Best 1911..Photos added

lunyou · 03-02-08, 11:46 AM

Since I was unthoughtful and almost hijacked the Sig 1911 thread I am going to start a new thread about 1911's in general.

I want one, it is THE proven model/style/type of semi-auto hangun. That said I don't know much about them. I have held two in my hand and both felt VERY comfortable.

I have also found that the price range on these guns vary by brand. Can't swing $1000 on a new pistol but I would like to know more about brands that everyone here on MUD owns/has owned/compared side-to-side etc. I hope this thread can help me and anyone else that needs to know about 1911s.

Yes I have checked out 1911forum.com and I will continue to lurk there gathering information.

So I guess the question I am asking is, What brand and model of 1911 would you suggest if price is not an issue.........and why would you suggest it?

lunyou

brian · 03-02-08, 03:17 PM

what do you plan on doing with it?
the best bang for the buck was(at least a few years ago) the sai gi spec 1911a1.
a very basic pistol, that works very well right out of the box. it also performs well as a base for a project gub.
don't know the current prices, but there was a time not along ago that they could be had for right around $500.
i liked it enough that i bought a second not long after the first.

i'm not a fan of the high speed low drag versions out today. the design was a simple thing, and that's the way i like them. a us&s is on my short list.

lunyou · 03-02-08, 05:51 PM

I plan on using it for recreational shooting as well as home defense. Not so sure of the concealability of it but that might be a possibility to but not the ultimate.

lunyou

Trunk Monkey · 03-02-08, 06:58 PM

Price no object - Wilson. But since I know you won't get one of those, Springfield.

Cookiemonster · 03-03-08, 12:02 AM

Brian's suggestion.

It is tough to beat any SA 1911 model for use, reliability and accuracy. Being under a grand I would start there and as you become more familiar with both your capabilities & that of the weapons you can upgrade parts or send it out for a complete overhaul.

Otherwise you could save and buy a custom 1911 like the SA professional or a nice Wilson, Les Baer etc...starting around 2k and going up. Start with a less exspensive model first, you won't be disappointed.

lunyou · 03-03-08, 08:56 AM

My wife would kill me if I suggested paying more than half the value of her car for a pistol....I will definatly start on the inexpensive end.

lunyou

Mace · 03-03-08, 11:20 AM

PErsonaly I would start with a very inexpensive 1911 (~$500) And then just modify it to your specs.

In the end, you will have the exact gun you want..

lunyou · 03-03-08, 09:29 PM

Since the masses seem to say a 1911 around 500 and I can pick up a SA for around that...........what kind of modifications would you do right out of the box? I am very new to the 1911 so I have no idea what is good and what is a wasted modification

lunyou

D'Animal · 03-03-08, 10:20 PM

Did you mean inexpensive?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mace

PErsonaly I would start with a very expensive 1911 (~$500) And then just modify it to your specs.

In the end, you will have the exact gun you want..

lunyou · 03-03-08, 11:20 PM

^thats what I took it to mean since he said expensive and then followed with $500.

lunyou

'74 UA FJ · 03-04-08, 06:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lunyou

Since the masses seem to say a 1911 around 500 and I can pick up a SA for around that...........what kind of modifications would you do right out of the box? I am very new to the 1911 so I have no idea what is good and what is a wasted modification

lunyou

What would I do? Ambidextrous safety because I am left-handed. Some grips that I like, and a trigger job if it's needed. That's all that I would do, which is the reason that i would buy a nice gun to begin with.

brian · 03-04-08, 07:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lunyou

Since the masses seem to say a 1911 around 500 and I can pick up a SA for around that...........what kind of modifications would you do right out of the box? I am very new to the 1911 so I have no idea what is good and what is a wasted modification

lunyou

nothing but install ammunation.
they do not need anything.

Mace · 03-04-08, 09:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by D'Animal

Did you mean inexpensive?

yeppers
Edited

Mace · 03-04-08, 09:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brian

nothing but install ammunation.
they do not need anything.

I would disagree. I have yet to see a $500 1911 that did not benefit from at least a mild polish job on the throat..

Triggers are always nice..

