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

[AJ]

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

Same applies to an original Series 70 Gold Cup National Match (made in the 1970's) or a National Match made before those.

 

[smoothshooter]

I heat the Tisas offerings are the best deal in town by far.
They are cheap enough that you can take some of the money saved over buying another brand and spring for whatever sights you want and still be money ahead.

 

[AJ]

A friend is a dyed in the wool Colt man. He has bought several Tisas after he bought the first one. Loves them!

 

[Oldsalt66]

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

I'll second that.

While not quite on par with Dan Wesson, S&W E Series 1911s are way underrated and I'd definitely recommend one to a friend.

 

[Hairtrigger]

Picked up my 2nd Alchemy today
They are consecutive serial numbers!

 

[mattallamerican]

for the money you cant beat the springers the dw are nice but a little more pricey

 

[AJ]

From what I am hearing the most reasonably priced M1911 platforms are the Tisas.

 

[lrrifleman]

Let me toss in my two cents. I have 4 1911s: a '73 MkIV Series 70 5", a '98 Springfield Armory Trophy Match, a '16ish Ruger SR1911CMD, and an '18ish ATI FX9 Commander. Since you are looking for a 45, I'll limit my recommendations based off my 45s.

I picked up my (now discontinued) Trophy Match for Bullseye matches because Colt was having problems (at the time) with QC on the Gold Cups. One-handed, I'm very satisfied with it's performance on both the 25 and 50 yard lines. It is currently fed a diet of cast 200gr H&G 68s. Cost was close to $900.

My Colt was my first handgun, and will be the last one to go. I have always fed it 200gr SWCs, and it shoots great groups one-handed. Cost was a hard earned $125 (paper route earnings).

Now then there is the Ruger. If I hadn't discovered the Sig P365, this would be my EDC. Great balance, and is surprisingly accurate. I have only made two modifications: replaced the wood panel grips with a blue pair of G10s (phenomenal contrast with the stainless steel) and I installed a short trigger). At 20 yards, I can consistently shoot a 5 shot group using either Remington or American Eagle ball that can be covered with a Kennedy half dollar! The factory Novaks make placing my shots a crime. Cost was about $650.

With the exception of my Colt, they were purchased new.

Now, if I were in the market for another 1911, I would give the full-sized Ruger SR1911 a close look. I would look at the Ruger because: 1) the QC was impeccable, 2) the SR1911CMD and my year old RPR are phenomenally accurate, and 3) because I am an Adaptive shooter, I am extremely impressed by the fact that Ruger's CFO has supported the ADSS for the past 2 years and can be found on the serving line serving the shooters at every meal during the Summit! Fortunately, I've not HAD to rely on Ruger's customer service for anything more than advice.

I like pretty guns, but they have to be accurate. I don't want to spend a bundle, I need to be frugal. If I were to move on another 1911, I would probably give either a Colt Commander or a Ruger SR1911CMD a hard look.

 

[jeeps]

By far out of all the above brands Tisa is the best made and forged parts. They are top of the heap. Best made.

 

[ColumbusJBR]

Thank you all for the many suggestions. The Dan Wessons looked great but were a bit pricier than anticipated.

I settled on the Springfield 1911 Garrison, blued in .45, Govt size. It checked most of the boxes (.45ACP, full size, real sights, pretty). I got enamored with the classic blued look w/ wood grips, but w/ some modern amenities. By all accounts I read it’s a fine pistol. I’d love to have had a checkered front strap but quickly found that that feature typically occupied a much higher price bracket, and decided I didn’t wanna spend several hundred more for that. I did the “poor man’s checkering” and put on the WC front strap for $20 instead. I’ve got about $830 in it, tax included. Doesn’t hurt that it pairs nicely with my SA-35.

Anyway, this thing is NICE! Very well fit, tight lockup, match barrel, and great trigger. And I can’t stop looking at it. Weather pending, I’ll shoot it Saturday and report back.

Thanks again for all the input!

 

[minconrevo]

A little trick to keep the grip screws snug, even with G-10 grips, is to put a oil resistant buna-n 1.5mm x 3mm O-ring over each grip screw bushing. A package of 100 can be had online. You will thank me later.

You can also use some self adhesive sand paper as a replacement for the costly checkering. I didn't have much luck with the WC product, however it may work for you.

The checkering is expensive because the production guns have it done by machine. The grip arc, before machining, must be near perfect or it won't work well. Many frames aren't perfect.

 

[Krogen]

Thank you all for the many suggestions. The Dan Wessons looked great but were a bit pricier than anticipated.

I settled on the Springfield 1911 Garrison, blued in .45, Govt size. It checked most of the boxes (.45ACP, full size, real sights, pretty). I got enamored with the classic blued look w/ wood grips, but w/ some modern amenities. By all accounts I read it’s a fine pistol. I’d love to have had a checkered front strap but quickly found that that feature typically occupied a much higher price bracket, and decided I didn’t wanna spend several hundred more for that. I did the “poor man’s checkering” and put on the WC front strap for $20 instead. I’ve got about $830 in it, tax included. Doesn’t hurt that it pairs nicely with my SA-35.

Anyway, this thing is NICE! Very well fit, tight lockup, match barrel, and great trigger. And I can’t stop looking at it. Weather pending, I’ll shoot it Saturday and report back.

Thanks again for all the input!

Congratulations! You made a great choice. I like mine. Springfield hit one out of the park with the Garrison. We will need a range report . . . .

 

[Krogen]

A little trick to keep the grip screws snug, even with G-10 grips, is to put a oil resistant buna-n 1.5mm x 3mm O-ring over each grip screw bushing. A package of 100 can be had online. You will thank me later.

You can also use some self adhesive sand paper as a replacement for the costly checkering. I didn't have much luck with the WC product, however it may work for you.

The checkering is expensive because the production guns have it done by machine. The grip arc, before machining, must be near perfect or it won't work well. Many frames aren't perfect.

Great tip on the o-rings. Where would I find that size? McMaster Carr has similar sizes, but not an exact match.

 

[ColumbusJBR]

Great tip on the o-rings. Where would I find that size? McMaster Carr has similar sizes, but not an exact match.

Try McMaster P/N 9262K119. That seems to be a match. I show $7.81 per pack of 100. Great tip BTW

 

[Krogen]

Thanks for the part number, ColumbusJBR. Enjoy that pistol!

 

[KalamazooKid]

Beautiful gun! Don’t put an “idiot scratch” on it! [emoji41]

 

[BC38]

...it pairs nicely with my SA-35...

Now there's a pair to draw to...

 

[ColumbusJBR]

Got the Garrison out yesterday. Took about 10 mags to break in, which is slightly annoying, the extractor was hanging onto the empties too tight and causing a jam…

But after I got it hot and dirty it ran awesome. Had about 250 flawless rounds after, smiling the whole time.

Minus the initial hiccups, I’m happy with my purchase. We had fun with it. Hard to hate blued steel 5” .45

 

[Baxter6551]

Definitely need the O rings using the Wilson checkered front strap. I had my grip screws loosen during a two day class at Sig, the front strap slid down and got hung up / bent in the mag well when reloading. Took the gun out of service till I could take grips off and remove the trashed front strap. Now have O rings.

 

[PALADIN85020]

Some years ago I was thinking along similar lines. I also wanted my selection to be a Colt.

So I bought a stock series 80 Mark IV Stainless, removed the offending series 80 parts, and further modified it to my taste.

Here is the result.

John


(Click for larger image)