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Sidearms & Scatterguns Best 1911 on the market...?

nations1017

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Minuteman
Jan 26, 2011
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I'm looking to purchasing my first 1911 and would like some thoughts/opinions on what's out there. For some reason, I really like the Sig Sauer TacOps and the Scorpion...the look and the feel. Never shot either one but have held them and they feel pretty solid. I know there are a pile of 1911's out there so I would like some opinions. I don't plan on shooting competition right now. For the most part, it will be my bed side protection and possibly carry. I like the light rail option, especially if I'm keeping for protection at my house since I would be able to mount a light. Thanks in advance.
 
Checkout the Springfield TRP Operator but if you had no budget, Nighthawk Customs GRP Recon for $3999.00 and probably a 2yr wait.
 
the springfield TRP, dan wesson, and les baer come up the most in these threads, followed by sig, springfield loaded, ruger , STI and the list goes on.

my plan was to get the TRP, sig, remington R1 enhanced, and S&W e-series as my collection, but i said F it and spent my budget on a nighthawk AAC. thats why i am selling my sig in the thread you inquired about.

how much do you want to spend is the real question.
 
CUSTOM (ed brown, wilson combat, nighthawk, baer)> SEMI-CUSTOM(springfield TRP series, dan wesson)> MASS PRODUCED (springfield, kimber colt, sig, etc.)

With that, you get what you pay for in 1911's, so just because a handful of guns may all be mass produced, they will not be of the same quality. For the 1200-1500 range there is NOTHING better then dan wesson or springfield TRP. They are light years better then anything below or near their price range and their quality is barely below that of the custom guns.

FWIW, a guy on here is selling a Springfield TRP railed for $1200, phenomenal price and it seems to be in great shape. I would jump on it if I didn't just replace one of my 1911's with a USP Tactical.
 
Call Joe Chambers of Chambers Custom Pistols. Top notch work and Accuracy. Gonna have to shell out some cash but the work and craftsmanship is second to none.
 
Thanks y'all. Yes, I've looked at the Springfield as well. Read good reviews on them. If money was no option I'd definitely have a Wilson Combat or Nighthawk...I will own one of these days! Unfortunately, I'm on a budget so that is out of my price range right now. It looks like my best bet is the Springfield TRP or Sig. I want a 1911 bad...patience isn't one of my virtues. LOL Thanks again for the advice.
 
CUSTOM (ed brown, wilson combat, nighthawk, baer)> SEMI-CUSTOM(springfield TRP series, dan wesson)> MASS PRODUCED (springfield, kimber colt, sig, etc.)

Brown, Wilson, Nighthawk, and Baer are all semi-custom. They offer different configurations of a limited number of platforms. Full on custom are outfits like Heirloom Precision, Harrison Custom, Severns Custom, etc. These guys will start with any gun and use any part or perform any customization you ask. For a full custom, you can spend $5K and wait 2 years. Baers are about $1,800 and currently have a wait time of around a year, but there are dealers who have them and used ones available. The production guns can be had for as little as $600.

The best value depends on what you are looking for. In the Semi-custom category, I like Baer and Dan Wesson. For a production gun, Hilton Yam recommends the S&W E-Series with a few mods:
10-8 Performance: S&W E Series, Detailed Review

A lot of people like the STI Trojan in the production category. You can't go wrong with Brown, Wilson, or Nighthawk, either, but all of these cost more than Baer and Wesson.

My dad told me he wanted to get a a pistol and I asked him what he wanted to spend. He said he wanted a value. I asked him again what he wanted to spend. I ended up getting him an M&P45. I love 1911's. You will never part me from my Baer, but the value is really in the plastic guns. You can't cast or machine cheaper than you can mold plastic.
 
Brown, Wilson, Nighthawk, and Baer are all semi-custom. They offer different configurations of a limited number of platforms. Full on custom are outfits like Heirloom Precision, Harrison Custom, Severns Custom, etc. These guys will start with any gun and use any part or perform any customization you ask. For a full custom, you can spend $5K and wait 2 years. Baers are about $1,800 and currently have a wait time of around a year, but there are dealers who have them and used ones available. The production guns can be had for as little as $600.

