Running a Ruger SR-1911 Commander hereabouts. I like it. I credit my fondness for Browning's masterpiece to the Outdoor Life Book Club about 1968 or 1969 sending me the "Complete Book of Shooting," with the handgun section written by Jeff Cooper. No other handgun has ever felt so natural in my hand.

A stainless one I use my full size SR1911 more then my Blued Rem R1.

kimber compact. carried a combat commander on duty.

Any good 1911 is a joy to shoot. No wonder so many companies are turning out their own versions at every price point. My personal experience is thus:

Les Baer - have a few and they're all great guns, fit and finish is top notch, run perfectly, not cheap but good value for the money.

Springfield Armory - I have a TRP Operator and I'm amazed at how much gun it is for the money.

Wilson - sample of one...a commander length sweetie, shoots lights-out but I struggle to see the incremental value over a Baer.

Brown - really nice gun (another Commander) but it's not worth nearly 2X the cost of a Baer.

Kimber - bought a custom shop Eclipse 2nd hand, mixed reviews on Kimbers but this one is near perfect and gets more holster time than any of my other 1911s.

Colt - bought a Series 70 special issue a few years ago...looks good but operation and trigger are rough as a cob, it sits in the safe until I get around to sending it off for some work.

I have owned various 1911's. An early 1913 commercial Colt with a half-moon rearsight shape as was correct. It had a barrel like a gutterpipe on the inside. yet offhand it'd shoot 2" groups, six rounds, day in and day out.

I had a later Colt 1911, commercial too, in fact it was my first pistol.

I also owned a Colt 1911A1 .38 Super "Super Match". This was British military marked and one of the batch we knew here as "Heydrich guns". That is they'd been bought by the British Purchasing Commission and, not using any sort of issue ammunition, were issued to agents parachuted into occupied Europe.

Lastly i owned a Remington Rand 1911A1. I also saw, in the late 1970s, a warehouse full...at least one hundred...of Russian Contract (and so marked on the frame) commercial 1911's that had been acquired by one of the UK arms dealers.

My brother owned the satin nickel Colt Combat Commander in .45ACP.

There it is. The best? the early 1911 as that half-moon sight gave quick sight acquisition. And, heck, was it accurate!

I started with a Ruger 5 inch. I have an honest 2,000 rounds through that gun. It was my first carry gun. It was quite tight when I got it. Still quite tight at the barrel and bushing, slide to frame, with the barrelhood and frame loosing a bit. This does not bother me. The front sight at 700 plus rounds did sheer off. Again, to me this was ok because I wa going and did replace the sights with Truglows HDs. I have never had a feeding or ejection malfunction and that was with factory mags. Solid base 700.00 1911. It stays by my side on the night stand.

I then moved to a new model Colt Delta Elite and a Commander. My only problem with the Colts are the thumb safeties, especially on the Commander, being narrow and sharp. Easy fix, I just have not got around to it. These are Series 80 guns.

My favorite across the board is my Dan Weason Silverback in 10mm. At the request of Dan Wesson I up’ed The factory spring to a 23 pound spring. The factory was 16pound. The 23 pound spring has production no malfunctions. I did follow the break in procedure outlined in the manual. Just shot it yesterday another 100rounds with factory mag no malfunctions. This was the first with hollow points that I purposely left seating in the Mag fully loaded for months. No problems with factory mags. It does not like the Cobra Mag.
I just got back from carrying it in Louisville.

If I did not want and love the sights on the Silverback, I would have went with a Valor 5imch in 10mm.

I have shot the Combat Elite and Larry Vickers 1911s from Wilson Combat great pistols. For me and my budget the price was not justifiable over the Dan Weason.

My father in law loves the Colt Railgun, and Dan Wesson Specialist. But he also has a Colt in 9x23 Winchester that he shoots and carries a lot. So, he is kind of wired.


My wife carries a Browning 1911-380 Pro with night sights and 4.25 barrel. She loves the weight and has the grip strength to take it down by hand. That was the deciding factor as to quality for CCDW license in KY at that time you had to field strip and reassemble the pistol. My best friend bought one after shooting her pistol.

