A detailed "which 1911" thread.

[cor_man257]

I'm in the market for a 1911, and have been for quite some time. I've handled countless, but found myself underwhelmed with most of them. I'm looking for some specific things in a 1911 and was wondering if anyone here could think of a model that fits the bill. The gun would be primarily for rugged range use but could be used for concealed carry if the notion strikes me. It's also not out of the question that it could be used for some competition somewhere down the road. However, when thinking of features, competition is not an influencing factor. At all.

The things I'm looking for in a 1911 include most of the modern additions, but a few that aren't common and can make guns enter pricey waters.
-5inch Government sized
-45ACP
-Carbon steel OR treated stainless
-GI guide plug
-Beavertail Grip Safety
-Extended Thumb Safety
-Commander or Modern skeletonized hammer
-No front cocking serration
-Single side safety
-High cut front strap
-Checkered front strap, 25 or 30LPI preferable. But whatever works, my hands aren't delicate flowers.
-Serrated or checkered, flat mainspring housing
-Blued, or parkerized, or darkening treatment.
-No huge rollmark. This one isn’t make or break, but a clean or blank slide is an awesome plus.

I have seriously thought about everything in that list. I don't want a commander, because it will be mostly a range gun. Carbon or stainless steel, either one seems fine to me, but bare stainless can gall and I honestly don't think it looks good. The GI plug is the original, and I don't see any benefit to FLGRs. Plus a GI gives another way to rack the slide if needed. Beavertails are pretty standard, as are extended thumb safeties. I don't like spur hammers, and although it's internet rumor I think they have a tendency to break more often. Front cocking serrations are ugly and tear up holsters. I've handled ambi safeties and didn't care for them, If I shoot left handed I'll deal with it. High cut front strap gives a nicer grip on the gun. After handling a few with and without it, they are more comfortable and pointable for me. Checkering on the front strap is a must. I put 100 rounds through a Springfield range officer and kept wishing it had it. The mainspring checkering helps with grip, but serrations work too. I don't like shiny guns so I'd like blued or parkerized or something. I know they all wear off eventually, but its going to see a lot of use over the course of my life. So it could wind up refinished 20 years from now. Who knows. I like clean slides, but they aren’t a must.

So far I've found a few guns that fit the bill. Anyone with experience with any of them please let me know what you think. They aren’t in preference order.

Dan Wesson Valor, 01926 – 45ACP –
Pros: fit & finish, sights, clean slide, no wait, customer service
Cons: price tag,
This gun seems to meet everything from the get go. Plus it comes with sights I like. But the price tag is hefty and I haven't been able to find one to look at anywhere. I've held the commander size and was impressed with the fit, they have a nice lock up and crisp trigger. The duty coat is apparently finicky about cleaners. Otherwise, this seems to be all that and a bag of chips. I would have to keep saving to get to the $1800ish price tag. Another upside to it is the clean looking slide. It isn't a must but the two other guns are semi-custom and I would probably add clean slides to them.

Les Baer Premier II , Custom Carry, or Ultimate Tactical Carry, or etc – 45ACP –
Pros: fit, clean slide, made to order, reputation
Cons: price tag, wait time, customer service, no warranty
Les Baer meets almost everything immediately. They have a reputation for being rugged guns. They are pricey at around $1800-$1900. Frankly, it’s out of my price range unless I wait longer. I would ask the shop for no front slide serrations, clean slide, single side safety, fixed sights. Basically, it’s their carry commander/UTC minus FCS and clean slide. But you can get that setup with any name and it’s the same gun.

Springfield Armory Custom Carry, PC9102 – 45ACP –
Pros: fit, clean slide, made to order, customer service, warranty, reputation
Cons: wait time, price?
The base model of the famous professional, but spec’d to your liking. Pricing is a mystery without calling them or emailing them. I think it is cheaper than the Baer and possibly cheaper than the DW. I would have them do a clean slide with SACS logo at rear, high cut and front strap checkering. Maybe add different sights.

Are there other guns that fit the bill? Cheaper price range is welcomed, honestly if it is out there I just plain missed it. With any of these options I’m going to still be saving for awhile. I’m barely into the 4 digit range. But I don’t mind saving more if it means getting a gun with exactly what I want. I think that all of the above guns are within similar quality to one another, but that is based off reading. I’ve only handled one DW, no LB, and only lesser model SAs (which I don’t believe to be a fair comparison of quality).

Thanks for reading my novel, look forward to your thoughts.
-Cory

 

[JDR]

The (DW) duty coat is apparently finicky about cleaners.

Don't know where this comment comes from. I have a Black Duty Coat DW Valor and I can assure you that this finish will hold up to any CLP intended for firearms use.

