First 1911 suggestions

smlranger · 04-10-2011, 07:54 PM

I am lusting for a 1911 45. I have a 9mm, 40sw, and a couple of 380's but really want to shoot the big gun. I will be target shooting at my local range mostly. I realize there are many options but I am willing to spend up to $1K to get a good, accurate, reliable and good looking pistol.

Catching my eye is the Kimber Custom II in stainless. What others should I consider?

Helix_FR · 04-10-2011, 07:57 PM

STI Spartan and you'll still have money in your pocket. Kimber TLE and Raptor are also a good option for that price. I'd still go for the spartan

hogger129 · 04-10-2011, 08:07 PM

STI Spartan is a great one as Helix said. Kimbers are nice. I had the pleasure to try out a Tactical Custom II out at the range and I really liked it.

I've got the Loaded Springfield. Good gun.

Juker · 04-10-2011, 08:12 PM

Colt. Everything else is just a xerox.

(see avatar)

Helix_FR · 04-10-2011, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Juker

Colt. Everything else is just a xerox.

(see avatar)

True Colts are great but Lately they have just been a name. Give me a old colt any day though.

Shooter45 · 04-10-2011, 08:46 PM

STI Spartan.

The best bang for the buck in todays 1911 market.

I got this 9mm for just over $600 from DoubleD Guns. The Spartan 1911 is also available in .45 ACP....same price.

http://media.stiguns.com/USPress/Com...08_Spartan.pdf

Campbell · 04-11-2011, 07:18 AM

I know I may get flamed for this, but believe it or not I was given a Rock island 1911 and was very impressed with it.
I think it make a great first 1911 to learn on and if you like it, you can always upgrade at a later date.

I still shoot it on a regular basis, but have since upgraded to a Fusion 1911 that I built myself, which is also a fine firearm.
It's just my opinion and everyone is different.

redwing carson · 04-11-2011, 07:45 AM

What Jugar said. Get an older Colt commander and a .380 Colt Govt. or Mustange 2.

Good luck

RC

Double D · 04-11-2011, 09:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Campbell

I know I may get flamed for this, but believe it or not I was given a Rock island 1911 and was very impressed with it.
I think it make a great first 1911 to learn on and if you like it, you can always upgrade at a later date.

I still shoot it on a regular basis, but have since upgraded to a Fusion 1911 that I built myself, which is also a fine firearm.
It's just my opinion and everyone is different.

Nothing wrong with a rock island.

Helix_FR · 04-11-2011, 09:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Campbell

I know I may get flamed for this, but believe it or not I was given a Rock island 1911 and was very impressed with it.
I think it make a great first 1911 to learn on and if you like it, you can always upgrade at a later date.

I still shoot it on a regular basis, but have since upgraded to a Fusion 1911 that I built myself, which is also a fine firearm.
It's just my opinion and everyone is different.

You won't get flamed for that. The RI 1911's are a good deal and are better then some other more expensive models. Your suggestion is a smart one.
BTW, Campbell, welcome.

myfriendis410 · 04-11-2011, 09:13 AM

We sell a lot of S&W 1911's. They were handgun of the year in 2005 and a very well made gun. Like the Kimber they have the external extractor. Novak sights and all of the bells and whistles.

DGG! · 04-11-2011, 10:15 AM

If you want accuracy, reliability, and quality in a .45 acp I'll recommend a different Browning based design from the 100 year old 1911. It is used by many LEO's and military folks. It has a recoil reduction feature that I like, especially in the compact models.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HK_USP

There are many fine pistols 1911's and their relatives, this one is just my favorite of the bunch. I really like the reliability and accuracy aspects, something I didn't get in my first 1911.

smlranger · 04-12-2011, 10:01 AM

Thanks for all the suggestions. I've pretty much decided on the S&W E series 1911 if I can get my hands on one. I've reserved the right to change my mind if I find something I like better but I've always been partial to S&W and this one is getting some good reviews.

hogger129 · 04-12-2011, 08:31 PM

Ranger, how much is the Smith you're lookin at?

Brisk44 · 04-12-2011, 08:48 PM

I've heard some good things about the S&W E series. I'm sure you'll love it.

smlranger · 04-12-2011, 09:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hogger129

Ranger, how much is the Smith you're lookin at?

My local guy tells me the final price will depend on which of his distributors gets it first. Overall, he thinks he will be selling it to me for $750 - $760. MSRP is a little over $900.

DGG! · 04-13-2011, 06:12 AM

Great looking pistol!

smlranger · 04-15-2011, 07:25 PM

OK, I did say I reserved the right to change my mind

. I stopped by a favorite local GS today and saw a Kimber Eclipse Custom II. Wow, it is a great looking gun. It fits and feels really good in my hand. This gun will run near $1K but I am giving it serious consideration.