Shot Kimbers. The ones we had in our group would only work with Kimber marked mags, and I thought were too expensive for a gun with that much MIM. I did not say MIM was bad, just that a Kimber with that much MIM should not have cost over $850.00. They were paid near full retail. The boys traded them for Series 80 Colts.

But the best of the best of the very compact .45 ACP pistols was the Star PD. I wonder if any in this discussion have owned one?

I have a Colt 70 series Gold Cup, a 70 series, Colt Nickle Government model, a Colt US ARMY government model made in the 19teens and a Norinco Government model. Also a Smith and Wesson 1950 Target revolver (6.5 inch) and a fixed sight
N frame (4 inch) (20 or 22?) in 45acp/auto rim.

CZ

I have several but carry as my truck gun the Kimber as I thought that if I ever had to use it I would most likely not get it back so thus I do not carry the Les Baer.

I have a kimber super carry pro. Shot it once or twice and had to get my old Gunsmith in pa to clean it.

The 1911 does little for me. I prefer cz all metal pistols or hk. Glocks for defense as they are ugly and reliable and uniform across their product line up.

A high end 1911 would be nice to own. Not sure if I would like cleaning it.

Mike

quote:

Originally posted by Beretta682E:
I have a kimber super carry pro. Shot it once or twice and had to get my old Gunsmith in pa to clean it.

The 1911 does little for me. I prefer cz all metal pistols or hk. Glocks for defense as they are ugly and reliable and uniform across their product line up.

A high end 1911 would be nice to own. Not sure if I would like cleaning it.

Mike

I have a glock 17, but never warmed up to it. I would rather carry a 1911 or more likely a revolver.

I agree. I wanted a Sig 220 for quite some time,then bought one + sold it a month later.It is a German design after all + there are NO left handed Germans (except me).It is a totally right handed pistol,via the levers. Besides,when I use a 1911 I don't have to think,if that makes any sense.It does to me.As the old adage goes,"carry what you are most comfortable with".

Current favorite is the RIA 10mm Tac Ultra (top)

The Browning Black Label in 380 ACP is a hoot to shoot!

ya!


GWB

I'm not really a 1911 guy, for some reason I just never got along with them. I do however own two. One a Colt combat elite and a Colt compact that was the plain Jane officers model. If I carried one it would be the compact with some modifications. I don't carry any 1911 though. I was never happy carrying a cocked & locked pistol and in some jurisdictions a lawyer can have a field day at your expense if you ever had to use it.

The only 1911 I ever shot that I really did like was a double stack Para Ordinance. I wish I had bought one at the time. I used to shoot IPSC & IDPA and since their rules are pretty much built around the 1911 it's the only one I think I would have been happy with.

I don’t carry one, well I rarely carry anything, but often just throw the Glock 43 with light/laser combo in a snap on Jude’s holster for late night walks with the pup.

I own two Kimbers, a Custom Elite from the early Kimber pistol production (mid to late 1990s??) and a TLE RL II 10mm. I love both of them. The first is one of my most accurate semis. The secon in 10mm is amazing and rides my hip while rifle hunting and it can reach out there.

Past 1911s:
Clark Custom-young and dumb for selling it.
Springfield-it was so so.
Colt Officers-likes the size, but couldn’t shoot it.
AMT Longslide-crude, but cool.

RÍA intrigues me. I’d like to hear more.

I picked up a Ruger SR1911 9mm target early last year and so far I am very happy with it. I will go so far as to say it is now my favorite 9mm pistol. What is not to like, target sights, ramped heavy bbl., ambi safety, adj. trigger, all for about 750$. So far I have run maybe 1000 rds. thru it, using it for steel challenge matches, and it has been 100.0% reliable. Out of the box it had about the best factory 1911 trigger I have seen. This one has me looking hard at some of Ruger's other 1911s ( like I need another 1911??).
C.G.B.

Dan Wesson

quote:

Originally posted by Beretta682E:
I have a kimber super carry pro. Shot it once or twice and had to get my old Gunsmith in pa to clean it.

The 1911 does little for me. I prefer cz all metal pistols or hk. Glocks for defense as they are ugly and reliable and uniform across their product line up.