The best value depends on what you are looking for. In the Semi-custom category, I like Baer and Dan Wesson. For a production gun, Hilton Yam recommends the S&W E-Series with a few mods:
10-8 Performance: S&W E Series, Detailed Review

A lot of people like the STI Trojan in the production category. You can't go wrong with Brown, Wilson, or Nighthawk, either, but all of these cost more than Baer and Wesson.

My dad told me he wanted to get a a pistol and I asked him what he wanted to spend. He said he wanted a value. I asked him again what he wanted to spend. I ended up getting him an M&P45. I love 1911's. You will never part me from my Baer, but the value is really in the plastic guns. You can't cast or machine cheaper than you can mold plastic.
I didn't mean custom in options, I meant every part being hand fitted and made from scratch by one gunsmith. Semi custom to me is a production gun that receives hand fitting of some components, and production is a gun which components/pieces are made in a tolerance window and the whole thing is just assembled w/ no fitting.
 
You may want to keep in mind the Sig uses an external extractor on some, if not all, of their 1911's. That makes them different from a 1911 to some purists.

I've got a TRP. I can't offer an opinion on others mentioned above but I can say that it has been a solid performer for the six years I've owned it.

B
 
I didn't mean custom in options, I meant every part being hand fitted and made from scratch by one gunsmith. Semi custom to me is a production gun that receives hand fitting of some components, and production is a gun which components/pieces are made in a tolerance window and the whole thing is just assembled w/ no fitting.

I think clmayfield knew what you meant, and I agree with him. From what I've read the Dan Wessons are, or were until somewhat recently if things have now changed, made the way the other top semi-customs are made. Making them, for many, the value leader in the higher-end. I think Springfield Professionals are a great deal in the higher-end as well.

The more desirable and the greater the value of the gun, not surprisingly, the harder they are to find. For example, I would love a Valtro. Jardine has told me he'll be dead before my name came up on the wait list.
 
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I have a Kimber Custom Tactical, Springfield TRP Operator, Sig TacOps, all work well. The TRP was the most expensive and worth it. All shoot well when I do my part and are as reliable as can be. The aluminum frame Kimber is nice and light and is my every day carry gun.
 
Don't over look the Springfield MC Operato, replace the rubber grips though, I could not stand them. I believe its a good buy and has a rail. It shoots side by side with TRP for less dollars. But like others have said, the TRP is hard to beat for an off the shelf 1911, best who is to say but if not its close.

The E series run hard too. I don't have one but have shot them.

Me personally would not give Kimber any thought. What they once were are now selling on advertising and a past. I sold Kimbers and they had a high customer complaint, several with rust on the barrel NIB from the factory.

But if you really like the TacOps or the Scorpion then you answered your question.

Since its your first, buy an off the shelf like you want, then get a GI / MilSpec and get to work.

10-8 Delta and Golf, and Cylinder and Slide Centennial but of course these are not on the market. This is the direction my current GI is heading.
 
Colt new series 70 repro or WWI or 2 reproduction given to:

chuck rogers
Jason Burton
Ted Yost
John Jardine
John Harrison
Ned Christiansen
Steve Morrison
Stan Chen
CT Brian
Don Williams
and the list goes on, if you want custom go custom. Unless you send in your gun and pick the options, buying a spec gun from ed brown, wilson, les baer does not count. Wilson's shop does great work and build custom guns but i wouldn't put ed brown or les baer in the same league in either customer service or work produced. I put an entire thread of people at the top of this section in a sticky. Best on the market? Have exactly what you want built
 
Colt new series 70 repro or WWI or 2 reproduction given to:

chuck rogers
Jason Burton
Ted Yost
John Jardine
John Harrison
Ned Christiansen
Steve Morrison
Stan Chen
CT Brian
Don Williams
and the list goes on, if you want custom go custom. Unless you send in your gun and pick the options, buying a spec gun from ed brown, wilson, les baer does not count. Wilson's shop does great work and build custom guns but i wouldn't put ed brown or les baer in the same league in either customer service or work produced. I put an entire thread of people at the top of this section in a sticky. Best on the market? Have exactly what you want built

Any thoughts about Luke Volkman?
 
