What 1911 to buy?????????
posted February 26, 2004 09:27 PM
Still looking at 45's I might even buy used if I get the right deal the main makes i've been lookin at in my price range maybe just a little over 800 hope to find used no more then 700 The ones I see in that price range are some Kimbers , Para-Ordnance , and Springfield Armory. I was wondering how you 45 shooters would rate the 3 makes and why. I know like Sig is top line but a little out of my price range. Also he had one used 45 auto it was a 911 S&W don't know the model but I think they have only made the 911 for a couple of years. How you rate this one to He is asking I think 725 for it how does the price sound? It looks like new and is SS not Blued Thanks Chuck
live everyday like it is your last day because one day it will
Still looking at 45's I might even buy used if I get the right deal the main makes i've been lookin at in my price range maybe just a little over 800 hope to find used no more then 700 The ones I see in that price range are some Kimbers , Para-Ordnance , and Springfield Armory. I was wondering how you 45 shooters would rate the 3 makes and why. I know like Sig is top line but a little out of my price range. Also he had one used 45 auto it was a 911 S&W don't know the model but I think they have only made the 911 for a couple of years. How you rate this one to He is asking I think 725 for it how does the price sound? It looks like new and is SS not Blued Thanks Chuck
live everyday like it is your last day because one day it will
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I bought my Colt M1991A1 for $410, used like new. It shoots great. I like the Springfield from your list. 0 -
I have owned and shot all of them. Have recently purchased a S&W 1911 and am pleased thus far. I have been a competetion shooter in the past and as a member of several USAMU teams we used up a 45 in 90 days or so. By used up, the tolerances for match shooting opened up after 3000 rounds or so and would need a tightening of the slide and receiver. A barrel was good for up to 5000 rounds. In season shooting was 150 rounds (minimum) per day for the season of 150 days (22,500+ rounds) and the basic slide and receiver would last several seasons then be relegated to the familiarization firing line.For the 5 years I competed regularly I always kept 6 guns in various stages of refit. Most 45's for sale in the used gun market have had many fewer rounds shot through them so the life of any major maker's gun is more than an average shooter could afford to buy the ammunition to try and wear the gun out. The best part of the 1911 style of construction is the ability to change many parts while the slide and receiver retain their own life cycle. Find the gun with the features you want then you will probably have a gun for your lifetime.
Circle 30 -
I have all 3 also, they're all good guns. I have several Colts that have had several tens of thousands of rounds down their barrels- they're my favorites. The S&W hasn't really been around long enough to make an accurate judgement, but all the S&W guns I have are great guns, no reason to expect any different. 0 -
I've had two Colts, the second a 01091 - the 1991 Gov't in stainless.
I'm extremely pleased, as I am with my Para.
My next purchase could well be in the Wilson Combat line.0 -
What are you going to use the gun for? Home defense, carry, paper targets, competition?
Are you a member of a club? Post a sign on the bulletin board asking if members would allow you to try their gun in the brands you are looking at. Most of my visits to the range involve someone trying one of my guns or vice versa.
My first 1911 was a Charles Daly. It wasn't fancy. It had feeding problems and I sold it (gunsmith probably could have resolved at little cost to me). I currently shoot a Kimber Custom CDP II. I bought it new 12 months ago and paid $868. It's a great gun and alot of fun to shoot. I'm looking at buying a Wilson in the near future.
Shop around! Most dealers sell the Custom CDP for over $1000. I was patient, shopped around and found a good price. Police trade-ins are often a good value, are shot little and typically show holster wear. southernohiogun.com has had Colt trade-ins for $400 and currently has new SIG 220's (not a 1911 style 45) for under $600. Good luck and have fun looking!0 -
You can buy a new Springfield MilSpec 1911 for under $500 so go do it, and spend the rest on ammo to practice with. Then graduate to the higher $$$$ pistols if you feel the need. 
If you only have time to do two things so-so, or one thing well ... do the one thing!0 -
For 800 bucks you should be able to find yourself an HK USP .45 in either full size or compact and those handguns are known be to be the best of the best. You cant go wrong with the Hk company. If you dont like this idea then I would go with a springfield and use the money you save on the gun to customize the weapon to your needs(ie: upgraded beaver tail, extended safety, hammer, sights, etc..) All of which minus the sights are not avail. to be customized in the usp.
