Higher End 1911 - The Firearms Forum

Larry V · 10-20-2009, 07:03 AM

I am looking to buy a higher end 1911 (up to $1300). I want a 4" barrel (carry model), I want to stay with the 8 round mag and certainly reliability and accuracy are important. My plans are for this to be my primary carry weapon. I have looked at some other models, such as the Sig P220, but I really like the trigger pull/reset of the 1911. I have been looking at a couple of Sig models, the Platinum Elite Carry and the Carry Nitron. I have not had any experience with a stainless finish and was wanting to get some comments on caring for a stainless gun. Any comments, suggestions, opinions, preferences on models, brands, configurations or anything would be appreciated. Thanks, have a great day.

jacksonco · 10-20-2009, 07:25 AM

I believe that all the SIG 1911 models are constructed with stainless steel. I have the 5" TTT model. It is a great shooter and I really like it a lot.

One thing about the SIG 1911 is you may not be able to find a stock holster for it. The slides on the SIG 1911 are not the same as a mil-spec or GI. They are a little heavier and are cut to resembles the slide on a regular model SIG. My holster was made by Elpaso Saddlery and it is excellent.

In your price range there are a lot of good ones to check out.

The Colt Defender and Colt New Agent are nice and will run around $800-$900.
Kimber makes a lot of small carry models that will fit into the price range you listed.

Good luck and happy plinkin!

oscarmayer · 10-20-2009, 07:27 AM

les baer or sti .the sti guns are in that price range and are more custom than a box stock sig or colt. some feel these 2 companies make the finest 1911 out there.

glocknut · 10-20-2009, 08:41 AM

Kimber ultra from their custom shop. Thats my opinion.

mike
gn

1911fan · 10-20-2009, 08:49 PM

This is the one i would pick +1 Kimber.

http://www.kimberamerica.com/pistols..._pro_carry_II/

Old Guy · 10-20-2009, 10:16 PM

Kimber, Springfield, and Smith and Wesson all have good guns in this range.

Old Guy

johnlives4christ · 10-21-2009, 12:28 AM

none finer than a colt combat commander in my opinion. stainless just because it is rust resistant doesnt mean you dont have to lube it. wipe it off once in a while and lube the rails well and always put a drop on the disconnector. stainless needs more lube than regular steel, so im told, but it's been years and i cant remember where i heard that. if you're going to carry IWB i would recommend tetra gungrease. you can lube the heck out of your rails and it wont get on your britches.

LDBennett · 10-21-2009, 08:13 AM

Stainless guns:

Stainless steel is an alloy of steel that uses various amounts of chromium to gain RESISTANCE to rusting. But stainless has a the tendency of galling* when run against itself. Gun designers pick different alloys of stainless for mating moving parts to minimize the galling. But the fact that the tendency is there says lubrication is very important on stainless guns.

No stainless steel is rust PROOF but only RESISTANT to oxidation or rusting. The more chromium in the alloy the more resistant to rusting. The chromium effects the magnetic capabilities of stainless as well. High chromium content alloys are non-magnetic while low chromium content alloys MAY BE magnetic. Stainless steel used in the food industry is not the same as stainless steel used in guns, in most cases.

Practically, stainless guns are good because of their rust resistance but chrome moly steels used in carbon steel guns are stronger. The general consensus is that Stainless barrels last longer than chrome moly barrels but few handgun users will every shoot out a handgun barrel. Stainless is harder to machine as well because the cutting action of stainless tends to tear the metal away making the cuts have poor surface finish if done in too heavy of a cut. Carbide and other specialized cutting tools are usually required to do production machining of stainless steels and that is a main factor of why stainless has been so long in getting into guns. There is also the galling factor but once they had all the alloys to choose from, that was minimized by good gun designers.

All my semi-auto pistols are carbon steel blued guns (or aluminum frames and carbon steel slides) whereas all my revolvers are stainless steel. All my rifles are cabon steel (no stainless except for one 22 semi-auto). That works for me.

LDBennett

*Galling is when microscopically one part transfers material to the other part that is moving on its surface. With enough operations under galling the surfaces can become microscopically so rough as to drastically effect the motion of the two parts, even seize.

Bubblehead · 10-21-2009, 12:55 PM

Larry,

This is what I have in .45 ACP. Best pistol I've ever owned. Functions flawlessly and is extremely accurate. Great workmanship too!

http://www.kimberamerica.com/pistols/cdp/ultra_cdp_II/

John

Larry V · 10-21-2009, 10:02 PM

Thanks for all the information. I still want to hear from more of you 1911 lovers.

