1911 - Which Brand

O.K. guys.  I've waited long enough.  I'm very intimidated posting on this board because I know NOTHING about pistols.  My true love is rifles.  But I am ignorant when the subject turns to pistols.  I have only one - S&W 27.  I'm pretty good with it, but that's all (I don't even reload for it).  I really like single action revolvers but I'm quickly starting to lust after 1911's.  I would like to buy a 1911 in the next few months.  Which brand should I get?  Now be gentle... remember I'm new to this.

I am looking for new.  I was thinking about Kimber too.  I picked up a catalog for Kimber rifles (rifles of course!!!!), but the first half of the catalog is all about 1911's.  I saw a pic of the Custom Royal and started to drool.  I'm serious.  Chills ran up and down my spine.  I figured my out-of-body experience was a sure sign from above that I need a 1911.  There is a store here in Knoxville that sells Kimbers for around $800, and Springfields for $450 (and Kimber 84Ms for $750-$800  ).  Are these good prices... I meen for the 1911s?

Moose;

My first choice would also be a Kimber, a first series used Kimber.  Mine is a rather early one & I'd suggest another to anybody.  The early ones have a Videcki 'speed trigger', spotted because of the carbon fiber trigger bow.  Unless it's been hard used & abused, it should be a delight to drop the hammer on.

Other than that, kinda depends on what you want to do.  If it were going to be a builder, do indeed find one of the NORINCO units, or get a Brownell's catalogue & just start from there.  Stay away from the price leaders such as Charles Daly & Thompson

However, it sounds as though you want an outta the box shooter.  So:  Kimber, Springfield loaded, or Para/Colt as a tie & use price as a tie-breaker.  Unless price is no object, then you can include the semi-exotics such as Wilson, Novak, Brown, & maybe, Baer.

Keep in mind that most will want several hundred rounds of break-in run through them before you either get mad or ecstatic.  I'd suggest Winchester white box 230 ball for break-in & save the brass.  Then check out hollowpoint feed etc.

900F

Ruger auto-pistols are built like rocks. Solid, dependable, and boring. JMB's pistol is still one of the best in the world, after almost 100 years.

Hey There

  1. Kimber

   2. Kimber

   3. Kimber and so on and so on.

  I have a custom and it will probaly be with me in my dirt nap.

  

 

 

Edited by Tikkabuck

Thanks for the info guys.  I really like the Kimber Royal II (and the 84M in .308 ... I can't help it, I'll always be a rifle nut).  But again, I really like the Kimber.  It looks beautiful to me. 

Hey Bronco, since you like single actions, this same gun shop has a Ruger Bisley in .45 Colt for $450.... what do you think!?!

'Course, I'm partial to Colt's too....

     

Edited by North Logan

Ok I have 2 1911's now an auto ordinance and a springfield. The Auto Ord I got used for 200.00 and it is really great accurate etc , however I think the guy before me put a lot of time into fixing it up. The springfeild is a military with national match parts, I like it too. A friend of mine shot it and his colt he has sold the colt and bought a springfield, go figure. King is right here about one thing make sure it fits your hand, after that you can Frankenstein up the gun to your hearts content. BTW I bet King could build you one better thatn you could buy and probably for less.
J

TG, I have always held that any of the popular brands are good enough to shoot and then take them to a smith to tune up. I like to get guns after they have around 500 rounds through them before I start to rebuild it into a serviceable pistol. Adding beaver tails, fancier triggers, custom barrels, and things like that. I really don't like to do it to an unfired gun, as you don't have a discription of anything that may ail it. Most 1911's new in the box, are "dead mans guns" as they all, for the most part, are unreliable. I wouldn't carry one of them for self protection. What I would do, is, shoot it and see what it does, and would take to make it a gunfighters dream. Nothing is too hard to do to a 1911, except making it into one of those ported barrel hybrids, but that is a comp gun. I am not even sure what type of pistol we are talking about, but when the topic of 1911's comes up, the first thing that pops into my head is self protection, followed by match shooting. I too had an auto ord pistol that, if I shot it a lot, it always, without exception, broke something. I have had the recoil spring twist up like a pretzel, causing me to use full length guide rods in mine. I have split sears, ate all the skin off my hand because it didn't have a beaver tail on it, broke trigger stirrups, ate up soft disconnecters, broken steps off hammers, jammed a mainspring in the housing, you name it, I broke it. My experience with the Auto Ord was all bad. I wouldn't tell anyone not to buy one though, it's job security for me....LOL. In reality, Colt's, Springfields, Kimbers, and Caspian are among the very best. I don't know much about the Norincos, but if they are anything like their M1-A copy, I would pass on it. I haven't seen much of the new S&W's, so they must be working...............Kingpin

DANG IT BEAR!!!!!! I wouldn't modify a gun like that. Too much history. A few years ago, I spotted a 1911 in a pawn shop. He was asking $1500 for it and it was ALL original. It was a Colt's and I wish I would have bought it. The double diamond grips were worn uniformly and I could tell that there was  a story in it but would never be told. I sure wish I had bought that one. I wouldn't have even shot it. The main reason is, I hate that razorblade thick front sight and the lame rear sight. It sure looked like one I should have jumped on with both feet...............Kingpin