| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| belair |
Posted - June 11 2009 : 10:01:18 PM
Hi all,
Who is producing the "best" all-around 1911 today? I'm defining "best" as flawless/reliable cycling, respectable accuracy, and rugged durability.
As a side note, I own a 1990-ish Colt-made 1911 and it fits the description of "best" above. What brand would YOU bet your life on nowadays? Thanks for your forthcoming input.
regards,
Belair |
| 25 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| OD. |
Posted - February 25 2010 : 09:29:33 AM
quote:
Originally posted by Taylor
Should have said "put more effort into the 1911 series" such as the recent re-introduction of the Delta Elite.
I gotcha now, thanks Pat. |
| Taylor |
Posted - February 24 2010 : 2:59:51 PM
I have read they are considering getting back into the revolver market. Considering how many years it took for the Delta to show up even in limited numbers from the time it was announced I wouldn`t get in any hurry to see a revolver from them.
Locally there isn`t much around from Colt but that could just be the dealers.
|
| garrettwc |
Posted - February 24 2010 : 10:38:38 AM
quote:
Originally posted by Taylor
Should have said "put more effort into the 1911 series" such as the recent re-introduction of the Delta Elite.
Just FYI, because folks may not be aware.
In the last 18 months Colt has newly introduced for sale:
Combat Elite
Rail Gun
New Agent 45ACP
Special Combat Government Carry model
Delta Elite
At SHOT show, they introduced half a dozen other new guns including a 9MM New Agent for backup use and a DAO gun.
Currently their website lists 27 different varieties of 1911. They have upgraded their factory to all new CNC equipment, and are selling them as fast as they can make them.
According to the 2008 BATFE (latest available) Colt manufactured more semi-auto pistols in caliber above 9MM than Springfield Armory (and a significant portion of Springfield's number would include .40cal XDs)
I will concede that Colt isn't doing a great job of tooting their horn, and dealers heavily invested in Kimber inventory perpetuate the "Colt is dead" myth.
But the facts would indicate they are in the game with a vengeance. Heck there's even some chatter out there about the Diamondback and Python coming back online.  |
| Taylor |
Posted - February 24 2010 : 01:03:22 AM
Should have said "put more effort into the 1911 series" such as the recent re-introduction of the Delta Elite. |
| OD. |
Posted - February 23 2010 : 10:37:44 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Taylor
I am hoping Colt will get back into the 1911 game.
What do you mean? |
| Taylor |
Posted - February 23 2010 : 2:58:59 PM
I purchased a Rock Island in 45 acp Sunday but will not admit to that in public.  Something to put a Ciener .22 conversion on for the younger family members to get started shooting with.
I am hoping Colt will get back into the 1911 game. Loose plunger tube ( easily fixed ) on one gov`t model is the only problem I have ever had on one of their pistols.
|
| OD. |
Posted - February 23 2010 : 10:31:35 AM
quote:
Originally posted by torrejon224
IMO and if you can find one Rock River Arms makes one of if not the best 1911 in the $1k and up range. National Match frames, completely hand built and no junk parts. Unfortunately they stopped building them for awhile to concentrate on their AR line. I absolutely love the two I own and would not part with them for any price!
Buy a Baer, for all intents and purposes it's what Mark and Chuck Larson build at RRA, they are basically the same pistols they built when they were with Les Baer. |
| torrejon224 |
Posted - February 12 2010 : 10:35:07 PM
IMO and if you can find one Rock River Arms makes one of if not the best 1911 in the $1k and up range. National Match frames, completely hand built and no junk parts. Unfortunately they stopped building them for awhile to concentrate on their AR line. I absolutely love the two I own and would not part with them for any price! |
| Nobby42d |
Posted - February 05 2010 : 12:19:57 AM
Have Colts and KImbers and a Springfield that all work fine. The Kimber has been flawless since I took it out of the box.
So has the Colt Series '80 (bought slightly used) that's never hiccupped on anything, including my handloads. The others have had work down thru the years, but all are reliable.
