1911 Question

[Jburke]

I'm looking at getting a new pistol again.  I'm looking at a 1911 in .45 and want to know everyones opinion.  What brands do you guys recommend?  Don't want a cheap low end gun, I want a good reliable gun in the 700-800 range probably.  I can probably spend more but don't want to completely blow all of my money.  Was looking at some of the Springfields, Colts, and Kimbers on gunbroker to get kind of an idea on price and I think that the Kimbers are more than likely going to be out of my price range, but my options are still open.  I have not had a chance to get my hands on any yet, except the taurus that I used to have. 

[Jburke]

Ok, after doing a little more looking around I'm really interested in the Springfields.  Still open to suggestions though, I can't afford to get it just yet so It's going to be a month or more before I have the money for whatever I decide on.  Anyways, all input is appreciated.

[duramax]

I have the Kimber Pro Carry 2,I bought it a few years back in your price range. It has been a great gun with no issues at all. I also bought the Kimber .22 conversion kit. Great way to practice with the gun for cheap.

[Wacenturion]

Have a couple Kimbers...a Custom Covert and an SIS, both 5 inch guns.  Son has a Custom Covert and daughter has a 3 inch Kimber in 9mm.  No issues...great guns.

[h20hunter]

I have a Kimber Custom II. Great gun, solid, shoots like a champ. I also have a Springfield XD Tactical in .45. Also great. Little side note about the Kimber. My dad shoots an Eclipse and handloads his own ammo. He had a squib and fired a full power round into it. The barrell ruptured, slide pin bent, ruined the spring....no other damage. Gun held together and he still has both hands and the same ugly face. He contacted Kimber and they said ship it back. He paid for a new barrell and other components. They put it back together, tested it, measured it, shipped it back. Only charged him for parts. My point in sharing is a quality gun can save you ass in more ways than one.

[Rick]

I don't like 1911s. They just don't do it for me. If I was going to get one though,I'd be sure to go full sized. I don't think they're as reliable once you start cutting them down.

Don't feel bad about not being able to afford a Kimber. They're QC sucks. For what they cost, Kimbers (either rifle or handgun) have far too many issues. They should be 100% out of the gate.

[high country]

I have a para p13, a springfield micro compact and smith 1911sc. of them all I prefer the smith. many purists will balk at the extractor on the smith because it is not johns original design, but it flat works. I sent a pistol to smith that I wore out and they fixed it and sent it back to me qick....it was out of my hands for 9 days. I would say give the smith a peek. good weight, looks, mine has been eating 45super w/o issue.

[Gutpile]

I don't like 1911s. They just don't do it for me. If I was going to get one though,I'd be sure to go full sized. I don't think they're as reliable once you start cutting them down.

Don't feel bad about not being able to afford a Kimber. They're QC sucks. For what they cost, Kimbers (either rifle or handgun) have far too many issues. They should be 100% out of the gate.

Mine is 100% so far. Not one problem yet. So all Kimbers suck? I love these posts when people start saying that argueably the most respected 1911 out there really just sucks.

[Redstar]

I wanted a springfield, but couldn't find one... "Settled" for a base model kimber, couldn't be happier. I've had zero problems in the last 2 years.

Look around, you can find new kimber custom II's for under $800

[Bofire]

 :)I have owned a Springer, Olympic, Colt, Remington Rand, and a few others, custom and stock, I now own two Kimber Pro carry II's, they are easily the best. Springer second. I consider the 1911 the best 45 auto on the  market. I have also owned Paraordinance P14, glocks, Sigs, some high capacity some standard.
I'll take my Kimber over all of them. My carry piece has thousands of rounds thru it, not a hiccup. accurate and fast. I like it a  lot.
If you cannot afford one the Springer XD seems to be a good gun.

Carl

[thinkingman]

Congrats on deciding 1911...you'll want to wait til next year to buy it anyway.
First question is how do you plan on using it?
Target? Plink? Action Pistol? Carry? Conceal?
It's been mentioned already but the 1911 runs best in the 5" (Govt) size....as you move down the size spectrum, reliability goes down too.
I have two Kimbers and they're excellent.
My next 1911 will be an STI Spartan, about $650 delivered.
There is a limited edition Springfield out right now, I think it's called Rangemaster or Range Officer.
Pretty sweet for about $800.
Avoid the base mil-spec 1911 unless you're a tinkerer...you'll spend alot more on upgrades than if you bought one loaded.
1911's can be had with many different sight packages.
My Kimber Custom had black patridge sights and my eyes didn't like them.  
XS BigDots are a nice upgrade....$150 installed.
Have fun, don't rush...shoot friends guns and get a feel for size, weight, barrel lengths.

[dontgetcrabs]

Does anybody have any first hand experience with the Taurus 1911? I've been looking at one for a while now. The guy trying to sell it to me keeps telling me how great it is.  

[uplandhunter870]

I have a Kimber custom 2 full size in .45acp and its a really solid pistol havent had a single problem with it other than it does not like blazer brass ammo. i picked it up new for $650+tax

people may say that kimbers rust, have failure to return to battery, failure to feed and other issues and i can tell you that i have not had one single problem with mine other than finding enough spare change to afford ammo for it

[Gutpile]

Does anybody have any first hand experience with the Taurus 1911? I've been looking at one for a while now. The guy trying to sell it to me keeps telling me how great it is.  

Thats a can of worms I refuse to open.

[smg id=5954]

[oneezreiter]

The Taurus looks very Nice for the price.  I have not shot it but have fondled it alot.