The way it looks, it will likely be some time (weeks at least) before I could get my hands on the series E S&W. So....get the Kimber or wait

.

dls56 · 04-16-2011, 10:08 PM

So many really nice 1911's to be had. Don't discount the Sig models I've got a C3 that is about as accurate as any 1911 I've ever shot.
Best wishes, 1911's rock!

American Leader · 04-16-2011, 10:58 PM

I have Springfield and Taurus, likem both ranger. You can:
1.) Keep lookin
2.) Buy one of each
3.) Or start a collection by buying a new one every time you get a chance

1911's are one of my favorites as they are for many others here!

smlranger · 04-20-2011, 09:35 AM

I picked up the Kimber Eclipse Custom II yesterday. Did the field strip and gave it a good cleaning as recommended in the manual. Hope to get to the range later this week and run some factory ammo and start the break in process.

I'm also a Ruger fan and there may be one of their new 1911's in my future...already planted that seed with the DW for a Christmas present.

Brisk44 · 04-20-2011, 10:38 AM

Yeah that Ruger 1911 is out now and MSRP is about 800 I believe.

johnboat · 04-25-2011, 02:35 AM

that s w for 750 is a good value .

permafrost · 04-25-2011, 04:43 AM

I'm with ranger. Haven't had a 45 in years, had to many(is that possible?)
Got tired of them, but that Ruger is really sharp! Gonna wait for some real time reviews, then take the plunge again.

Heretic · 05-20-2011, 01:02 PM

I just picked up a Desert Eagle 1911G. Reliable, pretty and accurate. In fact it's the most accurate 1911 I've ever owned. (2 inches at 25 yards.) At lease give it a look. At around 700 dollars, it's pretty reasonable.

04-10-2011, 07:54 PM	#1
smlranger V.I.P. Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Smith Mountain Lake in VA Posts: 113	First 1911 suggestions I am lusting for a 1911 45. I have a 9mm, 40sw, and a couple of 380's but really want to shoot the big gun. I will be target shooting at my local range mostly. I realize there are many options but I am willing to spend up to $1K to get a good, accurate, reliable and good looking pistol. Catching my eye is the Kimber Custom II in stainless. What others should I consider? -->

04-10-2011, 07:57 PM	#2
Helix_FR TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Imperial, MO Posts: 3,617	Re: First 1911 suggestions STI Spartan and you'll still have money in your pocket. Kimber TLE and Raptor are also a good option for that price. I'd still go for the spartan __________________ Only cowards shoot with their eyes closed.... helixgunsmith.com

04-10-2011, 08:07 PM	#3
hogger129 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 4,064	Re: First 1911 suggestions STI Spartan is a great one as Helix said. Kimbers are nice. I had the pleasure to try out a Tactical Custom II out at the range and I really liked it. I've got the Loaded Springfield. Good gun. __________________ Samuel Adams once said, "among the natural rights of the colonists are these: first, a right to life, secondly to liberty, thirdly to property; together with the right to defend them in the best manner they can."

04-10-2011, 08:12 PM	#4
Juker Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Land of Lincoln Contributor Posts: 2,872	Re: First 1911 suggestions Colt. Everything else is just a xerox. (see avatar) __________________ SHOOT FIRST. SHOOT SECOND. MOST IMPORTANTLY, BE THE MAN WHO'S SHOOTING LAST.

04-10-2011, 08:46 PM	#6
Shooter45 Administrator Join Date: Feb 2001 Contributor Posts: 8,747	Re: First 1911 suggestions STI Spartan. The best bang for the buck in todays 1911 market. I got this 9mm for just over $600 from DoubleD Guns. The Spartan 1911 is also available in .45 ACP....same price. http://media.stiguns.com/USPress/Com...08_Spartan.pdf Attached Images

04-11-2011, 07:18 AM	#7
Campbell Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 5	Re: First 1911 suggestions I know I may get flamed for this, but believe it or not I was given a Rock island 1911 and was very impressed with it. I think it make a great first 1911 to learn on and if you like it, you can always upgrade at a later date. I still shoot it on a regular basis, but have since upgraded to a Fusion 1911 that I built myself, which is also a fine firearm. It's just my opinion and everyone is different.

04-11-2011, 07:45 AM	#8
redwing carson Former Guest Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: western wyoming Posts: 734	Re: First 1911 suggestions What Jugar said. Get an older Colt commander and a .380 Colt Govt. or Mustange 2.Good luck RC

04-11-2011, 09:13 AM	#11
myfriendis410 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Lompoc California Posts: 542	Re: First 1911 suggestions We sell a lot of S&W 1911's. They were handgun of the year in 2005 and a very well made gun. Like the Kimber they have the external extractor. Novak sights and all of the bells and whistles. __________________ Life's too short to shoot an ugly gun.....

