1911 E Series. 5" or 4.25" barrel?

[Mydogmax]

Anybody own these guns? I've been drooling over these for a couple of weeks now and have some questions. Main use would be for range & HD. Do not intend to carry. I love the looks of the 1911SC 2 tone. Black scandium frame with stainless steel slide and rounded butt. The 1911TA is also very attractive but not as much as the SC. My questions are....
1. Which one would be better for my uses (range & HD)
2. Ease of shooting (recoil etc)
3. Accuracy
4. The SC is lighter. Is that good or bad for range use?
Both guns are within $75 of each other so that doesn't matter.
I'm months out from making a decision but would like some input.

 

[itschuck2c]

I bought the 1911SC after shooting my buddies. We compared the accuracy of the SC to a Gold Cup Trophy he owns and it shot every bit as accurate as the Gold Cup.
Recoil is no problem, The SC feels more like a 5 inch 1911 in terms of recoil, more of a push than a flip.
Finally the SC would be both great range gun and home defense.

 

[t-bird]

For a range gun,I would go with the 5 inch.

 

[shawn mccarver]

The 1911 is at its best from an operational standpoint, and from an ease of shooting standpoint in its original 5 inch all steel format.

Unless you are going to carry concealed, there is no good justification for the lightweight frame version.

When you get your E Series, the only change it needs is to have that unfortunate full length guide rod (FLGR) changed out for the standard GI type. The FLGR does absolutely nothing for you (there are claims of increased accuracy and increased reliability, but those are "snake oil" at best), and it actually is harmful in one way. The presence of the FLGR turns a pistol that can be completely disassembled without any tools into one that cannot even be field stripped for basic cleaning without a bushing wrench.

You will need the recoil spring plug and the GI length guide rod, both available from Brownells or probably Midway. Remember to buy the appropriate size of each for whichever pistol you buy (either Government 5 inch length or Commander 4 1/4 inch length). I prefer the ones made by Ed Brown. Use the same recoil spring that comes with the pistol or you can get a Wolff in the proper 16 pound weight (for the 5 inch Government). S&W uses, I think, an 18 pound recoil spring instead of the proper 16 pound spring in its 5 inch gun. That is not unusual as Ruger, and many of the other makers seem to do this on the theory that it helps to reduce peening if the owner never changes out his recoil spring. You should, with the use of standard 230 grain ball ammo, change the recoil spring about every 5,000 or so rounds. Not a biggie if you don't, unless you are Rob Leatham firing 100,000 rounds every few months or per year. Naturally, if you are doing that, you must have won the lottery.

 

[lhump1961]

For your uses the 5" is the way to go IMHO. I have the Sc bobtail and while I love the gun it is not as "nice" to shoot as the 5" due solely to recoil. Don't get me wrong...the recoil on the Sc 4.25" isn't bad...just a bit more. Outside of that both guns are comparable for the average shooter like me. As already recommended the Sc 4.25 would be the carry choice but if it is range duty and HD then the 5" would be my suggestion.

As for the guide rod...6 of one / half dozen of the other...just like the internal / external extractor. People have their druthers (I'm not disputing) but in the end they all work fine. Both of my Smith 1911's have run 100% out of the box.

 

[Mydogmax]

Thanks all for your suggestions. I guess I pretty much suspected the 5" barrel would be better for range use. I don't intend to carry. I'd just like a powerful gun, but something that I can control. Sort of like having a car with a nice V8 engine. I'm now gearing my thoughts to the S&W E series 1911TA in stainless steel. Damn, that 1911SC sure is a great looking gun though.

 

[WHO CARES]

I never have enjoyed the look of stainless as many do so I went with the SC in the all black finish and couldn't be happier. I shoot primarily 200 grain HP's and it has worked perfectly. I do use it as a carry gun and it suits me just fine.

My advice is to get the one you'll get the most fun from. Both will work perfectly and both will shoot very accurately. I would not expect any disappointments.

If in doubt get your favorite one first then the other down the road a bit!

ward

 

[TheYoungblood]

I have had people tell me they enjoy shooting my 45acp 1911 with 5" barrels. With standard velocity 230 grain fmj they shoot smooth with recoil that rolls in your hand and not like the sharp snap of polymer framed 40S&W. The lightweight 1911 has more kick than steel but you decide what the squeeze is worth.

