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There are many manufacturers out there now offering their own versions of the classic 1911 style autoloader. Even S&W has jumped into the market. Here is the chance to pick your favorite...
What is your favorite brand of 1911?
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Springfield Armory
Just last year, I finally broke down and jumped on the 1911 band wagon. Now that I have, my thoughts are, why in the world did I wait so long to buy one. I can see a couple others in my future.
I picked up a used 1911A1 Springfield at a local gun shop. The pistol had a lot of wear on the finish and the inside was in bad need of cleaning. With a new finish on the slide and frame, and a little TLC, I now have a 1911A1 that looks and shoots like new. If I can get a picture of it scanned, I will post one.
Just last year, I finally broke down and jumped on the 1911 band wagon. Now that I have, my thoughts are, why in the world did I wait so long to buy one. I can see a couple others in my future.
I picked up a used 1911A1 Springfield at a local gun shop. The pistol had a lot of wear on the finish and the inside was in bad need of cleaning. With a new finish on the slide and frame, and a little TLC, I now have a 1911A1 that looks and shoots like new. If I can get a picture of it scanned, I will post one.
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1,298 Posts
Hmmm, that's a loaded question, kinda like, "What's your favorite brand of car?" My favorite brand of car is in a price range way beyond what I can afford, and it's ALMOST the same with 1911's.
I like Les Baer's guns, as they have a great reputation for reliability and accuracy (I will have a Baer Thunder Ranch Special with the 1.5" package before the year is out.)
However, in the less expensive end, I like Kimbers.
I'm a little leary of Springfields. In '87, i bought a Defender for use in IPSC. I put about 30K rounds through this gun, and then one day at the range, the entire lug under the barrel sheared off after firing a shot. At first, I thought the slide had locked back for some strange reason, but when I put my hand on it, then entire top end fell off into the dirt. I could look down inside the frame and see the link and lug still held in place by the slide release pin. Ever since then, I've been not too sure about 'em, but I rank them second behind Kimber.
My primary PDW is a Colt 1991A1 modified by Dave Pegram of Triad Custom Handguns in Greensboro, NC.
I like Les Baer's guns, as they have a great reputation for reliability and accuracy (I will have a Baer Thunder Ranch Special with the 1.5" package before the year is out.)
However, in the less expensive end, I like Kimbers.
I'm a little leary of Springfields. In '87, i bought a Defender for use in IPSC. I put about 30K rounds through this gun, and then one day at the range, the entire lug under the barrel sheared off after firing a shot. At first, I thought the slide had locked back for some strange reason, but when I put my hand on it, then entire top end fell off into the dirt. I could look down inside the frame and see the link and lug still held in place by the slide release pin. Ever since then, I've been not too sure about 'em, but I rank them second behind Kimber.
My primary PDW is a Colt 1991A1 modified by Dave Pegram of Triad Custom Handguns in Greensboro, NC.
Good question -- tough answer
My guess is that responses will be flavored by personal experience. I like Kimbers. Why? Well, my Springfield had intermittent extractor problems from day one until I replaced it with a Wilson extractor. It works fine now, but still isn't as accurate as my Kimbers. So far they (3 of them) just keep putting holes in the paper right where I want them, with 0 malfs so far.
My guess is that responses will be flavored by personal experience. I like Kimbers. Why? Well, my Springfield had intermittent extractor problems from day one until I replaced it with a Wilson extractor. It works fine now, but still isn't as accurate as my Kimbers. So far they (3 of them) just keep putting holes in the paper right where I want them, with 0 malfs so far.
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My first choice would be a pair of detonic combat masters, tuned by Hiene or Teddy for reliability.
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The Slabside Buffet?
Hello, being a smith and making the cantankerous old gun work back in the days when a good trigger meant swapping in fragile Gold Cup parts and hoping the thing would make it through the IPSC trials without ripping the entire mag downrange has been interesting.
Nowdays it's still pretty much standard to replace parts in brand new guns. Rumour has it that the newer MIM parts are much tougher but when I compare the time and cost of say 20K rounds to test, I just call Browells.
Both of my personal Kimber Pro Carries (.45 & rechambered 10mm) got the best grade AFTEC extractors and new hammers-sears & slide locks along with Ed Browns grip and thumb safeties.
The Kimber is an outstanding rig but I've lost track of how many I've had to tweak the extractor for someone even at the range.
Some people I generally trust say the Springfield guns are best but I've seen too many slides break to trust them.
The best place for feedback IMO is the IPSC/IDPA circuit where hard use is the rule.
Hello, being a smith and making the cantankerous old gun work back in the days when a good trigger meant swapping in fragile Gold Cup parts and hoping the thing would make it through the IPSC trials without ripping the entire mag downrange has been interesting.
Nowdays it's still pretty much standard to replace parts in brand new guns. Rumour has it that the newer MIM parts are much tougher but when I compare the time and cost of say 20K rounds to test, I just call Browells.
