1911 Recommendation

[pratt]

It's about time that I buy a 1911 and I would appreciate some input. I am looking to enjoy it for target practice at the range and to learn how a 1911 is designed and shoots. Like all of my guns, this will be a working gun that will get plenty of range time! My budget is about $800 to $1,200.

I am looking for the following (in order of priority):

1. Ambidextrous safety (I'm left-handed)
2. 9mm (I plan to shoot it a lot and prefer less expensive ammo)
3. Stainless steel (love the look, but would do parkerized as well)
4. 5-inch barrell (could go 4-inch)

The only gun that I've found so far in my research that meets all four requirements and falls in my price range is the Springfield Loaded. However, the reviews that I've read on that gun are mixed.

What thoughts are there about the Springfield Loaded 1911? What other brands and models should I consider that I might have overlooked?

I very much appreciate any input and advice. Thanks in advance!

[OakRidgeStars]

I'd add one more item to the list. Target sights.

And I would definitely recommend the Springfield

[762]

Taurus may have one in 9mm. I have the .45 ACP stainless one and it's a great gun for the money.

[CCFan]

How 'bout the Kimber Stainless Target II in 9mm? I don't have one, but I'm considering a 1911 in 9mm as well, and that's one on the radar for me...

[jrswanson1]

I like the Kimber Stainless Target II that I have, but no ambi-safety, although you could get one installed. But you're already $1000 into the pistol. And the last I heard, 9mm 1911s aren't that reliable unless they shrink them to fit the caliber. If you can find a ParaOrdnance Limited gun in 9mm, they're actually really nice, although they are double-stack. My P16-40 came with an ambi-safety, target sights with a front tritium insert, and a decent trigger.

[DW44VH]

Sig Sauer has a 1911.
http://www.sigsauer.com/CatalogProductL ... -1911.aspx
Nice list of features.

So does Fusion Arms.
http://www.fusionfirearms.com/
Made in USA

[rjgnwdc]

I own 3 and can recommend all 3, the Remington R1 Enhanced model being the most economical and the Caspian was custom built by my brother in law so it's kinda unique the most recent purchase and highly prized is my Colt Combat Elite I went to the range this past Saturday for the first time with it ran 200+ rounds of 230gr ball hand loads with no failures of any kind and it is a real straight shooter here's a picture of the 3

[matthew03]

You cold get a stainless Colt Combat Elite or XSE for the price you listed. I acquired my two tone Combat Elite for a little over $900. Colt uses very few MIM parts, forged frames and is building excellent, some of their best in my opinion, guns right now. The finish on my Colt is outstanding. Plus they are not only classic, but are American made.

You can always add an ambi safety lever later and I would advise doing so with a Wilson Bullet Proof or Ed Brown Safety Lever as ambi-levers can be a problematic part.

Springfield Armory makes decent guns and would serve you well. Earlier Kimbers are nice, but quality can be spotty at times with the later models. I think one of the better buys for a 1911 right now is the Dan Wesson's, factory prices at near custom level performance. I do believe their prices have gone up though.

I've owned a Wilson CQB Compact, two SA's - a Loaded and GI, two Kimbers - first generation Classic Custom and custom shop RCP and two Colt's - 1991A1 and the current Combat Elite. Removing the $3K Wilson from the list and the Combat Elite stands out as the favorite/best on my list.

[CCFan]

For all the other mentions of brands - I looked and didn't see a single Sig, Colt, or Remington 1911 available in 9mm...

How's about a Rock Island Armory 1911 Tactical 9mm? Parkerized, not available in stainless, but at $450 to $500 with ambi-safety, that leaves some $$$ left to upgrade sights, etc...

[ss313]

You'll find some very mixed reviews on the Rock Islands. I love my RI Tactical in .45. It has only seen a few hundred rounds but it has operated flawlessly. The only thing that I did to it was completely disassemble and clean it out of the box and have only field stripped it after trips to the range.

[krmgator]

Consider the .45 before you get the 9mm. I just think it just fits the 1911 platform so well.

When I decided to get one a few months ago, I set a budget of $500. That's very cheap for a 1911 and knew I was going to have a hard time finding one. It came down to a new RIA or a used Springfield GI for around $520 each.

I went with the Springfield and have never been happier with a gun purchase.

[gregj]

http://www.best9mm.com/

Note, there are no 9mm 1911's on this list. Probably a good reason why. The 1911 platform seems to work best for the round it was designed for, .45ACP. I had a Springfield Loaded in 9mm, was going to use it for my IDPA ESP gun. Wound up not liking the reliability, mag issues, etc., and sold it.

The CZ 75 SA manual of arms is very similar to 1911, and is a very, very nice gun to shoot.

[Chasbo00]

As far as lists go, I like the below one much better and it does have some 1911s. I'm with Greg on the SA 9mm though, I too would go with a CZ.

http://www.idpa.com/tj.asp?ID=290

[CCFan]

Had to do it...

9mm 1911

[randyaf]

You could also look at this.


http://www.tombstonetactical.com/catalo ... arkerized/

[meak99]

You could also look at this.


http://www.tombstonetactical.com/catalo ... arkerized/

$15 cheaper, not sure of shipping charges there though. CFS is good to go among Rock Island users at 1911forum.com

http://centerfiresystems.com/ac-ri1911taca9mm.aspx

[sdlrodeo]

What thoughts are there about the Springfield Loaded 1911? What other brands and models should I consider that I might have overlooked?

I very much appreciate any input and advice. Thanks in advance!

I've had both a springfield loaded and an STI Trojan both in .45. I liked both of them a lot. I think the Trojan was a little tighter. Both are around the same price range but the trojan is not stainless.

Steve

[sdlrodeo]

Just picked up a Kimber TLE II. Really like the trigger a lot! Installed a Novak adjustable rear sight and what do you know? POI is POA! Now I just need to get my grips, extended slide release, and ambi safety installed and it'll be the kitty's ti++ies.

Honestly I haven't done much shooting with a 1911, but I plan on doing more. I do remember the Springfield loaded stainless being a lot stiffer and not nearly as smooth.

Steve

[SPIKEH26]

I got to pick up the Sig 1911 and it was breath taking to look at and by far the best feeling gun i have ever picked up and held. I like sig's but dont consider myself too biased but the feel was great. Was about 975.00 at the NC Gun and Knife show. Me and my brother and law would have gotten one if our wives wouldnt have castorated us upon first glance.

[ratherfish]

I have the Sig revolution carry nitron 1911.

Can't say enough good things about it!