I decided I want a 1911 and I have narrowed it down to a few, The Ruger SR1911, Sig 1911 Desert, STI Spartan V, The Remington R1 Enhanced, and The Para Elite. I'm leaning towards the Para I have not handled it. Which one do you recommend and why? Does anyone own the Para Elite ?
A few of our department armorers own the SR1911 and love it, and this is coming from guys that own high end custom 1911s as well. They claim it's the best out of the box 1911 on the market. Try going over to 1911forum.com and reading the manufacturers threads, they're a good source of info.
Recommendations in the abstract are tough, particularly when there are so many variables that go into the choice of a 1911. What do you want the gun for: competition, carry, range, etc? Will it be your primary gun or one of a stable that you rotate? Do you need/want a rail? Do you want/need an ambi safety? Do you want checkering/lines on the front strap or plain? Do you want cocking serrations at the front of the slide? What's your budget? The answer to these questions (and undoubtedly more) will influence recommendations and also your personal choice, as not every one of these guns has all of these features.
I went through the same type of analysis when moving from the Springfield 1911 I bought in the late '90s to a new 1911 a few years ago. I figured out my must-haves and the things I didn't like. I then went and handled a ton of pistols, including some that you mention, plus a number of Wilson Combat's, Nighthawks, Ed Brown's, etc. I ultimately settled on Les Baer's Premier II. It had everything I wanted and seemed to fit my hand better than any of the other models I held. It was primarily that visceral reaction I had when I held the Baer that sold me on it. I've heard a lot of other 1911 shooters have similar reactions to the guns they ultimately choose - it has the features they want, but just felt better than other guns they sampled.
Good luck with your decision. All of the models you list are nice guns.
My vote is for the Sig 1911. Consider that I own a Les Baer also. Comparing the initial cost and the options that each one has, the better value is the Sig. Sig makes a great 1911 for the money and has great options. I currently have a Sig TacOps carry with a TB and a Sig 1911 compact. Both have been flawless out of the box.
My buddy has the Ruger SR1911 and it also is a very well made 1911.
Go somewhere and check them out and handle them and see what you like. Good luck owning just one!
My buddy has the Ruger SR1911 and it also is a very well made 1911.
Go somewhere and check them out and handle them and see what you like. Good luck owning just one!
I have quite a few Sig 1911's and have been pleased with every single one. That said, different models suit different roles.
The C3 is an excellent choice for carry, it has the aluminum frame which makes weight a non-issue for whole days packing it around. I don't know how much 1911 experience you have, but the steel frames get heavy quick. This one has the most beautiful trigger i've ever pulled, hands down.
I love my Tac Ops edition sigs, they will punch ragged holes at distances far exceeding the average handgun shooter's skill/ability. The commander size is comfortable for a decently built guy like me to carry when concealment isn't an issue- If you're a little guy, it might not be a good choice since they are heavy. Mine are both railed, but there are no-rail versions around.
Just my $0.02, but Sig is making a helluva lot of gun for the roughly thousand dollar price point.
With that in mind, you don't "need" a .45 even for winter carry. Plenty of smaller bullets will penetrate heavy winter clothing too. Get what you want, but don't rule out other makes/models based on wives tales and big fish stories regarding caliber, etc.
The C3 is an excellent choice for carry, it has the aluminum frame which makes weight a non-issue for whole days packing it around. I don't know how much 1911 experience you have, but the steel frames get heavy quick. This one has the most beautiful trigger i've ever pulled, hands down.
I love my Tac Ops edition sigs, they will punch ragged holes at distances far exceeding the average handgun shooter's skill/ability. The commander size is comfortable for a decently built guy like me to carry when concealment isn't an issue- If you're a little guy, it might not be a good choice since they are heavy. Mine are both railed, but there are no-rail versions around.
Just my $0.02, but Sig is making a helluva lot of gun for the roughly thousand dollar price point.