Would I trust Kimbers with my life. No. I trust MY Kimber Pro CDP II with my life. Same for the Colt.
Not going to vouch for all of them just because mine works fine. And I'm not going to get rid of mine because some one else thinks theirs is junk.
I trust most all manufacturers to have some guns with problems, though I haven't heard of such a gun from Wilsons (yet).
Incidentally, I understand that Colt is coming back strong with excellent management and they're willing to compete again.
|
| stdatdeacon |
Posted - January 17 2010 : 4:31:00 PM
I have a Colt Commander and a Para-Ordnance P-12. Both handle equally well, but if I were to choose between them, I would have to lean towards the P-12 because of the double-stack magazine. |
| Lockjaw |
Posted - January 17 2010 : 12:51:56 AM
I have one of the first Kimber Custom Classics I bought used. It has had a few enhancements done to it, like a much better mag well, different beavertail etc. It has been 100 % reliable with anything I have shot out of it, and it is very accurate, and tight.
It is my favorite pistol, but I just don't like to carry it, would hate to have to use it, and have the cops keep it as evidence, and grind case numbers on it, which happened to a guy here with his Les Baer.
So it sits in the safe, and I take it with me hunting. |
| Ishmael |
Posted - January 12 2010 : 7:52:58 PM
I just purchased a new Stainless Colt Combat Commander 45acp, I am planning on sending it to Clark Custom for some new S&W sights and Tiger Tooth Stippling. So far the gun had performed flawless. Overall , I was impressed from what Colt was turning out a few years back. |
| tsa45 |
Posted - November 10 2009 : 07:20:37 AM
I have no complaints whatsoever about my Wilson CQB's. My usual carry is the Compact model but I carry the full size when colder weather hits and concealment is a tad easier. After getting over the initial high purchase price, I've found both to be extremely reliable, very accurate and very easy for me to shoot well. I've long since forgotten about the $$ spent to purchase them and now work to keep feeding them. |
| ENH |
Posted - November 09 2009 : 3:35:34 PM
I carry an Ed Brown kobra Carry allot. Expensive, but nice. |
| Matthew Courtney |
Posted - October 30 2009 : 03:26:27 AM
Currently, one of the best values in 1911's is the Taurus. Several students have taken my classes with them and they have many of the same features of higher end guns, have been very reliable, and are very reasonably prices. I wish they had been out when I bought my Springers, I could have saved a lot of money. |
| OD. |
Posted - October 27 2009 : 11:45:25 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Taylor
The one I have came from Springfield right after Les left them to open his own shop , then some of his smiths left him to open Rock River. At least that is what I have read or been told about the lineage of things.
That's true, look closely at an RRA, then guess where their slides and frames come from.  |
| Taylor |
Posted - October 26 2009 : 04:56:15 AM
I have one gov`t model that came from a custom shop , it is a Springfield custom carry with a couple extra options that I bought in `94. I got it at dealer pricing of $934 then later had the Gunsite shop add Novak sights with a dehorn and slide reblue. I have around $1200 in it with mid 90s pricing and not sure what it would cost in todays market.
It is a nice and accurate gov`t model but with what is available today I am not sure I would choose it over some of the production models that are now available even at the old pricing. There is a shop not far from my home that has the Smith and Wesson Gov`t models for $839 and Colt Gov`t models for $725. Another shop a little farther away carries the Dan Wessons for good prices also.
