I believe I'm going to buy a 1911.

I'm considering the S&W SW1911 and a Springfield Armory 1911 and the new Ruger 1911.

Anyone own any of these guns?

Any advice you can give to me?

I have a couple of Series 70 Colts that I really like. I have seen a Ruger and they really look nice for the price.

Of those three, I voted for the Springfield. The S&W has an external extractor, and I believe the Ruger does also. I prefer the internal extractors on my 1911s.

Also, the Ruger is still a very new product for them. So far, they get good reviews, but sometimes there are kinks to work out when production begins. Time will tell, but it may be prudent to wait a while on that model.

One more thing, Springfield offers many different production 1911 models, from the very modestly priced GI or Milspec models, all the way up to TRP or professional models. If you wanted something even more to your specs, Springfield Armory Custom Shop can do gunsmithing on your pistol to your liking.

To my knowledge, S&W and Ruger have nowhere near the selection and customizability of Springfield.

Good luck with your choice!

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The only verdict is vengeance

My #1 carry piece is a Springfield Armory 3" Micro.
My #2 is an original 1911Sc billboard which is 101% reliable. And more accurate...

SA is tops in customer service.
That being said I am considering selling the micro to fund S&W 1911 Pro. But It is too reliable to sell(almost;maybe).

Smith and Wesson have been very successful with external extractors (long like JMB designed).

A lot of 1911 manufacturers have come and gone through the years. I'm sure the Ruger will be fine, but only time will tell.

I have had my S&W 1911 for several years with zero complaints. Everyone who has shot it loves it. My daughter has shot all of my guns and shoots them well but says when the zombies come she has dibs on the 1911!

I think the extractor is a matter of tradition as both internal and external work well...I understand both views.

Attached Images

S&W 1911 45ACP 001.jpg (48.7 KB, 86 views)

I have a Springfield loaded that I've owned for several years, thousands of rounds of factory and handloaded ammo through it. It's reliable-more reliable than some of my friends fancier 1911's. A friend's Kimber is a tiiiiiny bit more accurate, but I think most days it's a toss up.
Really been a super pistol for me.
Same friend just bought a Ruger 1911, only had it a couple of weeks, maybe 200r through it at this time.
No failures, trigger is not as good as the Springfield, but may just be initial newness wearing off.
Rugers also have the traditional internal extractor.
I like the Springfield loaded, but you'd be hard pressed to find one at the same price as the Ruger.

When I was in the market for a 1911, I had it narrowed down to S&W & Springfield as well--based on my budget. Ended up with a S&W as I found one at a great price on GB. S&W has terrific customer service, and I hear Springfield is equally dedicated to helping customers. Don't think you will go wrong with either manufacturer. I know Ruger's 1911 is new to the market, so I wouldn't give a recommendation for or against it. Certainly looks like a nice 1911 and priced well for the market. Hopefully you won't be upset about another recommendation, but I would also keep an eye out for a Dan Wesson if you come across one at a good price.

I have been into 1911's since 1983. So far , the best results I got were form the full size Colts that were worked over by the best names in the business.

I DID try custom production guns too. Les Baer, Kimber custom shop, Nighthawk etc.

They take second place.

Everyone needs a 1911. I currently have a Les Bear, 2 Springers, and a recently acquired Sig. All have their place. Would I likely spend the money for the LB again. Probably not. High end 1911s are overpriced. The average shooter like myself does not notice all the little details that they say makes the difference in what you have to pay. My Sig 1911 compact shoots just as good in my hand as the LB at a fraction of the cost. Find a good deal on a used on and spend the rest of the money on ammo or other items. The Springfield or Sig would be my choice.

I just bought a S&W E over two Kimber's the store had in stock. The trigger was better on the S&W, the finish was a toss-up as the Kimber was carbon steel and the S&W I choose is SS. I felt the trigger on the E was the tipping point for me. I have only run around 30 rounds through the gun but have had no problems at all. I have also had good customer service from S&W in the past. I have yet to see a Ruger but I have made it a policy to wait out the initial run of anything to get the bugs out. That said I like everything I have read and viewed about the Ruger.
Be safe, Frank.

i went springfield armory.

Does it matter to you where your guns are manufactured?

I believe Springfield's are made (at least partially) in Brazil. I have nothing against them, but there are enough quality gun manufacturers in the USA that I don't buy guns that aren't made here. I know for a fact that Ruger's 1911 is made in the USA, and I'd assume S&W's are as well. But the Brazilian content of the Springfield is a deal breaker for me. It's too bad, because I really like their Range Officer model.

