Thread: Gun mags: 1911 45ACP feedback?

The most I want to spend is a grand, and that's a stretch, so my search is unfortunately limited to lower/mid level weapons.

Qualities I desire most, in order of importance:
1. Reliability
2. Durability
3. Accuracy (Has to be decent enough for a very experienced shooter, though.)

I was thumbing through a gun mag at the grocery store last night and saw an article on the Para USA gun. The writer gave it a positive review overall, but I would like some real world experienced opinions on this, and other guns.

Thanks!

Glock???

My experience is narrow, there are many who know much more here.

But i'd send you toward a sig 220. It's also a .45, and has barely any more kick than their 9 or .357 round. Damn accurate, damn reliable.

My beef with the 1911, although i'll be flamed for it as it is overall one excellent handgun, is that it has a safety. If it's just for target shooting, no worries. If you are thinking defense or other stressful use, might think thru the options. [as in, Glock is always single action, the Sig's are double on first round, then single, a great system in my book...]

I'm looking exclusively at the 1911 design. Shot one many years ago while in the service and liked it. I'm generally not a traditionalist, but in this case I'm holding firm!

Springfield makes a nice line of 1911's.

I'm not a real experienced shooter but I've been to the S&W range a few times and shot many of the handguns they offer. Out of all of them, I liked their newish 1911 design the best. In my limited experience I think that polymer guns don't feel as right as a nice hunk of metal. I felt I shot the 1911 .45 more accurately than their 9 or .40 offering.

This is the one I liked the best, can prob find it less than retail at a local gun shop.
http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/w...09&isFirearm=Y

Dan Wesson. Fired one at the local range and was favorably impressed. Some can be had new for <1K.

Perhaps "pre-owned?"

I have a Kimber Custom Defender II (only 290 made), and I love it! It's what I carry on duty... Super accurate and after the break-in period, just as reliable as my Glock. I actually never even had a malfunction of any kind even during the break-in period.

I also have a Springfield Armory GI and love it as well, but not as accurate as the Kimber. It's not an expensive model. Around $600.00, or less.

As far as Kimbers go, stay away from the models that had the external extractor (they don't offer them anymore)... Nothing but issues w/those.

You can get a Kimber CDP II (pretty much the same as mine) for around/less than a grand.

memosteve, yesterday I was looking at a bunch of Kimbers on display at a local shop. These are the models I was interested in. Tell me what you think:

1. Pro CDP (didn't have the ll designation), stainless slide, matte black receiver, 4"bbl. $1099
2. STS Pro Carry, all stainless, 4"bbl. $819
3. Stainless ll, 5"bbl. $799

Also, how do you identify the external extractor guns?

I forgot to mention in the original post that I would prefer made in the USA, but due to cost limitations may have to overlook that. Are all the Kimber models made here?

How about the rest listed here, made in USA or no?

I have 2 S&W's, Baer, and a customized Sig GSR by Yost bonitz custom. The S&W's are accurate and reliable out of the box, but they do have an external extractor which purists look down upon. Springfields and Kimbers are also nice. Some external extractor Kimbers have had some reliability problems so if you go their route get one with an internal extractor. For the purist... Colt.

It pretty much will come down to what options you want on it and how it feels in your hand(balance).

the kimbers are very nice, colt is one of the smoothest ive shot

Originally Posted by snowful

memosteve, yesterday I was looking at a bunch of Kimbers on display at a local shop. These are the models I was interested in. Tell me what you think:

1. Pro CDP (didn't have the ll designation), stainless slide, matte black receiver, 4"bbl. $1099
2. STS Pro Carry, all stainless, 4"bbl. $819
3. Stainless ll, 5"bbl. $799

Also, how do you identify the external extractor guns?

I forgot to mention in the original post that I would prefer made in the USA, but due to cost limitations may have to overlook that. Are all the Kimber models made here?

How about the rest listed here, made in USA or no?

Here's a link that explains the difference between the internal/external extractors: http://web.mac.com/mj_lauer/iWeb/Ran...EBBFB1D6E.html

From the choices above I think the best deal is the Stainless II... Those are currently backordered at most places until next year, and priced higher than the price you listed... I'm also partial to the government sized 1911's, except for CCW use. This model seems like the best bang for your buck.

If your gonna CCW this gun I'd consider either the Pro CDP II or the STS Pro Carry. Obviously the STS Pro would save you money, but I think the Pro CDP comes with night sights which is a very nice thing to have in a CCW/defense gun.

Don't forget to put money aside for some Wilson Combat mags... I wouldn't trust my life to the stock mags.

