Which 1911 pistol do you recommend?

[NoVAshooter]

Have a number of "plastic" pistols. But I like the all metal jobs and looking to buy my first 1911 pistol. I know this has been discussed before but I have narrowed my choices down to these 3 - Kimber Custom II vs. Springfield 1911 Mil Spec vs. Para G I Expert. I know they are all pretty reliable but which one is the best looking and best value for money? Obviously money is an issue. The price I am getting - Kimber Custom II >Springfield 1911 Mil Spec > Para G I Expert. Thanks!

 

[JDGray]

Find you a nice used S&W1911, will not be disappointed Or go with the Springer for the warranty.

 

[smartshooter.45]

i just baught my girlfriend a para 1911 and it has been great thus far. nice finish, has been reliable. if your getting the best price on the para thats what i would go with. i love 1911s but i always seem to have to work on them before they are a 100%. the para was 100% from day 1, just my .02

 

[GojuBrian]

I just bought this last week and I like it alot. Kimber pro carry 2 with night sights.

 

[hexidismal]

Based on my personal observations on current production quality, I'd go with a Springfield personally. However not the model you have listed. Really the 'Loaded' model is far more comparable to the Kimber Custom II, and similar in price. It seems to me that on all the new Kimbers I've seen for awhile, the machining shows something of a sloppiness that isn't acceptable considering the premium pricing. I've been led to believe this is due to Kimber fighting against the current to keep production high enough to meet demand. I have no idea how true that is or isn't.
I also wouldn't overlook a S&W model as suggested by JDGray. I still have a problem accepting the external extractor but they are certainly high quality guns and I tend to find S&W service to be top-notch. I know far less about Para models, as they are much less common in my area. The ones I have seen though.. I was less than impressed.

 

[SupraBo]

I am not big on the lower end Springfield 1911’s. I just can’t get over the fact they make them in Brazil. Any 1911 they make in IL is a great idea. Other wise I would stay away from there cheap ones.
It’s hard not to go with a Kimber, They have superb fit and finish. There triggers are great for a factory gun. They are the best for the money no doubt.
Les Baer, Wilson, and Knight Hawk are really the ultimate guns for the money. You’ll always get your money back out of them also.
I look at Colts all the time. I am loyal to Colt but the Triggers are horrible out of the box. There medal quality is great. They focus more on there mil contracts nowadays.
Custom Caspian is the most expensive and from a good smith will take about a year to build. But if you are going to shoot competitively it’s the only way to go.

 

[Sapper771]

Out of those 3 1911s, I would recommend the SA mil-spec. I am not a fan of the Kimber or the Para due to dealing their poor QC/Customer service. I have dealt with SA and was very impressed with the way they handled a small issue I had with my TRP. They paid for shipping both ways and I had my gun back in 6 working days. The mil-spec is a good base gun for customization. You can check out Mr. Camp's excellent website at www.hipowersandhandguns.com for his review of the Mil-spec.

 

[Sapper771]

Double Post

 

[Quack]

out of the 3 - Springfield

another one to look at in the same price range is the STI Spartan.

 

[9mmepiphany]

I just can’t get over the fact they make them in Brazil. Any 1911 they make in IL is a great idea.

then you're never going to get over it, all of Springfield's 1911s start out in Brazil.

to the OP, the Springfield is the superior 1911, quality-wise, over most of the Kimber line and all of the Para Ord line

 

[BlayGlock]

I have 1911s made from each of the 3 companies, in some cases multiple.

I would go with the springfield. If you can save just a little more get the Springfield Loaded over the Milspec.

Springfield's customer service is top notch and they will take care of you if anything should happen.

to the OP, the Springfield is the superior 1911, quality-wise, over most of the Kimber line and all of the Para Ord line

I agree 100%

 

[Boats]

Springfield's 1911s are not Taruses or something. They are more akin to Brazilian swimsuit models, i.e. world class but happen to have been born in Brazil.

When you know that the SA custom shop frames, loaded models, and mil-specs are made by IMBEL, a front line world class small arms defense contractor which happened to make some of the best received FALs ever put out by anyone, it's much easier to have warm fuzzies about their origins.

IMBEL's slides for 1911s were certainly good enough for the USMC's MEU SOC pistols. Their work is good enough for the FBI's HRT Professional Model. They should be good enough for anyone.

I recommend Colt's to most first timers for there is nothing quite like owning an original if you stop at just one 1911. However, if someone is in the clone market, or cannot find or afford a Colt then I recommend SA pistols at any level of trim because you get a lot more machined ordnance steel for your money than with Kimber or other cloners and better warranty service than most. SA can take care of you from an entry level banger on up to a pistol that will run with any high bucks 1911 ever made.

Heck, when it comes right down to it, SA, Colt, and the "new" Para-Ord are about the only players in the "affordable" 1911 market. S&W, Kimber and SIG all make 1911-ish objects that deviate way off of the standard set by the 1911A1, changes which are not well accommodated by the after market. DW used to be great, but they have moved too upmarket for most buyers.

 

[NMGonzo]

Rock Island Armory can be had for very little.

Try the platform, then go fancy.

