Still looking for a 1911...can't decide

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RP88

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I narrowed down my choices. Jeez, this is hard.

I'm looking real hard at:
-Taurus PT1911 (stainless)
-Springfield loaded (stainless)
-Kimber Custom II
-S&W 5" stainless

Out of these four choices, which one would you personally go with and why? What are some pros and cons of each to look out for? Or, would you rather save your money up for something like a $12,00-1,700 Dan Wesson, Les Baer, etc.?
 
I have the PT 1911 and I love it. My Brother in law has a kimber and I can out shoot him almost every time.
 
All of the above except the Kimber are great choices for a first 1911. The Kimber has a 55% chance of being a great choice as well according to a recent THR poll. My first 1911 was a Kimber Custom II, and right now I'm considering the Springfield Loaded and the S&W as it's replacement. --Stork
 
Bought a Loaded model and am satisfied with it. I was in the same boat as you. Looked at all the models you mention.

I wish I would have stepped it up to a TRP when they were cheaper. Much better for the amount of shooting/training I was doing with the 1911. The operator/TRP if you can find them, are IMO the best for the money even though expensive. The fit/finish/features are a perfect mix. It really is only outperformed by a small margin (if anything) by the top tier "Wilson/hawk/LB."

I was skeptical of the Taurus as they had just come out, but the PT1911 seems to be a good budget gun.

IMO You can do better than the Kimber or Smith for the Money.

to Summarize in my view:
PT 1911 if on a budget. Loaded if you find a decent price. If you are going to end up training with the 1911 platform or learning to push your limits, save up for a TRP/Operator.

Edit: to explain the difference, loaded and TRP. Fit and finish is the real difference i see. The loaded is like a milspec with added parts - hammer, trigger,beaver tail, etc. With the TRP, the parts are fitted to the weapon, as well as the barrel and front strap checkering. Makes a lot of difference.
 
I have a Springfield longslide in 45acp love it, but I have been interested in the S&W 1911 PRO 9mm for IDPA, probably the right pistol for the job, only thing about Smith 1911s is their external extractors, not a pure 1911, but may work better ( or do according to S&W ). Kimber owners run hot and cold and the Taurus I believe is less for the money than the other choices, I have always thought of Taurus as a good revolver mfg. I like Ruger revolvers not their pistols, same with Taurus. I like a plain sided, well made 1911, that does not have a billboard down both sides of the slide,which points me to Dan Wesson, or a Nighthawk Heinie PDP.
 
i really cant complain about my old Springer 1911 standard model, i love it. I thought I was pretty good with my P01, then I grabbed my old 1911 and made a nice compact hole in the paper. Havent had any hiccups, no troubles, its been great for used gun. When i get some money to play with I definitely want to invest in a new Loaded model.
 
my choice would be between the Springfield and the S&W as the best build qualities and least QC issues...for what it's worth (nothing to me) they both come with lifetime warranties and have a quick turnaround time.

the biggest difference you'll see is the S&W has an external extractor and Swartz firing pin safety
 
What's the intended purpose ? Range, conclealed carry, SD/HD, competition ?
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range, get out of my house, and concealed carry, in that order. I'm by no means a competitive shooter. But, anything close to that grade - if the price is right - won't make me go "awe, I'm not good enough for something like THAT."

But the general budget was $600-800 give or take. Another hundred or two if justified. I'll look over the TRP and Operator.

Also, for what it may be worth, I know that Taurus is made in Brazil (nothing wrong with that unless you are also one of the people who vomits when you remember that the Belgians make our iconic M16s and whatnot), the Springer is made in IMBEL/also Brazil; Kimber is US-made (from what i have heard), but gets a bad rep for its MIM count (something the springers and Taurus's are surely made of as well).

What exactly is the deal on S&W and on the Springer TRP and Operator? I know, I know - if I'm looking for something that is all-forged and all-US, keeping the price limit under four digits won't help unless I look for a used Colt (as nice as that thought is, I do not like Colt on personal principle). But I just want to make sure i know exactly what I'm getting for the money.
 
Among those, S&W without a question for my dollar.

Colt still edges most things in the $750 to $850 range (new street retail). No need to get a used one.

The S&W is going to offer a very-well made gun with high initial quality and great support. After Colt I think it's the best "bang for the buck" 1911 in that price range.
 
I agree with Oro.

