Best circa $1000-1200 1911 pistol?

[BigBill]

I like the Thompson TC Custom 1911. There's a good write up on the browning 1911 forum in there tests. To me my price range is between $500 to $1,000 for a decent 1911. Anything over $1,000 is a new s&w N frame.

 

[F75gunslinger]

I've got a Sig 1911 traditional reversed two tone that has given me zero issues, no matter what I've fed it. Great gun out of the box, with all the features I wanted and Sig quality. Would buy another one without hesitation if I was in the market for another 1911.

 

[GatorFarmer]

I have a Phillipines made 1911 in 9mm now. I only paid $299 for it, new in box. It has most of the features of some more expensive guns. But it was need of tinkering and I finally sent it off to a gunsmith. The CMC mags it came with were problematic in it, though a MecGar was flawless. More annoying was that it tossed brass in my face. Needed some adjustments basically. It did remind me how much I liked 1911s though.

The suggestion of Dan Wesson is interesting and one I had not thought of. My favorite auto is a 9mm CZ and CZ/Dan Wesson are intertwined.

Looking into it, I could get a CZ marked GI 1911 for a bit less than a stock Series 70 Colt. Which is interesting. I just don't know if I want a GI gun again.

I don't really want another Kimber. I was satisfied at the time with my CDP. But for reasons of arcane individual preference I find them no longer what I want.

I am going to see if anyone locally has a Dan Wesson in stock and or the GI CZ.

I am old enough that a Smith & Wesson 1911 just seems...still to be unnatural. Oh, I know they have been out for a while. A used Scandium Commander is available locally, but...

With Sigs I just don't know enough about their 1911s.

I would have to order the Colt sight unseen from Buds or wherever. I have no seen any locally. I don't know that I want to wait long to get whatever I get. I worry prices will go up towards later in the year, and I wanted to have the gun, holster, mags etc in hand and squared away by the time it warms up out.

.

 

[OKFC05]

I have a Colt .45, a Colt custom shop Commander .45, and a S&W 1911 Pro .45.
The Smith Pro came set up with FO sights, beavertail, fine trigger,etc, all ready to load up and shoot IDPA/CDP or USPSA/ Single Stack.
I have my gunsmith look it over every couple of years because I don't shoot CDP much compared to revolver. Aside from an ISMI recoil spring and an adjustment to the sear spring once, it just gets cleaned and shot, and shot....... Several in the club have bought FO sights like the ones the Pro came with.

 

[Gpsman]

STI Trojan or Dan Wesson Heritage

 

[epj]

Another vote for STI Trojan.

 

[Tom_R]

I have a Phillipines made 1911 in 9mm now. I only paid $299 for it, new in box. It has most of the features of some more expensive guns. But it was need of tinkering and I finally sent it off to a gunsmith. The CMC mags it came with were problematic in it, though a MecGar was flawless. More annoying was that it tossed brass in my face. Needed some adjustments basically. It did remind me how much I liked 1911s though.

The suggestion of Dan Wesson is interesting and one I had not thought of. My favorite auto is a 9mm CZ and CZ/Dan Wesson are intertwined.

Looking into it, I could get a CZ marked GI 1911 for a bit less than a stock Series 70 Colt. Which is interesting. I just don't know if I want a GI gun again.

I don't really want another Kimber. I was satisfied at the time with my CDP. But for reasons of arcane individual preference I find them no longer what I want.

I am going to see if anyone locally has a Dan Wesson in stock and or the GI CZ.

I am old enough that a Smith & Wesson 1911 just seems...still to be unnatural. Oh, I know they have been out for a while. A used Scandium Commander is available locally, but...

With Sigs I just don't know enough about their 1911s.

I would have to order the Colt sight unseen from Buds or wherever. I have no seen any locally. I don't know that I want to wait long to get whatever I get. I worry prices will go up towards later in the year, and I wanted to have the gun, holster, mags etc in hand and squared away by the time it warms up out.

.