 

[NoVAshooter]

Thanks

Thanks for all your posts. It looks like everyone is supporting SA mostly. I am surprised no votes for the Kimber. I thought they were THE 1911 to own. The milispec SA does not come with a skeletonized hammer. How important is that?

 

[MPCO]

I can't speak for the Para, but I've owned both Kimber and SA. I'd say "unless" you're going to spring the cash for a Loaded or TRP from SA, I'd vote for the Kimber Custom II. There's your Kimber vote. (For the Money).

 

[possum]

Welcome to THR. I have shot, owned, trained with and seen alot of 1911's in training courses over the years.

on the cheap RIA are accurate and they are reliable( the 2 models that i shot) with 230gr fmj ammo.

a little more expensive but not by much is the SA GI models, i have experience with one, and it was 100% reliable, and it was really accurate, i was impressed actually.

on the highend, i have not seen a nighthawk or wilson fail in a training course, but have heard talk of it, but none that i have been in.

in the middle there are lots of options. i have owned a SA MC Operator, it was 100% reliable and very accurate, however the extractor broke at 1,500rds, it was replaced with an ED Brown Hardcore and it was good to go. Before that during an extended range trip of about 800rds, the rear sight became loose and drifted way left, i fixed this with locktite and an allen key on the spot.

i have shot i think 7 model or more of Kimbers 1911's, and i have never had an issue with any of them, parts breakage, relaibility, accuracy nothing. and in all honesty i have ran them harder that any of the above, and many of the above combined. For as many 1911's kimber puts out, i haven't seen or shot a bad one yet.

 

[SideArmed]

I can't speak for the Para, but I've owned both Kimber and SA. I'd say "unless" you're going to spring the cash for a Loaded or TRP from SA, I'd vote for the Kimber Custom II. There's your Kimber vote. (For the Money).

I almost agree.

You get a more customized weapon with the custom II but Springfield still gets my vote. After handling and shooting both still felt better in my hands. If you are looking for a more customized look at the TRP and Operators. Best weapon for the money IMO

 

[LiveLife]

I am surprised no mention or consideration of STI Spartan for similar price range ~$698. If you want all US made 1911, then ~$1000 Trojan: http://www.stiguns.com/guns/Spartan/Spartan.php

 

[JDGray]

Thanks for all your posts. It looks like everyone is supporting SA mostly. I am surprised no votes for the Kimber. I thought they were THE 1911 to own. The milispec SA does not come with a skeletonized hammer. How important is that?

Not important at all. Its all in what you like, prefer the looks of, need......

If you need an ambi safety, beaver tail grip safety, dont get a milspec.

I carry a Kimber Ultra Carry II, very accurate, reliable (now), but only has a 1 year warranty. Had a S&W scandium commander, was top notch in finish, fit, accuracy, reliability, from the factory

 

[HGUNHNTR]

Les Baer, Wilson, and Knight Hawk are really the ultimate guns for the money. You’ll always get your money back out of them also.

Yeah, good luck getting your money back out of a gun that was designed to YOUR specs. Rarely do you get nearly what you paid out of a custom/semi custom gun.

 

[smoothdraw]

COLTS and Dan Wesson for me. Reliable, few to zero MIM parts = good quality parts. Good value, Quality/Cost is high. I'm done with Kimbers and Springfields. There are more expensive 1911's but just yesterday my buddy in IDPA brought his safe queen Wilson. Gee a lot of failure to feed with a fmj. The bullet is having a hard time ramping up to the barrel. Quality/Cost are medium to low. Funny everybody calling 1911 (specially those high dollar 1911) BBQ gun. It's the gun you want to show of during BBQ party But i love 1911s and will continue to shoot them.

 

[atomd]

Rarely do you get nearly what you paid out of a custom/semi custom gun.

The name brand semi customs such as Baer/Brown/Nighthawk/Etc hold their value well. Sure...if you have Joe the gunsmith down the street make you a custom 1911, you probably won't sell it for anything near what you paid for it.

Anyways, they don't seem to be in the same price range as the other stuff he's looking at. I would vote for the STI Trojan and then Colt/Springfield. Once you hit the $1000 mark I'd vote for Dan Wesson. Above that I'd go with a used Baer/Brown or new if you have the cash.

 

[mattlove444]

Go with the Kimber Custom II.

You will not be dissapointed. You can get match grade accuracy at 25 yards with the standard sights.

 

[ichiban]

Of the options given, I'd go with the Kimber. I have several Kimbers and every one has been problem free, very accurate, and fun to shoot. I frequently carry a Kimber. I am also a fan of the beavertail grip safety that the SA doesn't have and is now being offered on an upgraded (and more expensive) Expert ESP. I also prefer the spurred hammer.

 

[9mmepiphany]

origianlly posted by HGUNGNTR
Quote:
Les Baer, Wilson, and Knight Hawk are really the ultimate guns for the money. You’ll always get your money back out of them also.
Yeah, good luck getting your money back out of a gun that was designed to YOUR specs. Rarely do you get nearly what you paid out of a custom/semi custom gun.

how lucky for you then, that done of those 3 commonly build guns designed to your specs...not that they won't, but it isn't their bread and butter