Ok so for months now I’ve been giving my dad crap at every chance I’ve gotten about his 1911’s and how much better my polymer guns are. I’ve talked shit about reliability, mag capacity, weight, you name it. I still feel the mag capacity, weight, and possibly reliability will always go to a modern service pistol (M&P, Glock, etc) so they will always win when it comes to a carry pistol. However, after shooting his new Wilson Combat today, I want one.
The question comes down to which one. I’m only doing this once so I want to do it right. Wilson is obviously in the running but I’m also looking at Nighthawk and the Springfield Pro.
I cant find the Pro on Springfield’s site but I want the railed version.
The only experience I have with high end 1911’s is the Wilson I shot today but that was a carry model so it doesn’t really compare. How do these three compare when it comes to reliability, accuracy, durability, and any other category you can think of?
Since I and several friends have had good experiences with the Wilson CQB pistols, I’d choose with the Wilson. The Nighthawk would be a close second for me since some of the guys are Nighthawk are former Wilson guys.
I called last month about my SA PRO LR Order that I placed last year in Feb…current lead time for a Railed Pro is 18 months. My friend put in his order for Nighthawks (He’s a Dealer for them) and was quoted 16-20 weeks. Not sure about the Wilson lead but this gives you a little idea.
The SA Pro is in their Custom Shop Catalog, you have to download the PDF file. You may luck out and get it from an online dealer who gets them in stock every once in awhile as oppose to ordering it from the Custom Shop.
Get whatever gun you like, the SA Pro’s aren’t flexible in terms of customization. What the FBI wants, you get…no if ands or buts. You can get a Custom SA 1911 that has the similar package but you can add different stuff to it if you like. I would get whatever you like and then put the gun through it’s paces to test the reliability.
All three companies make fantastic guns in terms of craftsmanship.
I said “None of the above” as I am strictly a Colt man but if I HAD to, I would go with the Wilson over the SA Pro just because it is all USA.
I know the SA Pro is finished enough here to be “Made in the USA” but is DOES have foreign parts. I won’t engage in any argument over that as it has been “done to death” and I know the SA Pro is an outstanding pistol (I have never owned or shot one).
the SA Pro is a fantastic firearm and it’s rarity will make any resale be much easier. I have seen a lot of Wilsons sit for sale for long periods of time, Pros tend to be quick.
If people are going to pick a gun to suggest, it’d help if they give reasons WHY!!! :eek:
Seriously… Pappabear and I had a little 1911 chat the other day. He’s fingered most of the 1911s and gave actual plus and minus advice on which guns he liked and why… and which ones were the best value.
Still want a precision rifle but I decided selling the AR would be a stupid move so I’m going to wait on that one. I also am considering upgrading my AR (new upper/Battle Comp/Aimpoint) and that may still happen instead but the more I think about it, the more a pistol makes sense. I spend about 95% of my time shooting at a 25yd indoor range now. If I still lived in Wyoming the AR or possibly the other rifle would happen for sure but living around Denver makes it pretty damn hard to get any use out of them.
Plus, new work opportunities have come up recently and so I’m going to have a little more money in my pocket which will let me get either the pistol or the AR stuff.
18 months is a long fucking time to wait. If there is a good reason to go with the Pro I guess I could do it but if it is more or less a toss up, I’d go with something I can get quicker than that.
Springfield Pro is best of those you have listed. Why? Because it has stood up to hard use, FBI testing, various independent testing, etc., better than its competitors. Here’s 2 articles that summarizes some of the key test results:
For lower priced alternatives, might also consider the Springfield TRP. I think from the perspective of many people, the TRP has probably 95% of the high-end features of the Pro, but is about 40% lower in price, and is therefore a worthy alternative. It’s an incredibly well made stock 1911 and worth looking at IMO. Here’s a recent review of the TRP that does not have hard use testing, but does reinforce the notion that this is a quality 1911 worthy of consideration for tactical use:
After reading around a bit and reading those links from the last post (thanks for those) it really seems like the Springfield Pro is the preferred pistol at this price point.
If I supplied a high quality frame and slide and just had them do the Professional Package upgrade, would the pistol be just as good as if they had built the entire thing? Would it cut down on my wait time?
Purchase an SA GI and send it to the SA Pro Shop to have upgraded into exactly what you want (ex. maybe you don’t want a mag well or want different sights than come standard on the Pro Model). Be sure to tell SA you want the same build quality as the Pro model.
Not that the Pro is a bad choice as it’s far from but frankly unless this is a duty weapon who gives a damm what the FBI wants and/or needs? When your spending the amount of cash you are then you want to have input and have that 1911 built around your needs, not the Feds! Like Doc said, a Springer GI sent to the SA Pro shop would be an excellent gun but you’d have a fairly long wait. Take your time and shop around, the Wilsons and Nighthawks are also great guns and you can have a fair amount of input into what you want. There are also some beautiful 1911s available right now on some of the forums, 10-8 for one and they are in your price bracket along with outfits like Volkman and Pistol Dynamics which you don’t hear much mention of. Like I said take your time, look at what your going to use the gun for then work with a company/smith to have it tailored to your use/specs.
