1911 vs 2011

L

Lsc8

New member
Hey guys need some advise on new gun purchase.

Have been looking at getting a new 1911.

My main use will be a range gun/plinking. It of course has to be a good shooter but looks are important on this gun for me. I have an xdm, some wheel guns etc. and I'm wanting a good fit/finish ss or bi tone 1911 (or 2011).

Went to my lgs to check out a sig ttt and got distracted by a custom built sti 2011 in 45acp. I know nothing about 2011s or had one. I realize they are a double stack 1911 variant and who doesn't like higher cap mags? All the research I find on them however is all about competition shooting. As this has no bearing on my application of the gun is it worth getting a 2011?

I liked the feel of the sti at the lgs. A bit big but def workable and I think it would be easy to get used to after some time. I have read you can also sand the grips down to better fit your hand.

The fit and finish of the gun was something you could be proud of for sure. However it was also about $500 more than the sig(or comparable 1911 in that price range). But no more than a new Dan Wesson or bigger end 1911. I also know the mags are around $70 each and it only came with 1 but at 14 shots/mag I'd prob only order 1 more.


What to do?

Sig ttt(or fastback nightmare) in the lower price range

a used sti 2011

A bit nicer 1911 (Dan Wesson, colt, springfield)
 
Just so you know, STIs aren't custom guns -- they're production pistols all the way. The only full-custom 2011-style gun is the SVI/Infinity Double Stack, but these will set you back several thousand dollars. STIs are very good guns, though.

I would look at a Dan Wesson for sure. Many people view the Dan Wesson 1911s as the finest production 1911s made, and I certainly agree with that take. The fit and finish is excellent, and the quality of the small parts is the finest (all from forged steel, no MIM) among production guns. A stainless Valor can be had new for less than $1,400 on Gunbroker. There's also the stainless DW Heritage, which you can find new for $1,100 on GB. It comes with fewer frills, but the quality is the same. DW customer service also has a reputation for being first-rate.

STI makes the second-best production 1911s, in my opinion, but they're still a step down from DW. But they're well-fit, and the parts quality is excellent. I wouldn't pick a 2011-style pistol in this scenario, but that's a personal preference. If you don't have a true 1911 yet, I'd start with the real deal.

Drop Sig 1911s from consideration altogether. They're quite a ways off in quality from these two brands, and their more expensive models are poor values.
 
This sti is a full custom buit from a sti frame. The fit and finish is amazing on it. The lgs/smith is an sti fanatic(shoots competition) but has switch to 9mm.

I have an amt 1911 and am looking for something nicer.

I've seen a lot of good reviews on the sig, but yes I know that the San Wesson is prob better. The question is where to stop when buying a 1911. Is the Wesson(never seen one is person) $600 better than the sig for a trip to the range?
 
AFAIK, you've got Colt, Dan Wesson (CZ), Wilson, Baer, STI if you want to spend zome money. There are people who feel that only Colts are "True" 1911s and the industry backs it up when you read about holsters/accessories for them the text will often read "1911 copy (non colt)" or "1911 clone", but colt doesn't necessarily make the best guns and never did IMO although I do believe they make good guns. Smith&wesson also makes some good looking 1911s. I have no experience with any of these brands my billfold dictates Springfield,Ruger and RIA but all of them are more attractive to my eye than what I own, what I own I think shoots as well as any in my hands.
 
I suppose part of the allure of a 2011 is the "something different" factor. I like weird odd stuff I guess. Mostly I'm tired if looking at black and polymer. I want shiny on this one.
 
This sti is a full custom buit from a sti frame.
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Ah, I see. I thought we were talking about their regular 2011s. If the previous owner's choices work for you, then it sounds like it may well be worth considering if the price is right.

I've seen a lot of good reviews on the sig, but yes I know that the San Wesson is prob better. The question is where to stop when buying a 1911. Is the Wesson(never seen one is person) $600 better than the sig for a trip to the range?
Click to expand...

Most owners give their guns good reviews. Psychologically, people are emotionally invested in the things they've decided to purchase. And most people shoot their guns too sparingly and pay too little attention to the details to have any real occasion to notice a difference.

A Dan Wesson (and an STI) is unquestionably superior in quality to a Sig 1911, and it's really not even particularly close. The DW is certainly worth a good deal more to me because it's a substantially better gun. Furthermore, you can get a DW for much less than $600 more than a new Sig 1911. Like I said, a new Heritage can be had for $1,100. As far as where to stop, a stainless Valor (<$1,400 new) would be as good of a stopping point as any. Past that, you'll need to buy a semi-custom to move up in quality.
 
For your stated purpose, I'd go the 1911 route. Plenty of "shiny" ones out there, for sure.

For my purpose, my SA Loaded is plenty shiny and has been functionally perfect.
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Happy decision-making!
 
I read a very good review on a 1911 forum. The guy personally owned/shot everything from a 600 ria to custom 3-4000 nighthawks etc. having all of them I would assume him to be pretty impartial. It's quite a read. If I ever won the lotto maybe I could afford half his spread but alas....

I'm not willing to spend more than the 1400 when all I'm doing is shooting paper in my back yard.
 
As far as the custom being my choices it is. It shoots!!! I'm not proficient enough or knowledgable enough to need to much. Gun felt good in my hand, trigger was amazing, had very nice Dawson sights. Hell if I wasn't looking for a "pride and joy" gun I'd prob just grab the rock island they had in 22tcm... 9mm barrel included for less than $700. I shot just as bad with it as the sig or the sti.
 
Just about everyone shooting 1911-style pistols in USPSA competition is shooting a STI. The plastic grip frame can crack, but so can a metal frame. The bugs have been worked-out over a 20-year period, but you have to be concerned with the abilities of whomever built the gun, and not just STI's reputation.
 
I learn a lot from other folks; different opinions. I have two SIG 1911s, the Target model and the MAXX. Both are better than average guns. My shooting buddy has a DW which I've fondled and fired some. It's also a great gun. My favorite 1911 is my SA RangeOfficer 9mm. Cost about $750. With $50 worth of trigger work by my local gunsmith it is a superb shooter.

Shoots almost as good as my SIG X5 L1 and X6 L1, close to my H&Ks, of which I have four models with match triggers.:)

I'm thinking of getting another 1911, leaning toward a DW, or a STI. I like the looks of some of the higher end 1911s, but don't want to spend that kind of money.:eek:
 
Just about everyone shooting 1911-style pistols in USPSA competition is shooting a STI. The plastic grip frame can crack, but so can a metal frame. The bugs have been worked-out over a 20-year period, but you have to be concerned with the abilities of whomever built the gun, and not just STI's reputation.


One of my main concerns. The gunsmith is an older 1911 experienced guy. To me the work looks very good but I'm no expert by any means. It's an older used piece he used in 3 gun nation so I have to assume it's pretty solid... But definitely somewhat of a gamble(no warrant from sti). It seems the 45acp version of the 2011 don't sell very fast compared to the 40&9mm versions. Buyers advantage!!!! After more rethinking I believe I'm going to try and find a dan Wesson or a sti trojan to handle and compare.
 
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