Suggestions - 1911

[WC145]

How much do you want to spend? Without knowing that all anyone can do is list their favorites. There are better buys in every price range, let us know yours and we can make educated suggestions.

Without knowing anything else, I'll agree with some of the others and say that you can't go wrong with a Colt.

 

[Derosa]

I am so impressed by the well thought opinions and observations. (Yes, I am no spring chicken.

I am zeroing in on a Springfield G.I. model with, ahem, enhanced sights.

Again, thank you all so much for the feedback.

 

[diamonback68]

I have an RIA CS (Officers Model) and absolutely love it. It's as tight and well made as many Colt 1911 I've had in the past, not as fancy but just as well made.

 

[BigBill]

After owning two non functioning colt 1911 I almost gave up on owning a functioning 1911. It took a well ridden Chinese norinco 1911 to show me what the 1911 hype was all about.

My next brand new 1911a1 was the Auto-Ordnance ARMY WW 2 copy. It's the closest, exact clone of the ww 2 colt copy as I'll ever purchase. This 1911 right out of the box has been flawless for over 500rds. I was torn between the new AO and the new Springfield Armory 1911a1 USGI-mil-spec. I purchased both a few days apart. Both brand new 1911a1 function and cycle as good as my norinco.

I have a gun curse. If I say a gun functions you better believe it. I just wished I purchased more nib AO 1911a1's.

I been looking for a cheap 1911a1 to ccw carry. So far my finds aren't the truck gun I'm looking for. I may try a Turkish 1911a1 clone next.

For a ww 2 exact clone the new Auto Ordnance ww 2 copy 1911a1 is hard to beat.

I want a 1911a1 in nickel and the RIA look great.

I want another 1911a1 in stainless and the Thompson Custom 1911a1 looks awesome.

 

[Kanewpadle]

I am so impressed by the well thought opinions and observations. (Yes, I am no spring chicken.

I am zeroing in on a Springfield G.I. model with, ahem, enhanced sights.

Again, thank you all so much for the feedback.

Good choice. A "tribute" gun should be a GI model.

 

[Cyrano]

I am so impressed by the well thought opinions and observations. (Yes, I am no spring chicken.

I am zeroing in on a Springfield G.I. model with, ahem, enhanced sights.

Again, thank you all so much for the feedback.

When you get it, please post pics; we all like pictures, and will be interesting in whatg you 've gotg.

 

[bigl1911]

Wow.. A ton of great suggestions.. One thing not mentioned are the Colt WW1 reproductions. I have one. I love it and they are great replicas with modern durability. Short of old collectables I really like the new Government reissue 70 series. It is a serious tack driver (earlier post likes blue I prefer stainless)... The new National Match is very cool but all these guns are not on the cheap dollar side. The Ruger people say are great for the money and more than not many like the Springfield Operator series as shooters and carry guns based on extreme durability and ruggedness (I don't carry so no comment available)... The MC Operator is very cool but some people think they are over the top. Me I really like them and say to heck with those that don't like them.. Good luck....

 

[JJEH]

You buy what you love. I'd never go to a message board.

You are absolutely right. Same with vehicles, motor oil and everything else you can imagine.

I like giving my advice/opinion, but threads like "what firearm should I buy?" or "want a fast car - what to buy?" it's not going to do it for me.

Too many variables in this. Determine budget, use, your expectations, must have features, your level of expertise, etc. first, then go from there.

Most people just like what they have and if you are happy with a $400 1911 it's hard to convince you that you should pay $3,000 for a better one.

Put your hands on as many 1911 in your price range as you can. If you ask online about a specific model you get way more (specific) answers to your question(s). Which ultimately can help you make a better decision.

But in the end it's your decision. Listen to your money and gut.

 

[DoubleAdobe]

You are absolutely right. Same with vehicles, motor oil and everything else you can imagine.

I like giving my advice/opinion, but threads like "what firearm should I buy?" or "want a fast car - what to buy?" it's not going to do it for me.

Too many variables in this. Determine budget, use, your expectations, must have features, your level of expertise, etc. first, then go from there.

Most people just like what they have and if you are happy with a $400 1911 it's hard to convince you that you should pay $3,000 for a better one.

Put your hands on as many 1911 in your price range as you can. If you ask online about a specific model you get way more (specific) answers to your question(s). Which ultimately can help you make a better decision.

But in the end it's your decision. Listen to your money and gut.

Purty good advice right there.

 

[bigl1911]

I have a few of those, also:
You buy what you love. I'd never go to a message board. You will find 50% like Colt and 50% like the replica's.

Excellent pictures!! Well done.. Mine are not so nice.. Couple of others.. Forgot to mention I have a match for the reproduction
M1911 -1918

consecutive SN post war Gov Models 1951

Again I am not a carry guy but if I was it would be short of a SW 642 a Colt 1903..

OP - Never a good thing talking about the darkside (Colt) on the SW Forum...

 

[GKC]

I'd never go to a message board.

I don't ask forums to make decisions for me, but I do like to get feedback on guns that members have owned, and their experiences, which helps me make a decision. I'd much rather get input from actual owners, than from gun publications (have you ever read a negative review in a gun mag?)

 

[Derosa]

I took some of the offered advice and wandered over to the local Gander Mt. store and fondled its in stock inventory of 1911. The sales guy was great and let me spend a long time with all sorts of Kimbers, Para, Auto Ordinance, Sig, Remington (really liked that those two), and more, commmander sized and full; flat and ached, G.I. style and extended beaver tail, et. al.

No Smiths were there. I have narrowed to down to Remington, Springfield and perhaps Sig (don't tell the wife

All were great, as expected. Now I am off to find a local range that might allow me to rent one or two for some range time and spent brass.

Again, thanks to all that offered advice & suggestions.

 

[wildenout]

All great suggestions and answers above, I think again it really does boil down to price range. The cheapest ones I'd do would be Ruger's, who actually do really well I hear. Then to me it would be either a Springfield or a Colt, above and beyond you're talking custom and there are tons of great vendors!

 

[CptCurl]

The trouble with 1911 pistols is that you cannot own just one. Once you get the bug things like this will happen:

Curl