Which 1911?

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alphabrace

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So if you could buy just one 1911 for about 1K, what would you buy? A S&W, Kimber, Para....etc. I don't have one but would like to get one.
I am interested in single stack with 5 inch barrel. I would like a 40 cal but don't want to rule any of them out.
 
alphabrace said:
So if you could buy just one 1911 for about 1K, what would you buy? A S&W, Kimber, Para....etc. I don't have one but would like to get one.
I am interested in single stack with 5 inch barrel. I would like a 40 cal but don't want to rule any of them out.
Click to expand...


The real one.

Series 70 Colt - .45 acp.
 
kewpie said:
The real one.

Series 70 Colt - .45 acp.
Click to expand...
I gotta roll with kewpie on this one. If you're gonna buy one, start off with the real deal--get yourself a series '70 Colt in.45ACP. Anything other than a Colt is a copy. I've carried one in combat and civilian life since 1968. There just ain't a finer weapon.........
 
kewpie said:
The real one.

Series 70 Colt - .45 acp.
Click to expand...

Bought a ss Series 70 a couple of years ago. It doesn't have the old bushing but I could care less. And no plunger, levers, or other such extra parts. The quality on it is a big notch above the 1991A1's and I don't plan on changing out a single part. The new E Series is nice but buy a Colt first. Then buy a Commander second. Then maybe a new Defender after that. Maybe check out that Delta Elite next. Then there is that .38 Super model... Where was I going??? ;)
 
This one

IMG_0692.jpg
 
As much as I love every S&W 1911 I've owned, I will still go with the Colt as a first must have.
After my time in the Navy and the military basic 1911, my first one purchased by me was a Series 70 Gold Cup. It was perfection as far as I was concerned.
I will always have a Colt in the line up.

Now with the new "E" from S&W, it will be an easy selection on my next 1911. I like what I see.
 
When I bought my first 1911 I got a Springfield "Loaded" model because it has everything I thought you needed to have on your 1911. (Extended ambi safeties, front cocking serations, beaver tail, adjustable trigger, FLGR, etc.) A lot of manufacturers offer these. (Springfield, Smith & Wesson, Kimber, Taurus, Rock Island and many more.) If I was going to buy a 1911 now it would probably be a stock, blue Colt.

I still have the Springfield and figure on keeping it. (If I did ever sell it it would probably be to put the money towards a basic Colt.) I shot it the other night for the first time in quite a while. I guess I forgot how great shooting a 1911 really is. (I've been on a 3rd-gen 9mm kick lately.) The thing about the 1911 is it is just so easy to make hits with it. Had a first time shooter with me and he was doing pretty well with it, too.

1911's are like model 10's. Every shooter should own one!
 
Colt question

Ok, so if I go with a Colt do they make a 70 series anymore? I have seen what appears to be a very basic model at Gander mountain before for under $800. Are the new colt 1911's good? Can the sites and all the rest be changed out? If the site the gun comes with is a dove tail can I put adjustable on it? Thanks.
 
I have several brands of 1911 guns. If I had to choose just one, it would be a S&W 1911 made in the last two years. They are vastly improved from earlier production.

I own two of them now and will buy others if I can find them at decent prices and in good condition. They are so well made, accurate and nice that there are few used ones on the market.
 
I went through this very process a few years ago. Despite all the get a Colt advice I bought the SA Black Stainless Loaded Target. Very nice gun. Bought the S&W1911PD Commander with the CT grips within a couple months. Had the range and carry covered.

The S&W had a much better (lighter) trigger out of the box. I ended up getting into the SA with some new ignition parts from Ed Brown and drastically improved the trigger.

I like the looks of the newer S&Ws as well. The 5" 9mm is calling to me, but I already have a 9mm Les Baer.

I'm not anti Colt, but if I were going to buy ONE 1911 Colt would be about the 5th choice. From buying a used Les Baer PII .45 and a used Ed Brown Executive Target there is a lot to be said for buying a higher end gun for the one and only.

If you are not sure you will like the 1911, Rock Island is a cheaper way to stick your toe in.

Like all 1911 threads, the advice is all over the map.
 
alphabrace said:
Ok, so if I go with a Colt do they make a 70 series anymore? Yes, but they are as hard to find as most of their models right now.

I have seen what appears to be a very basic model at Gander mountain before for under $800. That is likely to be a 1991A1 with the Series 80 drop safety parts. New Series 80 guns from them are hard to even feel that drop safety if you didn't know it is there already. They are made much better than they were at first.

