1911's around 1k

[damyankee]

I'm looking to buy my 4th gun. I have a RRA 15, a WASR-10, and A HK USPf .40. I was really looking into the XD or the M&P in .40, it's what I learned on and I know I can hit the target. So I was think about either in .40 again. Then I saw a future weapons episode (yeah i know its not the most technical show, yada, yada, yada) and saw a .45 go through a car door and the ballistics dummy. My dad has a Kimber TLE RL II and although I like it, I don't shoot it as well as the HK. But I figure that's because I learned on the .40. My Question is for around $1000 dollars plus 200 at most, what is the best (IYO) 1911 to get. I have no qualms about learning the trigger, for me it'll be fun rounds downrange. Any info form 1911 fanatics would be most welcome

 

[Ala Dan]

Kimber has a line-up that includes the stainless TLE with or without rails,
the Eclispe, the Raptor, the Team Match, the CDP, the Warrior, and the
all new Covert; with prices ranging from just under 1K, to 'round $1300.
Another good choice would be Springfield Armory's MC Operator, which
is priced right 'round $950. Springfield's TRP pistols are also excellent
firearms; but are priced between 1K and $1300.

The best kept secret in the firearms business might just be the all stainless
(product code #108282) 1911 from Smith & Wesson; which I currently sell
at the everyday low price of $739.88~!

 

[Dobe]

Kimber is not a bad choice. See if you can find a used series I.

 

[damyankee]

How can i tell if it's series 1? I've been on here a bit and heard series 2 have problems. Serial?

edit: okay I was lying, I can easily go up to $1500, I spent that on my RRA and have no regrets

 

[hexidismal]

ALA DAN already mentioned the Springfield TRP 1911s. I've been drooling over one of those for a long time myself. I think I've seen them go for around $1150 locally. Ive already got the Springfield Loaded Lightweight which is easier for full-size carry , I believe they go for around .. $850 ? I'm not sure on that , I bought mine much lower from another THR member. If I had the money, I'd buy the TRP.

 

[Dobe]

How can i tell if it's series 1? I've been on here a bit and heard series 2 have problems. Serial?

It is commonly called a series I, but in reality it is the pre cursor to the Series II. If there is no "Series II" on the slide, it is a series I.

The Series II has a Swartz safety system on it. At one time, Kimber had quiet a bit of problems with this. I believe they have eliminated most of these problems. The biggest problem I have heard about, and experienced on the one Series II that I own is on occasion the system doesn't engage properly. My 1911 Target Series II in 9mm sometimes will not fire unless I have the grip safety pressed completely to the frame.

Since this is a range gun, it really doesn't bother me. I have many other Kimber 1911's, but they are all series I's. They have been great hanguns.

With Kimber, you have two other basic problems. The magizines from Kimber and the the extractors have always been a source of irritation for both the customers and Kimber repair. If you own a 1911, you should learn to tune an extractor anyway, and you will be hard pressed to find a better magazine than Wilson. You can find a good used series I for 7-$800, and you can shoot it for the rest of your life. Personally, I think my grandchildren would rather inherit a nice 1911 over a handful of plastic.

Good luck, Kimbers acutally make a pretty good 1911.

 

[trbon8r]

At $1000 you are kind of at a difficult price point. You have money to spare for a Colt or most of the other production guns that you desire. On the other hand a thousand bucks leaves you a little short of buying one of the semi customs like a Les Baer.

My advice would be to be patient and keep an eye on the for sale section and maybe decide what model you want and place a "want to buy" ad. I often see clean, basically like new Les Baer guns with only a few boxes of shells fired in the $1200 to $1300 range. That assumes you can stretch your budget a little.

If you can't stretch your budget, if it were me I'd just go on the other end of the scale and go substantially below the 4 figure mark. Colt makes some nice guns that fit in this category.

 

[glockman19]

Ala Dan, took the words right out of my mouth. Kimber, Springfield, Colt and S&W in that order. The S&W 1911 #108282 is on gunbroker.com now with a Buy Now price of $775:

http://www.gunsonthenet.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=67933177

 

[damyankee]

I like my dad's kimber, but why is there so much complaining about them on here? Is it company bias? I know THR has real shooters with real knowledge. So that holds me back for a bit. He shoots it very well for an old man But I've heard alot of problems here with them. His used to jam, not so much anymore. Thats the only reason I'm not going to my local store and buying a desert warrior without thinkin lol

p.s. this beside HD/SD apps, is going to be a feel good purchase. DONT DATE A WOMAN WHO ISNT ANTI BUT HATES GUNS, YOU
END UP IN THE SHI$%&*

 

[waterhouse]

STI Trojan, should be around $920

 

[10-Ring]

I have had great luck w/ my Colt XSE...which ended up at about $1200 after the visit to the gun smith

 

[GunNut]

Colt XSE or STI Trojan for me.

Steve

 

[Dobe]

Is it company bias?

There were problems, but Kimber has those problems worked out. They still suffer from some bad press.
At one time, Kimber was the production 1911 to have (for the price). That was before the Series II. Something happened in quality control at about that time. There seemed to be about three major problems of which I am aware which once plagued Kimber.

