1911 ... Which One Would You Buy?

[legelegel]

I have had a Star PD (25 oz.)for many years.

I have wanted to buy a 5 inch barrel 1911 for a long time.

Which one of these 3 pistols would you buy and why?

Auto Ordnance 1911A1 (39 oz.)
Ruger SR1911 (39 oz.)

Smith & Wesson 4506-1 (41.6 oz.)
Smith & Wesson 4506-2
Smith & Wesson 4506-3

What are the differences in these 3 versions of the S&W 4506?

What were the 20 design changes made between the 4506 and 4506-1.

What other 1911 would you recommend considering and why?

 

[Babalooie]

If I were to buy a 1911 today, I'd get a Remington. They're reasonably priced and Remington is a well established company.

Some of the others are made in the Phillippines and their quality control isn't that great.

The 45xx series is not really a 1911. No big deal, unless you decide to shoot in competition.

 

[Arik]

Well the S&W are not 1911. However all things being equal I'd go with the 4506-1 (I just picked the -1) over a 1911. They don't require tinkering or tuning. The 4506 is made only by S&W and no one else. The 1911 is made by just about every one with different quality parts and different dimensions. Essentially it's their interpretation of the original 1911.

If I were to go with a 1911 that is not a $2k gun it would be Springfield, Colt, Dan Wesson. Excellent quality for a good price

 

[federali]

Confused

The three S&Ws you list are not Model 1911s. I do have a stock S&W M1911 and this is a fine pistol and feeds everything I give it including semi-wadcutters.

M 1911s are all over the ballpark price wise. It depends on your anticipated needs. I would not hesitate to use my 1911 for SD purposes even though there are flavors out there many times more expensive and theoretically better.

 

[FPrice]

I have the Ruger Commander and love it. The Commander model seems to fit me a tad bit better than the Govt Model.

 

[Babalooie]

The S&W 4563 & 4566 are similar in size to the Commander.

 

[legelegel]

If I were to buy a 1911 today, I'd get a Remington. They're reasonably priced and Remington is a well established company.

Some of the others are made in the Phillippines and their quality control isn't that great.

The 45xx series is not really a 1911. No big deal, unless you decide to shoot in competition.

I shot expert with the Model 1911A when I was in the US Army. I was on the Oklahoma Governor's Twenty (top twenty law enforcement pistol shooters) many years ago.

I haven't shot a pistol at shooting range in a very long time.

Tell me about the Model 1911 competitions.

 

[MrG5122]

Coon-finger a Springfield MC Operator. Almost every thing I'd want on one right out of the box.

 

[Rpg]

My first choice for a 1911 is a Colt.

If I couldn't get a Colt, I'd save my money until I could afford one.

There are lots of knockoff 1911's, and most work well but often have features I dislike such as plastic parts, full length guide rods and external extractors.

Of the knockoff's, I think the old Noronco is probably the best for the money. Although Clinton ended their import, used ones are often available at very reasonable prices.

Just my opinion, of course.

 

[semperfi71]

I have one Ruger Commander and two Remington 1911s.

All three have good accuracy potential. You just have to find the right load. All have excellent sights.

Ruger customer service is the best in the world if you have problems. The Rugers are well built and well thought out.

The Remingtons are well made and currently found very cheap.

I would pass on the Auto Ordnance 1911A1. I have the GI version and like it and its accuracy but it has the standard GI sights which challenge my old eyes. But...Ruger and Remington will be "combat" ready out of the box and will have good customer service.

I know nothing about the S&Ws.

 

[murphydog]

It depends on your needs/wants and budget. Nothing against the S & W 4500 series guns but if you are familiar with and prefer the 1911 pattern gun you should stick with one of those. Of the two you list I would go for the Ruger, but others include:

The S & W version, the Springfield Range Officer (adjustable sight), the current Colt GM, and a bunch of others.

 

[legelegel]

If I were to buy a 1911 today, I'd get a Remington. They're reasonably priced and Remington is a well established company.

I have ... two Remington 1911s.

... good accuracy potential. You just have to find the right load. ... have excellent sights.

The Remingtons are well made and currently found very cheap.

I would pass on the Auto Ordnance 1911A1. I have the GI version and like it and its accuracy but it has the standard GI sights which challenge my old eyes. But ... Remington will be "combat" ready out of the box and will have good customer service.

I have a new #1 contender.

 

[BE Mike]

You can't go wrong with one of the many Springfield Armory 1911's. You can get anything from a basic pistol, like the MilSpec to a custom pistol and just about anything in between. Many folks like the Range Officer for the value.

SA have forged frames and they back them up. Colt hasn't impressed me in many years. I wouldn't buy anything Remington right now. I'm a Kahr fan, but I wouldn't buy an Auto Ordnance anything.

 

[Babalooie]

Tell me about the Model 1911 competitions.

I never shot my 1911 in competition but remember a friend telling me several years ago that (at that time) S&W 45's could not be shot in 1911 competitions. This was before they started making 1911's.

Of the knockoff's, I think the old Noronco is probably the best for the money. Although Clinton ended their import, used ones are often available at very reasonable prices.

Just my opinion, of course.

I had a Norinco 1911 and it worked well for me. My friend, a retired LEO, told me Norinco had a problem with their heat treating process. But, like I mentioned above, mine worked just fine.

 

[Babalooie]

I wouldn't buy anything Remington right now.

I'm curious. Why not?

 

[Watchdog]

I have wanted to buy a 5 inch barrel 1911 for a long time.

Other than just wanting one, do you have any specific purpose in mind for the pistol?

Keep in mind that a full size 5-inch 1911 is a big gun, and if you get all steel, it's fairly heavy when fully loaded, and definitely isn't the easiest pistol to carry concealed.

Having said that, my personal choice isn't among those you listed.

My primary full size 1911 is a Colt Series 70 Mark IV in stainless steel. No fancy sights. No pretty doodads. Oh, and absolutely no rail.

The Colt is the granddaddy of all the wannabe clones. That's a fact that no one can deny. It's said that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, and all the lookalikes spring from the original design. Each and every one of them from the cheapest to the most expensive carries some of the DNA from the original. The design is timeless. It's dependable, accurate, extremely sturdy, and the Colt 1911 is probably the finest, if not the finest, combat pistol ever made.

 

[RO73]

I'm a fan of the Ruger SR1911. I have one and it shot like a champ out of the box. After a few thousand rounds, I decided to make small upgrades (got rid of all the black parts) and smoothed out the trigger. It is one of my favorites at this point.

 

[Bartman3562]

Another option is any of the sig 1911. Any one is a good value for the money.

 

[Babalooie]

Keep in mind that a full size 5-inch 1911 is a big gun, and if you get all steel, it's fairly heavy when fully loaded, and definitely isn't the easiest pistol to carry concealed.

The 1911 has a natural point of aim and all that weight helps reduce felt recoil.

 

[Fishinfool]

It is really hard to go wrong with just about any name brand of 1911, it is really just a matter of features (weight, sights, etc.) and how much you want to pay. I like Kimbers, but that's just me. If price is an issue, the Rock Island Armory pistols have proven themselves as a lot of bang for the buck.

I too would stay away from Auto Ordnance 1911's. In the past, they were always known as being problematic, though that may have changed. Several people have questioned Remington 1911's, as Remington QC has slipped in recent years, though just about everything I have heard about their 1911's is positive.

Here is a link with lots of info, and some guns to drool over..

https://www.1911addicts.com/threads/buyers-guide-for-all-you-1911-addicts.511/

Larry