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

[gpenning]

Wilson Combat, order exactly what you want and never look back.

 

[luvsmiths]

Springfield Armory TRP is a really nice out of the box gun.

Stainless- no rail was what I had.

 

[Golddollar]

Check out Clark Custom Guns in Louisiana. The grandsons of the old time pistolsmith Jim Clark are now running the business. Maybe they can build something for you.

 

[elgatodeacero]

Get a Colt, or if you want a high end 1911 then a Nighthawk Custom.

 

[Tanners Owner]

I recommend both DW and S&W e series. Have both and while the DW is better, the S&W is no slouch either. Never had any issue with either, both have been accurate, reliable in my IDPA & USPSA games

 

[kleeber]

I think my next handgun will be a 1911 from Bul Armory. Personally, I'm interested in their 6-inch hunter model, but the 5-inch trophy is very nice, too.

 

[LEO918]

About six months ago I picked up a Colt God Cup Trophy. Lotta gun for the money, with CZ quality thrown in.

 

[Yendor357]

Leo is the only guy who has it right so far, JBR.

My Gunsmith says the new Colt Gold Cups are shooting as good as a Les Baer for half the price. It checks all your boxes.

 

[.38SuperMan]

I own Colt, Kimber and Springfield and still have have owned one truly custom 1911 built from the ground up on a Caspian frame and still have one built from the ground up on a Springfield mil spec frame. I’ve had this one for going on 40 years and had it built before there were many options other than get a gun and totally rebuild it inside and out. I’ve put tens of thousands of major USPSA loads through it and have replaced springs and that’s about it and it’s still shooting great and still tight.

I’ve never shot a bad 1911 but I suspect there have been some. There are so many great 1911’s now I don’t think you can go wrong with whatever you pick. Threats huge differences in a production gun and a real custom gun, one built as one of a kind by a master gunsmith but you’re going to need to sell a kidney to get one and wait for a while to receive it.

I’m happy with my Kimbers and Springfields and have one Colt now. My Colt is a SXE LW Commander in 38 Super and it’s a very nice gun but the chamber isn’t supported and it’s not as nicely finished or as refined as the Kimbers or Springfields. Both Kimber and Springfield make a beautiful and refined gun. Both have great triggers, function reliably and are quite accurate. I have had Kimbers from the Micro 9 up to the 5” Eclipse Target 38 super and Commander and officer sized in between in 45 and 9mm. I still own quite a few. I’ll say my 5” Evlipse Target 38 super is one of the nicest production 1911’s I’ve ever shot. It’s a steel frame throughout with excellent front strap checkering and has a fully supported chamber.

When I bought my Eclipse I was looking for a gun I could shoot 38 Super major loads in. I had 1000 very hot rounds left from USPSA shooting I wanted to shoot up. I contacted Kimber support and asked if the Evlipse would take it and without hesitation they said yes and that they had several competitive shooters using them in 38 super.

I bought one, put a heavier recoil spring unit and a shock buffer and over a couple of weeks shot 1,000 rounds of 38 super consisting of 125 grain jacketed bullets with 540 Winchester powder under them chronographed st over 1400fps. This is 357mag I’m territory and I had absolutely no issues.

I restrung my gun for lighter loads, removed the shock buffer and have shot many thousand additional rounds through it. It’s a great gun!

I’m that pleased with my Springfields. My 9mm is an all stainless with Bomar type Target sights. I can’t say enough about how good the trigger is and how well finished it is. It is accurate and is one of the softest shooting 1911’s I’ve ever owned. Everything is right on that gun.

Saying all that I’m a colt revolver fan and they make fine 1911’s and CZ May have upgraded them some but their 1911’s aren’t as nice and you don’t get as much for your money as you go with some others.

Best thing, look at some and see what flips your switch then buy it. They’re easy to customize, kinda like a Jeep.

 

[HOUSTON RICK]

The 1911 that I shoot the most is my ATI (same as Rock Island) 9mm Commander. Several people - including my gunsmith - who shot it buy one of their own since it such a good "bang for the buck". It will not impress anyone at the barbecue, but performs on the range for a modest price.

 

[Breakaway500]

Magnum Research has a very nice 1911 out.

 

[Mike0251]

Can't say enough good things about Dan Wesson and I've personally had no issues with any of them. Amongst these there are .45's, 9mm's, 10mm, .40, and a .38 super. The 3 on the end are limited edition CCH Valors in 9, 38s, and 45 with bone grips.

 

[AJ]

My Gunsmith says the new Colt Gold Cups are shooting as good as a Les Baer for half the price. It checks all your boxes.

I have to wonder about why everyone wants a status symbol M1911. In most you are paying for the name of the gun. Have not found a M1911 that shoots any better than my GCNM. Have shot Les Baers, Wilson's, and a couple of other high end guns and did not find them anymore accurate than my Colt. I think folks think that if they pay enough money the gun will magically shoot better. The old "lets throw enough money at it until it works" concept. Really they just need to learn to shoot better. The once or twice a year shooters need more practice to get better, not throw money at it.

 

[gdogs]

If you're ok with Turkish made 1911's, then you can get two of the new MAC JSOC models, which have all of your requirements, and still stay within your budget.

MAC 1911 JSOC 45

 

[MSD2343]

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.

Another vote here for the Colt Classic. Build quality is terrific, trigger is excellent for a basic government model , and it’s the pistol I shoot most accurately.

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

How about a S&W 1911 SKU 108284. Only thing it doesn't have is the rail but pretty much everything else. LNIB condition I'd part with it for a good bit less than $1,500.

 

[jaguargolf]

I own Colt, Springfield Armory, Kimber, Remington and STI 1911's. I have owned one of the Philippine made 1911's. My first gun is a used Colt Government Series 80. Like many older 1911's it was made for 230gr ball ammo and is most reliable with it. I can also shoot .400 Cor-Bon in it, but rarely do so because I have a few 10mm's to fill that niche.

I carry and shoot my recent manufacture Colt Light Weight Commander the most. The feed ramp is visibly different than my older Colt Lt Wt Commander. I wish I could post a picture. It is hollowed out in the center of the ramp, or if you want to say scooped out. I imagine this is to make it more reliable with Hollow point ammo, and it is.
Colt 1911's come naturally and comfortably to my hand. I never have to readjust my grip. I can only say the same for my STI. I think the contour under the trigger guard is the reason.
If I ever buy another 1911 it will be a newly manufactured steel Colt Commander.
Best of luck to you.

 

[Imissedagain]

The current Colt Gold Cup National Match series 70, blued in 45,
is a good choice for a 5" with a decent trigger.
Not sure if they still come with the two sets of springs.

Everyone should be able to say, "I think I'll take a Colt out of
the stable and shoot it", while at Belmont.

 

[Greyman50]

FWIW, unless you have held and shot a 60s or early 70s Colt LW Commander try one.

 

[Kanewpadle]

Another Dan Wesson vote here.

All parts are machined. No MIM. Series 70.

While other guys fluff up their guns and raise the price, Dan Wesson continues to produce high quality guns that you can pass down to your grandchildren.