1. Kimber stopped tuning the extractors properly before they left the factory. This led to very unhappy customers, and bad press. This was such a problem that Kimber decided to create an external extractor for their 1911's. Traditionalist such as myself hate external extractors on a 1911. . . blasphemy, and in truth an external doesn't work any better than a properly tuned internal extractor.

Kimber got the message, and dropped the external extractor, which by the way also gave them problems.

2. Kimber's magazines have been hit or miss.

3. Kimber's sub compact 1911's had major reliability problems. I know of one former Master Kimber dealer who stopped dealing completely in Kimbers primarily because of their customer complaints of the sub compact 1911's.

Kimber made their name in 1911's with the pre series I's. I have five of them... as reliable as any I own, and easier to shoot than any other platform, which is why I like the 1911 platform.

I personally would not purchase another Series II, simply because I see no need for the Swartz safety system. There are too many other manufactures out there, which offer what I want in a 1911 for me to have to settle. Actually, I believe Kimber offers at least one 1911 model that does not have the Swartz system. I may be wrong about that, and I am sure someone will let me know.

 

[Jakkar]

I am a huge fan of the Springfield TRP. I made the mistake of buying a Kimber Pro Raptor II as my first 1911 and it was completely unreliable. The last day I took it to the range I put 32 rounds through it and had 5 FTEs. I was unlucky enough to buy one of the external extractor pistols. I gave up on 1911s for a while before I picked up the TRP. The TRP has been flawless. I really don't treat it that nicely but it refuses to have any type of issues after 3,000+ rounds with very sparse cleaning and oiling. Fit and finish are excellent and I actually prefer the trigger to the one on my Ed Brown Executive Carry. If you can find one for around 1,200 it will be very hard to beat in my opinion as I consider it just as good as my Ed Brown and Nighthawk pistols.

 

[obm]

im selling a 1911 for $1000:

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=258284

it's a springfield armory with a carbonia blue finish. modified by clark custom guns.

trigger job
smith & alexander mag well blended to frame
20lpi front strap checkering
reliability job
accuracy job
more info on accuracy/reliability job found here:
http://www.clarkcustomguns.com/faq1911.htm#general
MMC adjustable rear sight
dovetail front sight with trijicon lamp(green)
original invoice of all clark work provided.

 

[waynedm]

No brainer. Dan Wesson Pointman for $850.

The Pointman Seven is a 5” series 70 style 1911 featuring a stainless steel frame and forged stainless steel slide. Like all Dan Wesson 1911s, Pointman models incorporate top quality parts from the best names in the industry

· Forged, one piece match grade barrel and bushing.
· Round top slide with Bo-Mar style adjustable target sight
· Hand polished flat surfaces with contrasting bead blasted rounds
· Flat, all steel 20-LPI checkered mainspring housing
· Front and rear cocking serrations
· Beveled magwell
· All sharp edges dehorned by hand
· Lowered and flared ejection port
· Hand polished feed ramp
· Ed Brown slide stop
· Ed Brown memory groove grip safety
· Tactical extended thumb safety
· One piece full length stainless guide rod
· Commander style match hammer
· Match grade sear
· Aluminum trigger with stainless bow
· Extended serrated magazine catch
· Wolff springs used exclusively
· Diamond checkered coco-bolo grips
· Tuned, machined, internal extractor
· Test fired for reliability
· 38 ounces unloaded

 

[boldkharma]

Colt is what I would recommend. I paid 800 for this XSE and 200 in upgrades(single side safety, Novak night sights and grips) 1000.00. Never had a failure of any kind in over 1000 rounds and a tack driver. The prancing pony has an allure and 100 years of history.

Pic was taken prior to the night sight addition.

For something a little more classic. How about a Colt Series 70 Reproduction. Under 900.00


Or....for a real classic, Colt WWI repro, Under a grand if you hurry. They are almost through the 4000 number limited run.

 

[jhunter]

where are you finding a Dan Wesson Pointman for 850?

 

[boldkharma]

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/82/products_id/17997

How about 793?? for a pointman

But I'd rather have this:

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/141/products_id/36031

 

[waynedm]

Colts are for sure the best way to go if you're concerned about resale value. For a shooter though I stick by my previous suggestion.

 

[boldkharma]

I disagree, Colts are first and foremost Shooters!! I shoot all my Colts. Thats what they are made to do. I think alot of Colt 1911's have been shot over the last 100 years, for fun and in war. They are fantastic shooters and hold value. Win Win.

 

[BADUNAME13]

I Wanted a 1911 with a rail. For the Les Baer in that configuration I was looking at ~ $3K.

I bought a Kimber Warrior and am convinced I made the right decision.

 

[tbtrout]

The Kimber Warrior and Desert Warrior do not have an extra safety and my Warrior shoots great for $1200. The other choice I was milling around was SA MC Operator.

 

[tegemu]

For a whole lot less than a grand, you can get a Taurus PT1911 which comes standard with many of the features that folks spend a bunch of money installing. It is a very fine firearm, a hoot to shoot and probably the best value in the gun market today.

 

[hessy]

I would recommend an STI Lawman in the $1200 price range. It functions like Wilson's CQB but costs $800 less. Forged frame/slide, ramped barrel, 30 lpi checkering on the front strap, accuracy and fit are amazing, reliability 100% with any ammo. For about $400 less, Colt XSE would be my choice.