1911’s I’m considering

[wproct]

Go where you can pick the guns up and test them for yourself for fit, finish, trigger etc. When I bought mine several years ago it come down to deciding between Ruger and Kimber. Kimber was a little more money but felt much better in the hand and when I checked those things.

 

[KalamazooKid]

Much of my 1911 experiences have involved a Kimber. My favorite that has a LOT of rounds thru it is this Raptor.

 

[Bumpus13]

1911’s are superb pistols. I’ve currently got four (3 in .45acp & the other in 10mm) … By far, my favorite is my Kimber Stainless Pro Raptor (.45)

The 4” barrel and OE tritium night sights are a large bonus for carry, and those grips and front strap “scaling” (grippy w/o being abrasive) to go with the all steel frame makes it a sweet shooter.

 

[6GUNSONLY]

I have or have had Colt, TIA, Ruger, and S/A. Most recently Tisas. I'm really impressed with them for the price point, and would suggest you check one out before deciding. Price leaves a lot of room for ammo, just sayin...

 

[vulcan73]

What is your intended use of the gun? If it's to put holes in paper at the range or plinking in the woods, then any will do. If you are looking for a carry 45, then I'd go with a 'small' Officer's model with an alloy frame. Also, you might consider a polymer frame 45 for carrying. I have a 1911A1 (5" bbl) which is purely a range gun. I also have an all-steel Officer's model, a very nice shooter but a bit too heavy for EDC. My carry 45's are M&P Shield 45, Kahr CW45 or Springfleid XD Mod 2 Sub-Compact.

 

[AJ]

I have owned 60+ M1911/M1911A1's in my lifetime so far. I have had every major manufacturer of the 1911 platform, except Kimber (always thought they were over priced from the start). Also I have built about 50+ other M1911A1's from parts over the years. The last I built was as a Wedding present to my Daughter and her Husband at their request, almost 30 years ago. I have three in the handgun vault now, two older Colts and a Ruger SR1911 10MM.

No matter what you choose it will be your preference and only yours ultimately. .45 ACP is a good caliber for punching paper and other things. The nice thing is by changing the barrel and mag, you can switch calibers if you want. Any of your choices will probably work for you as most folks do not use and abuse things that they paid hard earned money for.

Enjoy whatever you buy.

 

[CH4]

Of those you listed I’d go with the Springfield Armory, because I own a few. Great value. I’ve never owned any of the others, but I am sure they will do what you ask of them.

 

[hardluk1]

You don't see many kimbers mentioned as so many models have alloy frames . Today thats not much of a issue unless your shooting thousands of rounds a years but thats the reason . A Kimber two tune or so called Stainless have the same level of fit and finish and parts used in the High priced models that many window dressing but today most do thet same thing in the so called" Performance Center !!

I started buying 191's in '76 and that first one was a sytema colt 1927 mixed part number handgun but it ran fine after some mag tuning and pasrts replaced in the mags . RIS when new was my biggest surprise. Reak good shooter , nice 4lb trigger and even cycled empty brass and that made tap rack bang drills easy . Today I carry my 2nd colt series 70 lw commander in 45 and I had a little lard butt colt officer acp that had some work done to cycle hp ammo of the day back in '86 but sold it about 5 years later to a deputy / friend that wanted it for a back up and off duty carry then bought my first alloy frame commander .

Today I would like to own a Tisas with no MIM parts and they look to be a good 1911 for the money so its more about finding a model to start with . You can always invest a little time and money to make better if needed .

I'm not a target shooter unless a 22lr pistol is in my hand any more and I don't mind alloy frame kimbers . My wife carrys a ultra 9mm for almost 6 years and has close to 2900 rounds thru it reliably , My colt has twice that round count and still reliably .

General 1911 kimber page & Tisas page and others to check out -

Pistols for Sale | 22, 9mm, 45 ACP & More | MidwayUSA

Pistols for Sale | 22, 9mm, 45 ACP & More | MidwayUSA

Kimber Nightstar Lightweight 1911 Semi-Automatic Pistol 9mm Luger 5

Kimber Stainless Target II Semi-Automatic Pistol 45 ACP 5 Barrel

 

[shovelmike]

Your money, your choice, but the RIA 1911's are nice guns and do everything their competitors do, for a fraction of the price. Several experienced shooters (including my gun smith) have bought them after shooting mine.

I have been considering purchasing a 1911 for a while, my precious wife has observed and noted my interest.
I had another birthday, last year she made sure I left the gun shop with the 686 Pro Series that made my eyes light up. Yesterday we walked in the shop, "Got any 1911's ? she asked. They had a good selection, though nostalgia drew me to the 45's, the difference in ammo cost motivated me to procure a 9mm Rock Island.
A little learning curve ahead after the simplicity of revolvers and easy field stripping of my Caniks.