If you try the Valor you might really like it. I got to shoot one a few times then I found mine used at a decent price.

Front strap checkering is nice to have if your gun already has it. It's expensive to have checkering done properly by a good gunsmith. The DW RZ-45 Heritage doesn't come with a checkered frontstrap, but it is $400 cheaper than a stainless Valor and it is a great gun and I don't think it needs a checkered frontstrap, That is strictly "MHO".

I happen to think that the Springfield Range Officer is a great value in a full or compact sized 1911, whether you want it in 9mm or .45 ACP.

 

[dogmush]

I'd probably save up for the Dan Wesson. I really like mine.

Sig's Nitron 1911 checks your blocks, but it does have the funky shaped Sig slide.

The combo of checkered front strap and no front serrations is going to bump you up in price pretty drastically.

 

[cor_man257]

Thanks for the input guys.

As far as needing front strap checkering... different strokes for different folks. I shot 100 rounds through a Springfield Range Officer in 45ACP, and found that it was something I consider important. But there are enough 1911s on the market that we can all find what suits us (I hope).

Yeah, it does seem that checkered front strap and no FCS is a pricey combo. I honestly don't understand why. It doesn't scream premium to me... but what do I know. I'll take a look at the Sig. I may have held one in the past, but I honestly wont remember till I do some looking around at it.

I have yet to find a used Dan Wesson Valor in duty coat, anywhere local. In fact they are scarce online as well. But I'll keep saving and looking.

-Cory

 

[dogmush]

Oh, Also, My DW Guardian is Duty coated, and it's not the least bit finicky about cleaners. I use a mix of what I have lying around or what was on sale, and I've had no issues at all.

 

[WVsig]

You have to keep in mind there have been a few versions of DWs Duty Coat IIRC.

In the end the DW is going to be the best value. Unless you wanted to get a Heritage and send it to Dan Severns for a Hard hat treatment.

 

[drband]

DW Valor if you must have front strap checkering and duty coat. The SS Heritage is a better value IMHO, but you should GET WHAT YOU WANT if the extra features are important for you. I get the feel that you'll be shooting this pistol for a long time![emoji41]

 

[cor_man257]

DW Valor if you must have front strap checkering and duty coat. The SS Heritage is a better value IMHO, but you should GET WHAT YOU WANT if the extra features are important for you. I get the feel that you'll be shooting this pistol for a long time![emoji41]

I'll be 24 in June. I have one other handgun, and I try to put 100 rounds a week though it in the summer. This one will likely be the only handgun I add for the next year or two and likely the only 1911 in 45 I have for a long time. I don't sell guns, and have a lot of life ahead of me. While it may take awhile, whatever I get will live to be a gun with a high round count.

I'm thinking of calling Springfield Armory to get a quote on the Custom Carry. Even if I don't go that route, I want to know how it stacks up against the others price wise.

After looking at some Sig offerings I don't think I'm interested in them. They don't have a traditional slide model that is entirely blackened, and two-tones are better left to Nash Bridges and Rob Leatham.

-Cory

 

[orionengnr]

I bought both my DW and my Les Baer used.

Disclaimer--both are Commander-sized; the Baer is alloy framed and the DW is stainless 10mm CBOB, so neither is exactly what you are looking for. Nonetheless, they are out there...if you keep your eyes open you may get lucky. I also missed out on two Wilsons over the course of 3-4 years, one local and one here on THR, both in the same price range ($1250 or so)

If I were to sell one, it would be the DW--I have had better luck with the Baer. Some of that may be due to the 10mm cartridge...or maybe not.

Happy hunting.

 

[tarosean]

Call Crazy John for his prices on the Baer your thinking of...

https://cj1911heaven.com

 

[sevt_chevelle]

I just bought a DW Heritage and its one sweet 1911! I looked at 1911s for months, the Heritage put all the Colts, Springfields, Kimbers, etc to shame, the fit and finish was in par with the few Les Baers I handled.

I would save for a Dan Wesson.

 

[MikeJackmin]

Something to consider:

http://www.brownells.com/handgun-pa...911-auto-checkered-front-strap-prod16409.aspx

 

[buckhorn_cortez]

I have a Black Duty Coat DW Valor ...

DW Valor if you must have front strap checkering and duty coat

New Valors are not Duty Coated. The black finish is Duty Treat.

The previous Duty Coat finish was basically the same as Cerakote - a sprayed on, baked, ceramic finish.

Duty Treat is the Dan Wesson version of ferritic nitrocarburizing - also known as Melonite, QPQ, and Tenifer.