FYI... All Kimbers are made in USA...

memosteve, thanks for the tip on the Wilson mags. Nice upgrade. I'm thinking a guide rod laser as well.

Realistically, I don't think I will need a concealed carry weapon. I can wear it displayed when I need to, being that I'm not in a city. I'll probably go full size.

That's how I figured Kimber probably did their external extractor. I was just curious if they might have come up with a new design, then found out it didn't work after they were put out there.

Originally Posted by sandflea

For the purist... Colt.

That is something I'd considered but dismissed, because at some point I heard or read about problems with some modern Colt autoloaders. What do you think? Phall seemed to like the one he shot.

I saw a Colt MK lV Series 70 Government on consignment at the shop for a grand. Didn't handle it, but I will now.

I also checked out a Springfield 1911-A1 at a pawn shop yesterday. Apparently, It's a faithful copy of the original 1911-A1, but made in Brazil. It felt nice, but I wouldn't expect it to shoot very well. Some moving parts aren't machined to close tolerances. Exactly like the original, I imagine. At about the same price, the Kimber is obviously the better gun.

I'll make some concessions to 'traditional' in the name of durability and accuracy.

If the Colt is a "Gold Cup" MK IV, that's a good deal. If not, it's just a so so price.


If this is just gonna be a range gun, definetely go full size. Longer sight radius will help with sight picture.

Here ya go. A little more 'spensive but you can find them for a bit cheaper out there. You'll be glad you spent the money. No better 1911 than the S&W. If you happen to find a pile of cash while shopping for handguns, def go for the laundry list of Performance center options available.

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/w...03&isFirearm=Y

Originally Posted by snowful

I also checked out a Springfield 1911-A1 at a pawn shop yesterday. Apparently, It's a faithful copy of the original 1911-A1, but made in Brazil. It felt nice, but I wouldn't expect it to shoot very well. Some moving parts aren't machined to close tolerances. Exactly like the original, I imagine. At about the same price, the Kimber is obviously the better gun.

[ame="http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=207703"]Where are Springfield 1911's made? - THR[/ame]

Check out this thread for a little more info on Springfield 1911's being made in Brazil.

Snowful, any 1911 that you heard has reliability problems in general I would steer away from if you are using it for personal defense. I have more than one so I would probably pick up a Colt Gold Cup at some point, because my collection wouldn't be complete without one. I had a Para PXT for about three days and didn't have any problems with it and I fired about 750 rounds through it. Stay away from the Sig 1911, I had to get mine customized because it was so unreliable. Some 1911 use MIM(metal injected molded parts), if not molded correctly, it could cause the part to break. Something to consider. Once you buy one... it's like buying skis, you need more!

Great info, thanks to all.

Why not stretch your budget $100 and find a good used Wilson Combat, Nighthawk or Brown?

My CQB has been dead reliable for 2500+ rounds, many in competition, as long as it is kept clean and is shooting decent ammo (like any 1911). The thing is also fkna accurate and has the sweetest trigger I've ever squeezed.

A Glock is a good home defense weapon (my wife keep a G34 next to her bed to keep me honest), and the longer/smaller caliber ones are fun for plinking. The Sig is also a fine pistol, but for $1k, it just doesn't shoot anywhere as well as a 1911.

Originally Posted by gisforgaper

The Sig is also a fine pistol, but for $1k, it just doesn't shoot anywhere as well as a 1911.

What do you mean by this? My 20 year old sig 226 that I got for $500 has been 100% reliable through several thousand rounds, and will do 2" groups at 50 yards, and is very comfortable to shoot.

Is there another criteria to shooting well besides accuracy, reliability, ergonomics, and controlability?

Eh, don't take it personally, I guess its just personal preference.

My shooting buddy is a huge Sig fan (and his 229 in .357 sig has almost made me a believer), and I shoot his P220 combat a lot. It is a fine gun, I certainly rate it higher than an H&K or MP45.

But for me, quick follow-up and point and shoot results are just better with the 1911. There is something about the way a 1911 cycles that for me just makes it a more instictive and quickly accurate weapon, and the break is no comparison. I'm not sure about 2" groups at fifty yards, but my IPSC scores are always highest with a 1911.

As for price, if I had my choice between a new .45 Sig P220 for $875, or a lightly used Nighthawk Talon with a few Wilson mags (the most reliable ones made), I'd pick the Nighthawk. Next time you're at the range, try one out; that's how I ended up with my Wilson.

So, an update would be in order... Did you get a 1911?

Maybe he's sent it to get tweaked:

Seamus Tweaks.