UPDATE Post #52: I picked one - Hunting for a new 1911 - Asking for suggestions

[ColumbusJBR]

Hey gang,

I’m itching for a new 1911. I currently own 1, a Ruger SR1911 commander in .45 that were modified quite a bit (pictured). I purposely wanted the Ruger to look a little “rough”, now I want a prettier one. I thought I’d tap the crowd for recommendations for a new one. This will serve as a “fun gun” nothing more.

NEEDS:
-Barrel length 5”

-Caliber preferably.45 but I’d entertain 9mm

-REAL sights (i.e. not “mil-spec” sights

WANTS (not deal-breakers):
Pretty! I know that’s subjective, but I think we all recognize a good looking 1911. I like stainless and polished blued

-Checkered front strap

-The fewer MIM parts, the better, although I can always swap those out and fit, I guess

-Series 70 preferred

DO NOT NEED (but wouldn’t turn my nose at it):

-Accessory rail

-Optics Ready

-Ambi safety

And finally, budget. I suppose I’ll cap it at $1,500. That said, if I can check most the boxes for less, that’s never a bad thing.

The market is flush with nice 1911s. I’ve been looking at Springfields, Sigs, Smiths, Kimber, Dan Wessons, etc… and would really appreciate any 1st hand feedback. Thanks!

 

[OutAtTheEdge]

DW Specialist

Before I retired in September '22, I ran the gun department at a shop that was factory direct with Dan Wesson, and I can't say enough great things about the guns. Every time I put one in a customer's hands, I asked them to do 2 things, first rack the slide a few times, and then try the trigger. I sold a LOT of DWs. They are slick as you can ask for, and the triggers are sublime.



Except for the optics ready option, the Specialist model pretty much ticks off your whole checklist. Mine is a 9mm, but they do offer it in .45 as well. As for price...well, it's a bit more than your stated cap, but get your hands on one and see. Maybe you'll stretch that budget a bit.

 

[Hairtrigger]

My choice is either Dan Wesson or, if my wallet is a bit thicker, Alchmet Custom

 

[bananaman]

My most accurate 1911 is a full size Sig. I just shoot it well. Have a new Colt Gold Cup Trophy {only been to range once} Have 2 Rock Islands that have been flawless mechanically. Bob
Colt & Sig are 45 ACP, Commander RIA .40 and full size RIA 9mm.

 

[Deltaman]

Les Baer

I came across a good deal on a Les Baer Executive Carry in SS.

Shoots great and very tight in fit and finish.


Deltaman

 

[44wheelman]

For out of the box production gun...Dan Wesson. Descent triggers, tight slide/frame fit, overall fit & finish is very good.

Springers are a better value but lack that extra level of refinement.
Kimbers- some assembly required (at least the one I bought new).
Ithaca was nice, but just shot the Dan Wesson better.
Bought a used Les Baer WC gun that is a tack driver, with correct ammo.
Don't know if you can find one of the last two for $1500 anymore.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

I would recommend an original Colt Commander. I have a series 70 45 and a 1960's "Pre-70" in 38 Super. Those guns are with a fit and finish that is beyond ANYTHING on the market today. I bought them used in the 90's about 5 weeks apart at a popular LGS. my thought is they were "Dad's" or "Grandpa's" and when they kicked the bucket they were sold off. The thing they are gun only so "No Collector value!" Pure bunk, but they were about 1/2 price of current (at the time) Commanders!

They are out there, but you have to spend time looking for them!

Ivan

 

[Marshal Tom]

Dan Wesson and for a bit more Alchemy Custom Weaponry.

 

[mike campbell]

For pretty at $1500-ish, I vote Dan Wesson handsdown.

Save up and have $2500-3000... and the world is your oyster for secondhand, minimally fired Baer, Wilson, Brown, etc. in as-new condition. There's a great forum with classified for all those and benchmade 1911's. Careful, it's "addicting."

 

[rockquarry]

I've always had good results with Colt 1911s, but some of the copies may work as well. The Colts will generally hold value better than many others should you ever want to trade or sell, and they'll often be easier to trade or sell.

 

[Rpg]

You want a Colt Series 70 government model.

Hard to imagine not having a Colt in a 1911 collection!

I’d stay away from stainless partially because I don’t like it, but mainly because you’d miss the much nicer Colt blue of the Series 70.

I routinely install BoMar adjustable sights on all my Colt Series’70’s 1911’s (as part of my routine modifications) less for the adjustability than the great sight picture they provide.

