1911

njsportsman

njsportsman

New member
Been kicking around the idea of getting a 1911. I have been to the range kicking the tires fired a couple and like them a lot but, what to get is my question? I fired a couple not sure of the model but a medium size frame I think one was a Para USA. If I decide to get one I am looking to eventually carry it. I have always liked the 1911 but to rich for my blood even to shoot as the ammo is not cheap. What is out there that is concealable, light and relaible. Of coarse Colt would be my first choice but, well out of my price range. I see the Kimber ultra carry 2 which is more my speed in price. Thought's opinions thanks in advance.
 
Any of the top manufacturers will serve you well. Full size is sometimes heavy and harder to conceal, compact is a little harder on the shooter. I have a few different 1911's but carry a Kimber Tac Pro II most of the time. I went "kinda' in the middle". I'm very happy with it. But then again, I'm happy with all of them.
 
I like the Ultra Carry II but bought the Pro version because I wanted a full-size grip, it fit my hands better. It has a 4" barrel but I have a cop friend with the CDP version of the Ultra Carry and his 3" barrel is plenty accurate. He carries it as his duty weapon. The Pro Carry II is I believe the same price as the Ultra Carry II. I don't have any trouble concealing mine but then again I live in an open carry state so don't care if it prints a little. Find a range with them in stock so can try them on for size. I have no experience with Para, used a Colt in the Marines 40 years ago.
 
I have a Kimber, a Les Baer, and a Springfield. All 1911's and all with 5" barrels. I usually carry the Les Baer during the daytime as I like the way it shoots. I carry the Springfield at nights because it has the Crimson Trace laser grip on it. It also stays on my night stand because it is easier/quicker to use the laser grip at night without having to find my glasses. I don't have a problem carrying any of these concealed (in TX it is against the law to OC). I have a Galco IWB holster that works with either of the 3. Yes these are pricey, but I feel they would get the job done if I needed it. As for concealment, I really haven't had a problem with the barrel length and I wear shorts and t-shirts 80% of the time year round.
 
I carry a 5" 1911 EDC .......

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My choice in a shorter 1911 would be my Colt LW Commander ....

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If you're on a seriously tight budget I'd recommend you look at the Link Removed

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Rock Island M1911s have a good reputation and are very reasonably priced.

Actually, some of the Colts are reasonably priced as well.

When I carry a full sized gun, I frequently carry a Norinco M1911. They're no longer imported, but you find them used from time to time. I'd replace at least some of the internal parts, since they're junk, but the slide, frame and barrel are as good as anything made in the U.S. Once the junk internals were replaced, that gun's been 100% with everything I've shot through it, including 230gr. ball, 117gr. Aguila IQ, 200gr. Hornady T.A.P., and 200gr. LSWC bullseye handloads. It's also as accurate as my Series 70 Colt and Springfield.
 
If you really believe you can have only one 1911, I'd decide on what features you have to have. For example, I like a commander sized gun for EDC and I like checkering on the front and backstraps, night sights, match grade barrels, ambi safety, and it has to be dehorned. The beauty of the 1911 is the availability of models with the features YOU want. I would caution you that while everyone makes a 1911, the devil is in the details and you're not going to be satisfied with just one. I understand that the legendary Bill Wilson even has two different 1911's that he carries. If that guy can't build himself one perfect carry gun, there's no hope for the rest of us. If there's a Kimber with your preferred specs in your budget, I say go for it. It'll make a great first 1911!
 
Springfield Armory 1911A1 Mil-Spec. With over a hundred years and multiple wars, police actions and incursions into foreign lands. Ya can't beat the reliability or the chunk of lead it spews. Priced reasonably as well, normally around $ 450.00-500.00 dollars.
 
If you're buying a 1911, I can't see the point of spending any less than $1000. If not, you run the risk of getting a piece if garbage that will lock up, FTF, or FTE. I know, I know. Everyone loves their PT 1911. Taurus is junk. I've went through the paces with Taurus. Never again will I buy a weapon from such a crappy manufacturer. If your going 1911 and you want a manufactured one, Colt is your only real option. Kimber uses cheap MIM parts and only have a 1 year warranty with crap customer service. Springfields are made in Brazil (like Taurus👎), filled with MIM parts. Sigs are nice but again, a lot of crap MIM parts. If you want a nice 1911 for about a grand, the Colt Combat Elite is a good choice. If you want a semi custom piece that is of the highest quality built with Ed Brown guts, hand tuned receiver and no MIM parts, go with a Dan Wesson. If you want a really nice piece that is mostly custom, Les Baer makes the cheapest.

BTW, don't go any less than a Government. Commanders are okay but 1911's are meant to have 5" barrels. Anything less and you're asking for problems.
 
mappow said:
Springfield Armory 1911A1 Mil-Spec. With over a hundred years and multiple wars, police actions and incursions into foreign lands. Ya can't beat the reliability or the chunk of lead it spews. Priced reasonably as well, normally around $ 450.00-500.00 dollars.
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Not the same company. They were exported to Brazil.
 
Everyone including me has their own opinion, but you need to have your own. Check with your local gun shop and locate a nearby shooter who has some 1911's you can shoot. There are many options that will affect the "fit" and "feel" of a given 1911 in your hands. Just to list a few.... steel or alloy frame, barrel length, flat or rounded mainspring housing, grip thickness, barrel bushing, or reverse-taper lock-up, ambi safety or not, sight height, adjustable sights, night sights, magazine capacity, mag-well, and like that......

NO disrespect to anyone, but if I suggested that you go buy a pair of xyz shoes, I'd hope you try 'em on before you bought 'em. Just because I like something, it has little bearing on whether or not anyone else likes it or not.

Do some shopping, and fact-finding, and enable yourself to make an educated decision, based on YOUR preferences.

If you happen to be within driving distance of central Indiana, I can put lots of 1911's in your hands to play with.
 
I have been looking at 1911's as well and talking at length with the guys at the gun shop. They made several recomendations and also read and watched reviews and posts and they mostly confirm that the Springfeild and Kimber 1911 are both quality firearms. I too am watching my pennies but in all honesty I don't think I would be happy with anything less than a colt 1911. The feel in my hand with all three is similar but there was some rattling and movement in the slide and triggers of the Kimber and Sprinfeild that I didn't like, The colt just seems to be a better made gun and something that I would be able to keep and shoot the reast of my days and then pass down to my son. I'm thinking i'll wait a few months and get what I want.
 
I decided on the Remington 1911R1, and have been very happy with it. Over 1,000 rounds through it so far, without any FTF/FTE/FailureToAnything.

On a lighter note (literally!), my EDC weapon is a Colt Pocketlite .380, which is a mini-1911 style gun.
 
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