Jay · 10-22-2009, 06:24 AM

I have 1911-style handguns by Sig, Kimber, Colt, and Dan Wesson CBOB. The CBOB is my favorite, followed by the Kimbers, Sigs, and the Colt. They are all nicely made, the CBOB is tighter than the others, and I seem to shoot it a bit more accurately.

Duckboats · 10-24-2009, 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bubblehead

Larry,

This is what I have in .45 ACP. Best pistol I've ever owned. Functions flawlessly and is extremely accurate. Great workmanship too!

http://www.kimberamerica.com/pistols/cdp/ultra_cdp_II/

John

Exactly.

Shooter45 · 10-24-2009, 11:11 AM

I have owned a lot of high end 1911's and my favorite has been this Les Baer Preimer II.

Excuse the BAD pic.

glock2026 · 10-30-2009, 09:09 AM

If you only have 1300 , you better look at kimber. Thats not enough money to get a wilson ,maybee SPEC OPS.

oscarmayer · 10-30-2009, 10:12 AM

though gun sales are high, the gun shops are selling tons of guns in the low end to middle to upper middle end but the higher end guns aren't going as well. this is at least the case in my neck of the woods. i think you'd be surprized at what you can talk a shop down to on some of the higher end ends. my local dealer has had a korth revolver for sale for over a year. who the hell buys a korth, yes it's the rolls royce of revolvers but why pay the price ? any way last week i noticed it was 1/2 price. find a high end gun to your liking and make a offer, the mark up is so fricken high on these things there is alot of wiggle room and you might catch a bargin. when the place sells 12 rock islands for every les baer he might be willing to deal

williamd · 10-30-2009, 08:32 PM

Do not overlook good used ones. I picked up a nice Tank Officers Model at a pawn shop! Mine is a 'Carry' model so can use standard mag; even my 10-round extended mag. Picked up Baby Eagle at the same shop a while ago - ANIB!

Maineman · 11-09-2009, 08:15 PM

I have a S&W1911DK just got it two weeks ago so far i've only got 500 rounds through it but it has less kick than my S&W990L and its more accurate.

mrkirker · 11-10-2009, 10:40 AM

Zat include sales tax?

Double D · 11-10-2009, 10:59 AM

I will tell ya, I have been salivating over a springfield 1911 micro-compact .45. They have the bi-tone 3" ramped bull barrel, trijicon night sights and cocobolo thinline grips with mini rail. Problem is I just bought a colt defender. I am trying to find an excuse to get the springer.

40CalJoe · 11-11-2009, 08:35 AM

I have had such good performance from my Springfields, I have to throw this one in the pot.

http://www.springfield-armory.com/armory.php?version=32

Second choice would be the Colt. I have a 50 year old Commander (chambered in 9mm though) that is flawless and accurate.

Double D · 11-11-2009, 12:52 PM

Hey Joe, I hear ya on the colt. My defender was dead on right out of the box. I carry it daily and love it. Still want the springer!

Larry V · 11-13-2009, 08:43 PM

Yes! The $1300 would be the whole ball of wax. I am going window shopping tomorrow in the middle Tennessee area. I have almost settled on a Sig model. I have read a lot of positive things about their service dept and they have the lifetime warranty.

tex45acp · 11-15-2009, 05:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Larry V

Yes! The $1300 would be the whole ball of wax. I am going window shopping tomorrow in the middle Tennessee area. I have almost settled on a Sig model. I have read a lot of positive things about their service dept and they have the lifetime warranty.

The same can be said for most gun manufacturers. I have had Springfields, Kimbers, Para Ordnance and even a Colt that I have sent back for warranty work and the service and time to repair have been what you would expect from them.
A friend of mine has the SIG GSR and loves his. Good luck on your choice!!

tex

10-20-2009, 07:03 AM	#1
Larry V Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 11	Higher End 1911 I am looking to buy a higher end 1911 (up to $1300). I want a 4" barrel (carry model), I want to stay with the 8 round mag and certainly reliability and accuracy are important. My plans are for this to be my primary carry weapon. I have looked at some other models, such as the Sig P220, but I really like the trigger pull/reset of the 1911. I have been looking at a couple of Sig models, the Platinum Elite Carry and the Carry Nitron. I have not had any experience with a stainless finish and was wanting to get some comments on caring for a stainless gun. Any comments, suggestions, opinions, preferences on models, brands, configurations or anything would be appreciated. Thanks, have a great day. -->

10-20-2009, 07:25 AM	#2
jacksonco Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Jackson County West Virginia Posts: 2,237	Re: Higher End 1911 I believe that all the SIG 1911 models are constructed with stainless steel. I have the 5" TTT model. It is a great shooter and I really like it a lot. One thing about the SIG 1911 is you may not be able to find a stock holster for it. The slides on the SIG 1911 are not the same as a mil-spec or GI. They are a little heavier and are cut to resembles the slide on a regular model SIG. My holster was made by Elpaso Saddlery and it is excellent. In your price range there are a lot of good ones to check out. The Colt Defender and Colt New Agent are nice and will run around $800-$900. Kimber makes a lot of small carry models that will fit into the price range you listed. Good luck and happy plinkin!

