Basic, Reliable 1911 Suggestions

Wraith · #1 09-26-07, 13:07

I've been looking for a while now for a plain jane 1911 that is dead reliable which is my main concern. I'll be using this gun mainly for self defense as well as IDPA and IPSC. I could care less about a rail. I was thinking that I could go with a basic Kimber Custom II, replace the sights with either 10-8 or Warren tactical sights and have about the gun I was thinking about. Anyone want to offer some suggestions for guns that might fit the bill? I don't want this to turn into a brand name flame war, just what your experiences have been. I'm hoping to keep the gun under $1000 but sometimes I know that's not possible.

markm · #2 09-26-07, 14:03

Kimber is as good of a roll of the dice as any. I've seen Kimbers give their owners a lot of grief in various pistol classes, but Many Kimber owners have really reliable ones too.

Production 1911s are always a gamble. You might get a great one, or you might get at turd.

ReaperAZ · #3 09-26-07, 14:03

I've had nothing but good luck with Springfield Armory in the past. Owned 2 Loaded models and shot the crap out of them with no issues. Also tried a Smith & Wesson for a bit as well. Sold all my 1911's and am looking to get back into them again. Think I may try the Kimber line next.

Wraith · #4 09-26-07, 14:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by ReaperAZ

I've had nothing but good luck with Springfield Armory in the past. Owned 2 Loaded models and shot the crap out of them with no issues. Also tried a Smith & Wesson for a bit as well. Sold all my 1911's and am looking to get back into them again. Think I may try the Kimber line next.

I had a couple Kimbers and had very good luck with them. I ended up selling them because I was more into Glocks and I'm coming full circle basically. I've got a Glock 19 and I shoot the crap out of it and love it for concealed carry. I've basically been trying to simplify when it comes to the number of guns I have. For carry and competition a S&W 642, Glock 19 and 1911 should have me covered. For long guns a couple of ARs, two shotguns and a .308 bolt gun have me covered for home defense and hunting. I used to get in the mode of buying every gun I could but now I've definitely stepped back from that and think it's time to master what I have and spend the rest of the money on training and replacement parts should I ever break anything.

ReaperAZ · #5 09-26-07, 14:22

It's really funny you say that. I too was in a phase of buying for the sake of owning them. I "thinned" out my collection to the basics of what I need and use. I'm kicking myself in the arse for getting rid of my 1911's so as you said, full circle, I'm going back to them. I really like my M&P so that's not going anywhere I may ad an M&P 45 soon as well. But I miss the 1911! Never owned or even shot a Kimber but I really like the Desert Warrior so we'll see what Santa brings in a few months.

condition 1 · #6 09-26-07, 15:49

You might take a look at the "NRM" colts I have two, comander XSE & 80 series govt. good fit & finnish, they start around $700.00 it would make a good starting platform.

Wraith · #7 09-26-07, 15:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by condition 1

You might take a look at the "NRM" colts I have two, comander XSE & 80 series govt. good fit & finnish, they start around $700.00 it would make a good starting platform.

I haven't even thought about Colt so I'll certainly take a look and see what I come up with. I should have also mentioned it was the government model I'm looking at. Anyone have anything good to say about Para Ordnance (single or double stack)?

citadelshooter · #8 09-26-07, 16:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wraith

I haven't even thought about Colt so I'll certainly take a look and see what I come up with. I should have also mentioned it was the government model I'm looking at. Anyone have anything good to say about Para Ordnance (single or double stack)?

Wraith, it depends on what you want when buying a 1911. I have own several myself, sold them, rebought, etc, etc. Matter of fact sold a old Norinco Custom gun to purchase a G19 which I then sold and now have another.

All that to say, here is my advise, BUY WHAT YOU WANY FIRST. A Kimber in my opinion is the ticket. Just get a Series 1 or a newer one without the external extractor. Another option is to buy a Mil Spec SA 1911. It has decent hardball type sights and decent parts. Most importantly though, buy all the features you want on the gun first instead of going back and going custom. If you do, get a beater Colt or SA and strip it down and start over.

