Your favorite 1911???

[Colonel102]

Would like to know everyones favorite 1911. I have a Kimber and have just recently been reading alot of info about their quality control issues. I've got a buddy that is lookin' and just wondering what everybody thinks. Thanks.

 

[KBennett]

I have two older "Series 1" Kimbers, Classic Custom Target and Gold Match, with the internal extractor and no firing pin block. They have both been great guns but I have read about the QC issues with the new extractor and some MIM problems on the Series II. Kimber's pricing has really jumped up in the last couple years :{

I think one of the best deals for the money right now is the Smith and Wesson 1911. The fit and finish is nice and I like the Novak sights on the standard model. I have a "loaded" Springfield in 9mm and a Champion in 45 ACP. I got a good deal on them used but they did need some tuning to get them to the Kimber level.

Rock River Arms(not Rock Island) makes some nice 1911's:

Rock River



Here is a good article by Hilton Yam:

Which 1911?

Check out his custom guns while you are there



The new Kimber Warrior:

Warrior

If I were to buy a new 1911 today I think this would be the one. I like the sights and none of the silly trigger and extractor issues of the Series II.

 

[TSpecht]

My Springfield Armory PX9109L (fullsize "Loaded" chambered in . 45ACP) has served me well so far. So far I've put about 5k rounds through it in the couple of years since I bought it. I can't recall an instance where it's failed to go bang, but due to a cheap aftermarket magazine I had aquired (with an apparently weak mag spring) it did have a few failures to feed properly, although with different magazines (including the ones Springfield provided when I bought it) the problem goes right away. That mag has been removed from service until I find a new spring for it, since I don't tolerate reliability issues very well.



The parkerizing job still looks pretty good after a couple of years, but it's not spent much time in a holster, mostly either a drawer, the case or my hand. Even after not having taken the most meticulous care of the firearm it still continues to operate flawlessly. It's had 1000 rounds through it during a day of shooting (most of it fairly rapid) but it just refused to give up. My thumbs, however, did give up from having to load the mags all day.



If I do my job, it'll shoot right about where I want. I am not a good enough shooter to complain about particularly long distances. I rarely ever shoot much over 15 yards, at 25 yards I get about the same size groups whether I'm shooting this 1911 or my T/C Encore pistol with either the . 223 or . 308 barrels on it. I guess I'm just not a pistoleer. Some day I need to get some training and practice a lot more for longer distances.

 

[RT66DOC]

My favorite is my Springfield 1911 A1. Full size, box stock (well, sort of). Not the greatest shooter but it just "feels right. " Also have a Kimber Compact Stainless which is nothing to complain about, for sure. I'ts about 6-7 years old. No problems.

 

[2broke2smoke]

my 7 year old stainless kimber classic has never let me down

 

[GFritsch]

I like my Kimber as well. The manufacturer claims quite a few round before it is broke in. (very tight from the factory)

 

[DKayser]

Why have a copy?

I have a Colt, 70 series Government model. It has been "bombed" by Plaxco. Bo-Mar sights milled in,checkered grip frame, ambidex, full beavertail, Armalloy finish,etc. Way more work than I could have afforded. Thanks Older Brother! The other brother has a Para-Ordinance P-14. Way neat, & holds 14 in the mag, and 1 in the tube. That ought to finish the fight! Nice gun, feels like a single stack too. There are 2 kinds of pistol owners; Those who bought 45 ACPs, and those who eventually wish they had. DK.

 

[d906670]

I have 2 Kimbers a Custom TLE II with 30,000 rounds, and a Pro Carry II with 20,000 rounds, with no proumbles. Also have a P14 with over 100,000 rounds. Picked up a Sig 220 2 months ago and only have 5,000 rounds through it so not sure about it yet.

 

[WDaniels]

I have a Para-Ordinance 12-45. I had some work at the gun shop done to make it even better. I like it. It fits the hand good and shoots nice for a compact.

WD

 

[The patriot]

I have a springfield armory in 45 that was all done up by George Smith.

After 10 years it's still real tight, and shoots better than I can.

I like my series 70 Colt Combat Commander. It's not a show piece, the previous owner tried to put large bullseye type sights on it. :{ :{

I brought it to George Smith and put some Novaks on it. It's not a beaut, but shoots well for a stock gun, and is 100% reliable as long as I use the good Wilson/Rogers mags. I bombed the trigger system with a Cylinder&Slide trigger pack. That's the best $$$ I ever spent!!

Besides, I'm not afraid to use it as the CCW gun.

My Kimber stainless custom target is in 38 super, which handles 9x23 just as good as ling as I put the 18. 5lb ISMI spring in.

I like the 9x23 ctg. I also have a Nowlin bbl waiting to be fitted to this gun.

Spare complete 9x23 Nowlin top end. Carbon steel, in the white.

Also have one of the last Caspian forged aluminum recievers made.

I'd like to get a Wilson or a Valtro some day.

Eric



Edit:

Forgot my 38 super steel gun. Series 70, dot sight, lightening cuts on slide, etc,etc.

 

[The patriot]

Almost forgot my S. A. in 9mm. It's like new, except the previous owner put an adjustable sight on it. Parkerized.

I will probibally get an MMC adjustable put on soon, and maybe make it a switch barrel for 9x23 and 9mm.

Did I mention I like 1911's?

Eric Oo.



Just remember, people who carry guns carry Glocks.

People who shoot guns carry 1911's.

 

[drawson]

Although it's not a true 1911 I like my STI 2011 in 40 S&W. It has to be run on my reloads, loaded to 10mm length it holds 19+1 and shoots sub 2. 5" at 50 yards.



I carry a 5" norinco with all the add ons with a kart barrel. And have a total of 6 1911 in 45 ACP. One of the fondest one is my first a Randle Raider(commander length) the first production Total SS 1911. I couldn't wait to be 21 on got it the day after my birthday almost 23 years ago.

 

[Jengle]

Anybody got a link to the sites where the kimber problems are discussed? I have a stainless UltraCarry in . 45ACP that I bought about 5yrs ago, and now wonder what problems it might be waiting to spring on me, if any. It has been flawless, so far. TIA. PM me if you don't want to post it here.

 

[TSpecht]

This is the best 1911 forum I've found, they have specific forums for each manufacturer, general discussion, and even an ammo forum.



http://forums.1911forum.com/

 

[RT66DOC]

Anybody got a link to the sites where the kimber problems are discussed? I have a stainless UltraCarry in . 45ACP that I bought about 5yrs ago, and now wonder what problems it might be waiting to spring on me, if any. It has been flawless, so far. TIA. PM me if you don't want to post it here.

Si, si, Jengle. That's about my situation - . 45ACP Compact Stainless bought about 5 years ago. Anybody here know the answer?

 

[KBennett]

Guys, the problems have been out of the box issues. If yours works good then I wouldn't worry about it. My Gold Match is 5 years old and I have had no problems since the initial break-in.

 

[Jengle]

I guess if it was gonna break, it would have by now. I shoot hydra-shoks out of it, almost exclusively. I am a believer in train with it the way you will be using it. Thanks for the answers. I'll have to check that board out. I also have a Colt Series 80 with a wilson trigger job. My dad has a Colt Gold Cup. All are . 45s.

 

[The patriot]

First purchase......

I couldn't wait to be 21 on got it the day after my birthday almost 23 years ago.

I still have my first purchase. It was a S&W 6" 586. Guess that was in the very early 1980's.

I've since put Hogue grips on it, but it's still like new otherwise.

Eric