Are the new colt 1911's good? Yes, they went through a short Q/A fit and finish problem but that seems to be long gone.

Can the sites and all the rest be changed out? Most models have a rear sight that is dovetailed in and the front sight is staked. Both can be replaced if one knows what he is doing and takes his time. But they are good sights to begin with unless you buy a retro with bump and nub sights.

If the site the gun comes with is a dove tail can I put adjustable on it? That would depend on your replacement. It might need a short trip to a gunsmith for fitting. Example: a Novak will need fitting while change out from a all black to white dot can be done at home with the right tools.

Thanks.
Click to expand...

You are quite welcome. You might also check out the XSE models or the Special Combat Gov if you want it to come upgraded already. And for what it's worth, I stick with Colt magazines or Wilson ETM's and have yet to have the first problem with either. The one Chip McCormick mag that I bought jams the first or last cartridge from time to time.
 
Well, I'll swim up stream here, and say Kimber. I own several Colt 1911's, including a series 70 GC, and the Kimbers are tighter, better fit, and more accurate, as well as available.

The Rock Island Armory, also shown, is a good choice for an inexpensive shooter; basic and reliable. Mine is coming up on about 2K rounds without a malfunction.

Larry
 

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I think Kimber had just as many teething problems as Colt when they both added drop safeties. Colt chose to monkey with the trigger feel and Kimber chose to monkey with the grip safety. I thought the grip safety would be better since it is such an old design. When I picked one up in the 90's the grip had to be mashed down pretty hard on most of the models I held in my hand. I put them all back and bought a stainless 1991A1 and ordered some titanium nitride upgraded Series 80 parts. Now today the box stock 1991A1's feel as good as mine that has upgraded parts and maaaaaaany rounds downrange. So I wouldn't doubt for a minute that Kimber has figured out their grip safety issues as well. And I believe the extra bits are removable from wither model if you so desire.
 
If I had 1k to burn, a Colt Gold Cup would finally be mine.
 
one eye joe said:
I gotta roll with kewpie on this one. If you're gonna buy one, start off with the real deal--get yourself a series '70 Colt in.45ACP. Anything other than a Colt is a copy. I've carried one in combat and civilian life since 1968. There just ain't a finer weapon.........
Click to expand...

Yup, They will shoot, Keep their price if you keep them stock.
If you want to get a nice 70 series gold cup you will be happy.
Some will shoot POA at 50 yards pretty stinkin easy.
I have had many 1911s and the Colt seems to be the only ones I have left.
Peter
 
I've had a number of 1911s, from most of the major production manufacturers (not custom makers.) I've sold or traded them all, and now have three: a Colt Government XSE, a S&W SW1911 Stainless, and a Springfield Loaded; all three are 5" and .45 ACP. The Colt and the S&W were a little more than the Springfield...but all three are great pistols, and any one of them will make a fine choice.
 
E-series 1911

How long before the E-series 1911's are available?
 
Can't go wrong with a Colt!

coltgc-2.jpg


coltgc-1.jpg


I bought my first 1911 a couple weeks ago, a used Series 80 Gold Cup. It has a few light scratches and scuff marks but otherwise it appears to be in great condition. I'll be taking her out as soon as my new recoil springs arrive and hope it shoots as well as it looks!
 
Just bought a S&W 1911 ss. Have carried Colts 30 years in the Army. Any one have any problems with the S&W 1911 or 8rd Mags that I should know about?
 
You should double your budget and buy the lightly used Wilson Combat that has been on this boards classifieds, if it's still there it is an absolutely smoking deal.

Don’t buy a series II Kimber, they go click instead of bang too often do to their Swartz safety, and customer service is renowned for being horrible.

Springfield Armory gives you your best bang for the buck, but the more you spend on a Springfield the better gun you get.

I’ve seen series 70 Colt’s for 1K, but you’re buying a name and a gun that has poor sights and reliability issues right out of the box.

I wouldn’t buy any 1911 with a series 80 or Swartz safety. I don’t know what S&W has done in those regards, but I’d bet it’s one or the other.

Pair of Wilsons.
And yes I've owned Colts and Springers too.

PA120045.jpg

PA120034.jpg


Here you go, I found the add.
http://smith-wessonforum.com/guns-sale-trade/180921-wilson-cqb-price-reduced.html

Emory
 
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