Texas Hunting Forum

1911 Recommendations

Posted By: TurkeyWhisperer

1911 Recommendations - 08/09/18 03:47 AM

Wanting to get my first 1911. Looking for some advice and info. Here are a few factors:

1. Mostly wanting it for its “cool” factor. Love the way they look. Will take it to the range some and possibly home defense. No conceal carry or competition shooting with it. Hope to keep it for a lifetime.
2. Looking for the full size 5” version in .45 ACP.
3. Like the “purest” concept of Colt 1911’s since they are the originals.
4. Looking to stay under $1000.

Here are a few I’ve had my eye on:

1. Colt series 70 government model
2. Springfield Armory loaded
3. Springfield Armory Mil-Spec
4. Ruger SR1911

Can you tell me the good/bad of these 4? Any others you would recommend and why?

Thank you!
Posted By: RedSnake

Re: 1911 Recommendations - 08/09/18 04:30 AM

I’m liking my Springfield Range Officer
Posted By: hetman

Re: 1911 Recommendations - 08/09/18 04:45 AM

Ruger SR1911 banana
Posted By: wp75169

Re: 1911 Recommendations - 08/09/18 05:12 AM

SR1911. There is no bad to tell. I feel like they’ve been the best bang for the buck since they hit the market. Ruger did a lot of research before producing them. They have all the features one would want from the factory. There are better 1911s but nothing close in that price range. Ruger had been casting 1911 frames for years for other companies before they marketed their own.
Posted By: Buzzsaw

Re: 1911 Recommendations - 08/09/18 10:45 AM

for your needs, stick with a Colt
Posted By: Pitchfork Predator

Re: 1911 Recommendations - 08/09/18 10:51 AM

My number one would be the Colt government model.

Any of the ones you are looking at you would be happy with for that price range.
Posted By: dee

Re: 1911 Recommendations - 08/09/18 11:10 AM

S&W E series are a really good 1911 imo. They do have an external extractor but other than that they are pure 1911
Posted By: SnakeWrangler

Re: 1911 Recommendations - 08/09/18 12:19 PM

Originally Posted By: Pitchfork Predator
My number one would be the Colt government model.

Any of the ones you are looking at you would be happy with for that price range.


Not a bad one in the bunch....
Posted By: patriot07

Re: 1911 Recommendations - 08/09/18 12:33 PM

Deep down, if you want a Colt, get a Colt. I bought an 80 series a couple years ago when I was in your exact same situation, and I love it. I had gone to the Mesquite gun show with every intention of buying an SR1911, but I found a used Colt in mint condition with box & 2 original mags that only cost $50 more, so I bought it and haven't looked back since.

Purely in terms of value, the Ruger and Springfield options are all pretty good. I particularly liked the Springfield Operator and stainless Ruger full size, but none of them are bad options. But bottom line, if cool factor is a high priority, there isn't anything much cooler than the pony on your slide when it comes to 1911 pistols. JMHO of course.

I do think my 80 series had some trigger work done to it. My trigger breaks perfectly crisp and it's pretty light as well. I have not tried other 80 series to know for sure though. I have a local 1911 gunsmith who has told me that he believes pretty strongly that it's been worked on.
Posted By: KRoyal

Re: 1911 Recommendations - 08/09/18 12:42 PM

^^^^ Yep if cool factor is a priority then Colt is the way to go.

I have to buy a few so I can pass them down to my son, his name is Colt lol.
Posted By: SnakeWrangler

Re: 1911 Recommendations - 08/09/18 01:00 PM

Originally Posted By: KRoyal
^^^^ Yep if cool factor is a priority then Colt is the way to go.

I have to buy a few so I can pass them down to my son, his name is Colt lol.

Colt...son of the "legend".... clap
Posted By: KRoyal

Re: 1911 Recommendations - 08/09/18 01:03 PM

Originally Posted By: SnakeWrangler
Originally Posted By: KRoyal
^^^^ Yep if cool factor is a priority then Colt is the way to go.

I have to buy a few so I can pass them down to my son, his name is Colt lol.

Colt...son of the "legend".... clap


Yep, Colt Alexander Royal so C.A.R gonna definitely get him a CAR15 for his 15th birthday.
Posted By: QuitShootinYoungBucks

Re: 1911 Recommendations - 08/09/18 02:58 PM

For your wants, OP, I'd buy the Colt and not look back.
Posted By: Chickenman

Re: 1911 Recommendations - 08/09/18 02:58 PM

TRP. Or find a Springfield loaded in black stainless. I don't think they make them anymore. It was their version of the Kimber Eclipse.
Posted By: ju993rnaut

Re: 1911 Recommendations - 08/09/18 03:23 PM



For a first 1911 I do think colt is the way to go.
Posted By: snake oil

Re: 1911 Recommendations - 08/09/18 05:13 PM

Originally Posted By: KRoyal
Originally Posted By: SnakeWrangler
Originally Posted By: KRoyal
^^^^ Yep if cool factor is a priority then Colt is the way to go.

I have to buy a few so I can pass them down to my son, his name is Colt lol.

Colt...son of the "legend".... clap


Yep, Colt Alexander Royal so C.A.R gonna definitely get him a CAR15 for his 15th birthday.


Or a Car as in Corvette... clap
Posted By: KRoyal

Re: 1911 Recommendations - 08/09/18 05:25 PM

Originally Posted By: snake oil
Originally Posted By: KRoyal
Originally Posted By: SnakeWrangler
Originally Posted By: KRoyal
^^^^ Yep if cool factor is a priority then Colt is the way to go.

