Ready to make my first 1911 purchase

[CompVest]

Don't forget that STI is made in Texas with Texas pride and quality! I have seen them shot in IDPA matches straight from the box without any break in. They ran flawlessly.

[KinnyLee]

KinnyLee,
I LOVE the Pro you got there . I have been wanting one for so long its ridiculous.

I agree with Compvest we will all tell you ours is best but just like any other gun. Find the one that fits you and go practice with it.

But if you want my honest opinion get the PRO by Springfield.

Thanks. The Pro is pretty much everything I wanted in a 1911. There may be others that are equal to the Pro, but from a price stand point, I don't think you can beat it. I'm fixing to order another one

[ChuckW]

Kimber does have MIM parts and they are a gamble with relation to breakage. .

They might use MIM parts (though I don't see what the issue is with quality MIM parts ) But their aluminum frames are milled from billet aluminum, not forged or cast, making them the strongest and closeset to design specifications possible. IMHO

Agreed! This thing about Kimber and MIM parts keeps being raised. Folks will have stories that they have "heard" that some friends uncles 2nd cousin had a MIM part on a Kimber that broke. I am a member of a 1911 forum that gets a high number of posts related to Kimber, and other 1911s, and I have yet to see a first person account of a MIM part on a Kimber actually breaking.

[DONT TREAD ON ME]

KinnyLee,
I LOVE the Pro you got there . I have been wanting one for so long its ridiculous.

I agree with Compvest we will all tell you ours is best but just like any other gun. Find the one that fits you and go practice with it.

But if you want my honest opinion get the PRO by Springfield.

Thanks. The Pro is pretty much everything I wanted in a 1911. There may be others that are equal to the Pro, but from a price stand point, I don't think you can beat it. I'm fixing to order another one

With the first one I was just jealous now with the second one I just plain dont like you

I have read alot on the PRO and from what I have read and from people I have talked to that own one...its the next 1911 I am getting!!!

[Rex B]

That Nighthawk has the cleanest looking rail design I have seen.
I traded off a railed Taurus just because the rail looked ugly.
I may take another look at a STI.

Don't worry too much about getting the right 1911.
1911s are like Doritos. That first one will have company before the year is out

[rm9792]

Kimber does have MIM parts and they are a gamble with relation to breakage. .

They might use MIM parts (though I don't see what the issue is with quality MIM parts ) But their aluminum frames are milled from billet aluminum, not forged or cast, making them the strongest and closeset to design specifications possible. IMHO

I have nothing against Kimber, I have 4 and carry a Pro CDP. I have never had a MIM part break, but others have. They do have cheap junk plastic MSH which I always replace. I hang out with a 1911 gunsmith and firsthand have seen the broken parts. The parts are cheap and easy to replace so it doesnt slow me down in the least in buying one.

[ghostrider]

> I have never had a MIM part break, but others have.

I have: ParaOrdnance Series 80 plunger lever. Replaced all 5 parts with Cylinder & slide TiN coated parts.

[Rex B]

A lot of 1911 MSHs are plastic.

Why do manufacturers insist on using them when people detest them, and change them out quickly?

[j1132s]

Well, I guess it's time for my first 1911 purchase, but I seem to have a dilemma. Do I buy a production model , ex: Kimber, Springfield, etc., which would be a good choice. Or spend about the same money and get a custom STI from Brazos Custom with a preformance package and hard chrome, like the STI Trojan. Or do I go full out and spend a little more and get an Ed Brown Custom or something like it. I'm talking about spending buy the way $1000 to $2000, 45 cal., single stack, to be used for competition and carry.I have shot a few 1911's but never owned one. I would like a few opinions to help me make a good first purchase. Thanks in advance for you answers.

What competitions are you going to do? That sometimes determine the gun. For example, if you just want to IDPA/IPSC shoot single stack, then any reliable 1911 is good to go, probably not something too expensive because you'll definitely be scratching it. If you want to do NRA bullseye, shooting at 25 and 50 yards where everybody has accurate guns, then you want something as accurate as you can afford. Also, what kinds of sights do you want? some optical sights may may not be compatible with some guns..

If it's just for personal enjoyment, then for 1911, I'd get the most expensive one and I think looks pretty and from a major custom manufacturer... because they retain their value in case I change my mind in the future.

[ghostrider]

>Why do manufacturers insist on using them when people detest them, and change them out quickly?

cause they're cheap (?).
If Bob's 1911 Factory is turning a profit, he may not care that the first thing his customers do is gut the product and replace all the internals. That's been common practice in the 1911 world for some time, partly because it used to be that not all 1911's were really reliable out of the box. (plus some people just like to customize). I think that changed in a big way when Kimber started selling 1911's with custom features right from the factory.

[7075-T7]

They do have cheap junk plastic MSH which I always replace.

I have wondered that as well. As well as why they don't make them in aluminum for the AL framed models instead of only steel.

[CompVest]

I really don't understand why anyone would spend big bucks for a gun and NOT shoot it! That to me is like buying a beautiful high dollar piece of jewelry and not wearing it. I understand collector pieces in both and owning them for bragging rights or investment but there aren't that many guns that fall in that category especially new 1911's.

My motto is if you got it shoot it and enjoy it and always get the nicest one you can afford.

I do think that having a top of the line gun is best if you are going to compete. It is always good to have the best equipment you can afford and operate. You will notice that to be true in all sports. It just depends on your goals for the sport.

[The Annoyed Man]

Kimber does have MIM parts and they are a gamble with relation to breakage. .

They might use MIM parts (though I don't see what the issue is with quality MIM parts ) But their aluminum frames are milled from billet aluminum, not forged or cast, making them the strongest and closeset to design specifications possible. IMHO

Agreed! This thing about Kimber and MIM parts keeps being raised. Folks will have stories that they have "heard" that some friends uncles 2nd cousin had a MIM part on a Kimber that broke. I am a member of a 1911 forum that gets a high number of posts related to Kimber, and other 1911s, and I have yet to see a first person account of a MIM part on a Kimber actually breaking.

I've posted this before, but I have an M1A that broke the MIM hammer in under 100 rounds fired. SA replaced it with a forged part. My son has a Taurus PT1911 which broke the MIM slide stop right in half. We replaced it with the "defective" MIM part that came out of my Kimber UCII when I first bought it and which the factory had replaced, and the Taurus has been soldiering on with the MIM Kimber part for over a year now.

Go figure.

But my point is that I don't know that MIM is a problem per se as long as the manufacturer is making high quality MIM parts and not junk.

[SYMWAFA]

Check out the S&W 1911s. I have a commander sized S&W 1911sc. Shoots great, accurate, no malfunctions, lightweight. I've never had to send it back, but I understand S&W's customer service is highly regarded. Some take issue with the external extractor, but S&W has pretty much perfectec them, so worried here.

[Humanphibian]

LOVE my Para P-13!!

Steel frame (integral plunger tube), Commander length slide, grip length is slightly shorter than a normal 5" 1911 (conceals better) yet still gives full grip. Keeps plenty rounds on tap, while maintaining a reasonable weight.

with your budget....it leaves plenty of $$ for practice, leather, entry fees, etc ;)