My 2nd 1911

S

Stats Shooter

New member
After getting a ruger sr1911 10mm as my first 1911 since I like the 10mm so much. I have decided I now need a 45.

I'm not looking to buy one and do a bunch of upgrades (except maybe cosmetic) so I want a decent trigger, sights, reasonable accuracy etc. I want a full size.

I would like to stay below $1300 if possible. I was looking at the standard Colt govt models or a Springfield.

Are these good guns out of the box? Acceptable accuracy for most applications (except maybe bullseye comps)
 
A few great fullsize 1911s roughly in that price range :
Colt Combat elite, Competition, or a blued gold cup
Springfield TRP
Dan Wesson pointman

at that price point you are fortunate that there are many great choices.
 
Is there a reason you are not considering the SR1911 ? I have both the full size 45, and now the Target 9mm. They are excellent pistols, in the $700 range. Ruger now offers the Target model in 45, the same pistol as your 10mm
 
Is there a reason you are not considering the SR1911 ? I have both the full size 45, and now the Target 9mm. They are excellent pistols, in the $700 range. Ruger now offers the Target model in 45, the same pistol as your 10mm
Click to expand...

I guess the only reason was sort of historical....that Colt and Springfield have been making them for over 100 yrs. I do love the ruger sr1911 10mm. It has an outstanding factory trigger and off bags it will shoot an easy 3" group at 50 yards with my hand loads. Folks at the range were shocked at how accurate my SR 1911 10mm was and how good the trigger was out of the box. One guy had a $350 trigger that was not as nice as rugers factory trigger in his Colt commander.

I just wondered if I got lucky with my SR1911 being so nice. and I didn't buy the Colt DE 10mm because it lacks a fully supported chamber, the ruger has one.

Anyway I'm not opposed to another Ruger, I just thought that since its a 45, it should be a more historical maker.
 
Springfield have been making them for over 100 yrs.
Click to expand...

just an FYI, the company using the name Springfield Armory is not the same Springfield armory that you might be thinking of. Springfield Armory Inc has been in business since 1974

Still, they make a nice 1911 for the money
 
I will vote Colt for the reason you stated. Remember 1911s are like potato chips you can't have just 1. Good luck on your hunt.
 
Dan Wesson Heritage. You can find these for around $1000. It will be better fitted and have better parts than most other 1911s in this price range.
 
I keep reading that the new Colt quality is lacking a bit though...is that true? Because I'm not really a brand name snob...I wanted one for the historical significance. But if it's inferior to other makers in their price range I will pass on a Colt. Or perhaps try and buy a used older one.

I do kind of like the idea of matching ruger sr1911 target guns, one in 1911 and one in 45
 
It sounds as if you like your 1911 in 10mm. Use the same technique to buy one in .45 ACP. In fact, it might be a good thing to have the same model gun but in different calibers if possible.

What do you think?
 
It comes down to what features you want on the gun....I think most of the offerings from Colt or Springfield are decent guns ...but I suggest you compare them to the Springfield TRP, its a little more money -- but it has a lot of the features many shooters want in a 1911.
 
it comes down to what features you want on the gun....I think most of the offerings from Colt or Springfield are decent guns ...but I suggest you compare them to the Springfield TRP, its a little more money -- but it has a lot of the features many shooters want in a 1911.
Click to expand...

This is always the case is it not? I guess for me, I'm a very avid shooter....at least twice a week I'm behind a rifle, or pistol, and sometimes I'm shooting sporting clays.

While I appreciate beauty, I tend not to buy boutique firearms with rare exception because I am mainly a utilitarian (in other Words, if it doesn't enhance performance, I'm not willing to pay much for it). That doesn't mean I don't care about fit and finish, just that fancy cosmetics don't excite me.

So, that said, I want reliability, accuracy, and ergonomics. In this case I don't want rails, I want a durable finish, good accuracy, and reliability. I like the adjustable Bomar type sights on my Ruger, rather than drifting like I have to do on my striker type pistols.

Which is why another SR1911 Target in 45 mag be the ticket. It's a good looking gun, has adjustable sights, and if it's anything like my 10mm, it would be reliable and accurate. And at $700-$800 It isn't something I wouldnt worry about scratching or getting a ding on the slide with.

I just though a Colt in 45 would be neat for historical reasons, but history matters less than the aforementioned attributes.
 
Last edited:
I am a long time 1911 shooter.../ and my primary carry gun is a full sized, 5" Wilson Combat Protector model in 9mm in all stainless.... I retired my Wilson CQB model, 5" in .45acp because as I get close to 70 now, some arthritis is getting worse. I kept .45 ...but I can't shoot 6 or 8 boxes a week thru it anymore..without significant discomfort & swelling...but shooting a 9mm, in a heavy gun is easy on me. I'm at range 2 - 3 times a week...about 10 - 12 boxes a week.../ a little less in summer when I get out for some golf & Skeet or Sporting clays.

I am not a fan of rails either on handguns.

Wilson 9mm is about 11 yrs old now....with almost 180,000 rds thru it...its holding up very well, but I always believe guns are meant to be shot ...and carried / although I have guns I never carry.../...I primarily shoot the gun I carry . Both of my Wilsons ...have ambi safeties, mag wells, cuts on front and back of slides to enhance grip on slide...heavy checkering on front & back strap, fixed rear "battle sight" and fibre optic front sight.....and to me, all those features are mandatory in a fighting gun & they do make it easier to shoot, manipulate, etc.

Looks are subjective...I like guns that look good...Protector is all stainless & since it is in and out of holster constantly, all stainless wears real well. My CQB has a black Armor Tuff finish on it ..looks good as well...and in & out of holster for many yrs, it held up well too.

Springfield TRP is a solid gun ...I don't look at it as a showpiece...its a solid gun, with good features.

I look at all guns as utilitarian items...and I have confidence in my Wilsons ....that they will perform 100% ...because they have proved their ruggedness and reliability....but if I didn't want another Wilson .. Springfield TRP would be on my short list before anything made by Nighthawk, Les Baer or Ed Brown...at twice the price. But Wilson Combat has been my "go to" 1911 mfg for last 25 yrs..rugged durability with good looks & exceptional service when I have needed it. Since I have my primary in 9mm - and a backup in .45acp..../ factory service is inside 10 days, door to door, when I needed it...I don't need another 1911..

I have fired a lot of the new Springfields and Colts...many of them don't have features I want but for the most part they ran well and had acceptable triggers ...but its your money / you should buy what you want. I think Wilson makes the best 1911's out there....but I have no problems recommending a TRP....2 buddies have them, both with 100,000 rds thru them & they have held up.
 
Last edited:
I keep reading that the new Colt quality is lacking a bit though...is that true? Because I'm not really a brand name snob...I wanted one for the historical significance. But if it's inferior to other makers in their price range I will pass on a Colt. Or perhaps try and buy a used older one.
Click to expand...

From what I see, the people complaining about Colt are complaining about visual things they should have caught before checkout. Colt uses less MIM and the MIM they use looks really good. Also, at $1100, the Wiley Clapp gets you 25 lpi checkering and Novak sights. This is a lot of feature content at $1100. My had a pretty nice trigger after break in and groups well.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top