1911 Advice

I think Colt and Springfield are making some solid entry level guns -- with the TRP being one of the better production level guns out there with most of the features a lot of shooters want. Both companies will have something to fit your budget - but in my view, you should dry fire or shoot a TRP & compare the other colt & springfield models to it. Pick the Colt or Springfield that has the features you want....with the best trigger you can find...to fit budget.

Personally...i like an ambi safety, checkered front strap, a high ride beavertail grip safety, full length guide rod, a speed chute mag well, combat battle sight rear & fibre optic or gold bead front sight...and I think you should consider a 9mm...but nothing wrong with a .45acp/ and i llike a full sized 5" gun...

I see & hear too many issues with Rock Island --- although I hear guys say they like them as well. Most every R ock Island I have touched, dry fired or shot ....has not had a smooth slide to frame fit / had below avg triggers with creep & slack and gritty feeling ../ ... fit & finish in general was poor. I think RI is a poor choice...over anything from Colt or Springfield in general.

Personally --- 1911's from wilson combat are 2 of the finest guns i own - one in 9mm & one in .45....with ed brown being a close 2nd...a few kimbers that were average - even true custom shop models, a les baer that i never did come to like....and a TRP that was a very serviceable gun ( the TRP, Baer & Kimbers have all been given to my older boys / I sold ed brown kobra carry..because i did not like the bob tail frame despite the fact it looked cool, it got away from me in rapid fire...../ ...the wilsons will be mine until i die.

Among my buddies --- there are a number of springfields / a couple of new colts / a few kimbers that guys are having good luck with --- some nighthawks ( which i think are avg guns at best ) ----- a Cabot, an ed brown and a few Wilsons. Wilsons are by far the consensus better guns in our group.../...but on a budget the consensus was the TRP.....or one of the new colts if it had a checkered front strap in 9mm but I forget model name.

My buddies & i have this discussion over dinner 4 or 5 times a year...when new shooters are around...after our weekly matches... / we own a lot of guns, shoot a lot of guns out of range rental case & meet a lot of 1911 guys...shoot eachothers guns when somebody finds something new that follows them home..../ evaluating options for our kids, grandkids, kids friends, etc...( i even rented & shot the new gen 5 glocks last week to give a grandson my input..not bad / ...but they are no 1911's )...

Have fun with your search..!
 
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SA1911 said:
P-990,

I own a Colt. It's a good gun, but I can't say it's better than Springfield Armory.

I also own an S&W 1911. It's an excellent gun.
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I'm not saying there's anything wrong with the Springfield Armory pistols either. I'd say the difference is similar to really wanting a Swiss and mushroom burger with BBQ sauce and going someplace that only has a bacon cheddar burger. Yes, the bacon cheddar burger is still great, but it isn't the Swiss and mushroom burger.

The S&W 1911s I've handled have generally left me very favorably impressed. I can't remember if I've had a chance to put rounds through any. However I have fired Springfields, Kimbers, Colts, Dan Wessons, a Rock Island, a Taurus, a Rock Island Armory and I'm sure other 1911s I've forgotten. The only one I can remember giving me an unfavorable impression was a Kimber lightweight Commander-clone that wouldn't run an entire magazine of anything without malfunction.

But I still say if the OP really wants a Colt, he should save up, look around and get a Colt.
 
Aguila Blanca,

It's apparent that you have an undefined hatred of Springfield Armory 1911. It would be helpful were you have posted links supporting your claims. Do you know where Springfield Armory imports its slides and frames from South Korea? Do you know if Colt imports its slides and frames from Vietnam?

I'm not sure where you came up with info you've posted. Was it a product of your emotional dislike of Springfield Armory?

BTW, the FBI ordered its HRT guns from Springfield Armory, not Colt.
 
I have never had the need or desire to "upgrade" a Colt.
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I donnoooo......

A range buddy of mine was shooting his heavily done over Colt Gold Cup.
He had is custom refined so it fit him like a second skin.
He could put 7 shots into a hole about 3/4" in diameter from ~ 7 yards all day long.
He let me give it a try.
Holy Effin Stuff!!! was that a sweet machine!
Even though things were just a little off, it still was one sweet unique experience!

The gun started out life as a Gold Cup and had gone to a well known 1911 smith (sorry, it's been over 20 years & I forgot who) for about $1500 worth of extra work.

My second story is closer to home.
Back in 1997, I bought a Colt Custom Carry Commander.
It was a special run of Commanders Colt put out. Colt took a stock Commander & gussied it up a bit by running them through the Custom shop for a trigger job and a few touches.
The gun is super sweet. Much sweeter than either of my Kimbers & every bit as accurate.
My older Kimber Target model will run side by side with a Gold Cup every day of the week.

I'm not sure I'd dismiss tweaking a Colt so quick. Sometimes even the best can be made better.

I do agree somewhat though - Colt is 1911......all the others just make one, Colt is one.
 
mikejonestkd,

It was used as illustrative of lack of facts posted by Aguila.

I have no idea whether Colt manufactures its own slides and frames.
 
Save your money and buy a Colt.
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All you are buying is the name for the price tag.
Some of the less expensive Colts can be had for only a few hundred more. Just save up, trust me, it will be worth it.
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Again all you are buying is the name.
Since the labor strike back in 1985 that lasted almost 5 years Colt is not what it once was. Also in that time frame Colt decided to put the civilian market on the back burner and concentrate on the military and law enforcement side of business. The only reason they have attempted to get back into the civilian market is because FN handed them their ass with regards to the military contract. In closing Colt is a production line gun as is Springfield and Rock island. I see both being shot in competition and both function well, plus the RI make a double stack 45 acp as well as a 9mm double stack. Nothing special about Colt firearms


I have no idea whether Colt manufactures its own slides and frames.
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Company I worked for was contracted to produce frames and slides for Colt. The reason they dropped us is because of Colt still being union and wants all their parts coming from union shops.
 
