and all input will be scrutinized and mulled over before I finally pick up this next addition to the 'toy chest'...( sarcasm , of course )...thanks .

Colt is the name when it comes to 1911 and AR, IMHO. I hear nothing but good things about Sigs and Springfield.

Ruger SR1911 are reliable, I had the Lightweight Commander and do regret selling it. I had a Remington R1 and it gave me feeding issues. I read good reviews from purchasers of the Rock Island 1911 but mine had issues with link pin coming out binding the slide causing rail wear.

Get the "Colt" you really like and don't look back.

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Ad Astra Per Aspera

As a colt nm owner the colt you can buy and sell for the same price you pay for it, this can not be said about premium 1911s such as nighthawk and Wilson

i have Colts ,S&W,Remington ,Kember ,Ati, Springer's STI,and Rock Island
I probably shoot the RI the most because you can't hurt the value of them ,they run and have a lifetime guarantee. The ATI is my project gun ,had to change all the fire control parts,so it is the one that i machine on

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age is just a number

Colt is a perfectly fine 1911 and I will agree that they will have more resale value than others because immeasurable piles of lemmings buy the regurgitated hype. Colt makes a quality mid-level production 1911 and it gets priced beyond it's place. Everyone loves that prancing horse though -- and I can't argue, they definitely did their best work when they designed that emblem. Most agree that Colt uses quality parts but I take issue with that argument across the board as two of mine had plasic MSH and plastic guide rods. Colt put a plastic guide rod in to an $1100 Delta Elite -- when even Glock at least uses aluminum in their 10mm's.

If you will spend Colt 1911 money, a Dan Wesson will blow it away everywhere that it matters and especially on the range and on the target.

For less money, the Ruger and the S&W E-Series are very solid guns and both have terrific backing for service. That's one of a few problems with Kimber, if you have a problem it is difficult to make them care and make them help. Kimber makes a gorgeous pistol that is accurate, but over priced and often with suspect parts and horrible service.

For more money than the Dan Wesson but less than Wilson, Brown and Nighthawk... Les Baer is a fantastic answer. The biggest complaint against Baer is that unless you spend much more for the coated finishes, Baer's simple basic bluing is just not very durable.

Yes, for sure the prancing pony came through on my two Colt 1911 pistols haha, easy to sell when it became very clear that they were lesser guns and I didn't need to keep them. There's always someone ready to buy the hype.

What's your budget? What are the most important things you're looking for in a 1911 (e.g., price, accuracy, reliability, fit & finish, features, resale)?

I agree with many of the points Sevens made.

Colt is a decent option for a production 1911 (though, in my opinion, Colt has lost a lot of its luster in terms of quality/value of their pistols; but there are still a large number of loyalists).

Springfield is another solid option (at a similar price point).

For slightly more money you get a much better 1911 with Dan Wesson (often characterized as the most value delivered for the money in a production 1911).

Stepping up from Dan Wesson (and into the semi-custom space), Les Baer is a good option (Baers have a unique "personality" in their builds; known for being very "tight" and typically very accurate).

From there you step up to a wide range of semi-customs, including Wilson Combat, Nighthawk Custom, Ed Brown, Springfield Armory Custom pistols, and Guncrafter.

A lot of options--it really boils down to budget and priorities.

Good luck.

Colt factory assembly video--for reference:

I have 2 S&W 1911 pistols and 2 Springfield 1911's. I like all 4 and I will keep them. I've sold all of the others.

There was a very recent thread on this very topic. Lots of good thoughts there if you search.

I will add that in our shop the ONLY 1911's that have slide to frame fit that consistently rattle are the new colts.

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Dave

I have a SW1911PC (bought in 2015) and a Colt Gold Cup Trophy (bought in 2009). Both shoot way better than me and I'm very impressed with both. I bought both new and both were very close in price. The S&W has more features than the Colt. As far as accuracy? I don't know which one is better, they are both very capable. If I had to bitch about something on the S&W, it's the fragile black coating on the S&W barrel. It wears very quickly. I'm getting picky here.... On the Colt, the grip safety rattles. Certainly not deal breakers. They are both excellent pistols and I enjoy shooting them both.

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I may have more colt 1911s than S&Ws ;-)

I am an admirer of the 1911 and have owned (or currently own) many makes and models: Colts (including an Argentinian model), Kimbers, Auto Ordinance and yes, S&W's. Some of the Colts needed work new out of the box, and they all shot well, as did the Kimber. The AO was so-so. Hands down though, the most accurate was the PC 1911, although the recoil spring was so stiff it was difficult to rack the slide back. A lighter recoil spring fixed that though. So I have no problems recommending the S&W over the Colt, but I also suspect that the Colt will hold it's resale value better than the S&W.