Luke builds a really nice gun, never heard anything bad about his work. there are many good builders like i said i made a sticky, i just listed what i consider some of the elite. SOME of the elite
 
It came down to STI or Dan Wesson Specialist. I went with the STI Tactical 5.0 with full length dust cover rail. I LOVE it!!! Hard to fine though, I got luckey and found one at Shooters Connection.
 
There is no correct answer. Some are better than others, but most will proclaim the perfectness of whatever they own,. So, Baer, Wilson and Nighthawk cannot be topped.

DISCLAIMER: For the sarcasm impaired, the latter statement is sarcasm.
 
I own a Wilson Combat Custom CQB - but it is not my first 1911. I have my first one in 1969 issued by the US goverment. If you are getting your first 1911 you would be well advised not to go all in. Get a nice semi custom and shoot the heck out of it then decide what you want. I would buy Wilson Combat mags as they have worked best for me. I have owned 5 Kimbers but don't own any of them any more. I have also owned a Springfield which I was satisfied with but sold to upgrade.
If I was advising a friend I would say get a used Dan Wesson and shoot it again and again. Figure out what you like and what you could use less of then trade up. You won't suffer a loss on the Dan Wesson if you decide you want to upgrade. You may think this Dan Wesson is good enough to be a keeper and then you will wind up like me with more than one 1911.
 
Best is relative to your price range. OP, what are you looking to spend?

$1000-1500: Springfield TRP, Dan Wesson
$1500-3000: Baer, Nighthawk, Wilson
$3000+ : Volkmann, Yost, Heirloom, Harrison, etc.

Me, I like Les Baers because at their price point, I think they're the best. It's hard to beat an LB with all the options you want and a 1.5" guarantee for $2300. If Nighthawk dropped their prices about $800 and I'd be very interested but I don't see that happening. I'm VERY intrigued by Black Ops Precision 1911 line. YMMV
 
These "best buy" threads drive me slightly nuts, too. Too much of what would make a particular 1911 superlative is subject to the needs and desires of the buyer. As Joe stated above, there are many customizers who can turn a base pistol inside out to the tune of thousands of dollars in meeting the demands for a unique expression of a shooter's individuality. Frankly, most people are best served by a high-end production piece, if they're willing or able to afford themselves even that. For some folks, there's too much ego wound up in acquiring a pistol at the absolute outside of their budget to admit that there's anything else manufactured in JMB's classic design that's as good as what they've got stuck in their belt. I remember being in a gunshop a county over a few years ago and being asked by the counter commando what I happened to be carrying, which in that instance was a Kimber (I've moved on to a Colt and a SA TRP since then, and no, I'm not a collector). He sneered at me and said, "I've got a LLAMA," as if he were trying to one-up me.

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I think the sweet spot for a 1911 is somewhere well above the turd-polishing threshold, but not quite into the nosebleed region. At least, that's where I feel comfortable personally, at the point where appearance is acceptable and consistent performance is unquestionable.
 
I am going to plow the same ground. I have shot USPSA matches for several years and put a lot of rounds though a TRP. It has held up. They are a good value for the money. Wilson Combat CQB is another 1911 I own and they are very nice. I have done nothing to it, which is a first for me and 1911s. You can pick one up used for a decent price. It has also been 100% reliable for me.
 
Wow, amazed to see an entirely CIVIL discussion over such a subjective and hotly debated topic!

Good job, guys!

I'm no 1911 aficionado, but I know a good gun when I see/feel one. I think you start getting into a fine 1911 at about the $900 pricepoint (new, for a somewhat dolled-up example), with a few nuanced exceptions.

I have a Sig 1911 GSR, with a low 4000's serial number. It is no Nighthawk or Baer, but it is a nicely fit, good running gun. For whatever reason, the Sig 1911s have poor resale value. That can either work to your advantage by buying a used one for a good price (I gave $650 for mine), or perhaps to your disadvantage if you want to sell it.

