need advice on a 1911

[BUZO71]

I've got the bug for a 1911. I have almost no knowledge base for this platform. Any suggestions? I'm looking middle of the road.

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[tuckerha]

I'm fond of springfields. But I am hearing good things about the Rock Island Armory models on this Forum as inexpensive and reliable.

 

[Mainsail]

I'm partial to the Sig:

 

[tuckerha]

I'm a tad jealous there Mainsail

 

[PlayboyPenguin]

Springfield Armory Mil-Spec is a great starting point as far as 1911's go. A Colt Series 80 is also a great one, but a touch more expensive.

 

[BUZO71]

Never thought about Sig... What did that run?

 

[PhysicsGuy]

It depends on you're definition of middle of the range.

Personally I prefer Dan Wesson as great choices on the upper side of the middle range 1911s;

 

[tuckerha]

There's always the Kimber I wish I still had

 

[torpedoman]

go for the rock island very reliable weapon with a good trigger out of the box.

 

[BUZO71]

I think I'm narrowing down to Springfield... like this one ... what do you think? Anyone had one?

 

[Abe Froman]

I think you will be very happy with that, I know I would be.

 

[PhysicsGuy]

Are you set on the black stainless finish?

Its a copy of the kimber eclipse finish, which looks great and unique, but you might be hard pressed to get your hands on one.

 

[jordanvraptor]

I still like the Colts. I've had two Series 70s, one Combat Elite, and currently a 1943 1911A1. Mostly nostalgia but I like my 45's to be Colts. There was that one time in my misspent youth where I had a Norinco... (In fairness, it was a really reliable shooter.)

 

[BUZO71]

Not 100% set... I think I can find one though....

 

[BUZO71]

As far as Colts and Springfields... any difference in quality?

 

[PhysicsGuy]

Not 100% set... I think I can find one though....

Okay, because I've seen the black stainless around at several places before, but right now it seems like with the crazed gun buying going on, most 1911s are hard to find or order. But I do know of at least one place that has the regular stainless loaded in stock.

The one thing that you should note is that springfield uses several MIM parts, but it seems like they aren't plagued with the MIM part breakages that kimber has.

 

[wichaka]

You're going to pay more for solid steel guns, because of the price of the materials. Colt is more spendy because of this, the same for Dan Wesson.

Springfield uses a lot of MIM (Metal Injected Molded) parts. A cheaper way of doing things, not as per the original design, but they seem to get away with it. As for Kimber, they use MIM as well, but whoever their vendor is, doesn't do them well in the QC area, as their MIM has a bad reputation for breaking.

The early Kimbers were some very fine 1911's, but the Series II's don't come close to the quality.

You can find good used Colts for the price you're looking for, a Dan Wesson, or a new Springfield.

 

[BUZO71]

Well, I'm not even 100% on this model....I want something that is most reliable, most bang for the buck

 

[BUZO71]

You're going to pay more for solid steel guns, because of the price of the materials. Colt is more spendy because of this, the same for Dan Wesson.

Springfield uses a lot of MIM (Metal Injected Molded) parts. A cheaper way of doing things, not as per the original design, but they seem to get away with it. As for Kimber, they use MIM as well, but whoever their vendor is, doesn't do them well in the QC area, as their MIM has a bad reputation for breaking.

The early Kimbers were some very fine 1911's, but the Series II's don't come close to the quality.

You can find good used Colts for the price you're looking for, a Dan Wesson, or a new Springfield.

So, what do you carry?

 

[PhysicsGuy]

Well, I'm not even 100% on this model....I want something that is most reliable, most bang for the buck

If you have a few more pennies, you could pick up a new Dan Wesson pointman 7