1911

[6.81stAR]

Looking for a 1911. Never owned one. Any help would be appreciated I really am leaning toward the Springfield Operator or Kimber SIS. What you do guys have.

[Tim_W]

Checkout the Springfield Professional. Not cheap by any stretch but one o the finest and best put together 1911's IMO. If I ever have money that I don;t buy a AR with that is the gun I would get for sure.

[ccoker]

I have a Springfield stainless custom with some work done to it. nice piece

for carry or for fun?

if the latter the STI Spartan has an adjustable rear and fiber optic front stock for a smoking deal

stiguns.com

[Poor Knight]

Looking for a 1911. Never owned one. Any help would be appreciated I really am leaning toward the Springfield Operator or Kimber SIS. What you do guys have.
I like Colts -- and the Colt Gunsite is my favorite Government one. I carry a Colt Gunsite CCO which is a Commander slide on a lightweight Officer frame - and a Series 70 action. The Series 80 firing pin block on the Colt makes it hard to do trigger work.

My first 1911 was the cheapest Springfield which I shot 500 rounds thru and then took to a gunsmith. If I had it to do over again, I'd buy a Colt -- they hold their value better. Almost any 1911 you'll have to break in and may need to tinker with to get it to be 100% reliable.

[jg30]

I've got a Kimber TLE II & Colt Commander 80 series both are good shooting but I tend to shoot and carry the Kimber more due to the night sights and I like the full size models. I've seen Kimbers at the gun shows for around $700 - $1000 depending on the model. I like the SIS line of pistols but the extra $$$ for the three letter slide serrations - more mags. Just my 2ct

[houser52]

Whenever I was active in IDPA, STI, Kimber, and Springfield. were the ones I saw shooters use at the range the most.

I also own a stainless 4" Dan Wesson Bobtail in 10mm. The "Bobtail" feature can spoil you with how good it feels in your hand. It's also made in
45 acp and 5" versions.

[sgtgrog]

I have a SS high polish Colt series 80 commander with a kimber .22 lr conversion kit and a Para-ordanance Warthog. the 3inch
double stack warthog carries the best, but have been looking real hard at the new para LDA PDA (.45 ACP).
Kimber makes one of the best on the market , but they are pricey.

[remat457]

I have a Springfield 80's Edition and a Dan Wesson Classic Commander Bobtail (CBOB).
The Springfield is ok (a solid workhorse) but the DW is a remarkable piece of equipment for $ (mine also happens to be in 10mm).

[zoli818]

I like my Springfield loaded & Para hawg...

[ArtFWTx]

Looking for a 1911. Never owned one. Any help would be appreciated I really am leaning toward the Springfield Operator or Kimber SIS. What you do guys have.

I like both brands. They are the companies who greatly closed the gap between production 1911's and custom shops.

I've handled both pistols and would suggest the Operator over the SIS, for one reason. I think grip or purchase on the slide of the Operator is better than the SIS. I found the "SIS" carved into the Kimber slide kind of slippery compared to the traditional slide serrations in the Springfield. If you had wet, sweaty, or bloody hands, manipulating the Kimber SIS slide could be more difficult. That's just my observation. I love Kimber, but would prefer one of the other Kimbers like the TLE, Warrior, etc.

My favorite handgun is a Les Baer 1911 that I saved up for. It's run like a thoroughbred through two defensive handgun classes. I'd like to add an Ed Brown Special Forces to the collection.

Then again Colt is bringing the Delta Elite 10mm back this fall. Collecting Colt 1911's is a good idea too. Can you tell I like 1911's?

[remat457]

Then again Colt is bringing the Delta Elite 10mm back this fall. Collecting Colt 1911's is a good idea too. Can you tell I like 1911's?

Been waiting for that one since Shotshow myself..

[Empty Brass]

I dont think you can go wrong with either. Springfield and kimbers in that price range are all top quality. One of my favorites is a Desert Warrior.

[ArtFWTx]

I dont think you can go wrong with either. Springfield and kimbers in that price range are all top quality. One of my favorites is a Desert Warrior.

I came so close to buying a Desert Warrior when they came out. I really needed to spend the money elsewhere at the time. A Warrior is still on the possible list after I finish a couple AR's I've been buying parts for.

There are so many good 1911's to choose from right now. I used to want a Delta Elite 10mm back in the day, and now Colt is bringing them back is cool.

[marinesg1012]

I have a kimber warrior, I could take it or leave it, actually I would of rather spent the money on a couple more glocks.

[ArtFWTx]

I have a kimber warrior, I could take it or leave it, actually I would of rather spent the money on a couple more glocks.

Sell it and buy Glocks. You shouldn't have any problem getting out of the Kimber if you don't want it. I've bought guns before and didn't like them or use them much and they just sit there. Actually, I'm thinking of moving a few items now that I rarely use to free up some dough for a couple AR's I'm building.

Hey 6.81stAR, Marinesg1012 may have a cool Kimber Warrior to sell... :D

[marinesg1012]

The problem is I never sell guns, now that may change in the future but as of right now I will keep it and try to use it when I can. if I am shooting my 45's it goes to the range with me, and gets shot, but I put a lot more rounds down range with my Xd.

