What is the best full size 1911?

[Bennettjh]

I like my full size Colt, it's an excellent shooter.

I also like Sig 1911's. Don't own one...yet.

 

[Cameramonkey]

I like my kimber ($1000) and have heard awesome things about the Rugers. ($780)

 

[Hardscrable]

I like my kimber ($1000) and have heard awesome things about the Rugers. ($780)

Rugers can be found at $599.99 - 629.99 on sale.

 

[John Galt]

I'd save a little more and get in to a les baer. Used you can find around 1200 if you look.

^^^This^^^

 

[indyjohn]

I'd save a little more and get in to a les baer.

^^^This^^^

What data do you have to offer as fact to back up this statement?

 

[Drail]

I vote for Les Baer as well. But Bill Wilson still builds awfully good guns too (and he pretty much started all this madness). I like Baer's philosophy on building guns - it will be tight when new (maybe even a little too tight) but it's only going to get looser if you shoot it. After 500 rounds it's just about perfect but still very snug. Les Baer spent a lot of years building drag engines. He knows how to fit metal surfaces for hard use and maximum life. He also used to run Springfield's Custom Shop back in the day. He knows 1911s.

 

[churchmouse]

In your budget there are many offerings.
Stay away from the New Para's. Just saying.

 

[Indyfishyak]

I really love my E Series smith. Just my opinion would suggest paying at the upper end of your price range to make sure you get a gun with good tolerance of tight fitting parts. 1911 seem to run better in guns with good fits.

 

[Drail]

I would buy a well used Baer in a heartbeat as long as no one had "worked" on it. I agree with avoiding Para (and any Kimber built after their 2nd year of production.)

 

[hps]

In your budget there are many offerings.
Stay away from the New Para's. Just saying.

Do tell

 

[Que]

I'm certainly no expert, but I own a used Springfield TRP. I didn't buy it because I thought it was the best 1911 out there. I got it simply because I knew others who were satisfied with their experience and it was within my price range. There were things I didn't like, so I had a 'smith do some work on the trigger, sites, mag release, and hammer. I had it coated to a color that I like much better and changed the spring. I bought the skateboard grips directly from the factory and eventually changed them out. Now, some may say I could have just gotten xxx and gotten all of that, but I have a greater sense of ownership of my 1911 and because I had the changes done to better suit me, I am more confident with it.

I didn't consider what I would do with it, because any gun I own will be used at the range, competitions, home defense, and may be carried, so it wasn't that deep of a decision for me. I was confident if my experience wasn't good, I could easily sell it, but it's turned out to be one of the guns I'm confident will remain with me the rest of my life.

 

[churchmouse]

I'm certainly no expert, but I own a used Springfield TRP. I didn't buy it because I thought it was the best 1911 out there. I got it simply because I knew others who were satisfied with their experience and it was within my price range. There were things I didn't like, so I had a 'smith do some work on the trigger, sites, mag release, and hammer. I had it coated to a color that I like much better and changed the spring. I bought the skateboard grips directly from the factory and eventually changed them out. Now, some may say I could have just gotten xxx and gotten all of that, but I have a greater sense of ownership of my 1911 and because I had the changes done to better suit me, I am more confident with it.

I didn't consider what I would do with it, because any gun I own will be used at the range, competitions, home defense, and may be carried, so it wasn't that deep of a decision for me. I was confident if my experience wasn't good, I could easily sell it, but it's turned out to be one of the guns I'm confident will remain with me the rest of my life.

Do you like the front site???

My aging eyes may need some help soon.

 

[Que]

Do you like the front site???

My aging eyes may need some help soon.

It's bigger than any front site I've used on other guns, but I really like it.

 

[churchmouse]

It's bigger than any front site I've used on other guns, but I really like it.

Very nice gun. I think I have seen that.

 

[Drail]

Que, that extended mag button can ruin your day on a carry 1911. I won;t even run one on a race gun any more. You might wanna put the stock one back in if you plan to carry it.

 

[Que]

Que, that extended mag button can ruin your day on a carry 1911. I won;t even run one on a race gun any more. You might wanna put the stock one back in if you plan to carry it.

I certainly do not doubt you, but I'm interested to know what could happen.

 

[churchmouse]

I certainly do not doubt you, but I'm interested to know what could happen.

Dropping the mag loose.

I took the big buttons off my carry pieces.

 

[Clay]

ask Yeager

 

[Que]

Dropping the mag loose.

I took the big buttons off my carry pieces.

Got it. Like I said, I don't doubt anybody's experiences, but I like the over-sized button, for now.

 

[churchmouse]

Got it. Like I said, I don't doubt anybody's experiences, but I like the over-sized button, for now.

Run it if you like it.