Talk to me about 1911s - which brand/model?

[stork]

If i was beginning my search for a 1911, knowing what i know now, i'd look at a used Bullseye shooters pistol. Many are built by local smiths, with decades of experience and who are passionate about building accurate and reliable 45's.

 

[Infrequent Shooter]

If I had the money to spend and wanted a non Colt, les baer would be one of my top choice. I have a catalogue from 15 yr ago. looks like a bmw brochure.

 

[xr650rRider]

If you want a looker, that's built better than most. Made from 4140 no mim parts. Mine had a horrible trigger though which is hard to believe for a hand made 1911. They'd actually distorted the spring, new spring and a little adjustment and it's down to 2.5 lbs. If you ever take one apart, keep the screws in the same same location as they are all indexed, so the slots are parallel to the slide.

https://www.budsgunshop.com/product...48/standard+mfg+1911+.45+acp+semi+auto+pistol

Full Damascus version
https://stdgun.com/1911-damascus-steel/

 

[sksshooter]

I dont own a 1911...

Id like to get one to shoot for fun... however I'm trained/battle hardened to glock... so a glock is on me 12-14 hours a day most days. Which is fine, im a glock guy, always was.

What brand is the go to for 1911s? There's tons of brands... I know some have better tolerances, better machined, better triggers...

I've heard the more they break in the better...

Whats yalls opinions on brands? I dont know much about 1911's to rank anything...

Since you are a glock guy is it safe to assume you have a decent supply of g17 mags? If that is the case id suggest checking out the platypus from stealth arms. Its a double stack 1911 (not a 2011) it takes glock mags and is on the slim side grip wise for double stack 1911s. Ive also always shot glocks and owned a single 1911 in 45acp. In the last year i picked up a staccato p and found out just how much bettef i shoot them. I now have
Kimber stainless 2 45acp
Staccato p 2011
Mac 9 ds comp 2011
Stealth arms platypus double stack 1911
The kimber probably comes out once or twice a year just due to the limit mag capacity and i mainly shoot 9mm. The platypus has been trouble free for 1500-2k rounds and i have similar round counts through the staccato and the mac 9. Ive been shooting idpa and outlaw steal with the platypus and mac 9. I ran my comped g47 eith holosun 507 comp optic against the mac 9 ds comp with same 507 optic in an outlaw steal match. I was a full 17 seconds faster across the 5 stages with the mac 9, mainly due to how much more accurate i was. Double stack 1911 and 2011s are the current thing and the prices are across the board. The mac 9 ds comp is often compared to the staccato xc which comes in at $4400 vs the mac 9 at 1k. It shoots well above its price point. The platypus is a hell of a contender as well but is priced between the 2. From left to right staccato, mac 9, platypus. You can see the platypus grip is slimmer.

 

[jlshaw]

I have owned enough 1911s to have my own page on a BATF watchlist. Nearly all of them have been perfectly good. I'm particularly fond of the Rugers. Have owned models from Colt, Springfield Armory, and Lord knows what other makers.
I presently own a Kimber and a Philippine-made Metro.
It's interesting that you can now buy an off the shelf 1911 with features (beavertail grip safety, checkering, etc ) that no manufacturer offered when I got started.
An added thought - the most reliable ammo is always 230 grain ball.
For what it's worth, most of my shooting today is done with a pair of S&W model 28s in .357. Because I can.
Good luck!

 

[ELR LVR]

I tried a Springfield Stainless first - was sloppy and accuracy was subpar
Next was Kimber - Target II model
1 inch groups at 30 yds
It was tight, stayed tight, and shot where ever you pointed it
---
Next favorite is a Para Ord - Alum frame 4 inch LTC
That gun shoots even more accurate and has a nice crisp factory trigger
---
I always did want to try one the S&W 1911's they felt really nice
but stayed with Kimbers, most of them the barrel bushing fits right.
---
Moral - I'd skip Springfield, it felt like a slap it together and ship it type of gun
the Kimbers - felt like the slide was fitted to the frame, and correct size barrel bushing, so needs very little aftermarket anything except maybe an upgraded trigger internals

 

[abishai]

My old Canadian Para P14 limited was as reliable as I could ever ask for.
1000 rounds a week for almost 10 years.
I miss the days of 6 bucks for a 1000 primers at the club
and 23 a 1000 for hard cast. I would say the Para can shoot a ton of bullets
I think mine is closer to 10 tons

 

[WayneShaw]

I'm a rifle guy, but I have a couple 1911s, and a Glock 36. Bought a Citidel 1911 used, kind of a target model, shoots well no failures. Bought a Tesis Commander, plain model, adjusted the extractor did some spring work, shoots damn good for what it is. Bites my hand so a beaver tail will be installed. Either one of the 1911s will group better than the Glock 36.

