Which 1911 .45 ACP?

F

FurGetter

New member
Thinking about adding a new pistol to my collection. I have always wanted a .45, but never did get one. Well, the bug is still biting me and was wonder what your suggestions were and why. I am thinking about a Kimber. Cost is an issue however, but would be willing to part with about $700-800. How 'bout some help.
 
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If you buy within that price range you'll probably not go wrong. My son has a Kimber and I've always wanted one too but all the major brands make nice 1911s. Boils down to "Looks and Features"---Sights, Finish, Grips.
 
I would suggest a SA loaded stainless, if you're wanting a full size 1911. I think it's about the best bang for the buck out there.

Coyote 6974
 
..yesterday, Feb. 15th, my son filled out the paperwork on a Smith&Wesson 1911 in .45ACP, and immediately took it to the range.

It is an excellent pistol, IMHO. He paid about $800 for it, maybe a bit over. We have a local gun shop, where the owner/operator will sell you any firearm in his catalog, for $10.00 over his cost, plus shipping. You can't beat a deal like that. And he will show you the invoice, just so you will know for sure that he is doing what he said he would do.

The Smith accounted for the coup'de grace on a coyote, this morning. A wounded coyote was struggling, and down out of sight for a second rifle shot. The shooter approached the coyote, and administered a final shot with the Smith.
 
I've long been a fan of 1911, .45 caliber pistols. About three years ago I bought a S/S Kimber Stainless II. This is a full sized, 5" barrel pistol with fixed sights. The only change I would, and may, make is to add night sights. I've shot a course with some folks whereby some of the action was in darkened places and the guys with night sights were better armed and performed better. My "show off" gun is a Colt S/S Gold Cup Commander with 60% engraving and real ivory grips. It, too, shoots really well but I'm careful where I take it and what it is used for.

The Kimber is my daily carry gun and I have absolute faith in it. In Texas there used to be a really cool place called Thunder Ranch, now relocated to Oregon. We attended one of the three day classes and in two and one-half days of actual firing put 1000 rounds through two Kimbers and not a stutter and no jams. My son had purchased some high capacity .45 magazines thinking he would gain an advantage in the timed events. They proved to be jammers of the first class and once he switched to the high quality magazines like the old man was using, no problems. The instructors all carried 1911 .45 guns and the brands used were Kimber, Springfield Armory, and the Thunder Ranch branded guns made by Les Baer. All agreed, for the money and performance the Kimber was a best buy.

There are numerous very good 1911 guns in the market, all the better for guys who like and use 1911 pistols. My experience with a Kimber has been all good, right out of the box. Best of luck to you on getting a new 1911.

Regards,
CharlesB
 
I would suggest polishing the ramp if you go Kimber, I have heard of a lot of them jaming on the last round, until the ramp got polished. But that is just what I heard from a gun guy here, he may be trying to give a load of crap? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused1.gif

Later,

3rd Alarm
 
In my opinion, and limited experience, magazines are the cause for most 1911 FTE/FFF/FFL.

My Kimber Ultra CDP has performed flawlessly since switching to Wilson mags, not so with others, even the one it came with.

I feel you can't go wrong in the price range you are in.
 
I have a SS kimber with the 5" barrel, and I love this gun. I have never had a jam, and it dosen't seem to kick as much as my dads colt. My sister and girlfriend both have shot this gun and imediatly wanted to shoot it again. I can get good groups from cheap wolf ammo, and exelent groups from Federal and Speer ammo.
 
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I would suggest polishing the ramp if you go Kimber, I have heard of a lot of them jaming on the last round, until the ramp got polished. But that is just what I heard from a gun guy here, he may be trying to give a load of crap? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused1.gif

Later,

3rd Alarm



That is exactly what you called it - a load of crap. Personally, I wouldn't pass on info that I wasn't sure about as fact. Now to the subject, a Colt, Kimber, Springfield, Smith & Wesson, or Sig 1911 will all give you a great handgun. I would suggest as a first 1911 a full size 5" barrel steel frame .45 ACP from one of the above makers. Buy as much decent practice ammo as you can, gather as many quality magazines as possible, and hit the range after you've cleaned the factory gunk from your gun and relubed. Shoot 150 rounds, clean and lube, then go for it! I've been shooting a 1911 of one sort or another for nearly a quarter century and currently carry one every day on the job. They are superior weapons... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/ooo.gif
 
The last comment... Wilson Mags... And, a good 1911... Kimber, Springfield, Smith, and Colt... All are excellent... All of the customs, Baer, Wilson and others... My choice of the day is Kimber...

Carried one every day for 16 total years... 4 in the Corps and 12 of 16 as a LEO... Did... bet my life on it every day and still would (and do)...
 
I have owned one Kimber in the last couple of years and four Springfields and my choice is Springfield. Back in the 70's and 80's i owned nothing but Colt Gold Cups and i believe the Springfields are better now than the Colts. This is a photo of my present Springfield, Black SS Target with Adj night sights.
45acpSS2.jpg
 
I'm also going to pound the S&W drum. I shoot a S&W PC1911 in action pistol competition. Some people are put off with the external extractor it has (a big fat extractor S&W borrowed from the 945) but after I've shot a match without any jams the nay-sayers tend to come around.

The black melonite finish is a great finish. Basically, it is a process done to stainless steel that surface hardens it and leaves it in a nice subdued permanent black matte finish.

S&W has a number of offerings in the 1911 camp, to include a light weight scandium framed model, which for all intensive purposes is the weight of an aluminum alloy frame but with a strength close to steel. For a gun that is carried a lot the reduction of weight is nice. The Scandium frame can be found in the PD (Personal Defense) series.

Finally, S&W has an excellent warranty: Lifetime. And they will pay for shipping both ways. If your gun does have a problem, call them and they will give you a FedEx account number which you can ship the gun back to them at no charge to you.
 
FurGetter,
I would suggest you evaluate some more brands. Check this web site out for more information: http://forums.1911forum.com/

I'm about to purchase a 45 a.c.p., myself and like what I've seen, read and personaly handled with the Rock Island Armory 45 a.c.p. and for $295, at a local dealer, it's difficult to pass up. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-003.gif
www.armscor.net/Pistols.htm

Good luck with your choices!
Good hunting, Bowhunter57
 
I have a Smith 1911 and it is an excellent gun for the money and put together just as good as the rest and better than most.Alot of people don't like the external extractor but it is solid and serves it's purpose,I have no complaints about mine at all.:)
 
I got a colt gov., just started to trick it out and it's going to take awhile. If it was me I would go with springfield. You can get them all ready decked out, will cost some more but it will be $ well spent.
 
I have the Kimber Custom TLE II. I love it. It has operated flawlessly, feels good, it's accurate and the tritium sights are awesome. There is one draw-back to consider . . . the black oxide finish. It wears off rather easily. Not just near moving parts (slide, etc.) but any surface contact (holster, etc.). Some guys say the wear adds character. I personally disagree. For a gun this expensive the finish should stick. Kimber should fix this. I am going to wear mine out real good and if it stands the test of time put a custom finish on it later. I would whine to Kimber but that would make me 0-3 this year on new guns. I have already had to send two guns back. One to Remington and One to Thompson Center. For the time being. As long as the Kimber performs I am happy. If you like a shiney gun a stainless Kimber solves the problem. Overall a great gun.
 
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