Lou

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NRA Certified Instructor & RSO

Springfield Armory gets my vote. The Mil-Spec 1911 A-1 is one of the most accurate and well made 1911s I have shot. I have not had a single failure to feed, fire, or eject in 1000s of rounds. Fit and finish is excellent.

Yes the frames are made by Imbel in Brazil, but the Made in USA marking or Made in Brazil marking is based on where 51% or more of the gun is assembled.

I would buy another without hesitation.

In all fairness, I must say that I have not handled or fired the Ruger and the S&W to do a comparison. Just very pleased with the SA.


WG840

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Freedom above all else.

I have the Ruger 1911. I've put 500 rounds thru & it's flawless.

OLSKIBM, Lucky you. I have not even been able to hold one yet. Between three gun shops in a 10 mile radius and not one to be found. Sounds like you have a great find. Enjoy.
Frank

Everyone has their opinions on extractors. What I want to know is why you do not like the external extractor. There are volumes of written articles that say the external is best. The internal is more prone to breaking, beind and failure. JMB went to the external extractor later in his life.

My father liked the internal extractor simply because that is what his 1911 had during WWII. I was never able to get him to even try shooting a gun with an external extractor.

I have a cousin the same way. When I asked why, he said just because others said it was better.

Many of the well know gun companies like Kimber also uses the external extractor. I have several guns with the external extractor and never had a problem with them. One of my guns has seen over 15,000 rounds send down range and still working fine.

So why do you like the internal extractor?

Oldman is correct here in my opinion. I see the external extractor, when done properly, as an "evolutionary improvement" in this regard over internal.

Much like 3rd generation S&W pistols are overall an improvement to the 1911 platform, but that is a whole different argument.........

I think the extractor issue is similar to the lock issue in revolvers. The external extractor is OK on my 1911's but I won't have the lock on my revolvers. Why? There is no rational reason why...just the way it is for me. Perhaps because I am not old enough to to have seen the 1911 before the external extractor came along but I am old enough to see the revolver lock take over S&W. Just tradition I guess.

Same reason my Mustang must have a V8 and a clutch!

The external extractor is not a problem with me.

I agree with oldman45 opinion .

I've lot's of gun's .. very high quality guns like Sig Sauers & other high quality brands

That have gone to external extractors.

Just to butt in for a sec I have 2 Colts and a PT1911, The Colts had to have parts changed to make them reliable , the Taurus has been working fine (just have to dump the ambi safety). I was at the LGS over the weekend looking at Springers and Smiths, I liked the Smiths better. If I had $1100 to spend on a new gun that S&W 1911E would be on my desk right now, that is a sweet gun.

I have a SA loaded (PX9151LP) and the new Ruger (just for a few months) - don't have a SW 1911 yet. The Ruger is a great 1911 for the money - I had a few FTF the first 50 rounds but after a good fieldstrip and cleaning, it has been flawless - all stainless for that price - you can't go wrong. That said, the SA is a better pistol - just the fit and finish and accuracy right out of the box - it is a beautiful 1911 - but about $250 more than the Ruger (which still isn't bad.) If you can swing a loaded SA, that's what I'd get - it could be your only 1911 and you'd be very happy

Here's a picture of each of mine:

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Lou

I have both the SW1911 (108282) and the Ruger SR1911...I voted that I like the SR1911 but it is very close, IMO. The reason I chose the SR1911 over the SW1911 is (in a very small part, miniscule really) that the SW1911 has an external extractor, and because (mainly) the SR1911 has no FPS at all, while the S&W does...however, it is linked to the grip safety, rather than the trigger, like Series 80 Colts do...so, even that isn't really an issue. The trigger on my S&W is the best of any 1911 I have ever felt...so that is a point in its favor. The plunger tube on the SR1911 is integral to the frame (cast) rather than staked like most 1911s, so that is a point for the SR1911. Both are made in the USA, by companies with high standards for QC and CS.

SO, in the end result, I am hard pressed to pick one over the other...but because the poll only let me make one choice, I picked the SR1911 because of its very tiny edge (internal extractor, no FPS, and integral plunger tube.) Either one will do very well for you.

If I may ask. Have you ever had any trouble with the external extractor? If not, why the objection to it other than other people resists change, even when it is an improvement.

Also, you are correct. Both companies are USA owned and employing American workers. That says a lot for those companies.

I'm an advocate of the external extractor and so voted for (and have this model) the SW1911. The old 4506 was the first model I had with an external extractor and after 20 years I haven't had to replace or tweak it to get the tension just right-can't say that about internal extractors.

Well my son bought him a S&W SW1911 in .45 cal.



It is a beautiful gun IMHO