Landpimp · 03-04-08, 10:24 AM

I out shot a "trainer"(using that term loosly but he takes folks money) this weekend, he had a high dollar 1911(all tricked out) me....I had a S&W M66 2.5" with 38's in it......I outshot him each and everytime.....he was not pleased

Did the same with my USP 45c.....same with my 625 3".......

I aint a great shot but I am decent.

nothing magic about a 1911.....

REKCUT · 03-04-08, 12:52 PM

1911's can be a lot like cruisers. Once you get one you can easily drop $$$ customizing them. I have several different versions, all which are fun. About 15 years ago I picked up a colt gold cup and a SA and sent them to Ed Brown for a partial and full conversion. I also ended up with a 40 cal STI customs out of Austin and recently bought a Kimber Raptor II in the short version for C. Carry. I love each one in a different way. You can have fun with a stock one, but they are even more fun to doll up.

netwt12 · 03-05-08, 11:19 AM

money not an issue, a full house custom pistol from any of these craftsmen.Actions speak LOUDER THAN WORDS

dbarrett · 03-05-08, 01:55 PM

A nice entry level piece wold be the Colt Gold Cup. Buy one new or used for under $800. It has lots of possiblities for customization.

lathamb · 03-05-08, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mace

PErsonaly I would start with a very inexpensive 1911 (~$500) And then just modify it to your specs.

In the end, you will have the exact gun you want..

My grandfather gave to me one of these pistols. M1911A1, Manufactured by Remington Rand. The receipt says excessed from Letterkenny Ordnance Depot, sold by the NRA. A whopping $17.00 paid in 1962. Its a sweet piece.

Mace · 03-05-08, 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dbarrett

A nice entry level piece wold be the Colt Gold Cup. Buy one new or used for under $800. It has lots of possiblities for customization.

I really do not understand starting with a more expensive gun if you are just going to mod it anyway.

I have seen more Gold Cups jam from being dirty..

Rustydog · 03-06-08, 04:45 AM

I always leaned toward Colts. At one point I had 3 different versions. I wanted to go custom but decided after doing that with my combat elite years and years ago it was not a "money saver" when you really looked at the cost.

In today's market I have seen and shot some really nice 1911. I currently have a Kimber CDP2 along with my Colts that I really enjoy. It is on the upper side of your price range but Kimber offers a wide range of choices. I would look to them also in your search. You may find that finding a 500-700 used 1911 and then paying to have some "mods" done is going to be the same money. If you want to make it custom for you it is a good choice but if you are looking for capability and what are now considered "standard" features I would definitly look to Kimber also.

SA products and Kimber are really close in any reviews I have read and I have heard good and bad about both. My Kimber feeds all the ammo I have tried well, does not misfeed but it is sensitive to limp wristing (common with short barrel 1911) and the slide may not close fully if you "limp wrist" a manual slide racking. If you let it go to battery from the slide lock it will never present a problem or if you rack the slide fully and release.

dbarrett · 03-06-08, 09:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mace

I really do not understand starting with a more expensive gun if you are just going to mod it anyway.

I have seen more Gold Cups jam from being dirty..

Good point but who buys a cheap 1911 and leaves it alone. Unless it is a historical piece we all just can't help ourselves. My comment was to the fact that the Colt is a proven platform for modification with lots of vendors offering goodies to trick them out. Was just suggesting it as an option.

Mace · 03-06-08, 10:29 AM

If I bought a used 1911 for $5 to 700 I would be very dissapointed if I had to take it down to be worked on..

Prehaps I am cheap, but the $400 to $500 1911's (new) are good shooters for the money, then you have a lot left over for customization...

I need to calculate how much I actually spent on the one I built.

Stealthmimic · 03-08-08, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lunyou

Since I was unthoughtful and almost hijacked the Sig 1911 thread I am going to start a new thread about 1911's in general.

I want one, it is THE proven model/style/type of semi-auto hangun. That said I don't know much about them. I have held two in my hand and both felt VERY comfortable.

I have also found that the price range on these guns vary by brand. Can't swing $1000 on a new pistol but I would like to know more about brands that everyone here on MUD owns/has owned/compared side-to-side etc. I hope this thread can help me and anyone else that needs to know about 1911s.

Yes I have checked out 1911forum.com and I will continue to lurk there gathering information.

