1911 Advice

[JcMack]

Ask yourself what features you really need on the pistol. Do you really need that ambidextrous thumb safety, the Commander-style hammer, the beavertail grip safety, speed (three-hole) trigger, the Novak-style sights, and all the rest of the gee-gaws that are so ubiquitous on 1911s these days? These doo-dads were all added so that the factories could muscle in on the after-market custom gun biz and charge almost as much for something that ain't.

If you just want a shooter, get a plain-Jane Springfield mil-spec or one of the new Colt Series 70 Government Models without all the Christmas tree ornaments, and have a ball at the range. Both of these come with decent iron sights, will outlive you by several generations, and are well-made no-nonsense pistols. If later you want to customize one, most 1911 gunsmiths will be happy to work on them, something that is not true of the Norincos, Auto Ordinance, and other poorly made 1911 copies.

The Wilson-Rogers magazines are worth the money, but the $7.00 Metalform's perform just as well.

Just one man's opinion.


Bullseye

I agree with all of this. Although the Springers I've had seem prone to rust including the stainless ones. I want a gun that's rollmarked not laser etched. If you do your research and pick a Colt that's properly priced, your gun will maintain it's value. Unlike most of the competition.

 

[ColbyBruce]

Norinco pistols are not bad guns. AO pistols have increased in quality since Kahr took them over. Even back in the day, the three older AO's I owned worked fine, but the metal finishing was poor to terrible.

 

[SW CQB 45]

I will throw in my $19.11.

Most high end gunsmiths will only work on
Colt
Springfield Armory

which says alot about those brands.

I believe Springfield Armory has the best customer svc and warranty in the business.....example,

A brother officer bought a used Springfield Armory 1911 45 from another officer who I know bought used in a local gun store. The officer brought me the gun and said could I help by showing him how to take apart and clean it. I immediately noticed the non factory extended slide lock lever and the plunger tube was coming off. I called Springfield Customer Svc and gave them the info. They immediately emailed me a return tag and the gun was shipped Monday afternoon with a letter indicating to call for a credit card to replace the slide lock lever with a standard factory unit. Friday afternoon (same week), the gun arrived back to my office, fixed plunger tube (looked replaced) and a new slide lock lever (no charge). talk about service!!!!!!

A buddy recently got a Colt Rail gun to carry on duty. He brought it over as he wanted to borrow my sight tool for night sight install. I was impressed with the new Colt gun except for one area.....the edges on the Colt with knife cutting sharp.

I like my 1911s to be fast handling without of the fear of cuts or abrasions. I feel I would get cut with the Colt if I did a quick grab out of the holster. but its STS, so a file and some 320 paper will make it right for me.

There are many brands and I cannot give you any guidance on SW as I am not a fan of the external extractor on a 1911. I like to be able to remove my extractor and clean without have to drive pins in and out.

Kimber....I also cannot give you any advice, but I have read so much negativity about customer service and its a roll of the dice if you get a good one out of the box as opposed to one that has constant issues. I have read alot that the original Kimbers are the desired ones and that will require research to determine what those are.

I once owned a Les Baer HW Monolith which I considered to be the most accurate 1911 I ever shot and owned. Out of the box, it ran 100% and accuracy was incredible with 230 ball. I bought the Monolith only to be different and it was not allowed in the shooting sports I was playing back then and I still am kicking myself for not buying a PII as I would likely still own it.

My current stash of 1911s consists of
Custom Colt 45 (used in competition)
Colt OACP (plain clothes duty carry)
Custom Springfield Armory MC Operator (uniformed duty carry)
Bone Stock Springfield Armory PX9130LP (silly 9mm fun gun used in competition)
Custom Springfield Armory 9mm 5" PPC (competition)
STI TargetMaster 6" 9mm (competition)
STI Trojan 5" 9mm (should arrive next week for competition)

Depending on what you want to do with this gun: defense, target, carry, and maybe competiton

I would step up from a GI model to either a Loaded or save a little more and get the STS TRP. you will basically need to do nothing to the TRP but shoot it and if there are any issues, Springfield will take care of you.

if the 20LPI checkering is too aggressive for you...take a stone to the checkering to de-point it a little. TRP will cost you a little more, ok alot more that a GI, but I think based on upgrades and if you bought a GI and you want upgrades....the TRP will already be there.

Let say the 1911 is not for you and you have the TRP....the market is looking and wanting TRPs.

again my nineteen dollars and eleven cents.

good luck

 

[kewpie]

Most high end gunsmiths will only work on
Colt
Springfield Armory

Some would disagree.

Have been contemplating a Norinco for a while and, in searching for information, found this among others:
Before and after pics(Norinco) - 1911Forum

Scroll down to the 'major' dissertation by 'GPotts' incl. what custom .45 'smiths recommend to work on. (And what some won't work on re: not quality of steel, but cost of cutters )

There's probably a greater discrepancy of opinion re: the 1911 and its derivatives than any other weapon; most of it scattered about by readers of opinions offered by gun writers who are themselves paid to say much of what they do say.