Both of my personal Kimber Pro Carries (.45 & rechambered 10mm) got the best grade AFTEC extractors and new hammers-sears & slide locks along with Ed Browns grip and thumb safeties.
The Kimber is an outstanding rig but I've lost track of how many I've had to tweak the extractor for someone even at the range.
Some people I generally trust say the Springfield guns are best but I've seen too many slides break to trust them.
The best place for feedback IMO is the IPSC/IDPA circuit where hard use is the rule.
G
Guest
·Monte,
How is Anchorage these days? I was stationed up there for a few years back in the early early 90s. If I ever win the Lotto my home will be back up there, probably somewhere just outside of Palmer, along the river. Of course I'd winter out the mid-winter months outside.
You say your a Smith. Do you have a shop?
Oh, and my favorite 1911 brand would have to be a Gunsite built Springfield. Had one for over 10 years and haven't had any reason to change, it still runs great, places the shot where I want it (if I do my part), though it is getting long in the tooth and needs to be refinished.
How is Anchorage these days? I was stationed up there for a few years back in the early early 90s. If I ever win the Lotto my home will be back up there, probably somewhere just outside of Palmer, along the river. Of course I'd winter out the mid-winter months outside.
You say your a Smith. Do you have a shop?
Oh, and my favorite 1911 brand would have to be a Gunsite built Springfield. Had one for over 10 years and haven't had any reason to change, it still runs great, places the shot where I want it (if I do my part), though it is getting long in the tooth and needs to be refinished.
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23 Posts
Los Anchorage-
Hello Schmit!
How early in the 90s? I drove up in '93, I could write a book if'n I was a wordsmith like the Guru!
I work out of the house, seems like every range trip someone has a project or something that needs help.
I hate 1911s! The collection is thinning to around a dozen or so, he-he
Hello Schmit!
How early in the 90s? I drove up in '93, I could write a book if'n I was a wordsmith like the Guru!
I work out of the house, seems like every range trip someone has a project or something that needs help.
I hate 1911s! The collection is thinning to around a dozen or so, he-he
G
Guest
·Monte,
I drove up in 92 during the 50th anniversary of the AlCan, with my 7 month pregnant wife and my daughter. Drove back down in 95 with my 7 month pregnant wife and my daughters.
When I retired from the Corps I put an application in with APD but was denied. I answered the questions on the application truthfully. One asked if I ever used drugs. Well yeah! Teenager in the late 60s early 70s? After being denied I made some inquiries with an aquantance that runs APD CERT. He made some inquiries with recruiting (prior drug use policy was WAY less then 20+ years). I probably could have brought the denial to court and gotten hired but it wasn't worth the trouble.
Gaston Glock - Doing for the 21 Century what John Browning did for the 20th! :twisted:
I drove up in 92 during the 50th anniversary of the AlCan, with my 7 month pregnant wife and my daughter. Drove back down in 95 with my 7 month pregnant wife and my daughters.
When I retired from the Corps I put an application in with APD but was denied. I answered the questions on the application truthfully. One asked if I ever used drugs. Well yeah! Teenager in the late 60s early 70s? After being denied I made some inquiries with an aquantance that runs APD CERT. He made some inquiries with recruiting (prior drug use policy was WAY less then 20+ years). I probably could have brought the denial to court and gotten hired but it wasn't worth the trouble.
Gaston Glock - Doing for the 21 Century what John Browning did for the 20th! :twisted:
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29 Posts
Well that would have to be springfield but then Ive only owned 4 springfields,1 Kimber and 1 Norinco in the 1911 models.
As most ..if I had the $$$$ I try a Les Baer or a Wilson.
As most ..if I had the $$$$ I try a Les Baer or a Wilson.
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4 Posts
Guess! I Dare You! Come On Now And Guess!
With A Handle like Mine? Are You Sure You Don't Want To Guess.
With A Handle like Mine? Are You Sure You Don't Want To Guess.
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4,081 Posts
We all know you are a Kimber man in disguise :wink: :lol:
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55 Posts
I keep an eye out for old GI or 1970 Series or older Colts. I'd just as soon work over the internals myself, and then farm out any refinishing. They're just too easy to work on, for a cheapskate like me to spend the money for a high-dollar clone.
, Art
, Art
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3 Posts
I like mil-spec 1911s, such as the old USGI models, or Colt 1991s or Springfield Armory Mil-Specs. Nothing turns me off faster than front cocking serrations and beavertail grip safeties on a 1911.
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11 Posts
I love them all!
but I only own two.
a springfield 1911 a1 loaded and para ordinance c7 companion.
both are outstanding pistols,which are alot of fun to shoot and just to admire.
but I only own two.
a springfield 1911 a1 loaded and para ordinance c7 companion.
both are outstanding pistols,which are alot of fun to shoot and just to admire.
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1,277 Posts
Richard, didn't you shear the bottom lug on your 1991's barrel as well? I remember being there at Shooter's Choice when it happened.Richard Jefferies said:
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