JMHO. YMMV.

 

[lhump1961]

Thanks all for your suggestions. I guess I pretty much suspected the 5" barrel would be better for range use. I don't intend to carry. I'd just like a powerful gun, but something that I can control. Sort of like having a car with a nice V8 engine. I'm now gearing my thoughts to the S&W E series 1911TA in stainless steel. Damn, that 1911SC sure is a great looking gun though.

It looks even better with the Crimson Trace laser grip...but so would the 5" E series.

 

[GKC]

The "E" series 1911s are sweet guns, I do agree. I've owned one, and wish I hadn't sold it. BUT, I was consolidating to one caliber, and I decided on 9mm. (My foresight operated at its usual peak efficiency...I sold my last .45 right before the ammo crisis and 9mm became unobtainium.)

I had previously owned a commander length S&W 1911 (not the e-series) in the scandium frame, and one thing I noticed about it was that it scratched very easily. I would definitely recommend the stainless finish. I also prefer the 5" model for range use, and I also recommend the GI guide rod and plug.

If you are decided on the S&W, that's good...they are fine pistols. The one thing that 1911 purists decry about them is the external extractor. S&W's version works very well, but it's not as easy to replace as the internal extractor found on most 1911s. (It's worth noting that most semiautomatic pistols do use an external extractor these days.) The "E" series is also different from previous S&W 1911s in that it is a "series 70" configuration (i.e., no firing pin safety) which I much prefer.

If you are not decided on a S&W, then you might want to take a look at the Ruger SR1911. It's a very good 1911, and lower in price than the "E" series S&W. It's also very good looking, and doesn't have the usual Ruger manual written all over it.

 

[MARKS MAN]

Range gun. definitely the E model in 5". The SC is just to light no matter what anyone say's.

 

[Vividia]

I have both a 5" steel and the 4.25" SC. I am also a woman. All my ammo is 230gn PMC, WWB, AE or Federal, mix of FMJ and HP.

My preference without a doubt is the 4.25" SC. I find it to be perfectly balanced, especially with a full mag.

Recoil is not an issue at all. I find that the bobtail and the excellent balance remove the palm sting felt with a full-size, at least for me. But then, I cut my teeth on revolvers, so recoil in any semi-auto is a non-event for me (except maybe the 50AE Desert Eagle - gotta be careful with that one LOL).

I shoot the 4.25" every bit as accurately, if not more accurately as any of my governments size, whether my E series, Colt Combat Elite, or 1944 Remington Rand. As far as a range toy goes, I find the 1911SC coming out of the range bag more often than the others.

If you have a significant other, and that significant other might also be shooting your treasure, either at the range or in a HD scenario, then you might consider letting them handle one versus the other. I haven't found anyone who didn't enjoy shooting my 4.25" whether woman or man, and it is such a good looker it's plenty cool enough for the guys

Just my two cents from owning both, YMMV

 

[Charlie McFoxtrot]

If you are decided on the S&W, that's good...they are fine pistols. The one thing that 1911 purists decry about them is the external extractor. S&W's version works very well, but it's not as easy to replace as the internal extractor found on most 1911s. (It's worth noting that most semiautomatic pistols do use an external extractor these days.) The "E" series is also different from previous S&W 1911s in that it is a "series 70" configuration (i.e., no firing pin safety) which I much prefer.

I own a "Series D" SW1911 and use it in the Cowboy Action Shooting Wild Bunch games. About 2.5k rounds and it has never failed (except for 2 FTFs *I* caused by not cleaning the preservative out of two mags.) The SW1911 external extractor is an important advantage for high use guns. The 1911s internal extractor goes out of tune after 3 - 5k rounds and starts causing all sorts of problems. The internal extractor can also get bent by double feeds, etc.

My next 1911 will likely be a Series E, when I escape from CA.

 

[Bartman3562]

I don't have either, but have a 3 inch, 4 inch 45 with alloy frames and a 5 inch steel. I much prefer the the alloy frame, even at the range. And you can't beat the look of a 2 tone.