LouisianaJoe
Member
OK, I have the following .45 Autos:
1918 vintage Colt Model of 1911
Springfield 1911
Glock M21
HK USP .45
Sig P220 .45
S&W M&P .45
They all shoot better than I do.
"Best" 45 ACP maker?
- Thread starter Retired LTC USAR
- Start date
OK, I have the following .45 Autos:
1918 vintage Colt Model of 1911
Springfield 1911
Glock M21
HK USP .45
Sig P220 .45
S&W M&P .45
They all shoot better than I do.
Glock Misconfusion
Glock does not mention competing brands on their guns, like the rest of the world.
.357 Auto rather than .357 SIG
.380 Auto instead of .380 ACP
.40 instead of .40 S&W
.45 Auto instead of .45 ACP
9X19 instead of 9mm Luger
The exception is their proprietary cartridge, the .45 GAP.
Talk about a stuffy firm? Great product, backward public relations.
No free advertising for the competition.
Glock does not mention competing brands on their guns, like the rest of the world.
.357 Auto rather than .357 SIG
.380 Auto instead of .380 ACP
.40 instead of .40 S&W
.45 Auto instead of .45 ACP
9X19 instead of 9mm Luger
The exception is their proprietary cartridge, the .45 GAP.
Talk about a stuffy firm? Great product, backward public relations.
No free advertising for the competition.
Waywatcher
Member
This is actually correct. My Colt says right on it: 45 Auto.
BigBill
Absent Comrade
Just as we pay a higher cost doesn't mean it's the best.
I purchased a new '04 Auto-Ordnance Army WW-2 copy right out of the box it functioned the way a dependable 1911 should and it's manufactured in Wooster,Mass.
I was torn at the same time between the Springfield Armory GI Mil-Spec as it was called so a few days later I purchased it. At home I noticed its manufactured in Brazil. It has a key start too. Again this one functioned right out of the box flawlessly.
I'm impressed with both 1911's functioning right out of the box. The new A-O has a investment casted 4140 steel frame and the new SA is a forged frame and slide. I have 500+ rounds through the new A0 with no noticeable signs of frame rail wear yet. The new AO was $389 and the new SA was $424 in '04.
Now I purchased a Chinese norinco 1911a1 for $300 used. The barrel bushing was loose in the slide more so than the barrel. This was going to be my first project 1911, hands on built by me. I purchased a usgi surplus 1911 barrel from sportsmansguide for $59, a national match IAI barrel bushing from CDNN, a two piece full length guide rod kit from sportsmanguide for $9 on clearance and the IAI full wrap around rubber grips from cdnn. I did all the barrel and bushing fitting. She now at 25yards shoot a clusters with clover leads at 25 yards hand held. No matter who shoots it. It's that good. In using Russian wolf 45acp ball ammo in it so far.
I wanted to see how good could a low budget 1911 build could be using bargain basement parts.
I purchased a new '04 Auto-Ordnance Army WW-2 copy right out of the box it functioned the way a dependable 1911 should and it's manufactured in Wooster,Mass.
I was torn at the same time between the Springfield Armory GI Mil-Spec as it was called so a few days later I purchased it. At home I noticed its manufactured in Brazil. It has a key start too. Again this one functioned right out of the box flawlessly.
I'm impressed with both 1911's functioning right out of the box. The new A-O has a investment casted 4140 steel frame and the new SA is a forged frame and slide. I have 500+ rounds through the new A0 with no noticeable signs of frame rail wear yet. The new AO was $389 and the new SA was $424 in '04.
Now I purchased a Chinese norinco 1911a1 for $300 used. The barrel bushing was loose in the slide more so than the barrel. This was going to be my first project 1911, hands on built by me. I purchased a usgi surplus 1911 barrel from sportsmansguide for $59, a national match IAI barrel bushing from CDNN, a two piece full length guide rod kit from sportsmanguide for $9 on clearance and the IAI full wrap around rubber grips from cdnn. I did all the barrel and bushing fitting. She now at 25yards shoot a clusters with clover leads at 25 yards hand held. No matter who shoots it. It's that good. In using Russian wolf 45acp ball ammo in it so far.
I wanted to see how good could a low budget 1911 build could be using bargain basement parts.
Last edited:
Smitty357
Member
If u want high end, u need to look at custom builds. Mark Morris makes some of the finest customs money can buy. That is if ur willing to spend $7k.
Mine is several years old and today u couldn't touch anything he makes similar to mine for near the price I paid. Actually the price I paid years ago would almost be considered as giving it away.
U could also look at a Valtro which were made from 98-2004 by custom maker John Jardine. If u can find one someone us willing to get rid of. U could put ur bottom dollar at the $5k range.
Mine is several years old and today u couldn't touch anything he makes similar to mine for near the price I paid. Actually the price I paid years ago would almost be considered as giving it away.
U could also look at a Valtro which were made from 98-2004 by custom maker John Jardine. If u can find one someone us willing to get rid of. U could put ur bottom dollar at the $5k range.
