Looking to buy first 1911

[Triggasylum]

Not sure if I'm being too picky but I am looking for advice and recommendations and my experience with 1911's is limited. My preferences are:

4-5 inch barrel
Full grip
Ambi (im a lefty)
45acp
USA made
Steel frame
Under 1200
Rail if possible.

I've been running around handling a few at some gun shops recently and I definitely like the feel of the more full size All steel ones, have been hearing mixed things about kimber even though they seem to be the ones I find in shops the most. Seems like everyone I ask has a different opinion. It will see regular range duty and probably be carried at some point. Thanks in advance!

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[fuqyeahammo]

I got a kimber that I can sell you if your in the area
Approx 700 rounds.

Aegis Elite Custom (OI)

The Aegis Elite Custom (OI) comes equipped with a milled Vortex Optics Venom, 6MOA red dot for fast sight acquisition and green, black and grey G10 grips.

www.kimberamerica.com

 

[DeltaRose]

In your budget Springfield Armory Loaded:

1911 Loaded Handguns - Springfield Armory

www.springfield-armory.com

if you can save/spare more, a Dan Wesson is one of the best 1911's for the money:

Valor - Dan Wesson Firearms

With quality improvements to make this Dan Wesson flagship better than ever, the new and updated Valor features a Stan Chen SI Magwell, tapered G10 grips, and a tactical ambidextrous and grip safety. The features don’t stop there; the Valor now comes with an inverted rib, and an updated slide…

danwessonfirearms.com

Good luck..

 

[DeltaRose]

And if you really want a rail:

Specialist - Dan Wesson Firearms

When police departments approached us to build them a more reliable, durable 1911 to replace the ones they had been carrying, we developed a model just for them. The additions that made it ideal for law enforcement also make it perfect for home defense, so we gladly offer it for…

danwessonfirearms.com

 

[solv3nt]

Second vote for a Dan Wesson.

 

[s1xty7]

I just picked up a Springfield Garrison in 9mm but they are available in .45 as well. Government size so 5" barrel. Traditional styling but with an upgraded trigger, skelontinized hammer, extended beavertail, and a match barrel. Available in blued forged carbon steel or forged stainless steel with slim wooden grips. I got the stainless as my first 1911 and I love the way it feels. Runs $700 to $800 depending on blued vs stainless and who has it on sale. Haven't even shot it but I like the look and feel so much, it's shaping up to be one of my favorite guns. No rail though and you'd have to add ambi stuff. There's other specs available on their page and some pretty good reviews on YouTube. If you need a rail, Springfield has a couple of other options and if the quality of the Garrison is any indicator, I'd think the other models would be good too.

https://www.springfield-armory.com/1911-series-handguns/1911-garrison-handguns

Edit: Decided this really needed some pictures.

Blued:


Stainless:


Here's a Springfield Operator that might be more fitting of what you're looking for and seems to run $900 to $1200 depending on who has it in stock and if its on sale:

 

[nammac]

Don't forget the full size Springfield Ronin's. Stainless steel frame and blues carbon steel slides. A classic look and more than decent accuracy…

 

[JuglansRegia]

Dan Wesson is probably the best deal without going full custom

 

[Member 53328]

Triarc Tri11. Although it's not gunna hit the 1200 dollar mark and it's chambered in 9mm. Haha

 

[Plunger45]

Ruger SR 1911

https://ruger.com/productImages/6700/detail/1.jpg

 

[Triggasylum]

I just picked up a Springfield Garrison in 9mm but they are available in .45 as well. Government size so 5" barrel. Traditional styling but with an upgraded trigger, skelontinized hammer, extended beavertail, and a match barrel. Available in blued forged carbon steel or forged stainless steel with slim wooden grips. I got the stainless as my first 1911 and I love the way it feels. Runs $700 to $800 depending on blued vs stainless and who has it on sale. Haven't even shot it but I like the look and feel so much, it's shaping up to be one of my favorite guns. No rail though and you'd have to add ambi stuff. There's other specs available on their page and some pretty good reviews on YouTube. If you need a rail, Springfield has a couple of other options and if the quality of the Garrison is any indicator, I'd think the other models would be good too.

https://www.springfield-armory.com/1911-series-handguns/1911-garrison-handguns

Edit: Decided this really needed some pictures.

Blued:
View attachment 1198795

Stainless:
View attachment 1198796

Here's a Springfield Operator that might be more fitting of what you're looking for and seems to run $900 to $1200 depending on who has it in stock and if its on sale:
View attachment 1198797

I've heard good things so far about the Springfield. As well as the Dan Wesson. I figured I could add an ambi safety if necessary. Thank you

 

[monkeybutler]

Dan Wesson is probably the best deal without going full custom

That was my conclusion, so I bought a DW 10mm.