With that in mind, you don't "need" a .45 even for winter carry. Plenty of smaller bullets will penetrate heavy winter clothing too. Get what you want, but don't rule out other makes/models based on wives tales and big fish stories regarding caliber, etc.
im not ruling out anyother calabers i carry a shield now i want to get a 1911 for awhile know it will be used for range and carry im a big guy too and in the winter i usally carry with a shoulder holster so weight isnt a huge concern.
I have a Para Elite, and for the money you can not buy a better 1911 in my opinion. I bought it a couple months before the deployment I am on and have ran about 500 rounds through it and it hasn't even slowed down yet and zero malfunctions and It gave it the first cleaning before I put it in storage. Its a tad heavy, but with the added weight, follow up shots are an absolute breeze. I use it as my daily carry in IWB holster with no issues (Im 5'7" 125lbs, so Im pretty small framed). Too bad I wont be back anytime soon or I would let you give it a run though on my trip to Ohio after my deployment.
I vote for the Spartan. There is no better gun in that price range. Spend the other $300 on upgrades like the sights, safeties, etc., that you want. I would avoid the Para and the Sig and I have no real strong opinions on the Remington or Ruger as they are too new and I have not inspected them closely. I don't think you can get a gun as nice as a Spartan for twice the price, though.
If you can find one (at a reasonable price) a Dan Wesson Bobtail is hard to beat. Got one and love it!
After the nightmare I went through trying to get Para to repair my TTR that failed to function and group straight out of the box, I will never touch one of their weapons again. Worst customer service ever... Oh, and they still didn't fix it after five months so I'm replacing the barrel myself.
They also shipped my P14 with mismatched sights causing it to group 8" low at 15 yards. I will not give them an opportunity for strike three.
They also shipped my P14 with mismatched sights causing it to group 8" low at 15 yards. I will not give them an opportunity for strike three.
I have said it before and I'll say it again...if a carry pistol, and you have two, get the same control system on each. If you are used to a striker fired pistol DAO first shot or full time, and you grab your 1911 for a serious social encounter, muscle memory can be a bitch. You may forget the safety and have a fail to fire or AD or other brain fart condition. Play and train the same. JMHO
Kimber
if you can fork out the skrill, Les Baer
if you can fork out the skrill, Les Baer
Despite the internet, my kimber stainless II has done really well. Like it more than my new sr1911. Nearly 1000rds and not one issue. I did recently replace the MSH to the steel magwell style. I couldn't believe they would put a plastic POS MSH on from the factory.
My advice would be a Colt Rail Gun or Springfeild MC Operator. IMO these are the best "all purpose" pistols. I currently have a Colt Rail gun. It has never jammed. I had no "break in" period. I just loaded a mag and went. Let me say this, I buy the cheapest ammo I can find, i.e. sometimes its really crappy. I am not out there to shoot groups. I practice center of mass. My colt never fails. I have over 1000 rounds through it without a cleaning and it still functions great. No matter what I feed it, it keeps shooting. I had a Sprigfield like this as well but it had no rail. No matter waht I used and not matter how dirty the pistol was, it always fired.
I owned a sig tac ops for a while and had some problems. Magazine was hard to seat, short strokes, stovetops, etc. I didnt experience this until about 300 rounds in. I cleaned it and rebuilt it and I always had the same problem. Called sig, sent it and got it back, problems stoppped and then started again about 2 months later. I have heard great things about the sigs though. I probably just got a lemon.
I would strongly reccomend staying away from STI and Para.
One last thought. Dont over pay or an STI, Nighthawk, Wilson or Les Baer. I would put my colt against any of them in any condition. You are paying for a name. I know people will disagree but I have onwed quite a few 1911s and in my expericen they are not worth it. I have had personal experince with Wilson and I can promise you I will never buy one.
I owned a sig tac ops for a while and had some problems. Magazine was hard to seat, short strokes, stovetops, etc. I didnt experience this until about 300 rounds in. I cleaned it and rebuilt it and I always had the same problem. Called sig, sent it and got it back, problems stoppped and then started again about 2 months later. I have heard great things about the sigs though. I probably just got a lemon.
