Woody_in_MN
Member
Kind of a spin of from another thread. Those true blood 1911's bring big bucks! How makes the best 1911 clone in a 45acp?
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Best 1911 Clone?
- Thread starter Woody_in_MN
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Peter M. Eick
Member
Best Clone? I think that Baer makes the best clone, but I guess Wilson does ok if you like a looser gun.
Look into a Springfield Armory GI or Mil Spec. These are true M1911-A1 style pistols, and just about every part but the firing pin will interchange with a USGI pistol. You can probably find the GI model for about $450, or maybe a little less. Price is low for the high quality, because the forged frame and slide are made in Brazil.
commercial manufacture
for commercially produced any good brand will suffice...
S&W
Kimber
Colt
Springfield
Para Ordnance
all good.. these will shoot as well or better than most of us can...and the difference in quality among them is modest
for custom, I agree that any good pistolsmith can build you a fine
pistol...check places like ten ring precision in San Antonio for good work
and fair prices...and you can help select the frame, barrel, etc.
for commercially produced any good brand will suffice...
S&W
Kimber
Colt
Springfield
Para Ordnance
all good.. these will shoot as well or better than most of us can...and the difference in quality among them is modest
for custom, I agree that any good pistolsmith can build you a fine
pistol...check places like ten ring precision in San Antonio for good work
and fair prices...and you can help select the frame, barrel, etc.
Safety First
Member
There are as many answers to that question as there members on this forum.....Lots of great 1911's out there. The only one I have owned is a S&W 1911 SC and I am very happy for the most part with it, a few minor complaints but just that, minor....You may want to visit www.1911forum.com as there is a wealth of info there...Do a search here and on the 1911 forum and you will find enough info to help you make the best decision for you.....good luck....
Brian Williams
Moderator Emeritus
Sistema
SA WWII or GI
S&W
Dan Wesson Now CZ
Norinco
Daly (sometimes)
SA WWII or GI
S&W
Dan Wesson Now CZ
Norinco
Daly (sometimes)
Black Majik
Member
Production gun wise?
STI/SVI, Les Baer, Nighthawk, Ed Brown, Rock River, Colt
STI/SVI, Les Baer, Nighthawk, Ed Brown, Rock River, Colt
MachIVshooter
Member
What about the friggin' ILS on the MSH? I love Springers, but the first thing to do when you get one is buy a new MSH from Brownell's. Personally, I have no problem with Series 80 passive safeties, but I am fine without them too.
I have a used ParaOrdnance P14-45. It is a reliable and accurate gun for me. I like the 14 round mag also. The thicker grip for the double stack mag works well for me. I shoot it better than my others. Some may not like it. My Springfield mil-spec is a nice gun also.
I do not use them for competition so my standards may not be the same as others.
I do not use them for competition so my standards may not be the same as others.
eclipse1
Member
les baer for me
ZenMasterJG
Member
I don't really see a problem with the ILS, as i've never heard of it causing a problem with function or making the trigger any less beautiful then any of the non-ILS Springfields i've fired. So, if it has ILS, the solution follows:
Step 1) Unlock ILS
Step 2) Throw ILS key in trash/garbage disposal/furnace/melt it with a blowtorch
Step 3) Never worry about it again
Woody_in_MN
Member
I think used Rock Islands can be had for around $300.
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Peter M. Eick
Member
Seraph,
The guy asked who makes the best clone. Not who can build the best gun. There are those smiths out there that can take a baer frame, a colt slide and a bunch of parts and work wizardry, but in my mind it is a composite gun. He asked who makes the best clone.
There are very few real companies making a complete clone. Off the top of my head:
Baer,
Springfield
Norinco
Kimber
I don't think any one else is building complete guns. You can even argue baer does not because he does not make his own springs. Other companies like DW's make some parts but the bulk is just parts out of a catalog assembled.
Just my thoughts (as a Baer owner).
The guy asked who makes the best clone. Not who can build the best gun. There are those smiths out there that can take a baer frame, a colt slide and a bunch of parts and work wizardry, but in my mind it is a composite gun. He asked who makes the best clone.
There are very few real companies making a complete clone. Off the top of my head:
Baer,
Springfield
Norinco
Kimber
I don't think any one else is building complete guns. You can even argue baer does not because he does not make his own springs. Other companies like DW's make some parts but the bulk is just parts out of a catalog assembled.
Just my thoughts (as a Baer owner).
scott.cr
Member
Personally I would toss it up between Springfield and Kimber, with preference on Kimber, but only because the slides and frames are U.S. made and the Springfield's major parts are made in Brazil. (Not on all their guns though; the highline guns' parts are made here too.)
Having said that, I do feel that Springfields are better fitted than Kimbers. But, Kimbers have great barrels. If you get one of the cheaper Kimbers and put a gunsmith-fit bushing in it, it will put 50 rounds through a fist-sized hole at 25 yards.
I recently purchased an SW1911 and disliked the small parts. They're all poorly made. Slide and frame are very, very nice though. (IIRC, S&W makes Kimber's slides and frames too.) The SW1911 was the roughest stock 1911 I've seen in terms of parts. The barrel muzzle had an awfully done crown and actually had sharp edges that would catch my clothing. It was pretty accurate though, just nasty to deal with.
Having said that, I do feel that Springfields are better fitted than Kimbers. But, Kimbers have great barrels. If you get one of the cheaper Kimbers and put a gunsmith-fit bushing in it, it will put 50 rounds through a fist-sized hole at 25 yards.
I recently purchased an SW1911 and disliked the small parts. They're all poorly made. Slide and frame are very, very nice though. (IIRC, S&W makes Kimber's slides and frames too.) The SW1911 was the roughest stock 1911 I've seen in terms of parts. The barrel muzzle had an awfully done crown and actually had sharp edges that would catch my clothing. It was pretty accurate though, just nasty to deal with.
I had a Rock Island and it was impressive for the price. You can ge them new for less than $350. I have seen some used SA 1911-A1 go for less than $400 in excellent shape however. For my money, the used SA is the better deal because it will have much more resale value should you decide to sell it and I think the quality is a little better. Those Rock Islands are not junk though. I was impressed with the finish of mine and the accuracy was good.
clone
though not really a "clone", the sitema, although they're expensive. the rock island should be the best bang for the buck. it's a plain-jane mil-spec that can be modified however one wants over time as money permits. the parts are all totally interchangeable w/ the original colt. the charles daley has a few more bells & whistles, but comes from the same source in the philipines.
though not really a "clone", the sitema, although they're expensive. the rock island should be the best bang for the buck. it's a plain-jane mil-spec that can be modified however one wants over time as money permits. the parts are all totally interchangeable w/ the original colt. the charles daley has a few more bells & whistles, but comes from the same source in the philipines.
larry starling
Member
Colt ,get a original avoid all copys....... 
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