I agree with the fellow that suggests getting a somewhat fancied up production gun, and then if you think you're "into it", a Colt or Springfield to customize and trick out.

Good luck and have fun!
 
MC Operator or TRP are the best non custom guns on the market. Great value for the money. I own both and have shot the heck out of both, The run and run and run and you get Springfield customer service.

PB
 
I figured this would be a "heated debate" but that was not my intention. I realize there is not a "best" 1911. Since I'm new to the 1911's, I just wanted to get different feedback from those who own them and get there thoughts/opinions. I'd like to stay in the $1,000 range. I know I won't be able to get anything spectacular with my budget but as I said...this will be my first 1911 purchase. I'd like to find a good used 1911 around that price.
 
At $1000, an STI, used Dan Wesson, or one of higher end Springfields is probably your best bet then.
 
The scorpions are great, the rail is nice to have a light for home protection. I like the way they feel and shoot. I have been competing with a Kimber Team Match II for the last 8 years, i love the older kimbers. The new ones seem to be a little off, or atleast the ones I have shot.
best thing to do is to go to a range and get some rentals and see what you like. What ever feels best in your hand is the one you need to look harder at.
 
I will give it to springfield and wilson that they are known for some of the best customer service in the industry. if ANY springfield gun has issues they always fix it and it goes directly to their custom shop to make it work.

I"ve never heard a single bad thing from wilson when it comes to guns in general but also fixing any issue with one of their guns.

I happen to own a wilson as well as a couple springfields along with all my colts. i'm just saying, he asked "best" on the market that is the same as the guy asking "what is the best all around bolt action rifle" the question cannot be answered.
 
Springfield is good, pretty much anything that does not have that sears 80 safety. its a pain...
 
As others have said, the "best" 1911 depends in large part on what you need/want it for. Will you ultimately want this to be a competition pistol (even if you don't want to shoot it now); are you a righty or lefty (perhaps dictating the need for am ambi safety); what's your budget (the "best" could vary depending on the answer to this); what are you looking for in terms of fit and finish; etc.

I have a Springfield 1911 that I bought in 1999 and two Baers (one .45 and one 9mm) that I bought over the last couple years. Before I bought the Baers, I thought the Springfield was the "best" gun for me. After buying the Baers, I still love the Springfield, but believe that the Baers are far superior. I've handled and shot Wilson Combats, Nighthawks, Browns, and other higher end pistols - many of which are considered to be the "Best" by devotees. To me, however, they paled in comparison to the Baer.

Ultimately, the "best" 1911 for any particular shooter is a subjective choice that we all have to make. Fortunately, it is a lot of fun trying out the different models when trying to answer the question! Good luck in your search. You can't go wrong with any of the pistols mentioned in this thread.
 
I didn't mean custom in options, I meant every part being hand fitted and made from scratch by one gunsmith. Semi custom to me is a production gun that receives hand fitting of some components, and production is a gun which components/pieces are made in a tolerance window and the whole thing is just assembled w/ no fitting.

I fully understand your post, the "custom" tag is used for damn near everything now days! If you paint a gun, it's now a "custom" gun, I guess even a peel and stick decal placed on a gun, make it a "custom gun". I am with you, I know what a custom suit is, it is not a suit taken off the rack, with a little hemming. It starts from a bolt of clothe. We now have an entire industry of small shops, they turn out a given model, let's say their, "super whacker", they build these all the time, but as they are not a major builder they some how become custom! My idea of a true custom gun, is very similar to yours. We have been lucky as Americans to have had a unbroken line of Great Gun Smiths, that build Custom Guns. We still have a lot of great gun smiths, but the definition of a custom gun has changed!
 
Para makes a really nice 1911 that runs from around 700-1500 depending on what you want. I was able to pick up one of their tactical 1911's really cheap (850 vs 1150).
 
Para makes a really nice 1911 that runs from around 700-1500 depending on what you want. I was able to pick up one of their tactical 1911's really cheap (850 vs 1150).

I looked at the Para Black Ops. Thoughts on it? Not real familiar with Para. I hear more and have read more about the Sig and Springfield.
 