10-20-2009, 07:27 AM	#3
oscarmayer Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Contributor Posts: 2,387	Re: Higher End 1911 les baer or sti .the sti guns are in that price range and are more custom than a box stock sig or colt. some feel these 2 companies make the finest 1911 out there.

10-20-2009, 08:41 AM	#4
glocknut Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: THE FORUM MASCOTT... Posts: 12,482	Re: Higher End 1911 Kimber ultra from their custom shop. Thats my opinion. mike gn __________________ Where O where are you tonight? Why have you gone and left me alone? I searched to world over and a thought i found true love... You met another and PTThhh you were gone....

10-20-2009, 08:49 PM	#5
1911fan Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Frankfort,Il Posts: 37	Re: Higher End 1911 This is the one i would pick +1 Kimber. http://www.kimberamerica.com/pistols..._pro_carry_II/

10-20-2009, 10:16 PM	#6
Old Guy V.I.P. Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Beaufort County, NC Contributor Posts: 343	Re: Higher End 1911 Kimber, Springfield, and Smith and Wesson all have good guns in this range. Old Guy

10-21-2009, 12:28 AM	#7
johnlives4christ Former Guest Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Kentucky Posts: 3,828	Re: Higher End 1911 none finer than a colt combat commander in my opinion. stainless just because it is rust resistant doesnt mean you dont have to lube it. wipe it off once in a while and lube the rails well and always put a drop on the disconnector. stainless needs more lube than regular steel, so im told, but it's been years and i cant remember where i heard that. if you're going to carry IWB i would recommend tetra gungrease. you can lube the heck out of your rails and it wont get on your britches.

10-21-2009, 08:13 AM	#8
LDBennett Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Hesperia, CA Posts: 5,719	Re: Higher End 1911 Stainless guns: Stainless steel is an alloy of steel that uses various amounts of chromium to gain RESISTANCE to rusting. But stainless has a the tendency of galling* when run against itself. Gun designers pick different alloys of stainless for mating moving parts to minimize the galling. But the fact that the tendency is there says lubrication is very important on stainless guns. No stainless steel is rust PROOF but only RESISTANT to oxidation or rusting. The more chromium in the alloy the more resistant to rusting. The chromium effects the magnetic capabilities of stainless as well. High chromium content alloys are non-magnetic while low chromium content alloys MAY BE magnetic. Stainless steel used in the food industry is not the same as stainless steel used in guns, in most cases. Practically, stainless guns are good because of their rust resistance but chrome moly steels used in carbon steel guns are stronger. The general consensus is that Stainless barrels last longer than chrome moly barrels but few handgun users will every shoot out a handgun barrel. Stainless is harder to machine as well because the cutting action of stainless tends to tear the metal away making the cuts have poor surface finish if done in too heavy of a cut. Carbide and other specialized cutting tools are usually required to do production machining of stainless steels and that is a main factor of why stainless has been so long in getting into guns. There is also the galling factor but once they had all the alloys to choose from, that was minimized by good gun designers. All my semi-auto pistols are carbon steel blued guns (or aluminum frames and carbon steel slides) whereas all my revolvers are stainless steel. All my rifles are cabon steel (no stainless except for one 22 semi-auto). That works for me. LDBennett *Galling is when microscopically one part transfers material to the other part that is moving on its surface. With enough operations under galling the surfaces can become microscopically so rough as to drastically effect the motion of the two parts, even seize.

10-21-2009, 12:55 PM	#9
Bubblehead V.I.P. Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Pioneer, CA Posts: 480	Re: Higher End 1911 Larry, This is what I have in .45 ACP. Best pistol I've ever owned. Functions flawlessly and is extremely accurate. Great workmanship too! http://www.kimberamerica.com/pistols/cdp/ultra_cdp_II/ John __________________ There are only two types of ships: Submarines and Targets.

10-21-2009, 10:02 PM	#10
Larry V Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 11	Re: Higher End 1911 Thanks for all the information. I still want to hear from more of you 1911 lovers.