FWIW, both my Sigs (P220, P245) say .45 Auto. Both shoot better than I can.
carpriver
US Veteran
My first 1911 45 ACP was a Springfield Armory Mil-Spec. I have shot the heck out of it. It is a solid hand gun, accurate shoots to point of aim. it shoots everything it's feed. it cost $380 9 years ago. I liked the Mil-spec so much I bought a Springfield Armory 1911 Loaded for $450. This gun was tighter, stiffer better fit I have shot this gun bunch also and it is still tight. it shoots all rounds without a hick-up. I am not a person with a lot of money to spend on firearms so I research to fine the best gun in my price range. Both of the above guns sell for twice what I paid. The gun I like to most is the MIL-spec.
There is one production gun that leaves all others in the dust. Dan Wesson. Sorry Colt, Kimber and whatever fans.
Malpasowildlifer
Member
Mark Morris
Great guy too
Great guy too
Last edited:
REM 3200
US Veteran
HOUSTON RICK
Member
I have had Colts and Kimbers and purchased a new American Classic GI model on this forum from Two-gun Jay for $375 and it is all I could ever want in a 1911. The machining is excellent, all the controls have that perfect "feel", it lookes great, it is perfectly reliable with all factory ammo, and it is extremely accurate. The trigger may be a 1/4 of a pound too heavy but it could be easily and cheaply tuned if desired. To me, paying more money for a 1911 is totally not needed unless you want one engraved or gold plated. I know there are guys that like the high dollar custom made stuff but when I hear about an extremely expensive 1911 that jams, it just makes me shake my head.
Depends on how you define 'high end'. IMO a lot of money is wasted on features like full length guide rods, ambi safeties, mag wells, beaver tails, etc. These do nothing for reliability or accuracy.
What is the intended purpose? Defense or target shooting? It is a waste of money to buy a pistol with a 1.5" at 50 yard accuracy guarantee, put fixed sights on it, and shoot it at 15 yards.
IMO opinion, the best high end bang for the buck is a DCM legal match gun from someone like Baer or Clark. Mine is from Rock River, but they got out of the game a few years back. Nice trigger and adjustable sights, accurate, reliable, no swartz or series-80 safety, and no silly (and expensive) bling.
What is the intended purpose? Defense or target shooting? It is a waste of money to buy a pistol with a 1.5" at 50 yard accuracy guarantee, put fixed sights on it, and shoot it at 15 yards.
IMO opinion, the best high end bang for the buck is a DCM legal match gun from someone like Baer or Clark. Mine is from Rock River, but they got out of the game a few years back. Nice trigger and adjustable sights, accurate, reliable, no swartz or series-80 safety, and no silly (and expensive) bling.
Are you specifically looking for a 1911 style .45acp?
If not, I'd go for a Sig P220 variant.
There are many different choices of size and trigger style available. Or if you don't mind buying a first year production gun, look at a Sig P227. Early reviews are favorable and quite a few PD's are transitioning to them.
If not, I'd go for a Sig P220 variant.
There are many different choices of size and trigger style available. Or if you don't mind buying a first year production gun, look at a Sig P227. Early reviews are favorable and quite a few PD's are transitioning to them.
Colt today are not the Colts of yore. There are just to many 1911's so I vote for a SIG P220!
Waywatcher
Member
This is true. Lots of folks are saying they're better.
Mine, recent production Series 70 Reissue, has had zero malfunctions of any kind. 600 rounds and counting. Feeds empty cases. Right out of the box, my very first shot hit the 2" bullseye I had placed at 20 yards.
Colt has built some dogs. I think that went away about the time they started using CNC about 10-15 years ago. Anyone who thinks Colts are still building an inferior product either hasn't purchased one in a while or they got a zinger, which happens with almost every mass produced firearm occasionally. I have a Gold Cup built in 2012 and had several others built in the last 5 years. The only complaint I hear is repair and custom work takes too long but I wouldn't know about that first hand. All of mine have been exceptionally well built and never needed to go back for service or repair.
Last edited:
That is the beauty of the design as you have discovered. It's possible to take a bunch of inexpensive parts and build a good shooter, or just buy an inexpensive one and have a good shooter after you tweak it a little. I'm not saying the high end guns aren't worth the money, they are. I would own a Wilson if I didn't have so many other shooting interests but good performance can be attained for very little money. A $600 Springfield with $400 worth of parts and work will shoot with $4000 Wilson. It just isn't fair in the general scheme of things.
This is true. Lots of folks are saying they're better.
Mine, recent production Series 70 Reissue, has had zero malfunctions of any kind. 600 rounds and counting. Feeds empty cases. Right out of the box, my very first shot hit the 2" bullseye I had placed at 20 yards.
The other "lots" say they are worse
Colt has a NAME. They are no better than a lot of high end makers. Not saying they are bad by any means. I take my 6 year old Dan Wesson Pointman 7 over any Colt made today.if I had the money a Less or an Ed would be fine.
Similar threads
Latest posts
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
My favorite story from my cop days. Two naked little people and a parrot
- Latest: Biff_Biffington
-
-
-
-
