Another 1911 Thread

I have kimber 4 inches 9mm, and springfield 4 inches. I can tell you that kimber is a better quality gun. Don't know why everyone bashing kimber's quality. we are talking about $1200 kimber, it can't be bad.
 
Get a kimber if your spending that much. There warranty sucks but you don't need one if you buy a kimber. The one thing you need to keep in mind is buying a 1911 is like using meth once you get a taste you just want more.
 
Buy this!

No I'm not selling it...

I was going to suggest you look into Dan Wesson 1911's and I remembered their Heritage model going for around $1200. So I looked them up on Gun broker and found this one.

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=486093891

The auction is almost over. It's a new gun with a "blemish" but it should be a great gun with night sights for only $1000. Dan Wesson is making some really great 1911's these days. I would be all over that if I were looking something in your price range. I see other new Heritage models on Gun broker for just over $1000

I'd highly suggest looking into them.
 
Buy a Colt. I made mistake once. I traded a nice slightly Colt for a new problem Kimber. . Got it running but didn't trust it. Went to trade the Kimber on a Colt . No one wanted. I finely got another Colt but took a beating on the Kimber. No more Kimber at my house.
 
A 1911 is NOT a 1911. Each manufacturer has differences in tolerances, weights, dimensions. Not all are built to original military spec so when you go to fit after market parts they're either harder to fit or won't fit at all. Go somewhere with a lot of different '1911s' on display, lay a few out and compare them, see how they feel in your hand, how they point, how they fit in a given holster. If you know anything about pistols, and 1911s in particular, you'll see that while they may look similar they are not the same. Never mind quality of fit, finish, and components. Obviously the beaver tail, extended levers, and Novak 'style' sights on a $500 '1911' might look the part but those pieces are not the same as you'll find on a better quality pistol.
Click to expand...
Most parts drop right in, regardless of the manufacture of the gun. The grip angle is the same on all 1911 so they would "point" the same. Same for fit in holster. Unless you can give some actual different measurements taken from the the different 1911's, the huge "difference" seems to be cosmetic...which is easy enough to change. I am still not convinced. As for "feel", that is too nebulous to even consider...change the grips-change the "feel". Seems like smoke and mirrors to me. What feels good to me is that lump of cash (about $1000) in my wallet between a Ruger and a $1500 gun.
 
Most parts drop right in, regardless of the manufacture of the gun.
Click to expand...

Although I suggested a Colt earlier I agree there are plenty of excellent brands and the OP should shop around a little before making a decision.

Now, forgive me if this is too off topic, but isn’t the radius of the grip area different on the Springfield Armory guns compared to other 1911 frames. I seem to remember a friend having difficulty fitting a standard beaver tail to his SA frame and ordering another part with a different radius or something from Brownells.
 
At the OP- You cant go wrong in your price range, its all opinion at this point.
You may want to take the advice of one of the others who posted seeing as this is your first 1911. That is to buy a less expensive 1911 such as the Remington R1 and put the remainder of the money into ammo. Also you may want to consider a 9mm version rather than a 45. Reason being that 9mm is a little easier to shoot accurately (my opinion) and ammo is considerably less expensive (fact).
 
Now, forgive me if this is too off topic, but isn’t the radius of the grip area different on the Springfield Armory guns compared to other 1911 frames. I seem to remember a friend having difficulty fitting a standard beaver tail to his SA frame and ordering another part with a different radius or something from Brownells.
Click to expand...
That may be absolutely true. However, it has no bearing on my contention that all 1911's are pretty much the same in that a slightly different radius in the frame's grip-safety area would not likely cause a difference in the feel, use, reliability, accuracy, etc., that would warrant the 200% or more difference in price. I suspect that the better "feel", "better fit", and "better parts" are more likely a cosmetic effect coupled with the oft-mistaken perception that, "...you get what you pay for.", after paying three times what it is worth.
 
Basically, Yes. A 1911 is a 1911 ... but not all 1911s are created equal. Some have better fit, finish, QC, warranties and changes that to some are insignificant but to others make a world of difference.
Do the differences warrant a %200 increase in price compared to the least expensive 1911 style pistol. Maybe. What is the starting point?
Also, keep the Law of Diminishing Returns in mind.
=======
I liked the "wine is wine and beer is beer" post.

My wife says that $4 dollar wine taste like $4 wine -- she likes the on sale wines for $10 a lot better.
 
