I find myself owning too many 1911's
Is there such a thing as too many?

No!

As many as one can afford.

I own 2 1911 in 45acp and 2 other 45acps why because I can.

You will always need “just 1 more”

Just one more thing to say good about living in America. You can have all you can afford. And I consider having too many akin to having too much fun.

I only have 14 so, no!

I got 4 plus the wife’s 1911-380 pro.


I would have more, but got other things to do.

I don’t even have one...

I'm sorry for you, it is a great platform. Please don't say that you've gone to the Glock dark side!

I have a Les Baer. However, I compete with and carry 2011s. Competition gun on top, CCW on the bottom.

I have a Les Baer as well but carry a Kimber. if I ever had to use it I would hate to lose the Les Baer.

Only two. One is a Colt Combat Elite and the other is a Colt Compact which was a plain budget gun that's an officers model in length. Both made in the early 1990's.

It's kind of ironic that I have them because I've never really cared for the ergonomics of 1911's. Not enough angle in the grip for my liking. But an arched mainspring housing helps a little which is also why the US military went that route long ago. Unfortunately the new civilian versions all sport flat mainspring housings because they look cool. But it's an easy fix.

I guess the real reason in my case for the Combat Elite was because most action pistol competitions are built around a 1911 as the weapon of choice. I used to shoot both IPSC and IDPA back in the 1990's.

The only 1911 I did kind of like but never bought was a double stack Para Ordinance. The wider grip filled my large hands much better.

I only have two

I own 2.
One is a mil-specmade by high standard and a Smith &Wesson scandium.
The Smith is a nicer and better shooting and more concealable 1911 but the High Standard has been a great pistol over the years but I fell in love with the scandium for various reasons.

One - kimber super carry pro.

The kimber 1911 do nothing for me.


But I do like the 1911 grip angle.

I like it in my p320 x five and in sig p210.

I will be buying one full size high end 1911.

Leaning towards a nighthawk thunder ranch. Any other recommendations.

There are some very good gun shops specializing in 1911 in south Florida.

Mike

On the high end2k-3k I have shot an Ed Brown and a Wilson. Both were very very nice pistols.
Saying that I am not sure that a 1500.00 pistol would not have done the same thing.
If you get a real good 1911 shooter, he could probably shoot as well with a 500.00 1911 as someone who has not shot much carrying a high end 1911.
I shoot well but apparently not well enough to wring the most out of 3k pistol compared to a 1500.00 one but the 2 I mentioned are definitely top notch and there are a few others as well.
Someone here hopefully points you in the right direction.
MCMXI

All of them...

cal30, I would like to ask what you think the extra $1500 is spent on. A 1911 is a weapon. Presumably some of the extra money spent on a $1500 gun as opposed to a $700 gun, is spent on making it a better weapon. That means (to me) making it more accurate and more reliable with better ergonomics.To a certain extent there is a tension between these aims. There is also, IMHO, a limit to what needs to be spent to accomplish these aims. Anything extra is NOT spent on these objectives but is spent on something else. What? Looks! Now, there is nothing wrong with owning a beautiful weapon, but that does not make it a better weapon. Long story short, you may already be "wringing the most out of your $3000 gun!
Just my $0.02.
I have a few (bullseye) target guns. They will shoot 2" at 50 yards, and they did not cost $3000, or even $1500. They were customized from a factory gun. Are they reliable? Yes. Never failed me at the target range yet! Am I going to throw it into a river, fish it out, run over it with a pickup truck and then expect it to shoot? NO! If anyone here wants to do this to their $1500 gun please do so and give us a report (with pictures).
If you are a shooter, I would look at the guns that the IPSC and IDPA shooters use. They expect good accuracy, excellent reliability and excellent ergonomics. Anything else is just for show. IMHO (again). Of course, how many of those are 1911's?
Now, if you are talking about 2011's, all bets are off!
Peter

Peter
Well said.
What I was trying to convey is I'm not 100% positive I am wringing out the most from my 1500.00 pistol let alone a 3000.00 one if I owned one that costly.

quote:

I only have 14 so, no!

You sound a lot like me!

quote:

Originally posted by cal30 1906:
Peter
Well said.
What I was trying to convey is I'm not 100% positive I am wringing out the most from my 1500.00 pistol let alone a 3000.00 one if I owned one that costly.

A red dot system will a aimpoint arco or trijicon sro would make a significant difference to me.

Shopping for my 1911 or 1911 hybrid like the Wilson combat x9 will be fun and will have a Red dot.

Mike

I know this seems sacrilegious but, after owning several 1911's (including a Gold Cup and a complete custom build) I prefer the feel of a Hi Power. However my .45acp carry is a SIG P220 Micro.

quote:

I prefer the feel of a Hi Power.

A improved 1911.

I like the feel of ALL of my Browning Hi-Powers, my Colt Model 1911s, and their spawn from various manufacturers.

Me too; I never could see going over to the dark side of Glock.

quote:

Me too; I never could see going over to the dark side of Glock

My SR1911 gets it's exercise every Sunday the others sit it the safe.