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So many S&W's, so few funds!!

I have had several Colts including a brand new Gold Cup, a
Combat Elite, a Lightweight Commander and a couple Government Models.
5 years ago I bought a bare bones Remington R1. Took about 100 rounds to break in but after that it has been totally reliable and the best shooter of the pack.
Jim

A Colt will hold more value as time goes on, but for a shooter, there are plenty of choices. I do like the fact that Ruger's 1911's have the plunger tube cast as part of the receiver, so it cannot loosen and fall off.

For a collector get a Colt.
For a shooter get something without a firing pin safety block.
Unlike "Spaceballs" you don't want the Schwartz to be with you.
The Schwartz safety is a solution looking for a problem that happens when you get lawyers involved in gun designs. John Moses Browning would not approve.

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Expert at not being an Expert.

Although I'm mostly a revolver guy, I have owned a lot of 1911s over the past 40+ years. Most have been Colts, but I'm not a Colt snob. Biggest disappointment was a first-year production AMT Hardballer, the first SS 1911 produced (as far as I know). It wouldn't even feed hardball, and after two trips back to the factory which didn't fix it, I traded it off.

I have two 1911s presently, both Rugers, both commander length guns, one is all-steel, the other a lightweight. I'm very pleased with them so far, especially at less than $600 each (both bought used but barely so on Ruger forum). I would love to have a Colt satin nickel Combat Commander in a 70 series gun if I came across one priced fairly. That's one Colt I have not owned.

Buy what you really want the first time. Or post up what you bought as a compromise + cash, for what you wanted after the buyers remorse takes over. Skip this step, save a few more dollars if necessary.

Colt 1911 = Harley. If you really want a Harley, don’t buy a Honda.

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Just hanging with my dogs

Really with the selection of 1911s out there you can't go too far wrong on any of them. I currently own S&W, Ruger and Rock Island. Years ago I traded my Colt Gold Cup, wish I had it back. Each one has its own characteristics, some good, some need a little TLC to make them the way you want. I enjoy shooting all of them. Really depends on what you consider most important, looks, shootability, price, upgrades, etc., or perfection right out of the box. Half the fun is in the search anyway.

I've carried and used several different brands of 1911s....


My first was a Colt pre70 series Gov't Model, then came an early Lightweight Commander.


The last 1911 I purchased was another Lwt Colt Commander.


I do like em so !




These are the most carried now'n'days.....A couple of Colts.



.

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"IN GOD WE TRUST"

The 1911 is my favorite pistol. I don't claim to be any expert, but I do tend at accumulate them and currently own about 20 ranging from the little Mustang all the way up to a couple of custom long slides.
You can't go wrong with a Colt. Top quality guns and they do hold their value better than anything else. Personally, I'd look for an older used one in good condition as I think their QC has slipped a little in the last few years.
On the other end, Rock Island has a good reputation for a good gun at a low price. I have one in 38 Super and its been very good. However, I did have to tweak it just a little to get it to run right. But I think that was more due to the quirks of the cartridge than anything else. Everything I heard about their .45s has been excellent.
I bought one of the Remington R1s when they first came out. Its been absolutely outstanding. Totally reliable, accurate and has the best out of the box trigger I've ever seen. An excellent value for the price.
I don't like Kimbers. JMHO, but I think they are way over rated and over priced. I've seen more Kimbers choke in competition than any other brand.
However, for my bottom line and if you just want a reliable, accurate and good 1911 that you can shoot the snot out of and never worry about, I highly recommend Springfield Armory. Top quality guns at reasonable prices. And if you ever need it, they have the absolute best customer service in the business.

To me it would depend on what you want to do with it. I buy Colt for the gun with the name. Springfield makes a better 1911, Dan Wesson makes one a step better than SA for just a bit more $. After that I'd go with a Les Baer. My LB guns out shoot the Ed Brown I had for a short time and my Wilson. This years offerings from Colt are sort of interesting if you wish to stay with that name.
Best Wishes

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Lynnie, Professional Pest

"The Schwartz (sic) safety is a solution looking for a problem that happens when you get lawyers involved in gun designs."

It's unlikely that lawyer involvement had anything to do with the Swartz Safety. It was originally designed and patented by Colt in the late 1930s (Swartz was a Colt employee), and at that time Colt believed that it did provide a measure of protection against accidental discharges if the gun were to be dropped on the hammer. Colt's original plan was to equip all GM pistols with it, and in fact several thousand in .38 Super with that safety were made up for sale (there is a story that many of those found their way to the OSS). Some pre-War .45s are also known which were cut for the safety. But then WWII came along and all work on the commercial incorporation of the Swartz Safety stopped.