 

[jaguargolf]

I prefer Colt 1911's in .45ACP. I have 2 Lt. Wt Commanders and a full size Gov't. The Lt Wt's are my favorite.
I also have an STI and a Springfield Armory in 10mm, and a Remington Carry Commander.
I have owned an Armscor Citadel which I traded away. I didn't get along with it. Too heavy for such a small gun.
I think I like the Colts best of all because they fit my hand naturally, perfectly the first time I pick it up or unholster it. I never have to shift my grip. I get the same felling with a S&W Model 10. I think it has to do with the undercut trigger guard.
Best of luck with your choice.

 

[BE Mike]

Always wanted an affordable all steel Officer/45.
The Ruger just needed a smoothing out on the edges of the trigger. Runs fine and gets carried in South Florida.
A bit of Art Deco for South Beach.

We have a Colt GM and GC from around '79.
Have met several shooters with the higher end Smiths, in 45, and they were all happy with their choice.

I know what you mean. I have always been a fan of SA and Colt 1911 pistols, but this Ruger is a great one. Who knew that Ruger even had a Custom Shop? I love the adjustable sights.

 

[AJ]

Today I would like to own a Tisas with no MIM parts and they look to be a good 1911 for the money so its more about finding a model to start with . You can always invest a little time and money to make better if needed .

I'm not a target shooter unless a 22lr pistol is in my hand any more and I don't mind alloy frame kimbers . My wife carries a ultra 9mm for almost 6 years and has close to 2900 rounds thru it reliably , My colt has twice that round count and still reliably .

A good friend deals in Military M1911's & M1911A1's, and also high end Colt commercial models. He has two Tisa's that he uses as carry pieces. To me that says a lot.

My Colt Gold Cup National Match has been in my possession for over 15 years and gets over 5000 round a year. The pistol is a 1976 Series 70 and who knows how many rounds were put through it before I bought it. Will a Tisa's hold up to that, who knows only time will tell.

 

[cmansguns]

Then there are the "real" 1911's

My Glock 21 Gen 4 is great, my S&W Model 745 is better, but for the best fun (assuming you do have access to a local barn side for target frame) are the "real" 1911's designed by the man hisself.

No stainless, miserable sights, not much better triggers, single stack...........but a zillion GI's sure depended on these guns for their life, and I enjoy each time I take-em out for a little exercise.

YES.........I can hit that side of the barn...assuming it is broad side.

 

[AJ]

My Glock 21 Gen 4 is great, my S&W Model 745 is better, but for the best fun (assuming you do have access to a local barn side for target frame) are the "real" 1911's designed by the man hisself.

No stainless, miserable sights, not much better triggers, single stack...........but a zillion GI's sure depended on these guns for their life, and I enjoy each time I take-em out for a little exercise.

YES.........I can hit that side of the barn...assuming it is broad side.

I qualified Expert on nine different occasions with those "real" M1911's in the service. No problems here with one of those.

 

[kamloops67]

I have never had a malfunction with my S&W 1911
That’s with factory ammo and my LRN reloads
I’m sure it’s coming but hasn’t happened yet
Somewhere around 2000 rounds now

 

[AJ]

I have never had a malfunction with my S&W 1911
That’s with factory ammo and my LRN reloads
I’m sure it’s coming but hasn’t happened yet
Somewhere around 2000 rounds now

You are lucky. We didn't teach and practice malfunctions and clearing them for no reason.........it does happen. Round nosed bullets help a lot in positive feeding. I throat and polish the feed ramp so all my pistols will feed an empty case from the magazine.

 

[LostintheOzone]

I have a Colt Gold Cup Trophy. That one might be around 13 years old and it's a keeper. I don't see how you could go wrong with any on your list. Ruger has good CS, I do know that from experience.

 

[kb1903]

I'm a big 1911 fan, have been for 45 years. I have had a Colt Gold Cup, a Kimber full size and several Colt Gov't models. Recently purchased a Tisas "Tank Commander" in 45. Love it, runs flawlessly right out of the box with mixed reloads and mixed mags. Liked it so much that I bought 2 more, a "commander and a full size, both in 9mm.
Great all steel guns for @ $400 or less. Great guns for the $$. At least 600 rounds thru the full size 9mm without any issues. Pretty good accuracy too. Can't go wrong for the money. Just my experience.

 

[gdogs]

I've been very close to ordering one of the new MAC JSOC 1911's. The only thing stopping me is a complete lack of need for any more 45's. They're stamped Tisas, not sure of the complete relationship there, but early reports are very positive. Lots of features for the price.

 

[AJ]

I've been very close to ordering one of the new MAC JSOC 1911's. The only thing stopping me is a complete lack of need for any more 45's. They're stamped Tisas, not sure of the complete relationship there, but early reports are very positive. Lots of features for the price.

As long as a pistol/revolver functions as it should, why does it need features? About 90% of the time the features are something some rag writer wrote about and talking it up to get you to buy something that an advertiser is paying the magazine to do. Nothing against the Tisas, as a good friend who is very knowledgeable on M1911's thinks at the price point they are great. All my guns are pretty much stock on the outside (where the "features" go), my work is on the inside concerning feeding and trigger function. Will yours feed an empty case? If it does then it will feed anything and that equates to reliability.........