So I guess the question I am asking is, What brand and model of 1911 would you suggest if price is not an issue.........and why would you suggest it?

lunyou

I would have a serious look at the Taurus 1911. Price ~$600. It incorporates many, many features found on high end models (Kimber, Wilson Combat) and comes out of the box with hundreds of dollars in add-ons. If you are serious and want to spend the money; Colt Series 70 (NOT Series 80) Gold Cup; eliasan adjustable sights and this model represents arguably the top of the Colt models IMO. If you can find an older Remington Model 1911, these are held in high regard by real hard core gun fighters as they are highly reliable, swallow just about any kind of ammo and are no frills work horses -- hard to find though. If you go to FrontSite (I have and have had extensive hand gun training), those guys -- and they are real pro's -- will tell you; carry the largest caliber you can safely shoot. You will see instructors there carrying Colt 1911's, Glock .40's and Glock 9mm's. For high volume shooting, it's hard to beat a Glock 9mm if only on ammo price. However, I'm a 1911 die-hard and wouldn't change out my Series 70 Gold Cup for anything. Hope this helped.

lunyou · 03-08-08, 04:50 PM

well the gun shop that i go to has a used SA for about the same price that I can buy his Brand New Taurus 1911. He said the Taurus would have about more than $100 worth of add-ons that the SA wouldn't normally have but the guy that used to own the 1911 had down some work on it.

I guess I need to find out what kind of work has been done on it.

lunyou

freeamerica · 03-10-08, 07:38 PM

The one mod I require on a 1911 is the extended/oversized beavertail safety. I have short, fat hands and the hammer bite on the GI-spec pistols kills me. The only one I haven't/won't replace is my near-mint pre-War National Match... for obvious reasons! But I dont shoot it much, and suffer when I do.

After that, almost any trigger work is nice. The rest is like picking bumpers and lights.

03-02-08, 11:46 AM	#1
lunyou IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Rolla, MO (UMR) Posts: 1,758	Best 1911..Photos added Since I was unthoughtful and almost hijacked the Sig 1911 thread I am going to start a new thread about 1911's in general. I want one, it is THE proven model/style/type of semi-auto hangun. That said I don't know much about them. I have held two in my hand and both felt VERY comfortable. I have also found that the price range on these guns vary by brand. Can't swing $1000 on a new pistol but I would like to know more about brands that everyone here on MUD owns/has owned/compared side-to-side etc. I hope this thread can help me and anyone else that needs to know about 1911s. Yes I have checked out 1911forum.com and I will continue to lurk there gathering information. So I guess the question I am asking is, What brand and model of 1911 would you suggest if price is not an issue.........and why would you suggest it? lunyou __________________ McCain/Palin '08 1968 FJ-40 - 4.3 Chevy V6 and 3 spdPICS ADDED(JUNE 01, 2008) 1985 FJ-60 - SPEEDY -My DD settin' on 33s and a rusty frame -parting out 1986 FJ-60 - is now topless THE BUILD UP Last edited by lunyou; 07-15-08 at 03:07 PM.*

03-02-08, 03:17 PM	#2
brian springfield user Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: lebanon,pa TLCA# 6955 Posts: 2,712	what do you plan on doing with it? the best bang for the buck was(at least a few years ago) the sai gi spec 1911a1. a very basic pistol, that works very well right out of the box. it also performs well as a base for a project gub. don't know the current prices, but there was a time not along ago that they could be had for right around $500. i liked it enough that i bought a second not long after the first. i'm not a fan of the high speed low drag versions out today. the design was a simple thing, and that's the way i like them. a us&s is on my short list. __________________ it's only metal, we can out think it. 77-fj40 20th anniversary edition 87-fj60 216K mile DDer 93-fzj80 mall crawler toyota material distribution center. your source for Factory Service Manuals. they're alot cheaper than you think. 1-800-622-2033 Last edited by brian; 03-02-08 at 03:28 PM.