04-11-2011, 10:15 AM	#12
DGG! V.I.P. Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 160	Re: First 1911 suggestions If you want accuracy, reliability, and quality in a .45 acp I'll recommend a different Browning based design from the 100 year old 1911. It is used by many LEO's and military folks. It has a recoil reduction feature that I like, especially in the compact models. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HK_USP There are many fine pistols 1911's and their relatives, this one is just my favorite of the bunch. I really like the reliability and accuracy aspects, something I didn't get in my first 1911. Last edited by DGG!; 04-11-2011 at 10:18 AM..

04-12-2011, 10:01 AM	#13
smlranger V.I.P. Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Smith Mountain Lake in VA Posts: 113	Re: First 1911 suggestions Thanks for all the suggestions. I've pretty much decided on the S&W E series 1911 if I can get my hands on one. I've reserved the right to change my mind if I find something I like better but I've always been partial to S&W and this one is getting some good reviews. Attached Images

04-12-2011, 08:31 PM	#14
hogger129 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 4,064	Re: First 1911 suggestions Ranger, how much is the Smith you're lookin at? __________________ Samuel Adams once said, "among the natural rights of the colonists are these: first, a right to life, secondly to liberty, thirdly to property; together with the right to defend them in the best manner they can."

04-12-2011, 08:48 PM	#15
Brisk44 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Iowa Contributor Posts: 1,747	Re: First 1911 suggestions I've heard some good things about the S&W E series. I'm sure you'll love it.

04-13-2011, 06:12 AM	#17
DGG! V.I.P. Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 160	Re: First 1911 suggestions Great looking pistol!

04-15-2011, 07:25 PM	#18
smlranger V.I.P. Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Smith Mountain Lake in VA Posts: 113	Re: First 1911 suggestions OK, I did say I reserved the right to change my mind . I stopped by a favorite local GS today and saw a Kimber Eclipse Custom II. Wow, it is a great looking gun. It fits and feels really good in my hand. This gun will run near $1K but I am giving it serious consideration. The way it looks, it will likely be some time (weeks at least) before I could get my hands on the series E S&W. So....get the Kimber or wait . Attached Images Last edited by smlranger; 04-15-2011 at 07:27 PM..

04-16-2011, 10:08 PM	#19
dls56 Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Virginia Posts: 17	Re: First 1911 suggestions So many really nice 1911's to be had. Don't discount the Sig models I've got a C3 that is about as accurate as any 1911 I've ever shot. Best wishes, 1911's rock!

04-16-2011, 10:58 PM	#20
American Leader Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Iowa Contributor Posts: 1,630	Re: First 1911 suggestions I have Springfield and Taurus, likem both ranger. You can: 1.) Keep lookin 2.) Buy one of each 3.) Or start a collection by buying a new one every time you get a chance 1911's are one of my favorites as they are for many others here!

04-20-2011, 09:35 AM	#21
smlranger V.I.P. Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Smith Mountain Lake in VA Posts: 113	Re: First 1911 suggestions I picked up the Kimber Eclipse Custom II yesterday. Did the field strip and gave it a good cleaning as recommended in the manual. Hope to get to the range later this week and run some factory ammo and start the break in process. I'm also a Ruger fan and there may be one of their new 1911's in my future...already planted that seed with the DW for a Christmas present.

04-20-2011, 10:38 AM	#22
Brisk44 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Iowa Contributor Posts: 1,747	Re: First 1911 suggestions Yeah that Ruger 1911 is out now and MSRP is about 800 I believe.

04-25-2011, 02:35 AM	#23
johnboat V.I.P. Member Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 96	Re: First 1911 suggestions that s w for 750 is a good value .

04-25-2011, 04:43 AM	#24
permafrost Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Oklahoma, USA Contributor Posts: 1,771	Re: First 1911 suggestions I'm with ranger. Haven't had a 45 in years, had to many(is that possible?) Got tired of them, but that Ruger is really sharp! Gonna wait for some real time reviews, then take the plunge again. __________________ Stand and Fight

05-20-2011, 01:02 PM	#25
Heretic Member Join Date: May 2011 Posts: 23	Re: First 1911 suggestions I just picked up a Desert Eagle 1911G. Reliable, pretty and accurate. In fact it's the most accurate 1911 I've ever owned. (2 inches at 25 yards.) At lease give it a look. At around 700 dollars, it's pretty reasonable.