Posted: 12/6/2006 12:38:29 PM EDT
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I have some money that is just burning a hole in my pocket, so I thought I would buy something I "need" and get a 1911. I've never owned one, so I'm not sure which way to go. I was going to start out with a lower-end Kimber, but I read several threads on the Kimber forum where people really bashed them. I know there are always 2 sides of the story, so I'm still not ruling them out. I have also read a few threads of people buying a lower end SA and customizing it. Now, I'm far from a gun smith, but I do like working on bikes and stuff and am in the process of building an AR. I just don't want to buy something, then really screw it up. I won't shoot it a bunch (probably less than 500 rounds per year, as I have a few 45's) but I want something that is reliable and fun to go out and plink around. I would like to spend between $400 and $800. Thanks for any input you can give. |
I'm biased towards Springfields, I now have 4 of them.......  As for model, I would suggest the mil-spec model. This way you won't pay for a lot of things you neither need nor want. The cool thing about the 1911 is that you can easily change this or that down the road fairly easily & quickly, should you decide you want different sights, trigger, safties, grips, bushing, sear, disconnect, hammer, etc. My .o2 |
| I'm not really biased toward any particular brand.I currently shoot a Kimber Gold Match with a date of manufacture of 1997 and really shoots well.The only problem I had was a loose assembly on my rear adjustable sight.When I contacted Kimber about the problem to get some new parts for the sight,I was informed this sight or parts were no longer available because they had changed to a different sight.Too my suprise,Kimber sent me a new rear sight assembly free of charge.Great service.I have also owned Colt Gold Cups and a Colt Match Target and both were great firearms.Some of my friends shoot Bullseye matches and shoot Springfields and believe me you want a reliable gun when shooting a match.Any of these three would for sure be good reliable guns for you.Good luck and I hope this helps. |
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A buddy of mine just bought a GI. I liked it so much I bought a Champion lightweight. The GI impressed the hell out of me. That's a lot of gun for the money. I really like my Champion but haven't shot it yet. Just picked it up last night and am counting the minutes until the weekend. Trigger, slide lockup, fit and finish are all exceptional on this one. I liked the Kimbers too but have not shot one. The Raptor looks like a work of art. If it was an aluminum frame it probably would have come with me. I will say the trigger on the Springfield was better than the Kimber. At least in these two pieces. I don't mean to say all Kimber's have bad triggers, but in these two examples the Springfield was nice and crisp and the Kimber was a little mushy. Feel both! |
argolfer, I am in the same boat! I've been wanting a "beginner's" 1911 for quite some time now (but kept putting it off for AK's and other assault weapons!!!), and did my research on a number of different makes and models. What I finally decided on was a Rock Island Armory 1911A1 -- price: $359.99!!!!! Now, I know what you're thinking; "Why so cheap?". Well, if you read the forums around the Net about them as I did, you will be quite impressed with owner's reviews on them. I WAS!!! Check them out (just Google them) and let us know your thoughts. Mine is on order from Red's Trading Post (GunBroker.com auction that does LAYAWAYS!!!) and I plan on paying it off in a couple months. Good luck in your quest!!! The Gun Guru |
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I too was bit by the 1911 bug a while back; I picked up a SA GI. IIRC it was something like $440 plus tax. I had 5 FTFeeds in the first 400 rounds; the slide just needed a nudge to get into battery. That problem has fixed itself (I attribute it to breakin), but now I've got a random FTE problem that I can't seem to pin down; 4 ejection problems in the last 250 rounds. The spent cartridge just hangs on the extractor. I'm pretty sure the extractor isn't clocking, it's nice and tight and doesn't turn at all. I'm thinking the ejector itself may be the culprit but I'm no 1991 expert. But, seeing as how it's a range gun (I have no carry intentions at this time) I'm not too worried about it. 
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