A high end 1911 would be nice to own. Not sure if I would like cleaning it.

Mike

You should look at the Swiss Sphinx pistols, Mike.

They shoot like crazy....

Another CZ type alternative is an EAA witness. A Witness match elite is a very nice accurate pistol. Sort of large and I do not care much for the chrome frame but they are shooters. These are the all metal frames not the polymers which some folks had noted cracking 10 yrs ago.
Why not have something to compliment our 1911's? A Witness Match Elite can be had for less than $800.00. A bargain and CZ 75 ergonomics.
They have been compared to the BREN 10 from years back.

EZ

Nice pistol the EAA, but try the Sphinx before you buy

To me these are a hidden gems. Twoe of us bought 45acp Elites together. The third is a 38super Limited? The 45's were $625 when we got them. excellent trigger SA only. Mine now has 22, 9mm and 10mm slides. I don't carry so size didn't matter

quote:

Originally posted by eezridr:
Another CZ type alternative is an EAA witness. A Witness match elite is a very nice accurate pistol. Sort of large and I do not care much for the chrome frame but they are shooters. These are the all metal frames not the polymers which some folks had noted cracking 10 yrs ago.
Why not have something to compliment our 1911's? A Witness Match Elite can be had for less than $800.00. A bargain and CZ 75 ergonomics.
They have been compared to the BREN 10 from years back.

EZ

I agree that the EEA is a decent pistol;however as I prefer the CZ 75,I don't want a clone.Just me. When I want to buy a pair of ostrich skin boots I won't settle for emu.If a man can't afford the real thing,there is no shame in that.It's certainly better than no gun at all.It's only my opinion + preference.

quote:

Originally posted by NormanConquest:
I agree that the EEA is a decent pistol;however as I prefer the CZ 75,I don't want a clone.Just me. When I want to buy a pair of ostrich skin boots I won't settle for emu.If a man can't afford the real thing,there is no shame in that.It's certainly better than no gun at all.It's only my opinion + preference.

Although this is a 1911 thread, I will second your thoughts on CZ and boots. I bought a CZ in the early 1990s without import marks and it feels so great in my hand. Hell if I know what happened to the box, factory target and matching mag. Damn. Great shooter also.

quote:

Originally posted by Blair 338RUM:

quote:

Originally posted by Beretta682E:
I have a kimber super carry pro. Shot it once or twice and had to get my old Gunsmith in pa to clean it.

The 1911 does little for me. I prefer cz all metal pistols or hk. Glocks for defense as they are ugly and reliable and uniform across their product line up.

A high end 1911 would be nice to own. Not sure if I would like cleaning it.

Mike

You should look at the Swiss Sphinx pistols, Mike.

They shoot like crazy....

Sphinx are rare to find - 3000 is like $7k.

I have bought a new shadow 2 for $1100.

I will keep my eye on a sphinx.

Mike

I have glocks and hk as my defense guns.

I am thinking for home defense of moving to a cz race gun - shadow 2 - 20 round mag.

Mike

DCS,I agree that this is a .45 sight but I brought up the CZ 75 because my 1st interest in it was when Col. Cooper raved about it at the South African Olympics;+ I don't need to tell anyone about his opinions on the .45 or the 9mm.When he endorsed it I thought it was well worth checking out.A fine pistol design. Although I keep my 1911 in my truck,I keep the CZ in my nightstand

The CZ does feel wonderful in the hand, whether Czech or Tanfoglio/Italian.

1911 thread and we are debating clones Haha.
Sort of like welcome to the club.
My first CZ 75 was the 75D compact. Looks just like the pic at the top of the thread. Awesome little 9MM.
I could not give away my Dan Wesson Valor 1911 clone although it is technically a clone of a Colt. Love that gun!
To me: If it cycles, fits me and shoot straight, I am all in. The Witness is pretty nice and fits the description above; for me and mine is a (14 shot 10 mm)
That does not hinder the fact I would like a Dan Wesson Bruin 10 mm as well.