10-22-2009, 06:24 AM	#11
Jay Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Indiana Posts: 1,286	Re: Higher End 1911 I have 1911-style handguns by Sig, Kimber, Colt, and Dan Wesson CBOB. The CBOB is my favorite, followed by the Kimbers, Sigs, and the Colt. They are all nicely made, the CBOB is tighter than the others, and I seem to shoot it a bit more accurately. __________________ "For those who fought for it, freedom has a flavor the protected cannot taste." "USMC 8652, 2531, RVN Jun '67, - May 69"

10-24-2009, 11:11 AM	#13
Shooter45 Administrator Join Date: Feb 2001 Contributor Posts: 8,755	Re: Higher End 1911 I have owned a lot of high end 1911's and my favorite has been this Les Baer Preimer II. Excuse the BAD pic. Attached Images

10-30-2009, 09:09 AM	#14
glock2026 Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 7	Re: Higher End 1911 If you only have 1300 , you better look at kimber. Thats not enough money to get a wilson ,maybee SPEC OPS.

10-30-2009, 10:12 AM	#15
oscarmayer Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Contributor Posts: 2,387	Re: Higher End 1911 though gun sales are high, the gun shops are selling tons of guns in the low end to middle to upper middle end but the higher end guns aren't going as well. this is at least the case in my neck of the woods. i think you'd be surprized at what you can talk a shop down to on some of the higher end ends. my local dealer has had a korth revolver for sale for over a year. who the hell buys a korth, yes it's the rolls royce of revolvers but why pay the price ? any way last week i noticed it was 1/2 price. find a high end gun to your liking and make a offer, the mark up is so fricken high on these things there is alot of wiggle room and you might catch a bargin. when the place sells 12 rock islands for every les baer he might be willing to deal

10-30-2009, 08:32 PM	#16
williamd Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: SoCal Posts: 772	Re: Higher End 1911 Do not overlook good used ones. I picked up a nice Tank Officers Model at a pawn shop! Mine is a 'Carry' model so can use standard mag; even my 10-round extended mag. Picked up Baby Eagle at the same shop a while ago - ANIB! __________________ "Outlaw guns and only outlaws will have guns!" But, we are moving that direction. NRA Benefactor, Vet VN '64-'65 Never sell a gun or a car and you can retire right!!

11-09-2009, 08:15 PM	#17
Maineman Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Monticello Maine 04760 Posts: 3	Re: Higher End 1911 I have a S&W1911DK just got it two weeks ago so far i've only got 500 rounds through it but it has less kick than my S&W990L and its more accurate.

11-10-2009, 10:40 AM	#18
mrkirker Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 3,067	Re: Higher End 1911 Zat include sales tax? __________________ *I don't know if dogs have a heaven, but there will be dogs in mine.*

11-10-2009, 10:59 AM	#19
Double D TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: North Florida Contributor Posts: 8,089	Re: Higher End 1911 I will tell ya, I have been salivating over a springfield 1911 micro-compact .45. They have the bi-tone 3" ramped bull barrel, trijicon night sights and cocobolo thinline grips with mini rail. Problem is I just bought a colt defender. I am trying to find an excuse to get the springer. __________________ I own a bunch of scary guns. You want em? Come and take em..... Liberalism is a serious, non curable, mental disorder... NRA LIFE MEMBER Oath Keepers Member NRA Certified Instructor 30 Yr CC permit holder.

11-11-2009, 08:35 AM	#20
40CalJoe V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: In the middle Posts: 421	Re: Higher End 1911 I have had such good performance from my Springfields, I have to throw this one in the pot. http://www.springfield-armory.com/armory.php?version=32 Second choice would be the Colt. I have a 50 year old Commander (chambered in 9mm though) that is flawless and accurate. __________________ *I will give hussein obama exactly the same respect liberals gave George W Bush: NONE.*

11-11-2009, 12:52 PM	#21
Double D TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: North Florida Contributor Posts: 8,089	Re: Higher End 1911 Hey Joe, I hear ya on the colt. My defender was dead on right out of the box. I carry it daily and love it. Still want the springer! __________________ I own a bunch of scary guns. You want em? Come and take em..... Liberalism is a serious, non curable, mental disorder... NRA LIFE MEMBER Oath Keepers Member NRA Certified Instructor 30 Yr CC permit holder.

11-13-2009, 08:43 PM	#22
Larry V Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 11	Re: Higher End 1911 Yes! The $1300 would be the whole ball of wax. I am going window shopping tomorrow in the middle Tennessee area. I have almost settled on a Sig model. I have read a lot of positive things about their service dept and they have the lifetime warranty.