Another option would be to buy a stainless or carbon steel 1911 of any type and send it to Dave Severns for Hard Hat Treatment. Hard Hat is Dave's proprietary recipe for ferritic nitrocarburizing. I have had a DW Valor and a DW VBOB Hard Hat treated by Dave - he does fantastic work.

 

[1911 guy]

Frontstrap checkering and high cut frontstrap are custom work for most pistols.

Look at STI. They have a lineup ranging from bargain to spendy with lots of options

 

[ttheel]

I am a Dan Wesson guy myself. I own a DW VBOB in duty treated finish and it is not finicky at all. I am sure all three are excellent weapons.

 

[MICHAEL T]

DW sell blems at a reduced price. You really have to look to see the Blem If you ever find it.

 

[JDR]

Wilson Combat charges $275.00 to do 30 LPI high cut frontstrap checkering on a 1911, and they do a beautiful job that would enhance the value of your gun. So if you add that $ to the cost of a DW RZ-45 Heritage you are essentially within just a few bucks of the going price for a Stainless DW Valor anyway. Plus you would have to spend $ to ship your gun round trip & kiss it goodbye for at least a couple months anyway. I'd rather leave the RZ-45 Heritage alone or go for the Valor, but it's your call on this.

 

[JDR]

Look at STI. They have a lineup ranging from bargain to spendy with lots of options

STI discontinued the Spartan line which was a great value in a 1911 pistol. My 9mm STI Trojan is a terrific range gun, as accurate and reliable as the day is long. I wish every gun I owned had that F.O. front sight! And the build quality is excellent. My DW Valor wins the beauty pageant between the 2, but I buy 'em to shoot 'em, and that Trojan is just a great fun shooter, and I highly recommend it!

 

[bikerdoc]

On the budget side, the Taurus PT1911 or the Rock Island are good values.I have both and ampleased with the performance.
The taurus hac most of thfeatures you want.

 

[Zerodefect]

DW duty treat is Melonite. If you use the wrong oils it can spot a little where the oil "drys" out the finish.. Not a big deal unless it's a shelf queen.

Mobile1/ATF/STP/Grease is GTG, IME. Try is somewhere not noticeable first.

The DW Valor is the hottest 1911 onn the market right now IMO.

 

[Redstate]

I have the Ruger SR1911 and believe it fits the bill

 

[tark]

cor man257 I worked for Les Baer for 21 years. Les well delete or change many features of a Premier II for no charge. Leaving off the front serrations on the slide is no problem. It comes with almost all the features you wanted to begin with. He might charge you a few bucks for the extended safety. A single side safety can be specified over the Ambi it comes with, if you like. No charge, if I remember correctly. The front strap checkering is 30LPI and the man that does it is very good; I trained him. If you wish, the gun can be ordered with no markings at all on the slide.

Baer guns are notorious for their hard fit and very hard barrel lockup. They are too difficult for many people to rack. It is not widely known but if you request a looser fit and a barrel lockup that is not quite so tight, Les will do this at no charge, but it will invalidate any accuracy guarantees.

We built two 1911s for Steven Segal, and he wanted the slides to be easy to rack. Both guns shot incredibly well.

Good luck with whatever your choice is.

 

[dakota1911]

Another one you might look at is the 5 inch Colt Wiley Clapp. There you might want another thumb safety fit.

 

[Coyote3855]

There's a Dan Wesson Specialist for sale in the THR classifieds. It appears to meet many of your specifications except I'm not sure about the FLGR vs. plug. And it's spendy.

 

[cor_man257]

Tark, thanks for the inside scoop. I've spent a lot of time researching Baers and a lot of other 1911s. I knew that I could get it however I want... and that is a HUGE plus. The only thing that worries me about getting a Bear is the lack of warranty. That's a lot of scratch without anything to back it up. Right now I don't have the coin for a Baer. I've got a lot of gun buying left in my life, so its a guarantee that I have one eventually.

As far as the Baer's hard fit... That doesn't bother me. I don't mind shooting 500 rounds of break in. Shooting is shooting, regardless of if you call it "break in" or "practice" or "fun". I haven't gotten to hold a Baer, but I think I'll manage to rack the slide just fine. And it would be nice to put some honest wear on her myself.

The Colt Wiley Clapp may not be in the same league as the other guns, but sure as **** it fits the bill. I really like it, accept for the thumb safety. Speaking of which, when I say "extended safety" I really just mean a modern safety as opposed to what the Wiley has. I don't care for the WWI or WWII safety as much as there modern counterparts. I'm seriously considering the Colt, but find myself wondering how much it'll cost me to have someone fit a new safety... hmm.

Thanks for everyone's input so far. I'm still saving and looking. You guys are the best.

-Cory