Finding my ideal 1911

[10-Ring]

Thanks to a certain two-toned member here at THR (I'm not naming any names, but he has a carbon fiber fixation & plays the tactical banjo!), I'm back on my pursuit for my ideal 1911
I've gone the Mil Spec route w/ the Springfield, I've gone the project gun route w/ a Colt '91a1 for a base. Both were nice guns, but neither really "sang" to me I've made mention before that the one 1911 I really liked was a custom Caspian but I'm not ready to spend that kind of $$ for a 1911.
I'm thinking of giving a fullsized, steel framed Kimber or S&W a try this time out. Suggestions...recommendations?????

 

[Brian Williams]

Sistema

 

[shadow 1]

I am really liking my Kimber TLE and Springy Operator..both of those feel good in my hands and indeed "sing" to me...

 

[Sean Smith]

Might want to look at an STI Trojan. Tight & smooth with all the goodies for under $1,000. As an ex-Kimber owner (mostly happy at that), I'd say the STI is probably one of the better off-the-shelf deals.

 

[10-Ring]

Where can I find details on the STI Trojan?

 

[marvl]

Where can I find details on the STI Trojan?

http://www.stiguns.com/

 

[VG]

The ideal M1911 is a SIG P220.

 

[Tamara]

Amazing.

We made it five whole posts before the first person said "Get a Glock."

10-ring, of the Kimbers, I think the base guns are probably the best deals. I don't have any hands-on with the S&W, but from folks I've talked to, it's pretty Kimber-esque.

Agree with Sean that dollar-for-dollar, the Trojan may be the best off-the-shelf sub-$1000 1911 on the market right now.

The Valtro certainly seems to have its fans, too, on the other side of the 1k barrier. I haven't played with one of those yet in person, though. (Sven! When you coming back to TN? )

 

[Soap]

I'm in love with my NRM Colt. The thing feels great and it shoots great. In the cheaper price range, Colt is the way to go. In the midrange price range I like the Les Baer offerings, namely the TRS.

 

[Siggyboy]

The Colt 1991A1 is a great gun for the money, on the lower end of the price spectrum. I wouldn't consider Baer "midrange" though, since his pistols start at well over $1,000. His presentation grade autographed 1911 is about $6,000!

 

[10-Ring]

Went to the STIguns site for the first time last night. I'd like to be able to handle one prior to purchasing one, but that may not be n the cards THe STI Trojan is, at least from their site, quite appealing

 

[Kentucky Rifle]

Hey! Tell me a little more about that Sig P220...

What's the lower made from? Can you obtain them in all blue or all stainless? Nice! Who else has one? How much do they weigh?

<sigh>
KR

 

[shepsan]

IMO, the best off of the shelf modest priced 1911's are the Colt NRM Series 80 M1991A1 model 04691 Commander and NRM M1991A1 MODEL 01991 Government.

Also IMO, these two Colts are the best 1911 products Colt has ever produced. They are made of high quality material and are fitted with excellent components.

Furthermore, I think that they make the best platform upon which to build a superior highend custom 1911 handgun.

I have put my money where my mouth is and have had built both a custom Commander and a Government using these two models as the platforms for my new handguns.

 

[Sactown]

Sorry no STI in Kali until the federal legislation passes to protect mfg from frivolous lawsuits.

Got mine before they stopped shipping and bought it sight unseen. Best blind purchase I've ever made. Super duper 1911!!

 

[Soap]

Siggyboy- So then what is a Terry Tussey custom? I consider sub-$1K as low-end, $1K-2K as mid range and $2K+ as high-end for a 1911.

 

[WonderNine]

I'm really drooling over one of these, but will probably have to settle for a series 80 Colt and convert it to a series 70 for now.

http://rockriverarms.com/item-detail.cfm?ID=PS2000&storeid=1&image=pnmh.gif

 

[Zak Smith]

Reconsider buying something "almost" right instead of the one you know you want.

It's cheaper in the long run to buy the right thing the first time.

-z

 

[WonderNine]

Yea, I know what you mean.

But it's alot of money and a long wait for a RRA's gun. I know some people are waiting close to two years just to get theirs after placing the order.

 

[Zak Smith]

Consider this: You can have a 1911 built for you, from scratch, using best-quality pieces (e.g. Caspian or SVI) by a nationally-known pistolsmith for around $1800-$2100. It will take between 3 months and 12 months.

I'm having a Titanium-framed Commander built and it'll be about $2100 all said and done. I expect it to realistically take about 10-13 months.

-z

 

[Trisha]

10-Ring, that intangable, lovely connectivity, that song is probably so dependent on the individual that all I can do is convey that it did happen for me, and that it happened with an early Kimber Custom Eclipse II.

Susan and I don't have an extensive firearms collection, but the KCE II is hands-down the finest made, most accurate, spine-tinglingly beautiful handgun we own - and the song happened from the first moment I was handed it from the display case.

STI's, Les Baer's, Wilsons, etc - none of their best offerings have duplicated that love-at-first-sight. Not to that degree.

I've visited as many as seven area gun stores, examining each stock handgun of a specific variation before selecting 'the right one.' I wish I could objectively quantify exactly what it is that becomes the determining factor. . .

In the end, that's what makes handgun shopping such fun! It approaches finding 'the perfect aaah!'

Best of luch in your quest!

Trisha

 

[sm]

10-Ring
Since it is your money...aw heck, jump off the deep end, build the Caspian the way you want it. Then when you post pics, you'll get someone else to spend more monies than you when they build one and you'll feel better.Its that friendly vicious cycle thing we do for one another.
Dang, you are restricted,arrgh! I like the base Kimber if I go with a beavertail ( FLGR and stuff comes off). NRM Colts are nice, not sure about the Springfield 'allowed' for your state...I like the base SA just fine. Though Wilson's is about 3 hrs in state from me...not my cup of tea.

STI is nice, I too want to handle a Valtro. I personally like the simple basic design. I prefer to have a gun for ME not what someone thinks I need. So as others have stated handle, rent, borrow and shoot others. But don't rule out a simple Caspian that fits you, sounds like that is what your instincts lean toward. Just learn from the others what you do and don't want.

 

[10-Ring]

THe custom CAspian is not even an option in CA anymore even if I had the $2k+ to spend on it. I saw the STI Trojan on the CA approved list which has gotten this ball rollin'
THe search continues!

 

[Ian11]

I live in CA as well.

For a while I played with the idea of getting "a really nice 1911". After some research here and at 1911forum.com I decided either a Valtro or a Colt NRM 1911 customized to order would be the best way to go. The other semi-custom makers didn't inspire a lot of confidence as far as I was concerned. Anyways, I decided to save some money and got an altogether different .45 instead (I won't name it since I think I've touted it here enough already ) .......and I couldn't be happier.

Good luck.

 

[antediluvianist]

expensive malfunctions

The "High-End"-brand forums ( Kimber etc.) are full of complaints about $1500- $3000 1911s that malfunction.

You guys who own and fire guns in that price range, what rate of malfunction per thousand rounds do you experience?

 

[shooter.45]

I would go with the Kimber TLE II I have one and its a very accurate gun not one problem and not a bad price for what you get. nite sites, Front strap checkering for about 725.00.