The one I have came from Springfield right after Les left them to open his own shop , then some of his smiths left him to open Rock River. At least that is what I have read or been told about the lineage of things. |
| Rob96 |
Posted - October 26 2009 : 04:28:54 AM
Too bad Rock River isn't making 1911's anymore. |
| torrejon224 |
Posted - October 21 2009 : 2:13:08 PM
My vote goes to Rock River Arms not to be confused with Rock Island Armory. While not cheap starting at approx $1300 you get a 1911 that is completely hand built with the best all metal parts and a Kart match barrel/bushing. Unfortunately they went out of the 1911 biz a year or so ago to concentrate on the AR platform. Mine is guaranteed to shoot 1.5 groups at 50 yards and is by far the most solid of my current 1911 stable (14). The slide feels like it's on roller bearings! If your looking for a top end 1911 and can find one, check them out. I have owned/own Wilsons, Baers, Browns, etc and honestly feel that the RRA guns are above them all! |
| ColtM1911A1 |
Posted - October 21 2009 : 1:46:53 PM
There are several commercial makers that do a good job - Colt, DW, EB, Springfield. As far as custom guns (which I prefer for several reasons) I like Wilson and Guncrafters which I own and carry. A very nice commercial 1911 is the Springfield Professional...good luck |
| Rich |
Posted - October 15 2009 : 5:01:30 PM
I have an early Kimber Compact Stainless Series 1 that I had Dane Burns do a bit of work on.. reliability Pkg... Then I had Walter Birdsong Green T the lower and Black T the upper and all internals. The gun has ALWAYS been 100% reliable and with its little 4" barrel will shoot under an inch at 25 yards all day long. I really love my Kimber.... I would get a Colt gold cup if I could find an old one.... |
| jle3030 |
Posted - July 16 2009 : 2:52:20 PM
Ditto on the Woodsman. When I heard the model was being discontinued "way back when" I went out and bought one of the last available guns in my area. It's one of the last few guns I would ever part with. The grandsons will get to meet it the next time we go to the range.
Jeff |
| Jim Higginbotham |
Posted - July 16 2009 : 1:47:51 PM
WS6;
I have a pre-war Woodsman made in 1933 (no I did not buy it new ). For a while I kept a log on nearly all my guns and it went 130,000 rounds without fail. I quit keeping the log sometime in the middle 1980's and I do recall it having some malfnctions (a handful) since but that is also when the cheap bulk ammo came out....nearly all that first 130K was CCI Mini mags because I bought it in case lots cheap.
It is still my favorite .22 pistol. My post war Woodsmans ("Woodsmen"?) are neither as accurate nor as reliable but still fine guns.
Jim |
| WS6 |
Posted - July 16 2009 : 12:03:32 AM
quote:
Originally posted by Jim Higginbotham
quote:
Originally posted by Gary1911A1
One of my best 1911 is a Norinco. It looks crude, but it works and feeds anything I have put in it all for less than many 1911s' that cost more. Kind of sad, but true.
Norincos were one of those rare values. The steel was good, they were put together well enough. The only complaint I heard about them were the sights but many people were buying them as a base for a custom gun anyway.
Wish I had bought one of their Colt Woodsman clones - they were good guns also.
Jim H.
I learned to shoot a pistol using a Colt Woodsman. I don't know anything about Norinco's version, but my Grandpa's old 60's model Woodsman was just a pure joy. I can't remember it jamming. I remember hitting shotgun shells (20ga) with it 1-handed at about 30 paces, 2 shells per mag was about how my hit-average was. Not bad for a 13 year-old I thought.
_____________________________________________
I don't know why people have accused the 1911 of being so fragile. Someone has even posted that "Hot loads wear out barrel links and bushings fast" and other stuff. If the gun was properly built, and I mean even remotely correct, those components will last until the barrel looks like the bore of my Wingmaster. That pistol was our side-arm for decades in the military. No troops ever complained loud enough to be heard about anything but the recoil and capacity. It has been used in .38 Super for decades in IPSC loaded hot. Guns go tens upon tens of thousands of rounds. |
| Jim Higginbotham |
Posted - July 15 2009 : 12:40:22 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Gary1911A1
One of my best 1911 is a Norinco. It looks crude, but it works and feeds anything I have put in it all for less than many 1911s' that cost more. Kind of sad, but true.
Norincos were one of those rare values. The steel was good, they were put together well enough. The only complaint I heard about them were the sights but many people were buying them as a base for a custom gun anyway.
Wish I had bought one of their Colt Woodsman clones - they were good guns also.
Jim H. |
