When a prereon asks about which one to buy, means they can not build. So you are looking for quality out of the box. You willing to pay for a 1911 that will shoot clover leafs out of the box? They are not cheap any more. If Colt has got their head on streight, finally, then the Gold Cup is the top of their line. But, many national Champions shoot Bob Cogan guns, Cogan Custiom Guns and he builds 1911s on Colts. I started building 1911s in 1964 and am now retired. I also build Glocks, but do not try to convert one person to the other as they are entirely different handguns.
Talk to me about 1911s - which brand/model?
- Thread starter Sniper338
- Start date
H2OBUG
Silver $$ Contributor
Just me if I am going to spend Dan Wesson $$ I would just buy a Baer.
I have several 1911
Kimber
Springfield
Colt
Iver Johnson
Tisas
Several stock some very custom
To me for the $$ it is hard to beat a Tisas.
Most accurate I have are Springfields
Cool thing about the Tisas is they don’t cost much and they have a huge offering
Buy one and try it. If you don’t like it not much to loose on the back end.
I have several 1911
Kimber
Springfield
Colt
Iver Johnson
Tisas
Several stock some very custom
To me for the $$ it is hard to beat a Tisas.
Most accurate I have are Springfields
Cool thing about the Tisas is they don’t cost much and they have a huge offering
Buy one and try it. If you don’t like it not much to loose on the back end.
alf
Silver $$ Contributor
I was looking pretty hard at the Operator that was optics ready, but decided it was easier & cheaper to get my Ruger milled for a direct bolt on optic.
charlie b
Gold $$ Contributor
When I shot pistol a lot more I loved my 1911. It was a true 1911 from the 20's, but, went through the military parts basket. I got it from my father and added a Gold Cup slide. When I decided to make it my winter carry gun I had a good gunsmith in ABQ work on it. Beavertail and almost all new parts. About the only original part left on it was the flat mainspring housing. It was even drilled for the lanyard loop. After worked on it was way more accurate than anything I had, including the Python. I gave it to my son-in-law so I get to shoot it every now and then 
Got wife a series 70 light Commander quite a few years ago. Slim grip panels and she loves it.
If I shot more I'd have another 1911 .45. And maybe one in 9mm and 10mm Brand immaterial to me. They can all be made to shoot well and be reliable....except some of the really short barrel ones They can be picky.
Got wife a series 70 light Commander quite a few years ago. Slim grip panels and she loves it.
If I shot more I'd have another 1911 .45. And maybe one in 9mm and 10mm
Brand immaterial to me. They can all be made to shoot well and be reliable....except some of the really short barrel ones They can be picky.dryhumor
When an old man dies, a library is lost forever...
I would recommend shooting as many different models as you can before spending money. I’ve found that there are some subtle differences here and there among the various manufacturers. There’s a lot of variety out there also. Long, short, 9, 38S, 45, 10, single stack, double stack, Magwell, no magwell, single or ambi safety, night sight, adjustable, low fixed…. You see how it can get.
Magazine variety and quality is just as varied. Find what works in the pistol you end up with, and buy 10-12.
I don’t shoot near what I used to, but my carry pistol is a DW A2 Commander in .45 It would be nice to have the sameone in 9mm…
Magazine variety and quality is just as varied. Find what works in the pistol you end up with, and buy 10-12.
I don’t shoot near what I used to, but my carry pistol is a DW A2 Commander in .45 It would be nice to have the sameone in 9mm…
Ranger188
Silver $$ Contributor
Any 1911 or 2011 you buy and are not completely happy with
can be sent to one of many good gunsmiths and turned into
a better and more reliable shooter for under $1000
Start with what you want. 9mm or 45? Do you want adjustable sight?
Or possibly a red dot down the road?
For fun or maybe the once in awhile competition or carry.
Answer those questions and that will point you in a direction.
You can buy a nice Springfield, shoot it and then if needed, put money
into it and have a nice pistol equal to or slightly better than the higher end ones.
(Staccato, Les Baer or Ed Brown etc.)
You can look at the really high end ones, but then your getting into $4000+
You don't get that much more bang for the buck at that point.
can be sent to one of many good gunsmiths and turned into
a better and more reliable shooter for under $1000
Start with what you want. 9mm or 45? Do you want adjustable sight?
Or possibly a red dot down the road?
For fun or maybe the once in awhile competition or carry.
Answer those questions and that will point you in a direction.
You can buy a nice Springfield, shoot it and then if needed, put money
into it and have a nice pistol equal to or slightly better than the higher end ones.
(Staccato, Les Baer or Ed Brown etc.)
You can look at the really high end ones, but then your getting into $4000+
You don't get that much more bang for the buck at that point.
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Infrequent Shooter
Gold $$ Contributor
Infrequent Shooter
Gold $$ Contributor
A pre series 70 Colt is very nice. 95% have a takedown scratch. If you don't mind the scratch, they can be had 15-1700 dollars or so. Go to a few gunshows and pick up every 1911 (make doesn't matter) you see. After a few trips you will get a lot of knowledge. Back in the day everyone made fun of Norinco. Now seen as very high quality and prices getting up there. Tisas I think is real good quality. Gosh, Springfields look amazing on Gunsinternational. read up on mil spec models. 1911s greatly benefit from a LOT of shooting. p.s. not a rabbit hole at all.
if you get a 1911, buy a little plastic piece that protects the finish when you re assemble the firearm.
if you get a 1911, buy a little plastic piece that protects the finish when you re assemble the firearm.
R.Morehouse
Gold $$ Contributor
You must be on the union side.
DirtySteve
Gold $$ Contributor
No mention of Les Baer... I have one and love it. I would get a 9mm version...
I'm curious, do you want the front strap checkering for looks or to better grip your fingers?
30378
Silver $$ Contributor
Better grip control. I have big hands that could go around about 1.5 times what is necessary
A gunsmith from Nowlin Firearms once told me that the Kimber 1911 is one of the best production 1911s out. He said they are a great place to start for customizing.
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