I have to buy a few so I can pass them down to my son, his name is Colt lol.

Colt...son of the "legend".... clap


Yep, Colt Alexander Royal so C.A.R gonna definitely get him a CAR15 for his 15th birthday.


Or a Car as in Corvette... clap

Lol he is 11 weeks old and already has a car.
Posted By: snake oil

Re: 1911 Recommendations - 08/09/18 06:42 PM



Or a Car as in Corvette... clap [/quote]
Lol he is 11 weeks old and already has a car. [/quote]

No on his 15th Birthday dummy..
Posted By: TurkeyWhisperer

Re: 1911 Recommendations - 08/10/18 02:09 AM

Thanks for info guys. Great stuff! Leaning towards a Colt.

What would you say is the most classic model of Colt 1911’s?
Posted By: TexFlip

Re: 1911 Recommendations - 08/10/18 03:03 AM

Colt Gunsite.
Posted By: jeepercreeper

Re: 1911 Recommendations - 08/10/18 03:09 AM

Colt. I've owned a bunch of 1911's and always come back to Colt.
Posted By: patriot07

Re: 1911 Recommendations - 08/10/18 03:19 AM

Originally Posted By: TurkeyWhisperer
Thanks for info guys. Great stuff! Leaning towards a Colt.

What would you say is the most classic model of Colt 1911’s?
Probably a 70 series, but they're all pretty good.

Lots of great info on the 1911 forum.
Posted By: Revoman

Re: 1911 Recommendations - 08/10/18 05:51 PM

Do a Colt 1911 search on GunBroker. I found a nib Colt Combat Elite for 900.00. Flat love this gun
Posted By: Tactical Cowboy

Re: 1911 Recommendations - 08/11/18 12:12 AM

They’d all be just fine. My Kimber has done quite well too.
Posted By: The Dude Abides

Re: 1911 Recommendations - 08/11/18 12:37 AM

Bump up the budget slightly and consider a Dan Wesson.
Posted By: hawk

Re: 1911 Recommendations - 08/11/18 03:40 PM

Simple. Get the real thing. Colt.
Posted By: HWY_MAN

Re: 1911 Recommendations - 08/11/18 07:22 PM

Originally Posted By: TurkeyWhisperer
Wanting to get my first 1911. Looking for some advice and info. Here are a few factors:

1. Mostly wanting it for its “cool” factor. Love the way they look. Will take it to the range some and possibly home defense. No conceal carry or competition shooting with it. Hope to keep it for a lifetime.
2. Looking for the full size 5” version in .45 ACP.
3. Like the “purest” concept of Colt 1911’s since they are the originals.
4. Looking to stay under $1000.

Here are a few I’ve had my eye on:

1. Colt series 70 government model
2. Springfield Armory loaded
3. Springfield Armory Mil-Spec
4. Ruger SR1911

Can you tell me the good/bad of these 4? Any others you would recommend and why?

Thank you!



I've owned and competed with a number of 1911's over the years and definitely have an opinion. The very first pistol I would cross off the list is Colt, don't get me wrong they make a good pistol but of all I've owned Colt was the least reliable. I only have one 1911 anymore and it's in the drawer beside me, Springfield Loaded Model. I don't know how many rounds it's had through it but I do know it's never failed me. I can't say that about the Kimbers or the higher priced ones I've had. No experience with the Ruger, S&W or SIG 1911's.
Posted By: hawk

Re: 1911 Recommendations - 08/12/18 12:45 AM

What HWY said might be true. I've owned 3 Colt 1911's and never had issues. My current EDC is a Colt lightweight commander. I did replace the barrel with a ramped Nowlin barrel, and it has been flawless.
Posted By: Earl

Re: 1911 Recommendations - 08/15/18 03:43 AM

I've owned all of the 1911's listed and many, many more over the years. You can't go wrong with any of those listed. I've had several Rugers and for the money (you can find them for $500-550 if you look a bit) they are hard to beat. I've never had one fail me.

On Colt's I've had all models, compacts, lightweights, officers, commanders, government models, CCO, Gunsites, Combat Special Governments, M45A1s, Rail Guns, etc. Just about everything but Gold Cups (I personally have no use for them). I've never had a problem with any of them either. A complaint about non tactile safeties in many of the recent guns but other than that they've all been fine whether Series 70 or Series 80. I would in particular recommend the recently produced Series 70's. Just last weekend someone locally had an almost new Series 70 Competition Series that they had put Novak Trijicons on it for $750 - I added that to the pile. My favorite carry gun is a CCO Series 70 Gunsite so I guess I'm partial to Colts.

But I've owned many, many Springfield Armory 1911's and love them too. I currently own a non rail TRP and it's a dream. But at almost twice the cost of the Ruger I can't really say it's twice the gun. Do I like shooting it more? Probably so but anything shot with any of these .45's is just as dead as the other because they are all reliable and accurate.

I obviously want all of them. If I was limited to only one and cost were an issue, I'd opt for the Ruger. But that Series 70 Competition with Novak night sights was only $150 or so more than a Ruger...given that difference I'd go with the Colt since it had the night sights (even the factory Competion Novack rear and front fiber optic sights are better than standard Rugers IMO) and the Competion has a national match barrel and nice polished blue finish. If I could only have one and $1000-1200 to spend I'd go with the TRP.

Earl
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