03-02-08, 05:51 PM	#3
lunyou IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Rolla, MO (UMR) Posts: 1,758	I plan on using it for recreational shooting as well as home defense. Not so sure of the concealability of it but that might be a possibility to but not the ultimate. lunyou __________________ McCain/Palin '08 1968 FJ-40 - 4.3 Chevy V6 and 3 spd*PICS ADDED(JUNE 01, 2008) 1985 FJ-60 - SPEEDY -My DD settin' on 33s and a rusty frame -parting out 1986 FJ-60 - is now topless THE BUILD UP

03-02-08, 06:58 PM	#4
Trunk Monkey IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Salt Lake City TLCA# 11251 Posts: 2,835	Price no object - Wilson. But since I know you won't get one of those, Springfield. __________________ Cory Fillmore TLCA Western Individual Representative 99 UZJ

03-03-08, 12:02 AM	#5
Cookiemonster IH8MUD Regular Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: CA Bay Area Posts: 493	Brian's suggestion. It is tough to beat any SA 1911 model for use, reliability and accuracy. Being under a grand I would start there and as you become more familiar with both your capabilities & that of the weapons you can upgrade parts or send it out for a complete overhaul. Otherwise you could save and buy a custom 1911 like the SA professional or a nice Wilson, Les Baer etc...starting around 2k and going up. Start with a less exspensive model first, you won't be disappointed. __________________ When the people fear their government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is liberty. -Thomas Jefferson

03-03-08, 08:56 AM	#6
lunyou IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Rolla, MO (UMR) Posts: 1,758	My wife would kill me if I suggested paying more than half the value of her car for a pistol....I will definatly start on the inexpensive end. lunyou __________________ McCain/Palin '08 1968 FJ-40 - 4.3 Chevy V6 and 3 spd*PICS ADDED(JUNE 01, 2008) 1985 FJ-60 - SPEEDY -My DD settin' on 33s and a rusty frame -parting out 1986 FJ-60 - is now topless THE BUILD UP

03-03-08, 11:20 AM	#7
Mace what he said Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 10,965	PErsonaly I would start with a very inexpensive 1911 (~$500) And then just modify it to your specs. In the end, you will have the exact gun you want.. __________________ I am kinda gay....... My Myspace http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm...endid=75712409 "Mary Poppins: In every job that must be done, there is an element of fun. You find the fun and - SNAP - the job's a game." Last edited by Mace; 03-04-08 at 09:06 AM.

03-03-08, 09:29 PM	#8
lunyou IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Rolla, MO (UMR) Posts: 1,758	Since the masses seem to say a 1911 around 500 and I can pick up a SA for around that...........what kind of modifications would you do right out of the box? I am very new to the 1911 so I have no idea what is good and what is a wasted modification lunyou __________________ McCain/Palin '08 1968 FJ-40 - 4.3 Chevy V6 and 3 spd*PICS ADDED(JUNE 01, 2008) 1985 FJ-60 - SPEEDY -My DD settin' on 33s and a rusty frame -parting out 1986 FJ-60 - is now topless THE BUILD UP

03-03-08, 11:20 PM	#10
lunyou IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Rolla, MO (UMR) Posts: 1,758	^thats what I took it to mean since he said expensive and then followed with $500. lunyou __________________ McCain/Palin '08 1968 FJ-40 - 4.3 Chevy V6 and 3 spd*PICS ADDED(JUNE 01, 2008) 1985 FJ-60 - SPEEDY -My DD settin' on 33s and a rusty frame -parting out 1986 FJ-60 - is now topless THE BUILD UP

03-04-08, 10:24 AM	#15
Landpimp IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Gig Harbor WA TLCA# 5506 Posts: 11,406	I out shot a "trainer"(using that term loosly but he takes folks money) this weekend, he had a high dollar 1911(all tricked out) me....I had a S&W M66 2.5" with 38's in it......I outshot him each and everytime.....he was not pleased Did the same with my USP 45c.....same with my 625 3"....... I aint a great shot but I am decent. nothing magic about a 1911.....

