At the risk of not starting another 1911 thread, is there a comparison thread for quality 1911’s for the money. I’ve searched and read many threads bashing kimber and taurus. Praises for Springfield. I would like a more extensive and objective comparison between manufacturers if there is one. Any links please? Thanks.
The kimber desert warrior that i have runs like a top. I just wish it had front checkering. I changed the ambi-safety and added a mag well. It runs better than my wilson cqb elite in cold sub 10* weather. and they are not really wet with lube which in the cold weather will hinder operation.
I have had a couple kimber tle handguns and they all ran fine.
The Taurus will not fit in standard holsters, will not take mil-spec parts, and a couple companys have come out with better sights for them. So out of the box if you dont like it and dont want so sink a lot of money into it, dont buy it. Reliabilty i have heard alot of good things about them. BUT would I bet my life on it, not with out running it for 1000 plus rounds with both social and range ammo.
Back to the kimber thing… I have seen some come into the shop with failer to feed and failer to extract, we sent the back to kimber and they come back with new barrels and new slides, Now why in the hell are you replacing a slide on a 1911? shouldnt that be done right the first time around? but they did take care of it and it was fine after that.
The springfields i have had a chance to shot where very nice for the price, again ambi safetys would have to go. I dont have alot of experiance with them since i dont own one, and haven’t.
Good luck, there are a gaggle of companies that make great 1911’s and just as many that are not.
Thanks for the info…I guess what I’m looking for is a comparison for other brands, such as Colt, S&W, I hear good things about Dan Wesson, etc. I just didn’t want to start another thread, so I’m looking for links on here or other websites. I’ve been steered away from Kimber and Taurus by what I’ve read on this forum. I’m not in the market for a 1911 yet, but perhaps in about a month. That being said, I’d like a good production 1911 to start with to eliminate intial cost and go from there. I’d just like to do a bit of research for a while. Budget: $1000-$1200.
Gaggles of 1911 information on these forums: http://forums.1911forum.com/ and: http://forum.m1911.org/
For your budget, I would look for a Dan Wesson Valor. Reason: No MIM, well built, government slide, fixed sights.
Fantastic! Exactly what I needed. Thanks a lot!
Doesn’t the Valor have the adjustable Novak rear?
I’ve fingered a couple, I’ve been impressed regardless of the adjustable sight.
To the OP: rob_s has a good thread here comparing a Wilson CQB, a YoBo and an Ed Brown 1911. It’s a good read.
You are right, they are the adjustable defensive sights. Profile is similar to the fixed variety. Changes my opinion only slightly, though I prefer fixed sights.
Thanks.
I have seen used warriors for 750 to 900 bucks. The springfield TRP tactical is a nice buy and used in your price range. Smith makes some good ones as well. Go to a shop and finger a couple or all of them. Thats the best way, you can read and read all you want. Untill you pick on up, you just dont know.
The Valor is going to Heinie Straight-8s for the 2010 model year. Also going way up in price, per the 1911forum.com forums. There will be a stainless model (MSRP ~$1650) and a black model (with their metal treatment that’s similar to Melonite/Black Diamond) for a touch over $2k MSRP.
Dan Wesson puts out a good product, but the Valors are within a couple hundred street price on some models of Brown/Wilson and just about equal to a Les Baer Thunder Ranch Special. That will be a tough sell, IMHO.
To the larger question - it’s not as easy as with something like an AR-15 as far as a checklist. The 1911 criteria are more subjective (function is objective, of course, but hard to spot from looking the pistol over or checking off specs).
Colt makes a good base pistol in either Series 80 or Series 70 form these days. They’re a bit higher than Springfield’s base model because of finishes (blued vs. parked) and material (almost no MIM in a Colt, if you care) and where they’re built (Springfield frames come from Brazil for lower end models, all Colts are made in the US).
Dan Wesson was the mid-range champion for a couple of years - bobtail commanders for $1k, full-size Valors for $1300ish, plain stainless 1911s for $800-1000. Their prices are going up across the range this year.
http://www.10-8performance.com/id8.html - Hilton Yam on the qualities required of a duty 1911
About a year ago I remember seeing them for around $1,100. - $1,150 at Bud’s and on GB. Looks like whatever the best bang for the buck is, usually ends up going up, in bucks.
I ended up purchasing one of the more expensive offerings on your end-list and was quite disapointed, I wish I had bought the Wesson. The best pistol in those deep waters, in my opinion, is made by Ed Brown.
The trouble is that Sprinfield and Kimber have been building a ton of 1911’s in a ton of variations with quality control that has had its ups and downs over a span of many years. There are too many variables for any real meaningful or extensive comparison in my opinion.
With Kimber and Sprinfield’s non-custom shop guns, it is a bit like rolling the dice. I have had great luck with Kimber, but all of mine are older - I think they are all atleast 5 years old or older. New Kimbers do not have a very good reputation.
If you are just getting into 1911’s there are at least 2 great buys in the EE of this forum right now. One Yost 1* with a well documented past and a Wilson that appears to be thoroughly tested. There may be others as well.
In my opinion, you cannot get something for nothing when it comes to 1911’s. Either you pay for quality in the begining (price tag of $1,500 or more) or you gamble on an inexpensive 1911. However, if you chose the later, do not be surprised if you find out that you have a 1911 that is unreliable or has a part break.
Check out 10-8 forums, plenty of information on the 1911.
If the pricing you quote is accurate, they have ruined the perfect niche that they filled…
agreed. the life cycle of a quality 1911 is SO long, that used guns are the only way i’ll go at this point, even if i’m getting a base pistol for a gunsmith-build. there really is no need to pay for a brand-new pistol when there are quality used one’s right now. i’m looking hard at the one that David referred to. it would make a great carry/HD gun, for sure
Kent
they did ruin it. over $1900. they had a great thing going
Hmm, comparing 1911s.
I’d compare them to Ford Mustangs.
The Mustang has been around for a long time and many consider them classics.
Many of the “classic” Mustangs can’t actually meet modern standards of reliability and performance, but fans like to pretend they did.
A lot of people think they’re wicked cool. The majority of people who own them don’t actually own one of the wicked cool ones, but like to pretend they do.
Most people who own them can’t actually do anything with them that they couldn’t do with a Corolla, but they like to pretend they could.
A lot more people own 6cyl Mustangs than own GT500s but every Mustang owner acts like he’s got a GT500.
If you beat a Mustang owner, he’ll blame the road or say you’re just a more skilled driver. If a Mustang owner beats you, he’ll tell you how much better his car is than yours.
Comparisons are fun!
Do you see a lot of 1911’s fail in your profession? Do you see any makes of 1911 that stand out as better or worse in your opinion?
some of us even have humor. as a diehard 1911 guy and a former owner of a 65 mustang, i found this downright funny 
Funny, but also very accurate.
I always hated the 4 cyl mustangs of the 80’s.