Help Me Choose a 1911 Pistol

[PHOENIX PHIL]

So I find myself with more rifles than I really should have. It's been a fun run over the last 7 years when I started adding to my 2 or 3 rifle collection. Africa to blame for that along with kids coming up of age. I still have a couple more rifles to develop loads for. But after that, I'm not likely to buy more.......or at least that's what I'm telling myself at the moment. Honestly though with various 7mm's, 30 cals and three rifles primarily for Africa, I think I've got us more than covered.

So now what? Well my 14 year old has an interest in shooting. But he wants more than just shooting holes in paper and I must agree, it's time for a change. The local shooting club that I'm a member of has various handgun shooting leagues and I think it would be a hoot having done a little of this in the past.

My one and only handgun is a .357 S&W revolver which is primarily a camp gun and is dreadfully ignored. I'd like to add a 1911 or two to the armory. First thought is a .45 for me and a 9mm for the lad. But.......I haven't a clue. I can load and make the 1911's go bang, but that's about as far my knowledge goes.

The boy for whatever reason would like to have a Glock. I know they're well made and very reliable, but geesh they sure aren't visually appealing. For me, I'm thinking more along the lines of a Kimber, Colt, or Springfield.

What do you guys suggest?

 

[cem rona ergin]

Beretta 92 FS ..

 

[Royal27]

Wilson Combat.

Any of them.

 

[cem rona ergin]

Wilson combat .. that's a good one !

 

[larry4831]

I have two Kimber 1911's, both in 10 mm, I really like that 10 mm round. I also have two glocks, both 10 mm. I like the Kimber best, but the Glocks are fun also, they hold a lot of rounds.

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

Wilson Combat.

Any of them.

Probably should have mentioned a budget of $1500 or less, so those Wilson's I think are out.

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

I have two Kimber 1911's, both in 10 mm, I really like that 10 mm round. I also have two glocks, both 10 mm. I like the Kimber best, but the Glocks are fun also, they hold a lot of rounds.

I've never shot a 10mm, can you give me an idea of what the recoil is like say in comparison to a .357 Magnum.

 

[larry4831]

I've never shot a 10mm, can you give me an idea of what the recoil is like say in comparison to a .357 Magnum.

I would say with 200 grain bullets the 10 mm has about the same or maybe even less recoil then a 357 with 158 grain bullets . There are a lot of people who compare the 10 mm with a 357 magnum. Some people try to compare with a 41 magnum but that's just not the case. If you can handle the 357 you can handle the 10 mm.

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

I would say with 200 grain bullets the 10 mm has about the same or maybe even less recoil then a 357 with 158 grain bullets . There are a lot of people who compare the 10 mm with a 357 magnum. Some people try to compare with a 41 magnum but that's just not the case. If you can handle the 357 you can handle the 10 mm.

Fair enough, Justin can handle that I believe as he has shot my .357 revolver. Justin wants the 10mm and looking at reloading it would seem to make things easier with a progressive loader that we have the same caliber.

 

[rinehart0050]

Regarding 1911s, first you have to decide if you want factory or custom.

If factory, I recommend Kimber. They're top of the line and worth every cent.

I also encourage you to consider going custom. The price range is from maybe $2k to over 10k.

The main custom brands are nighthawk, les baer, Ed brown, Wilson Combat, Cabot, etc. Each brand had slightly different looks and features.

I've personally fired a nighthawk custom, which was very nice.

Ultimately, after lots of research, I settled on a Les Baer 1911 Boss. It's got some classic lines, but also all the modern stuff I wanted- adjustable rear site, fiber front site, etc.

Also, I highly recommend picking up crimson trace grips- they've got some really nice ones now with quality wood.

Enjoy the search for the perfect 1911- kind of like planning a safari, it's part of the fun!

 

[ArmyGrunt]

I've got a Springfield XD-M in 40 S&W that I'm wanting to sell to fund another rifle purchase. Trijicon sights and seven mags, plastic gun and mag holsters
I love the gun and shoot it well, but I don't carry it out anymore. That job is now filled by a Kimber 1911 in 45, or sometimes a small SIG P938 in 9 mm, with the same manual of arms.
I'm not a Glock person at all because of the ugliness, but you can buy parts and accessories at every gun store anywhere, almost. Versatile and reliable for sure.