03-04-08, 12:52 PM	#16
REKCUT IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Springfield, Mo TLCA# 13816 Posts: 1,243	1911's can be a lot like cruisers. Once you get one you can easily drop $$$ customizing them. I have several different versions, all which are fun. About 15 years ago I picked up a colt gold cup and a SA and sent them to Ed Brown for a partial and full conversion. I also ended up with a 40 cal STI customs out of Austin and recently bought a Kimber Raptor II in the short version for C. Carry. I love each one in a different way. You can have fun with a stock one, but they are even more fun to doll up. __________________ Thad Brown/ Rogersville Mo 84 FJ 60 / SROR sides and rear / beauty marks from RR, FN, & LSCR / Free bumper from GCC and Locker from LSCR/ 07 FJ 08 Tundra Rocket ship Green Country Cruisers Flat Nasty Event info Flat Nasty on-line registration-click here

03-05-08, 11:19 AM	#17
netwt12 IH8MUD Junior Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Auburn, Al TLCA# 18912 Posts: 84	money not an issue, a full house custom pistol from any of these craftsmen.Actions speak LOUDER THAN WORDS __________________ 00 Blown 4Runner 88 SAS Pickup War Eagle Cruisers member # 23

03-05-08, 01:55 PM	#18
dbarrett IH8MUD Regular Join Date: Oct 2005 TLCA# 11473 Posts: 255	A nice entry level piece wold be the Colt Gold Cup. Buy one new or used for under $800. It has lots of possiblities for customization. __________________ BEWARE OF SHAMWOW IMITATORS.

03-06-08, 04:45 AM	#21
Rustydog IH8MUD Rookie Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 74	I always leaned toward Colts. At one point I had 3 different versions. I wanted to go custom but decided after doing that with my combat elite years and years ago it was not a "money saver" when you really looked at the cost. In today's market I have seen and shot some really nice 1911. I currently have a Kimber CDP2 along with my Colts that I really enjoy. It is on the upper side of your price range but Kimber offers a wide range of choices. I would look to them also in your search. You may find that finding a 500-700 used 1911 and then paying to have some "mods" done is going to be the same money. If you want to make it custom for you it is a good choice but if you are looking for capability and what are now considered "standard" features I would definitly look to Kimber also. SA products and Kimber are really close in any reviews I have read and I have heard good and bad about both. My Kimber feeds all the ammo I have tried well, does not misfeed but it is sensitive to limp wristing (common with short barrel 1911) and the slide may not close fully if you "limp wrist" a manual slide racking. If you let it go to battery from the slide lock it will never present a problem or if you rack the slide fully and release. __________________ Scott C.Simmons Annandale Va 1993 FZJ80 ZBIGDOG 1972 FJ40 Rustydog:Built F,IPOR installed Weber,header, custom stainless exhaust, 4speed, toybox, 3 speed transfer case, belly pan, disc brakes, 80 series locker front, Detriot in a rear full floater, SOA.

03-06-08, 10:29 AM	#23
Mace what he said Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 10,965	If I bought a used 1911 for $5 to 700 I would be very dissapointed if I had to take it down to be worked on.. Prehaps I am cheap, but the $400 to $500 1911's (new) are good shooters for the money, then you have a lot left over for customization... I need to calculate how much I actually spent on the one I built. __________________ I am kinda gay....... My Myspace http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm...endid=75712409 "Mary Poppins: In every job that must be done, there is an element of fun. You find the fun and - SNAP - the job's a game."

03-08-08, 04:50 PM	#25
lunyou IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Rolla, MO (UMR) Posts: 1,758	well the gun shop that i go to has a used SA for about the same price that I can buy his Brand New Taurus 1911. He said the Taurus would have about more than $100 worth of add-ons that the SA wouldn't normally have but the guy that used to own the 1911 had down some work on it. I guess I need to find out what kind of work has been done on it. lunyou __________________ McCain/Palin '08 1968 FJ-40 - 4.3 Chevy V6 and 3 spd*PICS ADDED(JUNE 01, 2008) 1985 FJ-60 - SPEEDY -My DD settin' on 33s and a rusty frame -parting out 1986 FJ-60 - is now topless THE BUILD UP

03-10-08, 07:38 PM	#26
freeamerica IH8MUD Junior Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 194	The one mod I require on a 1911 is the extended/oversized beavertail safety. I have short, fat hands and the hammer bite on the GI-spec pistols kills me. The only one I haven't/won't replace is my near-mint pre-War National Match... for obvious reasons! But I dont shoot it much, and suffer when I do. After that, almost any trigger work is nice. The rest is like picking bumpers and lights.