All in all, to me there is only one 1911 and even it seems to have been (continually?) compromised beginning in the 80's. The rest are imitations which may be the highest form of flattery but scarcely meet the standards and integrity of the original. I think that same 'intergrity' left us with the demise of our steel mills and related ways of life.

 

[SW CQB 45]

Most high end gunsmiths will only work on
Colt
Springfield Armory

I am basing that information on what I read on high end gunsmith web pages when I used to frequent looking for a "smith" work.

 

[novalty]

What are opinions on the Colt Combat Elite XSE? As compared to the S&W 108282 1911?
Right now my biggest concern is generally customer service, as the Colt is a used gun, and am not sure how their customer service would be. I have had excellent experience with S&W.

 

[Troystat]

Got to shoot my friends Les Baer yesterday and that is a really nice pistol, I had not shot a 1911 in at least 10 years (own only revolvers) and it had a great trigger and I was able to get a really nice group with it. A really nice pistol

 

[ColbyBruce]

"Colt Combat Elite XSE"

My son had one of these a few months ago. It was a nice gun, but he traded it toward something else as he thought I was going to give him my LW Commander. He was wrong.

 

[Badkarma 1]

The 1911

Like many here I've owned quite a few in my years of buying and trading guns. My first that I bought at the tender age of 15 (my Dad signed for it) was an old Ithaca 1911-A1 surplus, a good piece that never did work right!
From there is was on to Colts and Norincos. Every Colt I had save one "enhanced" Combat Commander, worked as long as I used Wilson mags!
At present I own 2; a 70 series Combat Commander and a Delta Elite, both are hard working RELIABLE friends! I am looking for a "workhorse" 1911 myself and am studying those Phillipine made .45s with great intent!
Now about the Norinco; It was a reliable workhorse that NEVER let me down! Wish I still had it!!had a few Paras too and for the most part they do run.
So here's how I rank 'em Colt, Norinco, and Para.
I have no familiarity with the S&Ws and as for Springfields well let's just say "try before you buy".

 

[Brian48]

Currently in the market for a 1911. Initial idea was to purchase a S&W SKU#108282, as I have shot one, and have had an excellent experience with S&W customer service. In looking around I have spotted some other name brand manufacturers for sale at prices in my range. One is a Colt Combat Elite XSE, and the other was a Dan Wesson Patriot, also have found some S/A MilSpecs. So many out there that is enough to make your head spin. I really am just looking for a reliable shooter. Any advice, suggestions, etc. would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

I dunno about other brands in it's class, however I have the sku@108284, which is essentially the same gun as the 108282, only with bo-mar type adjustable sights. It's a great gun. Accurate, reliable, durable, and relatively maintenance free. Next to my early '90s Colt Gold Cup, it's my favorite 1911 in my collection.

 

[Fuego]

Rock Island, without qurestion. The GI Model is the as issued 1911A1, plain jane.

You can go from there as the budget allows, but plain out of the box it is good and as reliable as a .45 automatic pistol wil get.

 

[MJX]

Smith & Wesson 1911

When I hold a 1911, it's like shaking hands with an old friend!

Not to revive an old thread, but I was searching rail gun 1911 Holster......... and came upon this thread..
Who makes a nice leather Holster for this Rail gun??

Also... are those just the regular Pach rubber grips?

Thanks.

 

[Tracer_Bullet]

I have both the Colt Combat Elite and the S&W 108282. Both are very nice guns, and shoot equally well in my hands. The Colt has razor sharp edges, a smooth front-strap, slightly larger sights, and is picky about which magazines it will work with (it only likes Wilsons). The 108282 has smooth edges, the slightly smaller sights have not been a handicap, it has a serrated front-strap, and it works with every magazine I have tried in it (Act-mag, Mec-Gar, Wilson, Springfield, Colt, and USGI) and has only had problems with Magtech ammo (as have all of my .45s).
As a gun to show off and "wow" your friends with, or if it want the gun to hold its value better, the Colt is the better choice. On the range, they have been dead-even. For me, if I had to choose one to defend myself with or carry, it would be the S&W 108282.
As a side note, I did install short triggers in both guns, and the GI style guide rod and plug in the S&W. I also changed the grips/stocks on the Colt because the stock grip panels in the photo are pretty slippery to hang onto.

 

[Jswiney9]

I recently bought the RIA GI model and 3 boxes of PMC bronze for 460 bucks out the door. it shoots great (so far) and is super reliable (so far) will have to get more range testing but i couldnt be happier! i hit a pop bottle 6 out of 8 times at 25 yards my first time out. (mmissed the first and last shot for some reason) if you are looking for just a basic little plinking gun or a woods gun i dont think it can be beat.

 

[tomuchiron]

[/IMG]Your list of options will do a lot to determine yur brand. If you reload and like reduced target loads, adjustable sights are very nice options.
If you plan to carry, SS solves alot of the finish aand (sweat) corrosion , pitting. I had a SS Taurus 1911, would have kept it, but to much trouble to change the sights to adjustable. so pick your options carefully the first time. Cheaper in the long run. I haven't seen one yet, but I think I would like to try the Ruger SS, next. I like Made in the USA, Haven't heard where the remingtons are made yet.