EZ

I have a Kimber Pro-carry 45 ACP that I carry often! I have owned several 1911 colts over the years, and simply love the 1911 pattern no matter what brand it is, and also favor the 45ACP cartridge for self defense, but also like my Springfield Arms XDE-9MM for an every day carry. It has all the features of the 1911, but has three setups, DOUBlE ACTION, Hammer back safety on, that disengages the trigger till the safety is disengaged, and if the safety is flipped all the way down drops the hammer but doesn't engage the firing pin plus is a nine round magazine.

I also have an XD 45 ACP that is double action but doesn't have an exposed hammer, and the trigger pull is very stiff, and I simply was very happy when Springfield finally came out with the XDe 9mm because it is a far better fire arm than the XD. Now I have to buy the 45ACP XDe now that it is out as well.



……………………………………………………...

I bought a new Colt LW Commander 45 last year to carry and like it quite a bit.

Just finished 100 more rounds of hollow points thru my Dan Wesson Silverback. I shot the last five slow at 25 yards off shooting sticks. All in lungs

Not sure about what 'flavor'that I prefer but have had a Springfield with a Clark Custom Meltdown treatment which I ended up selling but own a Les Baer Concept V and a S&W SW1911PD n scandium, both w/ 5" bbl just as JMB designed.

I have a Springfield Black Stainless Target model 45 ACP for shooting steel at my club, a Springfield EMP 3" 40 S&W for a carry gun, and a Browning 1911-380 just for fun.

I gave my youngest son a 80 series Colt LW Commander for his 21st birthday. I gave my eldest son his 21st a full size series Colt series 70. (+ this Christmas I gave him a Springfield)I gave my middle son a Ruger 1911 for his 21st.(kinda see the pattern here?) This Christmas we were all here + my youngest son's mother in law came down from Milwaukee,(sweet lady) who had never seen or held a gun in her life,was going oh my,oh dear,etc.as it has always been MY custom to give guns to my sons on Christmas or birthdays or rites of passage.As stated she is a sweet lady + I took pity on her + whispered in her ear,It's really O.K. we just do things a little different down here; then I gave her a bottle of scented hand soap for her Christmas gift.

When I picked up a browning black label I fell in love and wanted a matching pair in 22 and 380 ever since.

quote:

Originally posted by Geedubya:


Current favorite is the RIA 10mm Tac Ultra (top)

The Browning Black Label in 380 ACP is a hoot to shoot!

ya!


GWB

quote:

Originally posted by NormanConquest:
I gave my youngest son a 80 series Colt LW Commander for his 21st birthday. I gave my eldest son his 21st a full size series Colt series 70. (+ this Christmas I gave him a Springfield)I gave my middle son a Ruger 1911 for his 21st.(kinda see the pattern here?) This Christmas we were all here + my youngest son's mother in law came down from Milwaukee,(sweet lady) who had never seen or held a gun in her life,was going oh my,oh dear,etc.as it has always been MY custom to give guns to my sons on Christmas or birthdays or rites of passage.As stated she is a sweet lady + I took pity on her + whispered in her ear,It's really O.K. we just do things a little different down here; then I gave her a bottle of scented hand soap for her Christmas gift.

I would rather have a 1911. FP-10 is my hand soap.

I gave my son my Colt Lwt Commander that I carried in the El Paso County SO narcotics div, then US Customs Agency to DEA on the Texas border for my 43 years of LE, the last 6 with the USFS, marihuana erad. I still have my Browing Highpower and its always been my go to pistol..Also had a Chiefs Special 38 that was given to my at my retirement..I liked the 45 for undercover work as it was easy to hide under a shirt stuck in my waste band..Never cared for a holster of any kind..I liked the High power as it held 14 shots..These chopped down 1911s are a joke for undercover anyway you cut it..

The one I've run a couple of thousand rounds through without a malfunction not due to maintenance or nancing the grip.

quote:

Originally posted by Bill/Oregon:
Running a Ruger SR-1911 Commander hereabouts. I like it. I credit my fondness for Browning's masterpiece to the Outdoor Life Book Club about 1968 or 1969 sending me the "Complete Book of Shooting," with the handgun section written by Jeff Cooper. No other handgun has ever felt so natural in my hand.

LHEYM,that's true but then again neither of us are sweet little old ladies.