If you are looking to purchase your first 1911, you might want to go with a basic unit, of good quality rather than dump a whole bunch of money into something you will not know how to use, let alone know if you need it. Get good with a basic 1911 and then decide what you do/don't need. It's a whole lot like picking a rifle. Spend some money on ammo and shoot it. The only thing I see of any value to you is a rail to put a light on if you need it for your bedtime protection piece. Other than that, getting used to a .45 is the best thing to do here. Because, custom or not, they all operate pretty much the same. The better guns will handle better and have features, that when you know HOW to work them, are a bonus.

I just picked up a Para for $550 at a local box store. Right after I did that the price jumped to $600. Now that ammo is available again, in small quantities you may see them (.45's in general) jump even more.
 
I looked at the Para Black Ops. Thoughts on it? Not real familiar with Para. I hear more and have read more about the Sig and Springfield.

Para is s small company based in North Carolina. I've never had any issues with my 1911 or neither have either of my friends who have one of their 1911's. a friend of mine had the Black Ops as well and he loves it. We both conceal carry our 1911's. while it's easier for him due to him being larger than me, I'm 5'6 125. I wouldn't trade it for the Sig 1911 I was considering any day. Great reliably, fun to shoot, hard to carry if your a smaller frame like I am, but can be done, and enough weight to it so that recoil management isn't anything you really need to worry about four a quick file up shot. All in all, I love it.
 
you will not know how to use, let alone know if you need it. Get good with a basic 1911 and then decide what you do/don't need.

It's a pistol. You pull the trigger, it goes bang. There is minor tailoring that goes on in the pistol, but features are mostly the same on all 1911 of the same size. I mean, sure there are small decisions that need to be made in spec'ing out a gun. Two dot or three dot night sights or gold bead vs gold stripe vs black front sight. One piece or two-piece magwell vs no magwell. Ambi safety vs. one sided safety, etc. You can go crazy and get a bobtail or a light rail or even a Les Baer Monolith, but the extra money isn't spent on these features, it is largely spent on hand-fitting parts as mentioned above for better accuracy and reliability.

I just bought that M&P45 for my dad and put it though a couple of paces this weekend (I still haven't tested it for speed). It choked once during the session. My Baer never choked and I put more rounds through it. Same with my HK45c. Now... the Baer cost a bit over 3X as much as the M&P. The accuracy is a little better on the Baer in my hands and the reliability of the Baer is slightly better (all pistols fail, in the end), but it better be for 3 times the price. 1911's need a lot of work (read money) to achieve this level of accuracy and reliability. The average 1911 will not better the average plastic gun at the same price point. In my mind, with a 1911, you do have to spend a little more to make it run like it should. I don't see any problem in spending a bit on a semi-custom to have something that runs and shoots well out of the gate. And BTW, there are many production guns that run very well, but you are buying a ticket in the 1911 sweepstakes when you buy a production gun. Just like there are many Remington 5R's that shoot well, but having a smith true a Remington 700 action and rebarreling it with a custom barrel will likely yield better accuracy.

I am more in the buy once cry once category, but I know many people are into the starter gun concept. No problem with this philosophy, but the OP seems to be more in the buy once, cry once category, and so the advice needs to be adjusted to his mindset.
 
clmayfield,

I think your first two paragraphs sum up exactly what I mean. There's all kinds of crap you can put on a 1911 that you may/may not need/want/use. Get a good one to start with then see what you want to add to it, or sell it. I bought my first Mil-spec (not the GI, the good one) Springfield 1911 ten something years ago and ran many thousands of rounds through it. I sold it for what I paid for it. So, there isn't really a whole lot of money lost on one if your choice then goes to selling it to finance the 1911 of your dreams.

As far as "buy once, cry once" I find that most people only cry when they don't get what they hoped for when spending the big bucks on a firearm. I know the big money I've spent well on a firearm never made me cry. This is why I say, get into a decent basic unit, learn the gun inside and out, then move up. I have bought stuff I've not needed and wished I hadn't. I've known many people on here 'over-buying' then wishing they could get it down the road, as it's not useable to them.
 
