1911 Makers that are Worth a Darn

[Departed402]

I am currently in the throes of deciding which 1911 I would like to buy. As with most large purchases I will study, evaluate, deduce, and eventually comes to a decision. I will then not follow through with buying my selected item, and table the idea for a while. After a time has passed I will go through the stated selection process again. If I come to the same conclusion I will be closer to making a purchase; however, I may go through the process a few more times. I just completed this process for an AR-15 and wound with a Daniel Defense.

Anyway, I have constructed this multiple answer poll where you can select the 1911 manufactures that you think put out a good product. This is obviously subjective, and you can decide how you will distribute your votes. I would ask that reliability and track record be a consideration of your vote, as that is what matters most to me, and this poll is to help my selection process along. You can vote for your single most favorite, you can vote for "The Big Four" custom brands, and if you're cheap you can vote up your favorite cheap-o ****s brands. While I understand this poll is subject to some fanboyism I don't care as the fanyboys must have a reason for liking what they like.

Thanks for your votes and opinions!

 

[loose_holster_dan]

price can obviously come into it. if you have thousands, go with ed brown, les baer, wilson combat, etc. if you have a thousand, go with colt. if you have less than a thousand, go with sti spartan or RIA

 

[WC145]

As with most large purchases I will study, evaluate, deduce, and eventually comes to a decision. I will then not follow through with buying my selected item, and table the idea for a while. After a time has passed I will go through the stated selection process again. If I come to the same conclusion I will be closer to making a purchase; however, I may go through the process a few more times.

How the hell do you ever get anything bought?

I'm with loose holster dan, you need to simplify based on your budget. I'll be a little more specific with my opinions where your budget and choices are concerned - if you have $1500 buy a Dan Wesson, $2000 buy a Les Baer, if you're willing to spend more than $2500 have something built.

 

[geetarman]

I have bought several 1911 in both 45 and 9mm. I try not to over think the purchase. If the gun feels right, I am usually good to go. The only gun I recall ever having second thoughts about was my first Sig. That feeling went away as soon as I shot it.

 

[Madcap_Magician]

$500 budget: Rock Island or another Armscor gun.
$750 budget: Springfield Armory, STI, or a nicer Rock Island.
$1000 budget: Nicer Springfield Armory, mid-range Kimber, possibly a Colt if you don't mind razor-sharp edges and are willing to put a little work into it.
$1500 budget: Dan Wesson.
$2000 budget: Dan Wesson, Wilson, Nighthawk, Ed Brown, etc.
>$2000: Do a custom build.

 

[whip1]

Price wasn't a stipulation, and yet more people like Springfield and Colt over some of the premium makers. That's a real head scratcher.

 

[NJgunowner]

They like them because for the money they are hard to beat. My personal opinion is when you hit $2k + you're in it for status and not functionality.

Personally I'd go with Sig... and I did. If I was going to spend more it would be a Dan Wesson. And I'd certainly go with a sig over any kimber. That's just me though.

 

[RickB]

The only makers with which I have much experience, as an owner/operator are Colt and Springfield, so I felt like I could really only recommend those two. I have shot STIs, a Nighthawk, a Baer, and they were all nice guns (the owner of the STI Trojan, a more accomplished and experienced shooter than I, feels it's the best production pistol he's ever owned),

 

[Fishbed77]

They like them because for the money they are hard to beat. My personal opinion is when you hit $2k + you're in it for status and not functionality.

Pretty much this.

That and lots of folks have Colts and Springfields, so they are voting for what they have.

And this poll isn't a "What's the best 1911" poll, it's a "What 1911 Manufacturer do you like best" poll.

I voted Colt because they are making some of the best pistols in their entire history these days, and are hard to beat for the price.

 

[jimbob86]

I voted "other" ...... because "All of the Above" was not there.

 

[WVsig]

The poll is way to ranging to get any real meaningful data out of it. There are just too many people out there making 1911s now. Even if you narrow it down by price point you will still end up with a mess. People buy 1911s different reasons. Some people want a gun that looks like what they carried or a family member carried in “Insert war”. Some want a carry gun. Some want a range toy. Some play gun games. Some want a combination of all of the above. Some people want tactical cool some want clean lines and classic retro styling. The list goes on and on. The best part is that there is a 1911 that fits the bill for each and every one of these wants and almost every price point.