Dan Wesson is a great choice, if you go that route. Springfield Armory TRP is also a top notch gun.

If you get the CZ, you can make changes to it over time. They are supposed to be high quality. You can always get it cut for Novak Style sights, and get an extended beaver tail and changed to a skeletonized hammer later, if you so decide.

You have a ton of options.

 

[Frank46]

Maybe a Springfield Rangemaster as I'm kinda partial to my old SA that was customized. Think they go for a little less than 1K. Then practice,practice and build up the muscle memory. Shooting a 1911 is like shaking hands with a old friend,once you get used to it it's like an old friend. Frank

 

[Hapworth]

In considering the new CZ 1911, bear in mind that it isn't a Dan Wesson product; near as anyone can tell (CZ's kept it close to the vest), while it's a fine budget 1911 in the GI-style, it can't reasonably be compared to the kind of materials and attention the Dan Wesson 1911s get.

CZ owns Dan Wesson, but they're run separately and differently.

 

[GatorFarmer]

Thanks, I did not know that the CZ was made seperately.

IF...I were to get one of the Smith and Wesson 1911s, would the quality and performance be noticeably different from the Colt and Dan Wesson guns?

 

[WVSig]

In considering the new CZ 1911, bear in mind that it isn't a Dan Wesson product; near as anyone can tell (CZ's kept it close to the vest), while it's a fine budget 1911 in the GI-style, it can't reasonably be compared to the kind of materials and attention the Dan Wesson 1911s get.

CZ owns Dan Wesson, but they're run separately and differently.

That is not my understanding but I could be wrong. It is made in the USA. CZ does not have another facility in the USA besides Dan Wesson. Where else could it have been made? Why would you outsource it if you have a facility like DW if you are CZ?

It is sort of a moot point anyway because they are already out of production. Prices are climbing from their $700 OTD price you could get one for late last year. With all the $700 Colts on the shelf I am not sure there is much allure to the pistol. I think you can still get one from many of the internet retailers for $725 to $$750.

From all accounts it is a good base GI type 1911. It has no MIM and the only complaints I have heard about them is that the thumb safety was less than smooth but that is an easy fix.

With a budget of $1200 I would pass unless you want to send it off to a smith for some custom work but if I was going to do that I would still get a Colt.

 

[WVSig]

Thanks, I did not know that the CZ was made seperately.

IF...I were to get one of the Smith and Wesson 1911s, would the quality and performance be noticeably different from the Colt and Dan Wesson guns?

It will be a high quality gun but it will have an external safety. The S&W version runs well but it is not a user serviceable part.

 

[Murdock]

Scanning this thread suggests to me that the OP's request for assistance will now be more difficult. Too many choices.

For my taste and preferences it's been the one with the little horsies on the slide. Yeah, and a couple of Kimbers, too. Wilson 47D magazines in all of them. Everything else seems to stay in the safe.

 

[A10]

I've got a Sig 1911 traditional reversed two tone that has given me zero issues, no matter what I've fed it. Great gun out of the box, with all the features I wanted and Sig quality. Would buy another one without hesitation if I was in the market for another 1911.

View attachment 222553

I have the exact gun, and I think it is the best one on the market for the money. It's tight as a drum and shoots like a champ.

 

[Tom_R]

Thanks, I did not know that the CZ was made seperately.

IF...I were to get one of the Smith and Wesson 1911s, would the quality and performance be noticeably different from the Colt and Dan Wesson guns?

S&W 1911s are excellent. Are they as good as Dan Wessons? I'd say no, but it is kind of relative. Dan Wesson is top notch.

S&Ws are at least the equal of Colt 1911s.

There are many good options out there.

 

[Watchdog]

I'd go with the regular ol' Colt, either a new production or older production Series 70.

There's really nothing special about any gun with Wiley Clapp's name on it. You'd be paying for doodads.

 

[Xfuzz]

Another vote for Colt. The new 70 series are very nice.
Pic of my old Commander that has been packed
near 30 years.
Glad this one can't.