1911 clones - need some advice

You might want to check out the following website, http://www.gun-tests.com/ they are the consumer reports for rifles and handguns. I used to subscribe to the hardcopy edition for several years when I was purchasing non-customized weapons. I found their analysis of the weapons to be quite thorough and best of all they don’t accept advertising dollars from any of the manufacturers they simply rely solely on subscription dollars to fund the tests. Hope you find the information they provide useful. :)
 
WEIGHING IN

Recommend Kimber, based on "my-hand" experience.

More accurate (normally) than others listed. Nicer fit-n-finish.

All three make great base platforms for (expensive LOL) modifications.

Springfield two-piece barrel is chamber section press-fit with bore section.

Buy the one you like best; if spending MY money on YOUR choices I'd buy Kimber.
 
If you're interested in one of the old military pieces, here's a site:

http://www.cruffler.com/JLD.html

Art, according to these people, you have a "Pistola Colt Modelo 1927" which was made in Hartford and imported. The "Sistema Colt Modelo" was made in Argentina to Colt specs. "Sistema" refers to it being the patented Colt system, not a Colt. It may be important to someone reading your review to know what you're actually reviewing.

Sistema's cost $270 on up.
The real Colt cost $395 up.

In terms of the rugged reliability that made the 1911's reputation, these are the guns built in that period. Good shooters and a good place to start building from.

All else being roughly equal, why don't you just shop price? Kimber's prices make good sense if you don't plan to modify much. If you do, the basic Springfields are $200 less and work fine. Or you could go surplus.

I don't think you're going to get any sort of definitive statement about any one brand as there isn't that much difference. Personally, I wouldn't get on Colt's decade long Quality Control teeter-totter. Unless it's an old gun.
 
These threads always come down to a Chevy vs. Ford vs. Dodge argument. I know that is not particularly helpful, but the fact is, if you will get whichever Kimber, Colt or SA feels right in your hand and that you like and that fits your budget, you will have made a good choice.
 
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On the Kimber vs SA, my Springfield was actually a GSP-2000 -- a Springfield mildly customized by the gunsmiths at Gunsite. It's about a $1000 gun. My $625 Kimber Compact with a 4" barrel is significantly more accurate than my full size (5" barrel) GSP-2000. I'm no great marksman and certainly not a bullseye competitor, but I consider the accuracy from my GSP-2000 to be unacceptable. Which do you think is the better deal?

Is a new base model Springfield Armory cheaper than a Kimber? Sure. But by the time you have a gunsmith swap out the two-piece barrel, is it still cheaper?

Regarding feel in your hand, yes that is subjective and you'll have to decide upon that yourself. The dust cover profile is NOT subjective. My Springfield Armory will not fit into my Mad Dog's Tactical Kydex holster, due to the dust cover profile.

Another thing to consider about the Colt is that most Colts made today use the Series 80 lockwork, which includes a firing pin safety. Most of the clone makers (with the exception of ParaOrdnance) use the Series 70 lockwork, which does not have a firing pin safety. (The new Kimber II models have a firing pin safety that uses a different type of lockwork.)

Personally, I'm not terribly concerned about the lack of a firing pin safety on my M1911s. I believe it is very unlikely that it. The Series 80 lockwork does have some added complexity when detail stripping and reassembling. It is my understanding that it is a little bit harder to get a crisp trigger pull with a Series 80 than with a Series 70 (any competent gunsmith can get a good trigger pull with a Series 80, but the trigger job may cost you a bit more).

My preference is a Series 70 Kimber (i.e., not a Kimber II). The Springfield Armory guns are Series 70. Most Colts made today are Series 80.

M1911
 
If the .460 Roland barrel is a fully supported and ramped barrel, go with the ParaOrdnance because they use ramped barrels. The frame will have to be cut for a ramped barrel otherwise and the unsupported barrel will have to be replaced. I don't believe that an unsupported barrel can be used in a frame that has been cut for a rammped barrel.
 
Well, blades67, as mentioned, I'm quite the novice regards this platform, but any "ramped barrels" follows the barrel & not what any manufacturer does initially.

Has nothing to do with the platform/frame deisgn.

Ramping follows the barrel design. Same-same for "fully supported." That's a function of the barrel design - totally differet from frame/platform.

No?
 
Springfield Armory

Have two yearly model Springfield Armorys from the days when MilSpec was all they offered. Love both guns. Are they accurate.......enough for me. But I don't shoot grapes off fences at 100yds. Durable ......yes. Both have been used in IPSC competition for over 12 years. The "two-piece" barrel ate plenty of 152gr bullets with a 1200fps muzzle velocity (IPSC Major Power Factor) without any signs of wear. Watched guys fire doublecharged handloads in SA 1911s without damage, save the destroy magazine. A Mil Spec model should run you around $450, then whatever $$$ you spend on making it your favorite gun.

Looking at the SA Trophy Match model to add to my collection.
 
grip safety

labgrade, the grip safety was a requirement by the U.S. Army. Back then, they were concerned about use by calvary. A guy charging on horseback might drop his gun, and if it went off it might hit him or a friendly.
 
I understand that croyance, but it's been a while since we delivered the good on horseback (not counting those SF in Afghanistan ;) ).

Asking the question to various gets the "tradition" answer. Seems redundant to me. Oh well. Figure the BHP I CCW daily already has two safeties - one on the gun & one between the ears. Works for me.
 
labgrade,

Well, blades67, as mentioned, I'm quite the novice regards this platform, but any "ramped barrels" follows the barrel & not what any manufacturer does initially.

Has nothing to do with the platform/frame deisgn.
Click to expand...

Er, actually, yes it does.

The basic 1911 design uses a two-part feed ramp; part is a little polished area under the chamber throat, the rest is actually part of the frame. ParaOrds and some others use ramped barrels from the factory.
 
Try Rock River Arms. Their 1911 retails for less than 300. Was just profiled in the most recent issue of Combat Handguns.

Beyond that, I'm a Kimber man. Custom CDP II.
 
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