I don't know where people are getting information about Colt prices being so high. The blue Commander, 1991, and Series 70 Reproduction are all sub-$1,000 pistols. The Series 70 Repro is even a custom shop pistol.
 
I own a Kimber Custom II. It has been great. I have put a little over 1000 rounds through mine and it keeps on going. I just saw one in the gun store new for $749. For that, you can get some Wilson Combat mags (Kimber mags are junk), some ammo and still be ahead.
 
RIA Tactical. Best bang for the buck in a 1911. Centerfire Systems has them for $420 in the flyer that came today. Springfield "Loaded" creature comforts at sub-GI prices. My oldest RIA is at about 15,000 rounds -- mostly "it'll break your gun Wolf".

--wally.
 
Kimbers suck they kaboom every other round or so. Mine have exploded over 500 times. Here they are after I reassembled them. The crappy MIM parts shear off in my hand and turn to dust. I never really shot one and I just heard from some guy who dated my sister in high school whose uncle's cousin said Kimber imports 6 year old immigrant children to work in their American sweat shops and that is why Kimbers suck so bad. I never really even handled one but I did see one in a picture on the internet once. I think Kimber even has a safety similar in design to the Colt series 80 safety that blows the gun up after every shot. Whatever you do don't buy a Kimber.






100_0817.jpg

Just Kidding here are 2 of my trouble free Kimbers(none of my Kimbers have given me problems) I have owned 5 different brands of 1911 including Springfields and Colts and I currently only own one brand and that is Kimber!
 
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I have 2 1911s (I know, I know...not nearly enough, and I agree :) )...I have a 5" Colt SS Series 80 and a 4" SS Springfield Loaded Champion. I like both guns, and both are very good quality for what I use them for (like you, it's range time, outdoors shooting, etc.). I don't think you could go wrong with the Springfield if for no other reason than the fact that their customer service is spectacular.

I would second SideArmed's point about looking at the TRP, but the Loaded is no slouch at all...some very nice features and I can drive nails with mine. I also find the dual recoil spring to give me quick, more straight back recoil that I find works great for quick follow up shots. So my vote would be for the Springfield.
 
Haven't had a Taurus. Springfield and Kimber both make some nice guns. I'm really bad to get guns, keep them a little while, and then trade them for something else. I've owned and sold/traded more than a dozen Kimber, Springfield, Sig, Dan Wesson, and S&W 1911's. I finally decided to get one 1911 and keep it and I went with the Smith and Wesson (5" stainless). It's my third S&W 1911. It's outstanding and has been since it came out of the box.
 
I have the standard S&W 1911 and it's reallly a fine shooter and extremely reliable and accurate. Super trigger.
 
RP, you better listen to Mags! I too read on the internet (see Mags comments above) about Kimbers blowing up every other time you shoot them. My experience is that they blow up every time you shoot them, though that's what they're supposed to do, isn't it? Don't know how they earned such a reputation for being the finest production 1911 made. (I'm sure I read that on the internet too...and in a few reviews...and in some magazines...and from guys who shoot them.) I would go for the fine fine BRAZILIAN Taurus (I read on the internet they're really a rebranded S&W anyway so it MUST BE TRUE) Everyone knows that Brazilian guns are highly prized for their quality, craftsmanship and RESALE VALUE (think Rossi.) You certainly can't go wrong with any of the pistols on your list, except of course the Made in America (USA), by experienced craftsmen, to exacting tollerances on state of the art equipment Kimber. Definitely don't buy one of those!
 
Colt still edges most things in the $750 to $850 range (new street retail).
Click to expand...

Yup, that's what I'd buy. But it isn't on your list. :(

Edited to add: if you have the cash now and you want to spend it, buy the Wilson/Baer/Brown gun, but if it is going to take forever to save, just buy one of your listed guns, shoot it, have fun with it, and have it customized (if necessary) by a good Smith who specializes in 1911's. Don't fall into the trap of studying or saving forever and never actually getting the gun, shooting it, and having fun. Too much analysis/saving is counter-productive.
 
From that list? Springfield Loaded is the best bang for the buck. I own 4 of those 5 listed. Dont worry about jumping straight into a new DW or Les Baer unless its REALLY what you want. Your buying a Name and although a very nice gun (don't own a baer but i own a DW) its status.

MOST people are not going to out shoot anything you listed. They will all be competitive to the average and even upper end shooter. Id rather have any of those listed and a few thousand rounds of ammo under my belt than one of those other ones. Its your money and only my opinion.

JOe
 
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