I'm not sure I'd dismiss tweaking a Colt so quick
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I bought my first GI issue in 1969, my first Series 70 in 1973, and my last Series 70 in 1984. The one from '73 was new.

Therefore, I don't believe it was a quick decision.
 
I agree with P-990. Find a model that works best & go with it.

I have a hunting friend who, many years ago, bought a Remington promotional rifle. That rifle, which came with an inexpensive scope installed, shot well under MOA all day long with factory ammo. It'd kill big game just as dead as rifles costing much, much more.

If a Rock Island works best for a shooter, that's what he ought to buy.
 
I've not paid a lot of attention to 1911's in a while. But MOST Springfields were made and assembled in Brazil. Some of the mid grade and high end guns were assembled here from parts made in Brazil.

To my knowledge they have never offered a gun 100% made here. That may have changed, but SA has NEVER manufactured a gun period, at least not in the last 2 centuries. They are an importer and have been since acquiring the Springfield name. I don't know who is building their parts, it could be domestic, or they may be imported. But until I see photos of a factory I won't believe they are actually manufacturing anything. Assemble from purchased parts yes.

But that isn't meant as a negative. The Brazil made guns are good guns and I have little doubt the current guns are too, where ever the parts come from. I've had both versions the OP is considering and both are good. I think the SA is a little better than the Rock Island. Whether or not it is worth the extra cost is a personal decision. I'd pay the extra for the SA if limited to those.
 
What of the Ruger sr1911? Since apparently getting an ambi safety fitted is not overly difficult or expensive, I would definitely consider this one. I have always loved Rugers and there's been at least one in my house my entire life. So I trust the company. Plus, to my knowledge, they are made in USA? I know I originally stated I don't care for stainless, but for some reason, this particular model looks great in it. But they also have them in black, and if given the opportunity, I'd get that instead. But finish and ambi safety aside, what is the word on this gun's quality and shootability? Meaning, is it well-built and accurate, and would it be a great first option to save for?
 
jmr40 said:
To my knowledge they have never offered a gun 100% made here. That may have changed, but SA has NEVER manufactured a gun period, at least not in the last 2 centuries. They are an importer and have been since acquiring the Springfield name.
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Respectfully, I think you need to be specific that you are referring to the company known today as Springfield Armory. This is a new company that doesn't date back anywhere near 200 years, but the real Springfield Armory (the government armory located in Springfield, Massachusetts) dates back to George Washington, during the Revolution, and they most certainly made a LOT of firearms within the past 200 years. The real Springfield Armory was in operation up until 1968.

Per Wikipedia, "In 1974, the Springfield Armory name was licensed to Robert Reese, to form Springfield Armory, Inc., a company that manufactures semi-automatic versions of the M14 rifle and M1911 pistol. The company is not located in or near Springfield, Massachusetts and has no direct association with the original Springfield Armory."

And therein lies my complaint with the company known as Springfield Armory. Their motto is "The oldest name in American firearms," which is obviously intended to create the impression that they are the same Springfield Armory that built firearms for the U.S. military from 1777 until 1968. The statement is true, of course -- it IS the oldest name in American firearms -- but that deliberately obfuscates the fact that the current company has exactly nothing in common with the real Springfield Armory other than using the name.
 
What of the Ruger sr1911?
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The ruger 1911 is well regarded for the money. IIRC they are about as all american made as you can get with today's global economy.

A friend has a fullsize ruger 1911 and it shoots well and he is quite happy with it.

You should be able to get one at a slightly lower price than a Springfield or a colt.
 
Jacket67 said:
What of the Ruger sr1911? Since apparently getting an ambi safety fitted is not overly difficult or expensive, I would definitely consider this one. I have always loved Rugers and there's been at least one in my house my entire life. So I trust the company. Plus, to my knowledge, they are made in USA? I know I originally stated I don't care for stainless, but for some reason, this particular model looks great in it. But they also have them in black, and if given the opportunity, I'd get that instead. But finish and ambi safety aside, what is the word on this gun's quality and shootability? Meaning, is it well-built and accurate, and would it be a great first option to save for?
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Ruger caused quite a stir when they finally came out with a 1911. While I don't own one, nor have I shot one, I've read nothing but positive reviews of them. If I were in the market for a 1911, the Ruger would be near the top of the Long List.
 
I've been looking around some and it seems like there's about a $100 difference between the Ruger and the Colt I am looking at. I really like the competition model. It's pretty much the only one that comes with everything I like minus the ambi safety. Unless the Ruger feels better to me, I'd probably opt to save about $100-$200 more and get the Colt. But again, this purchase is far away so that is subject to change. I still like the idea of buying the cheaper RIA, but at the same time, I also like buying a higher-end model. Just found out a friend actually has a Rock Island 1911 so I'll definitely shoot his before making a decision.
 
I have bought several 1911 colts knowing that part of that purchase price is a premium for the name only. I'm under no illusion that I am getting the built in quality that colt was known for from years ago. Still, I like colts and they do hold their value.
 
I read a post where I guy mentioned that he bought an RIA first to learn on. He used it to get used to the platform, learn how to clean it well, strip it down, shoot it, etc., so that when he saved for a Colt he knew how to treat it right. Seems like a pretty good plan to me, seeing as how I'd hate to negligently scratch up a Colt because of a novice error.

What do you guys think of that idea? I'm currently between the RIA rock standard fs, Colt competition model, or the Ruger sr1911. RIA and Colt being the top two.
 
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