As far as 1911 goes, I had a hard decision between Kimber, SIG and Springfield. All have great triggers from the factory.

I fully agree with the Crimson Trace comment. They're terrific. I put one on a good friend's gun. Only reason I don't own one is saving for other things.

 

[CDorroh]

One of the Springfield TRP models would probably be one of the nicer 1911's in your price range.

I have several Colts that I'm partial to, but admittedly the non-custom shop ones I have don't come from the factory as ready to run as the Springfield TRP's that I've handled. My 2 Colt custom shop 1911's are fantastic, but they were both north of $1500.

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

Phil,

Have you ever looked at any of the Hickok45 youtube videos? https://www.youtube.com/user/HICKOCK45

He does a good job reviewing lots of different handguns. As far as 1911s, I'd actually suggest a 22 LR for anyone wanting to train and shoot a lot, as it is much more economical. Sig makes a nice 1911 in 22. Get yourself a 9mm for now and a 45 later. I don't own a 1911 but do own several 22 autos, a H&K USP 9mm and several 357 revolvers. Most recent gun purchases have been a couple smaller concealed carry types. Maybe a 1911 in my future, just cause.

 

[Royal27]

Probably should have mentioned a budget of $1500 or less, so those Wilson's I think are out.

Is $1500 the real budget, or the one you told the wife?

 

[mdwest]

Ive owned several 1911's over the years.. ranging from old WWII government models to semi-customs from both Kimber and Springfield..

Never crossed over to the full blown custom side of things... but did have a buddy that worked at Wilson for several years tempt me a couple of times..

For the money I think its hard to beat a Kimber Ultra.. Depending on which variant you want, they can be had for between $700-$1600... They come with good mags (many 1911's dont).. and they are out of the box reliable (many 1911's arent).. my current "carry" pistol is an Ultra CDP II..

The Springfield TRP line is solid for the money too.. and all but the limited edition variants should fall in your $1500 budget.. I traded a TRP Operator to a buddy a few years ago that was just dying to have a 1911.. and have regretted it since the day it left the house.. You get a lot of "custom" options on the TRP for "factory" prices..

 

[Patton63]

In the semi-custom area, Les Baers are hard to beat. They are designed purely for function and run flawlessly. The fit is one of the tightest you will find. I have both a full size 45 and 9mm and they are great. I also have a full size Kimber in 9mm and, despite historically not liking Kimbers, really like it.

 

[Ridgewalker]

I'd suggest you start by spending time watching the different types of competition. Find the one, ones you plan to participate in. Then you will have a better idea of what type pistol you need. Different competitions require different types of pistols. 1911s can only hold a max of 10 rounds. Mostly 8.
I've had Springfield, Kimber, Les Baer, WWII Inland, Remington R1, and maybe a couple of others. Of course from the factory the Les Baer was hands down the best, but you pay up front for it. They all eventually got modified (trigger jobs, sights, smoothing, etc). But the modifications were on an as need basis.

Glock 41s are awesome out of the box, but not for classic one hand target shooting IMO. Glocks are all ugly, but excellent guns for certain competitions/purposes. I own several.

10mm...great round, but I won't have one. Very expensive ammo to shoot factory. 45 and 9mm are very cheap factory ammo. IMO for a first competition gun they are the way to go.

If your range does it, you should rent different guns to see what fits you and your intended purpose best.

The NSSF rimfire competition is the cheapest and best way, again IMO, to get started in competing.

Hope this helps and best of luck getting started!

 

[BnC 04]

Can't go astray with a Kimber or Springfield Phil.

 

[charleslabounty]

Go with your gut -
1911 will be a lifetime lasting purchase.
Like the Ruger 1911's.

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

Is $1500 the real budget, or the one you told the wife?

No that's real. The amount that you can customize a 1911 is mind boggling. For someone buying their first, doesn't make sense to go too far as I really don't know what it is that I would want in a more custom gun.