Last edited:
Most parts drop right in, regardless of the manufacture of the gun. The grip angle is the same on all 1911 so they would "point" the same. Same for fit in holster. Unless you can give some actual different measurements taken from the different 1911's, the huge "difference" seems to be cosmetic...which is easy enough to change. I am still not convinced. As for "feel", that is too nebulous to even consider...change the grips-change the "feel". Seems like smoke and mirrors to me. What feels good to me is that lump of cash (about $1000) in my wallet between a Ruger and a $1500 gun.
Click to expand...
That may be absolutely true. However, it has no bearing on my contention that all 1911's are pretty much the same in that a slightly different radius in the frame's grip-safety area would not likely cause a difference in the feel, use, reliability, accuracy, etc., that would warrant the 200% or more difference in price. I suspect that the better "feel", "better fit", and "better parts" are more likely a cosmetic effect coupled with the oft-mistaken perception that, "...you get what you pay for.", after paying three times what it is worth.
Click to expand...
So, you reject what you're being told because it isn't what you want to hear?

1911s are notorious for needing parts, even 'drop-in' parts, hand fitted to a particular gun. Why is that? Because of the variations in sizes, shapes, tolerances, etc from one manufacturer to another.

And, if you believe there is no difference between a $500 1911 from whichever manufacturer and a $1500 1911 from Colt, Springfield, Dan Wesson, or one of the other manufacturers selling guns at that price point you either need to educate yourself about the genre or stop deluding yourself. Just because two guns are similar in appearance it doesn't mean that they are the same.
 
Now I'm thinking to myself... Gee, I could have bought a Dan Wesson Heritage for just a bit more than I just spent on my two Remington R1's, and I would have had an amazing 1911 and still gotten my fix of stainless steel.

Oh well. By no means do I regret getting the R1's, but now I sure wish I had a Heritage. I just told some friends and family that I've got all my basses covered regarding 1911's and now I don't nee to buy anymore... but maybe I could make room for another. lol. Nah, that's just crazy talk. ;)

ycastane, I hope you get yourself the Dan Wesson Heritage to take the pressure off me, if not for the fact that it could very well be the best gun for your money!
 
I agree with most here get a Colt . They might not be here much longer .

In the mid 80's one of my friends & I bought .357's at the same time . Both were priced about the same , around $325 dollars . I bought a S&W 686 , resale on it is about $650 , his Colt King Cobra is about $1200 dollars .

I have a new Colt on the way now .
 
BarryLee said:
Now, forgive me if this is too off topic, but isn’t the radius of the grip area different on the Springfield Armory guns compared to other 1911 frames. I seem to remember a friend having difficulty fitting a standard beaver tail to his SA frame and ordering another part with a different radius or something from Brownells.
Click to expand...
Close. It's not the grip area that's different, it's the radius at the aft end of the frame tangs below the hammer.
 
CZ-USA Dan Wesson 1911

I'm new to this site so hello. Let me jump right in and say I have owned many 1911s over the years and currently have 8 with one on order. I don't just look at them, but shoot them all. I can take them apart and work the triggers and set them up and configure them the way I like them.
That being said, I have had some that after putting hammers and sear and and other parts on I have just gotten rid of them. Too much good money after bad. I have Colts, kimbers, a nice custom Wilson and even a Rock Island. I just bought a Colt Custom Combat last week for $2,100. and sold it the next day. Just wasn't enough bang for the buck. So I took a close look at a Dan Wesson Valor. What a gun! Fit and finish is on par with a Wilson! I have had it for a week and have been all through it and I am impressed, and I'm not easily impressed. So impressed I have another one on order, a Guardian. It's their light weight commander with a bobtail.
So I would defiantly take a look at the CZ-USA's line of Dan Wesson 1911 pistols. They have an entry level model called the Heritage that fits your price point. I know this isn't one of the more familiar names like Colt, Kimber or Springfield Armory, but I don't think you can get a better 1911 for the money.
Just my 2 cents. Good luck.
 
You should be able to get a Dan Wsseon Heritage model for under $ 1200. As close to a custom 1911 as you can get.
 
You should be able to get a Dan Wesson Heritage model for under $ 1200. As close to a custom 1911 as you can get.
Click to expand...
A DW Heritage is a nice gun, well put together, no MIM parts. But it's the bottom rung of the DW ladder and while it would make an excellent foundation for a custom 1911 build, it isn't anywhere near being a custom built 1911.
 
Let me clarify ... IMO as close to a custom pistol in terms of fit & finish that i have EVER found in a productin gun.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top