Mid-Range 1911

[cmamath13]

I am saving for a mid-range 1911. I will define mid range as $1000 to $1500. My guess is, that there are lots of good options, but I want your $0.02. I have included a poll on this post. And just to let know, I was checking these 3 today at an LGS. I liked them all. Leaning toward S&W based on appearance and finish.

• Kimber Warrior (with rail)
  
• S&W 1911 (with rail)
  
• Springfield Armory Trophy Match
  

Oh yeah, my purposes of use are 1) range gun, 2) home defense. I don't plan to CC.

 

[Manatee]

Dan Wesson would be my favorite, but they are moving out of mid-range pricing.

 

[deo62]

What LGS has the smith and Wesson in stock? Just curious to see it. My vote was for Springfield.

 

[cmamath13]

What LGS has the smith and Wesson in stock? Just curious to see it. My vote was for Springfield.

Elmore in Greenwood.

Elmore's Firearms -

 

[efpeter]

Another vote for Springfield. I do admit I haven't fired a S&W or a SIG.
I think the Springers I have handled/owned/shot have been better than the modern Colts. I had an XSE commander that just didn't feel 'right'.

 

[Shoots4Fun]

I like the looks of the Kimber Warrior, but I've been super happy with my Sig and thus voted Sig.

 

[TopDog]

Of all the manufactures 1911's on the list, S&W is the only one I have no experience with. So excluding the S&W, I vote for the Sig. I have a Sig TACOPS and all I can say is I am impressed with the quality workmanship. Springfield would be my second choice. Springers are well made but just not as high quality as Sig. It may be due to Springer has parts made other places like Brazil and then assembled here. I believe Sig is US made from start to finish.

 

[Bottlefed]

Sig,smith and Wesson, para, or just build one. I would buy a nice used and make it your own. I have many 1911s and my favorite is my para I did myself or my colts. Just saying colt was first and has made them for over 100 years for a reason.

 

[BluePig]

You need to go pull the trigger on the ones you are considering before you make a decision.
That will tell you the tale.
The S&W has the best trigger out of the factory currently.
They did their homework when they designed it.
You can take one and have it worked into something really nice, but to find one from the factory is a very rare bird.

 

[joe138]

You can check with Modern Service Weapons. There is a recent article about the quality of current production Colt 1911's. There is a lot of knowledge about the 1911 at that site.

 

[TheDoaner]

If you want the light rail, I'd look first at the Dan Wesson Specialist. My second choice would be the Springfield TRP. For third, I'd find a good used Kimber SIS with the rail. I've shot a couple of the S&W 1911's and they do feel great and shoot really well but I guess I just can't get bring myself to have a 1911 with an external extractor. But I do think S&W does the external extractor thing better than Sig.

 

[Robert Richardson]

Gotta go with the Springfield.

 

[horsehaulin]

I own a Sig 1911 TACPAC, but also like the Smith! ZX Gun had one in stock a few weeks ago.

 

[kawtech87]

Of the ones on your list I own or have owned Sig, Colt, Kimber and Springfield Armory.

IMHO there is no better bang for your buck in a mid range 1911 than a Springfield Armory.

I owned a Sig XO model for a while and it was reliable and accurate but the fit and finish left somthing to be desired. I recently bought a new Sig Compact Traditional 1911 and I will say the fit is much better than my older XO but the finish is still lacking. I didn't notice until I got it home and field srtipped and inspected it but there are small tool marks on the frame and slide. Like somone hit it with a file and never smoothed them out. I intend to carry the pistol once I get it to the range to make sure it runs good and it is Stainless so the finish isn't that important but still on a brand new gun I think that is rediculous

My Colt XSE also has fitment issues. The safety lever is loose, the front of the slide just barley rubs the frame and has put a mark in the slide, the whole gun just rattles when you shake it. This is the one I'm planning to hand off to a 1911 mechanic for a good going through just to make it right.

My Kimber was tight as a drum but this made it finicky as to reliability. After about 1k rounds it was better but for a gun as tight as it was I wasn't getting the accuracy I expected. It also HATED JHP ammo, so it was a no go for carry. So I sold it


My Springfield has been 100% from day one. No malfunctions with the exception of one FTF that was caused by a cheap mag and it has never happened again. In almost 2.5k rounds of all kinds of ammo, only 1 FTF that was within the first 500 I think is about as good as anyone could ask for. It is laser beam accurate, and the fit and finish is much better than any of the others I own or have owned. Also Springfield has legendary customer service if that means anything to you, it does to me. Second to none in the industry I've heard.

Springfield, hands down, close thread, buy yourself one.

 

[Grelber]

You can get a Les Baer premier 2 for under 1800 ,shipping included, from 1911Heaven.com (or something similar, forget exactly how the website adress is spelled, google will get you there). As a bonus your purchase is supporting a disabled veteran. That is a stretch for your stated budget but it would be my choice, tie for 2nd would be the Sig or Springfield or STI depending upon your personal preferences.

 

[cmamath13]

Thanks for the feedback everyone. I have a feeling I will eventually own more than one of these someday! Leaning toward Springfield now.

 

[NHT3]

It hasn't been that long ago that if you kept your eyes open you could pick up a really nice used Wilson for that 1500 figure.. How times have changed.

[FONT=&quot]NRA Life member [/FONT][FONT=&quot]GSSF member[/FONT][FONT=&quot]
Gunsite graduate Certified Glock armorer[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] [/FONT][FONT=&quot]1911 Mechanic[/FONT]

 

[Colts]

Colt 1911 45 acp XSE

Colt XSE, all the goodies at a great price (PSS a good place to buy one).

 

[kawtech87]

I'm guessing my XSE was built on a Monday morning or a Friday night.

OP if you buy a Colt check it out closely before taking it home. I'm not sorry I bought mine I think it will be a good platform to build on but as it came from the factory my Springfield was much better

 

[GodFearinGunTotin]

Tagging for interest. I have a Kimber CDP and the only problems I've had is it hates steel jacketed ammo. Of the ones you've got listed there, I can't speak to fit or function, but that Smith wins the beauty contest, IMHO.