 

[stavey]

MPA makes some nice pistols. Shot a buddy’s Staccato XC and his MPA DS9-TC. Bought a TC . In the ransom rest the TC shot the smallest 10 shot group at 25 yards of any pistol I’ve ever tested.. Theres been a lot over the past 15+ years. So I bought a DS9-LOC. Both are great. Both have stellar triggers that break around 1.75lbs. Plus MPA - Masterpiece Arms are great people and have stellar customer service.

 

[Rick in Oregon]

Kimber here.
All my EDC's are Kimber 1911's of one flavor or another. I've carried the 1911 now since 1965 in RVN and ever since. Colts came and went, always needed much help in regard to reliability.

Kimber CS is top-notch, always comes through when/if needed.

Original Clackamas Custom Classic:



Some of my EDC's and my favorite range toy, 9mm Aegis Elite Custom w/Vortex RDS:



Kimber gives the 1911 some nice upgrades previously only available from your gunsmith. All mine run 100% with everything fed them.

 

[Infrequent Shooter]

A high quality used 1911 would be a good way to start. buy it, shoot it, get used to the idiosyncrasies of the 1911. Then you can argue online whether or not John M. Browning really meant for 1911s to be carried cocked and locked!!

 

[Bob R]

I have not seen mention of the Smith & Wesson 1911's. I have never owned one, but I have handled a couple at the gun Shop, and I was impressed at the time.

I too have owned several over the years.
US Remington Rand (Needed Rebuilt)
AMT Hard Baller (Junk)
Colt Series 70 Wilson Combat from when he was building them in his garage.
Colt Series 80 Full Size Stainless XSE with lots of custom work. Still own it.
Colt Commander in 38 Super with Two Digit Serial Number, sold to a Colt Collector.

My last several handgun purchases have been Glocks.

Bob R

 

[ELR LVR]

Kimber here.
All my EDC's are Kimber 1911's of one flavor or another. I've carried the 1911 now since 1965 in RVN and ever since. Colts came and went, always needed much help in regard to reliability.

Kimber CS is top-notch, always comes through when/if needed.

Original Clackamas Custom Classic:



Some of my EDC's and my favorite range toy, 9mm Aegis Elite Custom w/Vortex RDS:



Kimber gives the 1911 some nice upgrades previously only available from your gunsmith. All mine run 100% with everything fed them.

Another vote for Kimber
Accurate with nice barrels

 

[brokeasajoke]

Only one I've ever owned. Kimber Master Carry custom. So far so good.

 

[TRSR8]

Owned several 1911's, Gold cup, Kimber, etc. The absolute best bang for the buck L Baer PII. No more fun than shooting H&G 68 200gr over 3.2gr of Clays or Bullseye.
Also, in the absolute fun category, SA range officer 9mm, like,e shooting a big pellet gun.
As an interesting carry....S&W M&P Shield, performance center 45 ACP, trigger way better than Glock, great size, shoots way over its pay grade.....pretty pleasant for a smallish full45.

 

[GetReal]

There is an absolute butt ton of Youtube vids that are directed at this discussion..

 

[poor_choices]

I’ve had a few Kimbers, a Ruger, 2 Para Ordnance, and a Dan Wesson 1911. The Dan Wesson CCBT was my favorite followed by the Kimber Camp Guard I currently have. I’d love to get that Dan Wesson back. It was the perfect carry gun IMO, but I was dumb enough to trade it for some other gun I didn't even keep.

 

[Infrequent Shooter]

If price is no object, I would get a stock 1960s Colt National Match without the idiot mark. to me they are one of prettiest and best put together firearms ever made. then get a little plastic thing/card to keep from scratching the frame when you reassemble. and shoot 185 gr bullets. if you shoot fullhouse loads put in stronger main spring. before you go shoot it too much I may put in a new mainspring anyway.

Next best idea is to find a Colt Commercial model from the 50s or 60s that someone has put same BASIC mods in, generally just a target front and rear sight. those are around but very scarce. and right up there is a very early series 70 GC NM, with small lettering.

 

[gkgeiger]

I posted a picture of my Ronin before the optic was installed. Here it is when I got it and now.

 

[Infrequent Shooter]

I found a barely used Springfield Garrison for six bills. Very handsome pistol to me. Good sights, no firing pin block, slim grips. I like the brushed sides/ blasted top & undersides. This one might actually stay awhile.

View attachment 1735724

Yeah, If I had to go buy a 1911 quickly, i would find a Springfiled in super clean condition in one of the models I liked. it would be hard to make a bad decision in that situation.