As others have stated you are basically getting clicks for guns that people own. You will find most people own sub $1000 1911s there for those who dominate that price point and below will dominate this poll. Colt, Springfield & Kimber move the most metal in the $600 to $1000 price point. Ruger and Sig have started to become a player there. On the lower end RIA and other Armscor guns do well. Again these are the most owned brands but this does not mean they are the "best". I agree with others that at certain price point the law of diminishing returns kicks in. IMHO is at about $15000 for 99% of shooters. Over that price point you are paying for fit and finish because most shooters cannot utilize the tiny gains in function which guns costing thousands of $$$ produce. Which is why these type of polls are rendered meaningless for the most part IMHO.

So to the OP if you are really looking to get a 1911 and research which one is right for you I would say you need to provide more information about what you are looking for in a 1911. The basic information that we need to give you a meaningful and relevant OPINION is the following IMHO.

1. What is the price point you are willing to pay?
2. What is the intended use for the gun? Range/Home Defense/Carry/Gun games/ Bullseye etc…..
3. Timeframe to acquire the pistol are you willing to wait for a custom build or limited availability like the Ruger.
4. Tactical cool, retro look or somewhere in between.
5. Sights Old School, 3 dot, blackout, night sights etc….
6. How important is reliability?
7. How important is a forged frame and slide and no or limited MIM?
8. How important is overall fit and finish.
9. Finish preference blued, stainless or tactical coat.
10. Are there any features that the gun must have or cannot have like front slide serrations, adjustable sights, front strap stippling etc...

If you are willing to answer these questions the people on this forum will be more than willing to offer meaningful OPINIONs on 1911s that meet your specific wants. This will help you a lot more in the process of picking the right one for you then a unfocused random poll. Good luck with your search and remember that if you buy one most likely you will buy another.

 

[kcub]

GI should be on there

 

[James K]

IMHO, GI guns are very durable, reliable and well made, but so pricey now that I would probably not buy one as a shooter unless I could find an "untouched" one at a good price. Not $29.95 any more.

Don't overlook a Norinco; there are no new ones because of the ban, but there are second-hand ones floating around. I put 8500 rounds through one with NO failures of any kind. That kind of reliability is hard to beat, even given that I used ball ammo.

Jim

 

[dgludwig]

I'm with loose holster dan, you need to simplify based on your budget.

I agree. For this poll to make any sense as to which 1911 pistol is best for you, minimally what you're willing or able to spend is a factor in the equation that has to be decided before an informed vote can be made. Imo, most of the manufacturers you listed make good 1911 pistols. How good (or how much "better") often comes down to price. Unfortunately.

 

[WESHOOT2]

5" metal 1911s

Under $1,000: S&W

Between 1-2,000: Les Baer

Over 2K: pick carefully; Ed Brown / Wilson

Really over 2K: have your custom dream built on a Caspian frame (with custom serial #) and slide by a time-proven 1911 specialist.

 

[jmr40]

I didn't vote. None of the guns listed are junk as far as I know. Depends on how much you want to spend and which features you are willing to pay for.

For a budget gun the RIA is good enough.

In the mid-price range, where I've spent my money I've found the S&W to be the most gun for the money. Followed by Kimber and Colt 3rd. I've had Springfield Armory. Not bad, but not quite up to Smith, Kimber and Colt. Despite internet claims I've found Kimbers to be great guns.

Can't help with the higher end guns. I'm sure most are good. Just not enough better for me to justify the added expense.

 

[sandbag]

"Other"

I've owned all kinds of 1911's and Norinco made a really good one-can't get them new any more though.

 

[UZO]

WVSigs post with the 10-questions has to be your starting point... if not, you'll go in circles listening to hundreds of opinions!
Of his questions, I'd start with...
How much you want to spend... and what's the pistols being used for.. and go on from there.
If you don't address those questions first, you won't be getting what YOU want.
Good Luck in the search!

 

[KyJim]

I voted for seven manufacturers whose guns I have owned (Colt, Baer, STI, Wilson Combat, Dan Wesson, Springfield, Ed Brown) . I did not vote for two manufacturers whose guns I have owned (Kimber, Sig). I also did not vote for those which I have never owned.

 

[BigJimP]

I voted for 2 mfg's.... Wilson Combat and Ed Brown.../ they're #1 and #2 in my mind....and its a big drop to #3.

However, on a budget, I'd look carefully at the new Colts, Springfield or Sig ...for some very serviceable guns.
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Unless you're special ordering from Wilson Combat or Ed Brown...or can find one in inventory locally....I'd buy the gun with the features you want and the best feeling trigger you can find / and the one with the smoothest feeling slide.