[jasonpeterson]

I have Springfield Loaded that I carry had some work done on it in the beginning. Kimber Gold Match, Para limited P-14 with work done and three others, but these three are the ones I shoot weekly. Kimber's finish and fit is best, Para is the most accurate, Springfield I carry all the time, like a beater gun. If I go to the farm it goes. Most new 1911 will function flawlessly out of the box. That used to not be the case. My first 1911 all had to spend time with a gun smith. There just something about 1911's, there triggers are great, they feel great in your hand, and they have been around for ever. Now I love all my guns, especially my glocks and H&K's,ruger cowboy guns, there is just a place for each of them. I think you would be happy with any of the upper end guns your looking at. It's all personal taste for which one you like the best. I wish I was buying a new gun :( !!!! My wife thinks 57 is enough. I don't think it's the guns, I think it's the safes to put all the guns in. Good luck. Jason

[ArtFWTx]

57 guns? I don't think she'd notice "58". Go get another, she'll never find out. Trust me... :wink:

[jasonpeterson]

She wouldn't notice the gun. She would notice the money missing! :D That's why you have to work out trades. Keep guns and trade other stuff!!!

[avmech]

Personally I am a fan of the Commander length 1911, have 2 Kimbers, had a Colt (sold it to get my 6.8 upper :mrgreen: ). The Commander is for me a good size for carry. If would love to have a CCO type, officer frame, commander length barrel.

If you can, shoot different ones. I have done that with several people, using different calibers and different weapons (make and style). A very good friend wanted a 9mm Glock, ended up with a Commander length .45 Kimber. There are some that want a 1911, buy one and hate it.....shoot as many different ones as you can before plunking down the cash.

As far as the trades Jason mentions, that is what "mad money" is for........................if she knew, I would be dead meat by now :lol: :lol:

[BLACK LION]

I chose an XD .45acp tactical instead of a 1911....the whole 1911 thing seemed too expensive and overwhelming... I do not regret the choice

now...

I am currently entertaining a 1911 purchase and after all my research here is my list from cheapest to most expensive....

1. ROCK ISLAND ARMORY (armscor us) "tactical" - 399.00 to 480.00 yes I know its armscor but so is the next choice... I have read and heard good things about them and just got to check one out at the range... its a survivor thats for sure....

2. STI ( armscor ) SPARTAN.... its about a 100.00 more than the choice above... seen them for 500.00...

3. SIG GSR- mmm pricey

4. Springfield "OPERATOR" - ME LIKES VERY MUCH



wanted a 10mmm but do not like the g20....

I would like to find a delta elite in 10mm

[ArtFWTx]

Kimber, Springfield Armory, Colt, SW would be best bets for getting into 1911's. You don't have to have a $2500 custom brand, but you definitely do not want to go too inexpensive. A 1911 is all about fit and quality of components. I know people who purchased cheap 1911's and they were unreliable and needed gunsmith work. Several hundred dollars later they could have had a Kimber, SA, Colt, or one of the new SW's. The SA Operator is a nice one... me likey too. Kimber has their TLE-R which is the model the LA SWAT picked. Just hit all their websites and read up on them. Colt is bringing the Delta Elite 10mm back any day now if you're after that one.

[Cold]

IF I got a 1911 (Im a Glock guy) I would get an SVI infinity. Not cheep but man that Sightmaster is nice.

[jasonpeterson]

Kimber makes a 10mm. It shoots alot better than my former delta elite. The delta elite frame couldn't hold up to the 10mm. It had stress cracks on it when I got rid of it. The 10mm glock is alot more comfortable for me to shoot.

[BLACK LION]

It was reported that most if not all of the steel framed 10mm pistols could not hold up to the potency of the round.... ... the glock 20 was the only survivor....

I would really like a reliable 10mm in a 1911 style frame....

[ArtFWTx]

It'll be interesting to see what Colt does with the re-intro of the Delta Elite 10mm. If they addressed some of the weaknesses. My take on the 10mm is to reload for practice ammo. Have your full power defensive loads, and download some in the practice ammo to 40sw levels to save wear and tear on the weapon. Would this work? Similar to 38sp in 357 handguns.

Or is the 10mm just the limit the 1911 frame can handle?

[snort]

1911s handle 10mm just fine. The early colts had some frame cracking issues that were solved by making a cut on the frame rail where the cracks happened.

Then, for some godawful reason everyone undersprings a 1911, and the 10mms the worst. My dad's delta gold cup used with the stock springs and full power ammo you could HEAR the slide hitting the frame. Once we had 26-27lb of recoil spring in it,it was fine, slide never hit the frame, and it will never wear out.

As far as colts vs other makes. I just don't see the attraction. My kimber is WAY more shootable than my Colt. Ok, so my colt is the old school style with a spur hammer that bites. But I've come back from shooting a few hundred rounds through it with blood blisters. My kimber doesn't even leave a mark. The fit and finish in the kimber is way better too.

My next 1911 will be a built up 10mm on a Caspian frame.