Which 1911

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farm23

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About a year ago I bought a Glock 30S for security duty. Before that I have used a 1911 but it is old with 1000's of rounds down range. I bought the Glock for the higher round count and for the price point.
After a year of practice and many rounds plus dry firing I must admit I do not like the Glock. I want to go back to a 1911 preferably with a bobtail and keeping the price as reasonable as possible.
My local gunsmith can bobtail either a Colt LW commander or a Ruger LW commander or I can look elsewhere. I find more offerings in 9 than 45 but I am old and set in my ways and so a 45 it will be.
Suggestions are welcome.
 
You can apparently find stainless Dan Wesson VBobs on GunBroker for $1100-1300 these days, which is an insane deal.

Id seriously consider that, or a Guardian if you want aluminum.

*Note the VBob stainless do have issues with Galling. Keep it very wet to start and if it does have issues, CS will take care of it quickly. Just happened to a relative he had it back and better in a few weeks at no cost. Shoots like a dream now and he is in love.
 
My local gunsmith can bobtail either a Colt LW commander or a Ruger LW commander or I can look elsewhere. I find more offerings in 9 than 45 but I am old and set in my ways and so a 45 it will be.
I think either would be a good choice. You sound like you know your way around a 1911 and apparently have a gunsmith that does too. Both are to your advantage.
Springfield Range Officer in .45 ACP would be my first choice for a 1911.
Bill
Unless the OP is looking for a competition gun, and his desire for a lightweight bobtail seems like he isn't, I'd avoid the Range Officer and its' adjustable rear sight, but I suspect the OP is knowledgeable enough to know that.
 
Just took a look at VBob and it looks good except for the weight. I will have to carry and looking for something in the 29oz range. I do not expect to use for extended range time but will practice enough to be proficient and that the gun is dependable with 230 gr loads.
 
Just took a look at VBob and it looks good except for the weight. I will have to carry and looking for something in the 29oz range. I do not expect to use for extended range time but will practice enough to be proficient and that the gun is dependable with 230 gr loads.

Take a glance at the DW Guardian then, aluminum frame and still has a bobtail, and still excellent quality. I think they are still in the same price range.

Or go crazy and get a CCO Valkyrie, I have one in 9mm and it's great
 
My usual warm weather 1911 carry pistol is a Colt "Gunsite Ranch" model C.C.O., which is an aluminum frame with an Officer model grip and a steel Commander length slide/barrel and fixed sights. With Wilson Combat Compact 7-round mags, it offers 8 shots with a 7-shot reload. I carry it in a Galco "Combat Master" 4-1/4" 1911 holster which conceals quite nicely. As with my other personal defense guns I use Federal HST ammo.

I continue to be delighted that, in many years of carrying, I have never needed a gun and hope that I never will.
 
Ed Brown makes a lightweight version of the Kobra Carry if you don't mind dropping three grand on a pistol.
 
Actually, Ed Brown has a new line of 1911’s they call EVO that are 30% less expensive than their regular line. One of their offerings comes with a light weight frame and weighs 27 oz. They seem to be well liked by their owners.....
 
Actually, Ed Brown has a new line of 1911’s they call EVO that are 30% less expensive than their regular line. One of their offerings comes with a light weight frame and weighs 27 oz. They seem to be well liked by their owners.....

That and the staccato C would be mighty interesting if I was looking for a carry 1911 these days and I had a bit to spend.

But I've got the VBob and Valkyrie so I'm good
 
Smith 1911's are often overlooked. I have a couple of the early versions in standard size. One with adjustable sights, the other fixed. They are the best 1911's I've ever owned.
 
I have a Kimber CDP ll that I like pretty well. It has the alloy frame you wanted, although mine is not bobtail.
I do have the night sights which are the real deal in low or no light. I have over 10,000 rounds thru mine just by rough primer count and don't see any problems with more shooting to come.
 
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farm23

Don't know what your budget is but the Ruger SR1911 LW Commander goes for $767 at Bud's. A Colt LW Commander will set you back around $920 while the least expensive (that I could find), Dan Wesson LW Vigil will run you $1140. There's also the S&W 1911SC E Series (already bobbed too) at around $1200.
 
I am thinking the Ruger with the local gunsmith doing the bobtail and night sights the S&W might not seem too bad. I do wonder how the s&w will hold up.
 
I do wonder how the s&w will hold up.
I don't have any first hand experience with the S&W 1911's, but I don't think I'd be too concerned with how they'd hold up. It may not be by a lot, but they have more experience building 1911's than Ruger does and they've been building their lightweight 1911's from the beginning.

I'd focus on feature set if you're deciding between the two.
 
I like the direction you're headed, but I would personally want a rail to mount a light on a dedicated HD gun.
I used mine two nights ago looking for the skunk that sprayed my brittany in our back yard.
 
ArchAngel that looks nice. Do you have any experience with the S&W?
I own a 5" all Steel S&W E series, as well as a 5" Dan Wesson Pointman. Between the two, the fit and finish, trigger, and positive feeling of the Dan Wesson controls would push me in that direction if looking for another 1911. The S&W is just sloppier. My LGS has a DW bobtail commander 45 in all stainless. I am seriously considering trading my S&W and XDs toward the commander. Ditching two 45's for one I want more seems a good option.

I do not have any experience with S&W light weight commanders though. Maybe they are a little nicer than the full size E Series. Don't get me wrong, the S&W I have is a decent gun. It just isn't as nice as my Dan Wesson.
 
Lots of companies build very fine 1911 pistol’s I believe they the most copied design in history.
My gunsmith is a 1911 Guru etc. odd though when I stop by the shop he’s always carrying a striker fired pistol.
J
 
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