wich 1911 ?

[shutupdata113]

im in the market for a new 1911. it will be my first 1911 and have settled on either the sw ''e'' series , or the ruger sr1911....just want some opinions and should i sell my 686 snubnose to help fund the purchase. the ruger is hard to come by and i wonder what the ''e'' series are going for....not to mention how much $$ might i expect for the 686 wich is in excellent condition. thanx for the help

 

[Gasman1972]

I'm a firm believer that a first 1911 should be a 5" Colt.

 

[Photog]

Easy.........COLT

 

[ma deuce]

I just got a base E-Series at my LGS for $829. I got tired of waiting for a Ruger. Now that I've got the E-Series, I'm glad I got it instead. Retail here in MD for 686 snubbies is around $550 - $600. Trade, may $400. I'd save my money and hang on th 686, unless you don't like it for some reason.

My first 1911 was a 5" Remington Rand, property of U.S. Gov't. I'd rather shoot the E-Series.

 

[Knightenforcer]

I'm a firm believer that a first 1911 should be a 5" Colt.

I tend to agree

 

[lhump1961]

I would keep the 686 and go with either the Ruger or Smith that you mentioned. I of course would get the Smith but it will be a little more $$. If you can find a Ruger they go around $700 give or take and the Smith will range from $800 to $1200. Can't go wrong with either...you will miss the 686 if you sell it!

I am certainly no expert but I have two Smith 1911's and couldn't be happier.

 

[JMK572]

1911

I would choose the S&W out of those two. However my personal choices are Colt, Springfield Armory, and Wilson Combat. A new Colt 70 Series Repro would make a excellent first 1911 in my opinion. Good luck with your choice.

 

[GKC]

Since you mentioned this is your first 1911...

Have you ever fired a 1911? Not everyone likes them...mainly because they are a little more difficult to field strip and maintain than the average polymer pistol. Not everyone is comfortable with cocked and locked, either. On the other hand, they have (usually) the best trigger you can get on a handgun.

I have owned a number of 1911s, and currently have four: a Colt MKIV Series 70, a Ruger SR1911, a Springfield Range Officer, and a S&W SW1911 "e" TALO edition. Any of these are good choices...but let me also suggest to you that if you want to get into 1911s without spending a lot of money, or having to sell your 686, try a Rock Island Armory 1911. They are inexpensive, around $400 or a little more, depending on the model, they are good, solid guns, and RIA stands behind their products. They are a good gun to learn on, if you find that you like tinkering with 1911s.

Whatever brand you choose, your first one should be a 5" model...they shoot better and have fewer problems than the shorter 1911s, which really aren't beginners guns.

 

[Alpha_Mutt]

Since you mentioned this is your first 1911...
...but let me also suggest to you that if you want to get into 1911s without spending a lot of money, or having to sell your 686, try a Rock Island Armory 1911. They are inexpensive, around $400 or a little more, depending on the model, they are good, solid guns, and RIA stands behind their products. They are a good gun to learn on, if you find that you like tinkering with 1911s.

Whatever brand you choose, your first one should be a 5" model...

There are lots of good brands out there. Shop gunbroker.com to get a feel for what reasonable prices are.

If you've seen one 1911 you've pretty much seen 'em all but that doesn't mean they all have the same quality. I have a couple of SIGs, Smiths, Para Ordnance, and have spent time with a friend's STI Trojan & a Rock Island. I would absolutely say avoid Para. I purchased 7 of them over my shooting career and currently have one. Their quality control is very uneven. The last one I had didn't shoot to the point of aim, stove piped, and mags fell out of when full. PO made it right but it took 7 weeks to fix what should have never left the factory. I also had a P18 that was a *** and a Carry 12 with night sights DOA. The Rock Island may be cheap but you get what you pay for. An IDPA buddy had one and it was everything that gives a 1911 a bad rep. As an alternative consider the STI Spartan.

I currently have two Smiths, a Smith Pro Series 9mm & an older Plane-Jane 45 and would buy another S&W in a without hesitation.

 

[kennyb]

take a look at the colt five inch rail gun...they certainly shoot well

 

[scattershot]

I'll have to disagree about the Rock Island 1911. I have a Tactical model, and if it came to a choice between that one and my Kimber, I'd have to give it some thought. Mine has been flawless from day 1, and for $450.00 and change, it's certainly worth a look.

I agree about the full size, though.

 

[jackjr]

I started with a plain Jane Springfield Armory GI and still have it. Easy to strip and shoots anything I put in it. I now also have 2 Dan Wessons, a Pointman .45, and a Guardian 9mm. and I wouldn't part with them but they are expensive. None of the 3 have ever gone back to the factory for anything more than a tune up on the extractor on the Guardian. I shoot the SA as much as the Pointman and the Guardian more because of the cost of ammo.

 

[Simmy952]

If wanting a bargain basement 1911, then RIA is the way to way. At the cost of a Rock Island, if you don't like it then you are not out that much. If wanting something a little higher end, then I would go with a Sig Sauer. I have two of them. They make a full featured 1911 at a very good price. I would put both of my Sigs up against my Les Baer anywhere or anytime.

 

[skeeter1911]

I'll chime in as a fellow MA resident. Since the OP is in MA his options are a bit limited because we cannot buy any and all makes of firearms. Colt, Kimber, Springfield, etc. are all harder to find and usually come with a premium price. It sounds like you have done your research but I'll recommend the S&W 'E' series. It's a seriously nice 1911. However, I would try to shoot both if possible before you buy. Do you want a government, commander or officer's frame? Alloy or stainless? Target gun or carry piece?

 

[WrongWay]

im in the market for a new 1911. it will be my first 1911 and have settled on either the sw ''e'' series , or the ruger sr1911....just want some opinions and should i sell my 686 snubnose to help fund the purchase. the ruger is hard to come by and i wonder what the ''e'' series are going for....not to mention how much $$ might i expect for the 686 wich is in excellent condition. thanx for the help

Would you be interested in this Colt. It was made in 2011, is a 70 Series remake with 100 Years of Service on the slide.

 

[RightArm]

What is the sudden demand for 1911's. I want one also, but most places are out of stock on the S&W E, SA mil spec (now called GI apparently), forget about the RugerSR. Gunbroker has a few, but they seem a little high, quite a bit high when you add shipping and FFL transfer. I might be able to find a Remmington R1, but I don't like the warranty on that one. I live in a huge city, where are all the 1911's at less than a grand. I am not buying a gun from the Philipines so don't say Rock Island.

 

[skeeter1911]

2011 marked the centennial celebration of the 1911 so they are in demand right now. The e series is still relativley new so demand outweighs supply. As for the ruger sr1911, it seems you have to look but I've seen them for about $700-$800 new in stores (granted they only have 1 or 2) in stock.

 

[RightArm]

Thanks. I think I'm gonna keep looking for a Springfield Mil Spec. From what I understand it is a true 1911 whereas the E and the SR are not because of an external ejector. You never know, if I see 'em first, the other two are really nice looking guns with good reviews.

 

[Dicecal]

Been looking at 1911's as well. Decided on the SW1911TA, because it has more features that a comparable Colt. ( Rail, night sights..etc) However some online reviews have said the pressed in extractor pin tends to slide down, and could cause malfunctions down the road. Anyone with these issues? Thoughts on this? Now I'm wondering if I should spend more money on a Colt. Sorry to hijack the thread, like to continue the conversation!