 

[FourTeeFive]

I bought a used Springfield Loaded a while ago. Absolutely nothing wrong with it; great gun for the money. But I can never leave well enough alone, and I had it upgraded with a bunch of Ed Brown parts and professionally setup as a combat piece. It is the finest 1911 I've ever owned, and I've owned Colts, Kimbers, Paras, and a few custom guns. I'm still running the original Springfield barrel and bushing, and it is incredibly accurate while being a practical and reliable weapon.

 

[Z-PDX]

Don't forget the full size Springfield Ronin's. Stainless steel frame and blues carbon steel slides. A classic look and more than decent accuracy…
View attachment 1198802

good call.

and also available in commander sized aluminum for those lightweight evenings out about town.

i know. i know. i am definitely half a man for admitting that i am pretty much done carrying a full-sized, steel 1911, but there it is.

also beware that the 1911 path is fraught with the compulsion to change stuff.

for instance your new 1911 will suddenly and magically NEED all upgraded tool steel parts to replace the perfectly fine MIM stuff inside.

then you'll somehow find yourself justifying at least a drop.in trigger set. and grips. and sights.

then your lovely wife may ask what the heck this bill is for gun parts about as big as the cost of the pistol itself.

not saying this has happened to me as all my stuff was lost in a tragic boating accident and all i have is an old .38 revolver and a .22 rifle.
but i've heard that these sorts of things can happen who are into guns.

if i was to buy something, i might just write one huge check all at once to nighthawk and call it a day.

enjoy the shopping experience. it's the best part of owning anything…

 

[Z-PDX]

I bought a used Springfield Loaded a while ago. Absolutely nothing wrong with it; great gun for the money. But I can never leave well enough alone, and I had it upgraded with a bunch of Ed Brown parts and professionally setup as a combat piece. It is the finest 1911 I've ever owned, and I've owned Colts, Kimbers, Paras, and a few custom guns. I'm still running the original Springfield barrel and bushing, and it is incredibly accurate while being a practical and reliable weapon.

ha! i was writing my reply as you posted.

super fun story.

glad you got a great pistol out of it.

 

[FourTeeFive]

glad you got a great pistol out of it.

Pistol porn because... well, just because... Here is my Springfield "Fully" Loaded. Stock slide with sights, barrel and link and pin, frame and beavertail safety and plunger tube and ejector. All other parts Ed Brown except the VZ grips.

And per your comments, I am now looking at replacing the sights.




25 yards from rest:

 

[solv3nt]

Pistol porn because... well, just because... Here is my Springfield "Fully" Loaded. Stock slide with sights, barrel and link and pin, frame and beavertail safety and plunger tube and ejector. All other parts Ed Brown except the VZ grips.

Gun porn.

I got my Colt back from Wilson!

It would seem that 9 months is the time that all men must wait for great things... I sent my Colt 1991 to Wilson to modify her to my liking. I could have gone with a base CQB, but I wanted the Colt on the side, and as you can see, she's still stands proud! Here's a rundown: New bullet proof...

www.northwestfirearms.com

 

[ColeInOregon]

Another vote for the Ruger SR1911.

 

[solv3nt]

Another vote for the Ruger SR1911.

When they were in the $550 range, I think they were a good deal. Now that they're infringing on the $1000 mark, I'm not sure I agree that they can play in the realm of the Springfield loaded, Colts and DW slightly above, Mimbers too if you're so inclined.

Don't get me wrong, I like Ruger, but more for the price of the value, not necessarily that they play with the big dogs.

Best bang for your buck will be the DW in the $1200-1500 range. Valor if you're feeling rich.

 

[ColeInOregon]

When they were in the $550 range, I think they were a good deal. Now that they're infringing on the $1000 mark, I'm not sure I agree that they can play in the realm of the Springfield loaded, Colts and DW slightly above, Mimbers too if you're so inclined.

Don't get me wrong, I like Ruger, but more for the price of the value, not necessarily that they play with the big dogs.

Best bang for your buck will be the DW in the $1200-1500 range. Valor if you're feeling rich.

Wow, I did not realize they took such a jump in price, for the same money I would probably buy a Colt. I bought both my SR1911's, government and an officer's, a while back and if I recall correctly they were $700 ish. Both have been good pistols, though the govt. model dislikes Wilson mags which was remedied with Tripp mags. I had been thinking of picking up a commander and a 10mm SR1911 but at a comparable price I might be looking at others.