Another 1911 "help me pick my next pistol" thread

[wojownik]

OK - I've got the itch for another 1911. Have a few things in mind, but wanted to socialize this a bit. My budget is roughly $900.

My 1911 family currently includes a Colt Series 80 commander; Colt O1911 WW1 Carbona Blue, Springfield Mil Spec and Argentine Sistema Colt.

Too many choices, too little money ... you know how that goes

I'm torn between full size and commander. The Colt Series 70 (govt or commander) has my attention right now. I was also thinking of an XSE, while there are still some out there (discontinued by Colt), but I really don't like the forward serrations on 1911s.

Where would you put your money into a 1911 right now?

 

[stoky]

IMO, if you anticipate carrying it much, get an alloy Commander. If it's more of a range toy or competition that your interested in, get the Government size in real steel.
If you think you are going to drop it with a round in the chamber, get a Series 80.

 

[dogmush]

I spent a fair amount of energy last year looking for a 1911 in that price range, and after messing with a bunch..... I wouldn't get a Colt. You just don't get as much gun/dollar with them. But; they aren't BAD guns, just overpriced.

Seems like you have a Commander, and a 5" allready so I would say you need a less traditional 5" gun. A 5" XSE would seem to fit into your current 1911 collection well.

But I would say put hands on some of the compitition's guns. Sig's traditional line, Ruger's and Smith and Wesson all put out really nice guns in that price range.

 

[bannockburn]

I have a number of newer Colt 1911s and they are some of the best made guns Colt has built in a very long time. Great overall quality in terms of fit and finish, tight slide to frame and barrel to slide fit, and decent out of the box triggers as well. I have a number of Government Models and Commander size 1911s so I went with one that was sort of a hybrid: a Colt Lightweight Government. Feels very comfortable to shoot and balances very nicely in my hand.

 

[1John1:9]

I tend to be concerned about things that will probably never happen but could, so I voted series 80. I'm also not that concerned about a "perfect" trigger.

Best wishes on your search.

 

[Sergei Mosin]

The Series 70 Government repro is pretty much the same thing as the Springfield Mil-Spec - arched MSH, short trigger. If you want that, only in a Colt and maybe with a different finish, go that way. If you don't want to duplicate those features, don't get it.

A Series 70 Commander means scouring the used market. Other than that and being a Commander, the above comments apply.

The XSE would be the way to go if you want a 1911 with some of the extras on it, maybe as a contrast with your other 1911s. I went that route recently with a Lightweight Government. They are discontinued, at least for the moment, so now might be the time.

A Series 80 (presumably a Government as you already have a Series 80 Commander) would either duplicate or augment one already in your collection, depending on how you look at things.

I guess it depends on how different you want this gun to be from the ones you already have.

 

[2zulu1]

On 1911 specific websites, current feedback is that Colt is at the top of their game. You can also get Colt Government models in 38Super and 10mm.

 

[Panzerschwein]

I'd buy a Ruger 1911 if that were my price range, excellent guns for the money.

 

[red rick]

I voted 70 series since I just ordered one .

 

[1911 guy]

Your poll leans heavily toward Colt, and right now is the time for it. Their quality has always been good, right now it is very good. The issue previously was pricing. That's not much of an issue right now, Colt has aligned their prices more closely with similar offerings from other manufacturers.

If it were me, I'd get the Series 70 Government model. You already have a Commander length gun. You don't like front cocking serrations (I'm not a fan, either) and the Series 80 gizmos are a solution looking for a problem.

If the Series 70 Gov't doesn't do it for you, I'd jump right to Springfield. While there are many good 1911 type pistols out there right now, Springfield is one of the few "assembly line" guns that are built square and 'smiths like that for aftermarket work if you ever decide to have some done.

 

[Redstate]

Ruger SR-1911

While it is my one and only 1911... And it operates perfectly... I'm of course partial and like its looks

 

[Fremmer]

You need a gold cup for the collection, but you'll have to save the money.

Otherwise, How about a 1911 in 9mm or something a little different? The RIA's aren't too expensive.

 

[JDR]

Why not get a Colt Wiley Clapp edition, either the Gov't length pictured above, or the Lightweight Commander? The Gov't length doesn't have the forward cocking serrations, it's a Series 70, and it already has the upgrades you'd have to pay a gunsmith to have done to the pistol, including the frontstrap checkering. And I'm loving those grips!

 

[srawl]

A used Dan Wesson

 

[wojownik]

Well, here's a 180 degree turn. I was set on the Colt Series 70, then two things happened:

1. unexpected household expense - I'll probably be divesting most of my firearms (and other collections) over the summer.
2. aside from the above deal-killer, three of my intended sources of the pistol raised their prices on average $50 (one citing Colt's new distributor policy). Sorry, I don't play that game.

I'll probably post a separate thread on how one decides/comes to terms with selling off most of their collectables ...

 

[1911 guy]

Well. That sucks.

 

[wojownik]

I got it to un-suck a bit. I found a Series 70 at the same price as a Series 80. Couldn't pass that up. This will be the "trigger" to focus in on a nicer 1911 collection, and divest most of the miscellanea.

I'd rather have a small respectable stable of 1911s (and Sigs) than a vault full of pistols and rifles I never shoot.

 

[SC Shooter]

I had settled on a Springfield 1911 range officer and stopped by my local dealer to see if his order had come in. While chatting, he pulled out a Colt Government Series that he had ordered for someone else who backed out. He told me that he would apply the forfeited deposit which would put the price the same as the Springfield. I now own a Colt 1911 and love it. Timing is everything.