[mwink822]

Here's a little opinion type question for my fellow 1911 .45 ACP fans. Who makes the best 1911 pistol. I personally think it's a toss up between Kimber and Springfield. I was between a Kimber and a Springfield and opted for the former on account of it having some of the "custom" options that I was after right out of the box. I have 5-600 rounds through it and I couldn't be happier. I like the Springfields too though because you get quite a lot of gun for the money. Now there are the other 1911's out there too which I'm sure are great, but I couldn't justify spending that much money on them, i.e. Wilson Combat, Nighthawk Custom, Ed Brown etc. I'm sure they're great guns, but what makes their average pistol cost as much as the absolute top shelf pistols in the Kimber, Springfield, Colt, or Para Ordinance lines?

 

[Ducman]

I think Dan Bedell makes the best 1911/2011 guns, But there are alot of top builders out there. You pay alot of true custom guns, but they are worth it. My Bedell has no play, the lock up is perfect, it is silly accurate and 100% reliable.

From the factory, you would be hard pressed to beat a S&W 1911. Mine has over 30K rounds, still is accurate and very reliable, plus you get one of the best warranties in the business.


With a custom gun you also get pride of ownership

 

[mwink822]

This is true I guess, but still, over $2k for a damn handgun, I'd have trouble stomaching that, but on the other hand, this is coming from me who had no problem spending that much on a guitar.

 

[Ducman]

Its all what you are into. Mine was $3k plus mags at about $100 a piece. I shoot with people that have $4500 race guns and a $4500 back up gun

In the overall picture, its not alot to spend especially if it is something you love to do.

 

[mwink822]

Excellent point. I love to shoot, but at the same time, I'm just starting to build my own collection.

 

[Adler]

Anything from Springfield, Taurus, and Colt will be fine for production shooters. My nod goes to the Taurus for the most frills for the buck.

Just DO NOT BUY a cheap High Standard, Charles Daly, Armscor, or Rock Island. They have serious qulaity control issues.

 

[Janq]

I've known people IRL who have spent $3K+ on top ened tournament level paintball markers, with custom machining and anodizations.
Myself my most expensivemarker, and highest aboslute quality in so far as construction & machining, retailed for $1.5K even as I paid alot less than that it was still equal to the price of a nice sidearm. You most often get what you pay for.

As to 1911s being completely stock and non-custom I'm goign to agree with Ducman.
S&W 1911 FTW. I'd personally go for the Scandium line which I like alot and was hot for before the M&P debuted.

- Janq

 

[Ducman]

Janq...
I had a chance to shoot a M&P 9mm with a trigger job lastnight in practice. Very nice gun, very light trigger with a very short reset. recoil was surprisingly light and soft, I did find the front strap to be narrow, but the maybe cause I am use to a widebody 2011 now

 

[techwrtr2]

I've been really happy with my Taurus. While I seriously considered going with a Kimber, my wallet wouldn't stomach it at the time, plus there are other guns I want to pick up and the leftover allows me a better chance of doing so.

 

[mwink822]

I've been really happy with my Taurus. While I seriously considered going with a Kimber, my wallet wouldn't stomach it at the time, plus there are other guns I want to pick up and the leftover allows me a better chance of doing so.

The Kimber is a great gun, but I'm with you in that it is a little hard on the wallet compared to some of the other "production" 1911's out there. I will say this however, I am rather fond of the Wilson Combat CQB full size with the OD frame and matte black slide, I just can't justify the price for it at the moment since I'm only firing about 200 rounds a month right now.

 

[Bobula]

I bought my kimber ultra carry at the same time a friend bought a para warthog. We've put approx the same about of rounds through, he's already having issues. I did spend a lil over $1K, but feel it's worth every penny.

 

[mwink822]

I just put another 100 Rounds through my Kimber tonight, and it's great except for one thing, I'm having issues with two of my five Kimber mags, they don't want to chamber the first round from the slide being locked open. Anyone know if there are any Kimber compatible mags that won't do this after a few uses?

 

[Janq]

How is your buddy even able to handle the Warthog?
That gun is so tiny/small and uncomfortable to handle.

- Janq

 

[Bobula]

It's the same size as my raptor ulta.

Kimbers <3 Wilson Mags

 

[Ducman]

I just put another 100 Rounds through my Kimber tonight, and it's great except for one thing, I'm having issues with two of my five Kimber mags, they don't want to chamber the first round from the slide being locked open. Anyone know if there are any Kimber compatible mags that won't do this after a few uses?

When you say they won't chamber, do the go 1/2 way into the chamber or do they not feed..ie they hit the feed ramp and not bump up.

are you dropping the slide with the slide release or by pulling back the slide and releasing? Pulling back and letting go is the best way to insure the slide has enough energy to strip and feed the round

 

[mwink822]

They hit the feed ramp and don't bump. With the mag in question, it happens whether I use the pull back and let go method or drop the slide release lever, and it's only with the one mag. I'll give it another go on Sunday when I shoot and let you know.

 

[Ducman]

The mag lips might be out of spec. I would just replace the mag. Wilsons, metalform, CMC all seem to work for me

 

[mwink822]

I'll have to drop by X-Ring and pick up a Wilson mag to try out.