And even though the USP is not a m1911 type .45, it is based on the colt .45 1911. It employs the same safety features and the option for cocked and locked. Also, despite the fact that the usp is quite a bit lighter than the typical 1911, the recoil is the same or less due to the recoil system of the HK. Think about that then buy then gun
WordBorn!!0 -
What are you using it for? Do you plan on customizing/accurizing it or not?
Best out of the box are going to be the Kimbers; these things have amazing fit and finish, great out of the box accuracy. The Springfield "Loaded" series would probably be next. I'd put my money on the new Sig and S&W versions, as Sig has always had a good rep for putting together a good gun, and the exposed extractor redesigns have eliminated what was probably one of the weakest links in the 1911 design. Colt's fit and finish is probably third best right now. Para-Ordnance makes a pretty good gun, but they're fit and finish isn't as good as the others. For sheer value, the Springfield Mil-spec is hard to beat, but don't expect high quality fit and finish (it's only supposed to be a basic, entry-level 1911).
I'd avoid Charles Daly, AMT, Auto-Ordnance and Norinco like the plague. They're known for being of sloppier build quality, and at least for the AMTs and Auto-Ordnance guns, the metal seems noticeably softer. Plus, with Norinco, you're supporting the commie Chinese (might be with Charles Daly too, but I'm not sure).0 -
Chuck;
I carry a Colt CCO, keep a Combat Commander by my side at home, a Sprngfield Compact in the shop, and a P-13 Para in my office. All great weapons. Could part with the P-13 '93 mfr steel frame hi-capacity with (2) 13rnd mags. LNIB. Probably within your range. e-mail me at HDGuns@aol.com will send pics...
Harley
Gunsmith / Owner
Mountain Magic0 -
In your price range, I would buy the loaded Springfield in blue or stainless. It is the most bang for the buck. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by hksrule
For 800 bucks you should be able to find yourself an HK USP .45 in either full size or compact and those handguns are known be to be the best of the best. You cant go wrong with the Hk company. If you dont like this idea then I would go with a springfield and use the money you save on the gun to customize the weapon to your needs(ie: upgraded beaver tail, extended safety, hammer, sights, etc..) All of which minus the sights are not avail. to be customized in the usp.
And even though the USP is not a m1911 type .45, it is based on the colt .45 1911. It employs the same safety features and the option for cocked and locked. Also, despite the fact that the usp is quite a bit lighter than the typical 1911, the recoil is the same or less due to the recoil system of the HK. Think about that then buy then gun
WordBorn!!
Chuck from NJ0 -
I have a USP 40. I have to say out of all of my guns it is the absolute most disappointing purchase I have ever made. Fot thr first 5,000 rounds or so flawless. Ever since stove pipe after misfeed after stove pipe. I sent it to HK twice "no problem found". It was likely my shooting style. Funny thing is I have 3 other autos and this problem never surfaces. They supposedly sent me two new magazines ( I say this because they are not sealed so there is no way to verify that they are really new). Probelm again unsolved.
My point is that HKs are not the most reliable guns out there and their customer service is very bad. I sent my gun back three times, twice for the feeding issues and once to replace a broken extractor. Never time did they pick up the tab for the very expensive shipping. Some lifetime warranty.
I would think long and hard before I would buy an H&K over an S&W, Springfield or Kimber 45. If you must go polymer buy SIG or Glock.
H&Ks carry a premium price tag and see what happens to that premium value when you try to unload one of their marginal handguns.
To date nothing has been invented auto pistol wise that improves on a 1911. Buy one and you won't be dissapointed.
Sorry HKSRULE but my experience with H&K has been the worst of any firearm manufacturer. I would sell it in a minute if I could recoup even a solid 50% of what I paid on what is essentially a 100% gun. In my experience they are only intrested in large contract purchasers.
LOSTONE - Get a 1911. You wont regret it.
Chuck from NJ0
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