Concerning Paras. Ok in my experience. They small parts suck however and stay FAR FAR FAR away from the LDA action.

CB

Paulinski · #9 09-26-07, 16:15

I had great luck with STI Trojan.

I changed was Ed Brown MSH (replaced the polymer one), Greider Precision Trigger (I didn't like the look of STI Trigger) and VZ Grips.

Reliable / accurate 1911.

markm · #10 09-26-07, 16:18

I was tempted by the STI trojan as well. But the cast frame was a deal breaker for me.

ReaperAZ · #11 09-26-07, 16:29

Sure for a full on "race" gun the STI's seem nice but having held many of the production level ones I am unimpressed.

Wraith · #12 09-26-07, 16:32

I looked at the Trojan as well as the Lawman. The Lawman might be the way to go since it's got all the features I want and the frame and slide are forged. I wouldn't say a cast frame for me is a deal breaker but it always gives me pause since I'm a materials engineer and casting is cost effective but not always the best way to go about constructing a gun frame. As long as they have good QC it shouldn't be an issue though. I suppose one of the reasons I havnen't sprung on a 1911 yet is the issue with having so many choices, with none of them being a perfect match except maybe a custom gun but that's out of my price range at the moment. In any case thanks for the suggestions, although the more the merrier!

STS · #13 09-26-07, 17:59

I'd go with either a series I Kimber if you can find one, or a SA loaded model. I just finished a Jeff Gonzales 2 day pistol course and there were 4 bone stock SA loaded models - all went close to 2,000 rounds with no issues. I've had great luck with SA.

R Moran · #14 09-26-07, 19:41

Check out Hilton Yams web site, 10-8performance. He has a few good articles on there, including choosing a 1911.
After taking a 1911 operators course with Hilton and Ken Hackathorn, and listening to comments made by Vickers, I'm not sure you can get a good 1911 for under 1000, in terms of long term reliability and durability.
Bob

markm · #15 09-26-07, 20:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by R Moran

listening to comments made by Vickers, I'm not sure you can get a good 1911 for under 1000, in terms of long term reliability and durability.
Bob

I would definitely agree with that! Ironically though... the most reliable 1911 I've owned is my Norinco that I bought in the 90s for $265 bucks. I've shot classes with it, and even carried it. It's just a crap shoot with the 1911.

I love the 1911. There's no funner pistol to shoot period. But I've gone to the glock for reliability in the defense realm.

Boris · #16 09-26-07, 23:16

1911 reliability

Boris · #17 09-26-07, 23:19

Kimber Classic Custom has treated me well for 8 years of IDPA and carry.

-B

Madsmiley · #18 09-26-07, 23:55

I own several different 1911s,all different manufactures..See 1911 pic thread for a glimpse..

Anyway,unless youre stuck on a single stack,the most accurate,reliable outta the box 1911 Ive had is a stock Para-Ordanance P-14..You can pick up a used one at a local gun show for about $550..

Ed L. · #19 09-27-07, 01:42

I agree with Bob. I bought a Kimber Warrior and had nothing but headaches. It is up to its third trip to the gunsmith to make it function reliably. As for Paraordnances, there is a reason why lots of gunsmiths refuse to work on them.

Bushytale · #20 09-27-07, 04:05

Wraith, you said plain jane and then said you want to use it for IDPA and IPSC. That is a contradiction in my mind. Plain jane for me is a SA mil-spec or a Colt Govt. model, read no beavertail, no extended safety lever and simple sights. IDPA/IPSC at the least would require a beavertail for comfort and control and for most people an extended safety lever. A SA "Loaded" is going to be your best bet for an off the shelf, got what you need and will probably run with the least amount of BS, purchase. They come with Novak sights which will do you just fine and an ambi safety which will be handy for the competition aspect as they always throw in some off hand scenerios. For a few hundred more you can get a Colt XSE then add a decent upswept beavertail. Any off the shelf purchase may require a trigger job. I would avoid the S&Ws as the external extractor can be a real problem. Kimbers can be ok, but do not buy one of their external extractor models either. Good luck with your choice.

Billy