I think I settled on a 1911

[GatorFarmer]

I have been wanting to get a new 1911 in .45 ACP for a while. I dabbled in the heresy that is a 9mm 1911, but it just felt wrong. I think I have finally arrived at an equitable trade for a gun that I can live with. That would be a Sig Sauer Scorpion full size.

As I see it breaks down thus-
Checkering in all the right places - good
Forged parts - good
Beaver tail - good
Night sigjts - good
Quality reputation - good

Rail- inconvenient/indifferent
External extractor - heretical/unsure of
Flat trigger- not used to

Ugly Ceracoat tan finish - Bad

Did I miss anything pertinent?

 

[WVSig]

What are the Sig Scorpions going for? For the money there maybe better options.

 

[Grayfox]

I don't have one, but I hear only good things about the Sig 1911s.
As for con points:
The rail is handy if you actually use it. Otherwise it just limits holster options.
There has been no proof that the external extractor is better or worse than the original internal design. Wouldn't matter to me.
The flat trigger is also a non-issue. If you don't like it, the trigger can easily and cheaply be changed.
As for the Ugly Ceracoat tan finish, you're on your own there Bub. Purely a matter of taste.

 

[BigBill]

I think the SIG prices are near where the colt 1911a1 prices are. Colt and SA are all forged frame and slide. But the SIG does have a good rep.

 

[GatorFarmer]

I think MSRP on the Sig is around 1200, with them selling for about a grand give or take. I can get one by trading into it and not being out anything out of pocket. My CZ has a rail, I had a light on it for a while. Maybe I will break down and invest in a light and laser combo again.

I should look up how removable Ceracoat is, as it is supposed to be stainpess underneath. I could refinish it in black for a relatively small outlay I suppose.

 

[03hemi]

Sigs frame and slide are hand fitted, around here they can be had for around 1k + tax at LGS, but I bought two 1911, Government, SS factory brand new in the box for around 800 each out the door on GB. One came with a Sig rug and two extra mags.

 

[WVSig]

At $1000 I would step up to a Dan Wesson Heritage for about $1100. The Sig is not hand fit in a traditional sense. It is a production 1911. Does not make it a bad thing it just is what it is.

The DW is a superior gun in just about every way IMHO.

 

[UNCLE PAULY]

At $1000 I would step up to a Dan Wesson Heritage for about $1100. The Sig is not hand fit in a traditional sense. It is a production 1911. Does not make it a bad thing it just is what it is.

The DW is a superior gun in just about every way IMHO.

+1 for Dan Wesson. Best value 1911 out there.

Heritage, Pointman, Valor, Specialist; all great guns and worth every penny.

I personally own a DW Specialist.

 

[Joni_Lynn]

I'll also go on record for recommending a Dan Wesson. To do better much more $$$ must be spent.

 

[Collo Rosso]

My Sig was bought as a tacpac, which I think makes this model a XO with white 3 dot sights. All the Sig 1911's are forged stainless frames and slides, so if you get tired of the tan you could have it refinished. Mine has been 100% reliable, very accurate shooter. The trigger is probably 2 1/2 lbs. A little to light for my tastes. I've since fitted a ambi safety (lefty) and cocobolo grips.

 

[SilentKnight]

I have a Colt and a Ruger 1911. I bought the first Ruger 1911 I ever saw because the price was right and it had all the bells and whistles that I had put on my Colt over the years. The Ruger is accurate as my Colt, eats everything I feed it, has no rail and is stainless. You could save up to $300 going that route and buy practice ammo. Of course, some folks will spend $5K on a custom 1911 that will do the same thing as the Ruger... because they can. I have been very pleased with the Ruger. Just a thought. Good luck.

 

[model70hunter]

Gator, I hear you on even trade, I've ridden on that horse many times, when young too often it was a night ride with my eyes closed.

Before you leap look at the new Colt Competition, It is about $750 out the door. It has many positive bells an whistles, 3 dot sights, double recoil spring tha is supposed last 3 or 4 times longer than the regular spring and it is designed for one to buy it, take it directly to competition without any mods needed.

I am lusting for one, the closest local dealer doesn't stock much more than a few Glocks.

So at some point I'll saddle up nightwind and do some trading.

 

[Shoo2tr]

Personally I think you will be very pleased with a SIG 1911. I had several production model choices when I was looking to purchase my first 1911 that I could pick-up with military pricing. Models I looked at were Springfield RO, TRP and S&W E Series as well as the SIG's. Already being a SIG fan owning a German P220 I decided on the SIG because I read nothing but good things about them and I happen to like the non-traditional slide profile and external extractor. I also think you get a lot of features including night sights for your $.