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To your point, I think it is important to know what you are using the gun for. A range gun probably doesn't need a bobtail unless you plan on carrying it some day. Similarly, high accuracy is overkill on a carry gun. But all of these are really small refinements to the overall platform. A bone stock government 1911 will serve most purposes. Even though it is a full size, the fact that it is thin makes it good for carry. It has the accuracy to be a range gun. It can serve in competition as a production gun (though you will need to check the competition rules, for instance beavertail safeties, pretty much a standard feature now, are a no go for production guns for Bullseye). There is a reason that over 100 years later, people are still carrying and shooting these pistols.
 
To your point, I think it is important to know what you are using the gun for. A range gun probably doesn't need a bobtail unless you plan on carrying it some day. Similarly, high accuracy is overkill on a carry gun. But all of these are really small refinements to the overall platform. A bone stock government 1911 will serve most purposes. Even though it is a full size, the fact that it is thin makes it good for carry. It has the accuracy to be a range gun. It can serve in competition as a production gun (though you will need to check the competition rules, for instance beavertail safeties, pretty much a standard feature now, are a no go for production guns for Bullseye). There is a reason that over 100 years later, people are still carrying and shooting these pistols.

I will be using mostly for personal defense/concealed carry and some range. As I stated previously, I'm new to the world of 1911's so I'm looking for a decent entry level 1911 that I can start with.
 
I will be using mostly for personal defense/concealed carry and some range. As I stated previously, I'm new to the world of 1911's so I'm looking for a decent entry level 1911 that I can start with.

I would suggest a Para, then, as I had done. I also really like the Sigs. I was about to buy one then found these Para's at the local box store. Something of note. I was discussing 1911's with a local shop owner and he commented he was a purist, and wanted the 1911 as John Browning designed it with the extractor as part of the bolt face. Come to find out it was actually John Browning who redesigned the 1911 to make the Hi-Power and make the extractor as part of the slide. So, the extractor you see on the Sigs, is a John Browning design. For what that matters.

IMO, these would hold their value from day one for you. You can learn on them, and decide later if you want to further upgrade/change or sell them for your ultimate 1911. The Springfields are also great options as well. For value, I'd stay clear of the Rock Island and Taurus. Taurus quality has gone way up since the days of them being THE 'Saturday Night Special'. But with name comes recognition and therefore loss of resale. The RI's function well but are loose. I haven't found Kimbers to be lacking in quality, but they seem to be a bit more money. As some have said who sell them over the counter, they lead the league in customer complaints. I'm thinking it's mostly because they paid as much for them as a Colt, but don't keep the value as well (name recognition again). I know several Kimber owners who have been nothing but happy with their purchases.
 
I'm on my third 1911 .45. This one is TRP with the 3/4 rail. It is by far the best .45 I have ever shot or owned. Now I have never had a custom like a Wilson, Baer or Nighthawk, and I guess until someone lets me shoot one so I can see if there is a difference I never will. I am absolutely satisfied in every way with my Springfield TRP. 100% reliable so far, great looking and great shooting.
 
I'm on my third 1911 .45. This one is TRP with the 3/4 rail. It is by far the best .45 I have ever shot or owned. Now I have never had a custom like a Wilson, Baer or Nighthawk, and I guess until someone lets me shoot one so I can see if there is a difference I never will. I am absolutely satisfied in every way with my Springfield TRP. 100% reliable so far, great looking and great shooting.

I've shot some really nice customs. They make me say I want one bad! Then I see the price tags and suddenly I can live with a few modifications to my current .45's to get some of the features I liked so well on the big money guns. I've got mine running good. And, unless I see a big lotto win, it's not likely that I'll drop the cash for a custom. Not that I wouldn't, just that I don't have that kind of cash.
 
For the money Sig 1911s are nice.

I've owned several Wilsons but my favorite is my BlackOps Recon and John Harrison customs.
 
Dave Lauck at D&L Sports builds in my opinion the finest 1911 you can get your hands on. I have a D&L Proffesional model, expensive yes, but if you are ever in the market for squared away gear give Dave a call.