 

[D Brown]

Hey gang,

I’m itching for a new 1911. I currently own 1, a Ruger SR1911 commander in .45 that were modified quite a bit (pictured). I purposely wanted the Ruger to look a little “rough”, now I want a prettier one. I thought I’d tap the crowd for recommendations for a new one. This will serve as a “fun gun” nothing more.

NEEDS:
-Barrel length 5”

-Caliber preferably.45 but I’d entertain 9mm

-REAL sights (i.e. not “mil-spec” sights

WANTS (not deal-breakers):
Pretty! I know that’s subjective, but I think we all recognize a good looking 1911. I like stainless and polished blued

-Checkered front strap

-The fewer MIM parts, the better, although I can always swap those out and fit, I guess

-Series 70 preferred

DO NOT NEED (but wouldn’t turn my nose at it):

-Accessory rail

-Optics Ready

-Ambi safety

And finally, budget. I suppose I’ll cap it at $1,500. That said, if I can check most the boxes for less, that’s never a bad thing.

The market is flush with nice 1911s. I’ve been looking at Springfields, Sigs, Smiths, Kimber, Dan Wessons, etc… and would really appreciate any 1st hand feedback. Thanks!

If I were you, I would add to the "Wants List", NO silly forward cocking serrations on the slide.

I will be glad when that stupid trend is reversed.

 

[pasound]

Dan Wesson for sure, for one. Or buy two factory-enhanced RIA's and go have fun.

 

[AJ]

I have built 50+ M1911's over the years. I have owned well more than that. My favorite is an original Colt Series 70 Gold Cup National Match. My next favorite is one built from strictly Colt & military parts. This pistol has a Colt 1958 ,38 Super frame and a 60's something slide. A NM barrel and NM barrel bushing. The over all gun is as tight as my GCNM. If you are good with tools this is a fairly easy project.

My M1911's (you will have to excuse the Ruger 10MM). Now my present project is building up a .40, 9MM, .38 Special & a .38 Super for one slide, Then a .45ACP setup and then fit my Colt .22 Conversion Unit to all fit on the Government Model frame.

 

[31FordA]

I’ve got several recent production Colt’s that I’ve been happy with. The Classic is a nice basic Government Model, the Competition comes with Novak sights and an undercut trigger guard. The Gold Cup National Match is impressive. All are 70 Series pistols. The prices range from around $900 for the Classic to $1,600 or so for the Gold Cup.

If a used gun is an option any of the now discontinued Wiley Clapp series Colts are great guns, as are the Colt Gunsite Pistol’s. The Series 70 repro’s are also great if you can find one, especially those with 71B or 72B serial numbers.

 

[shawn mccarver]

Just get the Colt Classic in either blue or stainless steel. The price is right and they are making the best 1911s they have ever made.

 

[2wheels]

Not quite a Dan Wesson, but I like my Springfield Loaded Target. Chambered in 9mm, it’s much easier on my hands than a .45. Feel good to shoot, more accurate than me.

 

[hardluk1]

You might check out Tisas 1911 Match 45 Ransum Rest did a video shooting a brand new tisas match at 35 yards from one of there rest . Watch tell the 3rd 8 shot group was fired and not the group size of 1.7" X 1.4" . Not bad for a unseasoned barrel and handgun for a street price of $853 or less . Tisas has no mim parts to replace only some tuning as far as the stock trigger group goes and ammo trial and error for best results .
I have no interest in a all stel 5" 1911 specially at my age as I carry a LW commander in 45 but it a younger man today I would give this tisas a serious look. You can afford a few upgrades if needed .

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YuQiU3EOhJw[/ame]

 

[C3Ranger]

No recommendations here. It's all personal choice. I prefer Colts, but have had Kimber, Springfield and others.

Reading all the replies so far I almost forgot which forum this is...is there no love here for the SW1911E?

 

[Hawg Rider]

Back in 2006 I bought a brand new S&W 1911 (JRH2882, Prod. Code 108303) with SS frame with accessory rail, SS slide (matte finish), Novak sights, and nice checkered stocks. I actually picked that S&W over a Kimber. The Kimbers are excellent pistols, but a few folks that I competed against owned Kimbers and they would routinely experience cycling failures during competitions. The Kimbers were fitted so tightly that a little bit of fouling would lock them up. The guys were constantly having to clean them to make them run. I competed with that S&W 1911 right out of the box with excellent results. I did purchase a few McCormick SS 10-rd magazines and had zero issues. I still have that .45 ACP and it is still and outstanding 1911. I can't say that the S&W is a nice as a Staccato, Ed Brown, Wilson Combat, or other quality/custom 1911, but it's always done everything that I've asked it to.