I would strongly reccomend staying away from STI and Para.
One last thought. Dont over pay or an STI, Nighthawk, Wilson or Les Baer. I would put my colt against any of them in any condition. You are paying for a name. I know people will disagree but I have onwed quite a few 1911s and in my expericen they are not worth it. I have had personal experince with Wilson and I can promise you I will never buy one.
I have the Remington R1 Enhanced and Kimber Pro Covert. Reliability has been excellent with both. The kimber has several thousand rounds through it and has been flawless despite the internet hate. The Remmy has around 1500 rds. through it now and hasn't had a hiccup yet either. The only thing I wasn't happy with was the remington mags but I've got a slew of kimber and wilson mags so it was a minor issue for me. If you're going to carry IWB you might want to go to a little less aggressive grip on the remmy but that's a personal choice..
I'm going to hijack the thread for a minute, sorry OP.
I'm shopping for a 1911 too, but there are a few must haves for me:
Full size, all steel 5", front strap checkering 20-30LPI, mag well (not a big competition one, but one like on a TRP) night sights.
I prefer stainless, and strongly prefer a non-railed frame.
My search has kind of lead me to:
Springfield TRP
Sig Sauer STX
Dan Wesson Specialist (has a rail, otherwise, perfect)
Sig Sauer 1911 Stainless and add a mag well
Maybe an STI lawman and add a mag well and night sights
Double Star non-railed and add a mag well and night sights
Any others??
Budget is about $1500 or less
Thanks
Justin
I'm shopping for a 1911 too, but there are a few must haves for me:
Full size, all steel 5", front strap checkering 20-30LPI, mag well (not a big competition one, but one like on a TRP) night sights.
I prefer stainless, and strongly prefer a non-railed frame.
My search has kind of lead me to:
Springfield TRP
Sig Sauer STX
Dan Wesson Specialist (has a rail, otherwise, perfect)
Sig Sauer 1911 Stainless and add a mag well
Maybe an STI lawman and add a mag well and night sights
Double Star non-railed and add a mag well and night sights
Any others??
Budget is about $1500 or less
Thanks
Justin
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Here's a great link that provides great reviews on a large selectin of 1911's.
Buyer's guide for all you 1911 addicts...
Buyer's guide for all you 1911 addicts...
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not having much experience with 1911's, i'd spend some time on 1911 forum just to see possible issues. that being said, springfield armory would get my money in this pricepoint.
I've just started looking for a 1911 .45. Decided that my GSG 1911 .22 just has to have a full sized brother.
Been researching for about 10 days now...I just can't find a bad review of the Ruger...anywhere.
A fellow had one at the range last week and he let me try it. Now 2 mags doesn't really tell squat...but it sure seems well put togther and looks 'quality'.
He said he'd put about 1500 rounds through it since he got it in early spring and has had no more than a couple of failures of any kind.
And the price just can't be beat.
Been researching for about 10 days now...I just can't find a bad review of the Ruger...anywhere.
A fellow had one at the range last week and he let me try it. Now 2 mags doesn't really tell squat...but it sure seems well put togther and looks 'quality'.
He said he'd put about 1500 rounds through it since he got it in early spring and has had no more than a couple of failures of any kind.
And the price just can't be beat.
Springfield TRP OR a possible MC Operator. Good stuff.
As a caveat, winnow through whatever you read on 1911 Forum with a careful, perceptive eye. There's a good bit of fanboying and rock-slinging there from folks who would like to but can't afford or justify anything more than introductory-level 1911s, and just can't stand the idea of anybody having anything better than what they have. I'm not trying to diss them, because what happens there is pretty much what happens everywhere: folks get defensive and almost paranoid sometimes about their purchases and look for the echo of similar opinions to make them feel better. You have to factor out that sort of bias if you're going to use what you might glean from such a source.