For those unfamiliar with the Swartz Safety, it involves a mechanism in which the firing pin is locked in place until the grip safety is squeezed. A type of firing pin block was brought back on the Colt Series 80 pistols, but it was not the same design as the original Swartz Safety.

These replies are exactly what I was looking for...even though I got in trouble for posting in the wrong place...? , Anyways , thank you one and all . Very helpful points about a model I have no experience with . Have to dwell on many of your ideas so as to get the most for my money . I thank you all .

If someone said it I missed it but the other possible 1911 "brand" is a roll your own.
Depending on what you select it can be fairly cheap to a high dollar adventure.
When you're done it will truly be your 1911 and you'll know all about the breed.

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Expert at not being an Expert.

if i were in the market for a new 1911, it would be the colt series 70 reissue.

In my long rant I forgot an obvious one that in today's market... well, I should NOT have forgotten it. The Springfield Range Officer. There is a lot of pistol there for very reasonable money. Myself, I really don't care for the recently "upgraded" fiber optic front sight, but I can tell you that when Bullseye competitors are asked the "what gun for someone brand new to the sport?" they always answer Springfield Range Officer -if- the new shooter doesn't want to commit to a $3000 custom build.

Again, depends on what you seek... I love the Bomar style target rear sight but if you want to carry it, it probably isn't the best choice.

I like my S&W 4506-it's a 1911 double action with a de-cocker that is very reliable. I also have a Para Super Hawg 6 inch 15 shot 1911, but it was built by them-not Remington-a great tool.

There are a lot of variables to consider, some of which are:

1. Your budget
2. Your intended purpose
3. Your ability to "tinker" or add/change parts

For example, if your budget is $700, that's probably going to preclude most if not all new Colts, Kimbers, S&Ws, SIGs, and certainly will preclude any of the more expensive production guns. Of the lesser expensive guns, I would definitely recommend Ruger. Not only are they great guns but come with all the most often desired features. Ruger has lifetime service that is excellent.

If your intended purpose is collecting and/or for future resale value, then Colt and some of the higher priced production guns are your better bet. If you want a shooter to enjoy, all of them will work for that purpose (of those deemed generally reliable) but you don't need to spend a lot of money to have a good general purpose shooter.

If you want to "tinker" and fit/change out parts, then you can buy a basic "GI" model and have a lot of fun fitting new parts. If you don't have those skills, or don't want to, then you should buy a gun that comes with the features you desire: the most common are a beavertail grip safety, a rowel or commander style hammer, and an extended thumb safety (either single or ambi, as you prefer.) Triggers may need fitting, and that needs to be done correctly or it could make the gun unsafe. Things like grips, grip screws, recoil spring plugs, changing from GI recoil rod to full length guide rod (or the other way) are easily done and don't require fitting.

For a good shooter, you can't go wrong with a Ruger SR1911...it usually can be found new for $700 or less. It's not going to be a collectible or gain much if any value over time, but it's a great gun to own and shoot. The more expensive guns may have better fit and finish, and may hold their value or even increase, but the best bet for that purpose is a Colt for reasons already stated.

I've had Colt NM, series 80 and 70, 1939 vintage 38 super, Springfield, Kimber, Dan Wesson, Randall and some others this feeble brain can't recall. Sold all but the series 70. At the Colorado Collectors show last weekend the series 70's were going at a premium. Of course the vintage collector types were much higher. If it were Me I'd buy a series 70 and never look back. Good luck with whatever You decide on.

Get a real Colt. Anything else is just an imitation.

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In Omnia Paratus

I guess you drive a Ford then...

The OP mentioned adding to his collection, so I'm thinking not necessarily brand new, tack driver, enhanced anything.

Leaves me to ponder my long love affair with all things 1911 and the role they played in a boatload of US Military duty in some dang dangerous, far away actions (probably some a lot closer to home too).

Anyway....the Colt was "king" and only for the prancing pony. My Ithaca, and my Remington Rand, and even my Argentine ALL "rattled", and shook, and rolled.....all the way to Victory over some very bad dudes, and the government assured us that they were all manufactured the same way, from the same drawings, from the same forgings, carrying the same grips, lanyards, sights, finish (WW II stuff anyway), so is one really "better" than the other?

Any of them qualify for my collection and shooter wise...just give me a bigger target (side of the barn is OK) and I'll get it in the vicinity.

Just an off post drift by my 2 cents worth.

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Charlie B
SWCA#3083, SWHF#570

Colt 1911s and ford trucks are indeed the correct answer.