Widebody 1911s?

[natedog]

Which brand of widebody 1911 would you reccomend? I've seen offerings from Kimber (poly framed), Para-Ordnance, Springfield, and Rock Island Arsenal. Do all widebody 1911s take the same hi-capacity magazines? Thanks!

 

[wally]

Kimber uses a unique mag. Para & Springfield take the same mags. Don't know about RIA.

I have Kimber BP Ultra Ten II, Kimber BP Pro II, Para P14, P13, & P10, and Springfield Ultra Compact (a Para P12 "clone").

All have had mag related problems, but function fine with factory ammo and good mags. Hopefully the AWB will sunset and good mags will become available again at reasonable prices.

Boths Kimbers and SA feed and function fine with my 200gr Lead SWC reloads. The P10 is useless with these, the P13 and P14 haven't been used in quite some time but I don't recall any problems with them and my reloads that weren't mag related.

Of all of the above, I like the Kimber BP Ultra Ten II the best. YMMV.

--wally.

 

[valor1]

Para, RIA and the Armscors take the same mags. My friends have better experience with RIA and Armscor frames. Most of my friends had some problems with the Paras (warping, cracking, etc) but none with the Armscor/RIAs.

The Bul-M5 and Kimbers I believe take the same mags.

 

[popeye]

Bul m5 and Kimber wide body are the same gun. I had a m5. There used to be a colaboration between the the 2 companies Kimber produced the slides and Bul the frames. Bul is/was? an Israli company. This info was as of 6-7 years ago. The cheaper Para mags. ( Factory Kimber high caps were $114 ) would work fine in the BUL / KIMBER but you had to get a different mag release.

 

[Zak Smith]

Take a hard look at STI, SV, and Caspian (the last now that more mags will be available; SV/STI hicaps are abundant).

-z

 

[Correia]

I've used a Kimber/Bul for the last few years, and it has been an excellent gun.

I would love to get an STI or SVI though.

 

[valor1]

The STI/SVI frames are probably some of the best there is. years ago when I was looking for a frame, I finally decided on the STI/SVI. Parts are abundant and they really last. Just my .02 cents.

 

[Drakejake]

I have stainless Para Ordnance P14 and P12, both made in the 1990's. The P14 has been totally reliable. It has a good trigger and is accurate. The P12 has a better trigger but has jammed with dirty PMP ammo. It does better with cleaner ammo. I think some of the smaller 1911's have smaller tolerances and are more likely to jam. But I think the problem with the P12 has now been solved. I have average size hands but do not find the Para grip too large. I always shoot two-handed and so have that advantage. I especially like the longer grip on the P14. I think the Paras are well-made and good values.

Drakejake

 

[NoScreenName]

I loved my aluminum framed Para P13... Never had any problems with it whatsoever... I put at least 5k rounds thru it before I sold it...not one jam or misfeed with para high cap mags... I never got to practice a clearance drill with it once... =(

and to this day it's one of the gun sells that I regret the most...

I dunno if I'd give my left nut to get it back... but I'd sure as hell put some thought into it...

I loved that thing and I still do...

 

[WhoKnowsWho]

Be careful with the Para mags in the RIA, we tried one in the shop, took two of us to seperate the mag and the gun... maybe it was only that one combination.