Lower-end 1911s are fine as range toys, but as a life-saving tool, they're best left behind. I carry a bone-stock SA TRP from time to time, and it does 99% as well as 1911s costing 100% more or better. Really, I think that it's in the sweet spot between cost and effectiveness, although their popularity has been driving the price up a bit of late. I was lucky and ran across one that was barely used for about $350 - $550 off typical retail — the owner must have weighed 140 lbs. soaking wet, and the weight of it just about had him walking in circles. That said, I like the fit and finish of the Dan Wesson offerings, but I couldn't bring myself to buy one and see it eventually torn up from carry. With the TRP, I have no such compunctions. It's kind of ugly in a utilitarian way, and serves its purpose much more than adequately.
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I dont shop for 1911's very often, but when i do i buy a GAP 1911
I did some looking around and talking to a couple guys at my lgs', as well as looking at a friends Kimber's and his LBC.
I think I'm going to go for a Sig. I held and dry fires several of them in different barrel lengths, including an STX, which felt the best in my hand and was the tightest, aside from the LBC.
I may go for just the stainless and add an Ed Brown magwell to it too.
I think I'm going to go for a Sig. I held and dry fires several of them in different barrel lengths, including an STX, which felt the best in my hand and was the tightest, aside from the LBC.
I may go for just the stainless and add an Ed Brown magwell to it too.
Another very good option is a Springfield Loaded, which should be around the price range of some of the guns you mentioned. Springfield has GREAT customer service, and make a great 1911. Just my $.02
RLTW!
RLTW!
Get a Dan Wesson if you Can I have a Specialist now and had a V Bob Valor I truley miss. just missed a Guardian at my local shop today went to get it and it had been sold over the phone to a shopper out of state. 
the commander length guns are great.
the commander length guns are great.
If I had it to do over I probably would have gone for a springfield.
I see the OP has already made a purchase, but for anyone searching who finds this thread in the future, I strongly believe -- and I'm far from alone -- you'll get the most quality for the least money with Dan Wesson. In this case, the Valor, or V-Bob, depending on desired size, would have been ideal based on the limited description of desired features. They certainly do cost more than your typical offerings, but cost less than most, if not all, of the competing semi-customs. If you can't afford one, you can't afford it. But if you can, I don't see a reason to pay more for, for example, an Ed Brown. BTW, I do own two Ed Browns. I think the guy above who suggested the 1911 forum is right on, especially about his cautionary tales of bias. Try to find people who have owned a lot and aren't hell-bent on defending what they own -- especially if they can only afford to own one.
Edit: Just skimmed through the link of 1911 reviews that someone posted above. This guy is great because he actually owns a boatload of different models. Though not all models. I would love to see an updated post from him two years newer. According to him the Dan Wessons have increased in price (I'm frozen in time with them here in California) and are not the screaming good deals they once were, but still great guns. I suspect, however, that the prices of the competition have also risen in the interim so they may, in fact, once again be amazing deals. From what I've read from people who are able to buy their newer models that is, in fact, the case.
Regardless, there are many, many choices. For me, I don't like the idea of MIM parts in a gun. Not that MIM parts can't be made very strong -- it's my understanding they can. But that they may also be more susceptible to production errors. As always, YMMV based on desire, personal bias, and heft of wallet.
Edit: Just skimmed through the link of 1911 reviews that someone posted above. This guy is great because he actually owns a boatload of different models. Though not all models. I would love to see an updated post from him two years newer. According to him the Dan Wessons have increased in price (I'm frozen in time with them here in California) and are not the screaming good deals they once were, but still great guns. I suspect, however, that the prices of the competition have also risen in the interim so they may, in fact, once again be amazing deals. From what I've read from people who are able to buy their newer models that is, in fact, the case.
Regardless, there are many, many choices. For me, I don't like the idea of MIM parts in a gun. Not that MIM parts can't be made very strong -- it's my understanding they can. But that they may also be more susceptible to production errors. As always, YMMV based on desire, personal bias, and heft of wallet.
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