1911 purists will always bag on SIG's take on the 1911 but I can tell you my SIG 1911 is easily the most accurate fullsize .45 I have ever shot and besides the P220 I have an S&W 4566 which is also a great non-1911 .45. My SIG 1911 is tight and runs like a machine digesting anything I've ever fed it- never a hiccup. A SIG 1911 can be had new all day long on Gunbroker for south of 1K OTD. I saw the 1911 Nickel Rail which is the Scorpion with basically a Nickel finish instead for $850 on GB. Sometimes you can do better than that, but that is an example I saw just yesterday. Also, the Scorpion does also come in the traditional profile but has forward serrations and external extractor. If I wanted to spend just north of 1K then as the others stated that would be Dan Wesson territory but it's just my .02.

 

[Harkrader]

NO WAY would I say anything negative about a Dan Wesson. I had one and it was a fine gun.

I now have a Scorpion, bought for a little under $1,000. To *my* mind, it is everything the DW is, in terms of performance, utility, accuracy, reliability, etc. Maybe not so pretty, but I don't care about that.

I agree with GatorFarmer that the rail is inconvenient and I am indifferent to it. It is very sharp, impeding holstering and adds to the weight. If Sig made the gun without it, that would be my choice.

Cerokote: love it or hate it, it is tough stuff. Doesn't affect my interest.

The external extractor is a non-issue. So many manufacturers now use one that there simply is no issue. They work fine. Stop whining. ;-)

The night sights are excellent for me, and the grips and beavertail make it feel very good in my hand. I much prefer ambi thumb safeties like the Scorpion has, and these are the perfect size for me.

My second complaint (after the pointy rail) is the flat trigger. I can't say it really affects my performance with it, I just don't like the way it feels. As others say, it is easily replaced, but it isn't distracting and I don't even notice it once I start shooting, so will stick with it.

I would suggest a look at the Sig Sauer Model: 1911CA-45-BSS. Very close to the Scorpion in details, has Novak night sights and is "Commander size." It has also been dehorned, so no sharp points. Also has a curved trigger. Sig advertises it as having a match-grade barrel and hammer/sear set and trigger. All I can say is that it is as accurate as any 1911 I have had.

It's cheaper than the Scorpion and does not have the rail. You can get it in shiny stainless steel or Sig Nitron finish. Mine has the Nitron. If it had an ambi thumb safety it would be a perfect carry gun, and installing one is high on my list.

The only downside for me is the one-piece guide rod. Pain in the &%$ to take down, but that is IT.

 

[Sundancer2004]

What are the Sig Scorpions going for? For the money there maybe better options.

I agree with WVSig, check the field of entry's, or entrees, There is much to choose from. I might add that your first 1911 may well be the beginning of the end for you. You see, owning a 1911 is an addiction. I started with a Colt Combat Commander, worked it a bit to suit my taste, then had to have a Gold Cup, then"I deserve and want one of the best" So a Les Baer came into my life. Last year I had a little money burning in my pocket and bought , gasp, a Springfield Range Officer Compact. The Baer isnt broken in yet . Did I really need another? Absolutely not. Did I want it? Oh yes sir re sir.

So you see Doctor, its an addiction, a joyful one, but an addiction non the less.

Oh by the way, that lil Springfield RO Compact has turned into a wonderful carry piece, just like the Combat Commander was in my younger years. Pleasingly accurate also.

Have fun!

 

[A10]

I have a Sig Traditional 1911 reverse two tone. Picked it up, a couple of years ago for around a grand. It is high quality, dependable, and accurate. Around here the DW goes for more money, and as much as I like them, I'd buy the Sig.

 

[PatriotX]

Has anyone had a look at the new CZ 1911s?

They are supposed to be a blued version, similar to what they've been offering through Dan Wesson in stainless.

 

[Kanewpadle]

Another vote for Dan Wesson. But, Colt has a new gun out at a decent price.
Colt's Manufacturing Company LLC > Catalog > Pistols > Colt Competition Pistol

 

[wheelyfun66]

I've owned Sig 1911's (railed Tactical somethingorother...)

I've owned Dan Wesson 1911's (CCO)

Colt 1911's

Springfield 1911's

and can say that they ALL performed flawlessly and were tough as nails.

Find the one that floats your boat, buy it, and share pics and reports with us!!

 

[petepeterson]

Gator, I hear you on even trade, I've ridden on that horse many times, when young too often it was a night ride with my eyes closed.

Before you leap look at the new Colt Competition, It is about $750 out the door. It has many positive bells an whistles, 3 dot sights, double recoil spring tha is supposed last 3 or 4 times longer than the regular spring and it is designed for one to buy it, take it directly to competition without any mods needed.

I am lusting for one, the closest local dealer doesn't stock much more than a few Glocks.

So at some point I'll saddle up nightwind and do some trading.

I want one, too. I held the 9mm model the other day, and for the life of me, I couldn't remember why I don't carry and shoot strictly 1911s. That's a nice pistol for the price.