My Hi-powers sit in the safe.

One glock 23 get the crap worn out of it because I can't not hurt it or reduce it's value any more. Unless I lost it or destroyed it.

It is great to have around doing chores I can bang it ,scrap it, knock it about without worry.

I really like my Glock 24 it is getting exercised more and more.

My 686+ goes on my daily walks.

It is nothing for me to carry 3 different or more handguns at different times during the day depending on what I am doing.

Well, I can certainly understand your rationale; I have a custom Randle knife that is so nice I don't take it in the woods. I just use my old tried + true Puma White Hunter.

I have one 1911 and one Browning Hi Power, both all steel and no plastic...Carried both for years, the Browning in Mexico as we were not allowed the 1911 in Mexico as it was the issue pistol for the Army and some Mexican federal agencys. I think thats still in effect..I was fortunate enought to get certified as a Mexican Federal Officer adn still have that Identification, with no experation..I keep it framed in my office..I know of no other gringo that has one.. but to be safe and not push my luck I didn't pack the 1911 in Mexico..

As a matter of fact my favorite 1911 was my issue colt in 38 Super and with the then available Super Vel ammo it was hell and destruction, really over looked..

As a 18 year old kid in the Army back in the 60's a 1911 was the first centerfire handgun I ever fired and I've had a soft spot for them ever since.

After thinning the herd of several of my guns (getting a few miles on me with no heirs) I'm down to just three 1911's....all are 5", stainless and chambered in 45ACP.

Ruger SR1911
SA Mil-Spec
S & W 'E" Series

I rotate taking them to the range twice weekly and run 50 rounds through them each trip of my 230 gr. FMJ ball ammo.

Exactly what hikerbum said.

Steve.........

Well, to answer the OP, how many calibers do you shoot?
I am not sure what is meant by the term "1911". Do you mean a linked barrel, barrel bushing, or just an external hammer?
I have such guns in 45acp., 10mm., 38 Super, 9mm and 9x21. Eash serves a different purpose. Bullseye guns are not carry guns. Race guns are not carry guns, and neither are hunting guns.
Peter.

Not sure but I 'think' the OP means any 1911 barrel style (linked, ramped etc), any barrel length and pretty much any caliber for any purpose.
I am far from knowing everything but doesn't all 1911's have external hammers?

Steve.......

Steve, I was commenting because some of my guns listed above are EAA's or CZ's. They don't have the grip safety but some may regard them as 1911 style.
Peter.

You are right EAA does have a 1911, it is imported from Turkey and built by Girsan, CZ (which has bought Colt) builds a 1911 also which is a pretty darn good gun.
I have several EAA Witness pistols (45 ACP, 400 Corbon, 38 Super, 9x25 Dillon, 40 S&W, 357 Sig) and I would consider them CZ75 'style'. I still need to add a 9mm to that bunch.


Steve........

Merely my opinion: an excellent quality 1911-A1 sits alone upon the pinnacle of handguns. I own S&W and Ruger double-action revolvers and Sig "P" series double-action semi-autos. My Springfield Armory 1911-A1's are the most reliable handguns I own with Sigs running a close second. Never allow anyone to tell you that revolvers are most reliable. I've experienced more than a few catastrophic failures with S&W revolvers.

When I'm in wilderness areas where mean critters call home, I carry my Springfield Armory TRP .45 ACP. I never carry a handgun while I'm big game hunting with a big game rifle. When I'm fishing or exploring wilderness areas, my TRP is close at hand.

No, you can never own too many good quality 1911-A1's.

My TRP is far more accurate than I'm capable of shooting it

For conceal carry in urban areas, I rely upon my Springfield Armory EMP 3 9MM. It's the definition of reliability. And it's amazingly accurate.

BTW, my college-age daughter can go through a case of .45 ACP ammo inside of a couple hours perforating cans with my TRP. She enjoys target shooting. She has told me that my TRP is merely on loan to me. When she graduates from college, it'll be hers. Reality is I'll buy her one for a graduation present. She's OK shooting my EMP 3 9MM, but she loves my TRP .45. She'll shoot my TRP before she'll look at a revolver

quote:

Originally posted by EMP3:
Merely my opinion: an excellent quality 1911-A1 sits alone upon the pinnacle of handguns. I own S&W and Ruger double-action revolvers and Sig "P" series double-action semi-autos. My Springfield Armory 1911-A1's are the most reliable handguns I own with Sigs running a close second. Never allow anyone to tell you that revolvers are most reliable. I've experienced more than a few catastrophic failures with S&W revolvers.

When I'm in wilderness areas where mean critters call home, I carry my Springfield Armory TRP .45 ACP. I never carry a handgun while I'm big game hunting with a big game rifle. When I'm fishing or exploring wilderness areas, my TRP is close at hand.

No, you can never own too many good quality 1911-A1's.

My TRP is far more accurate than I'm capable of shooting it

For conceal carry in urban areas, I rely upon my Springfield Armory EMP 3 9MM. It's the definition of reliability. And it's amazingly accurate.

I never liked 1911
till last year.

my kimber did nothing for me.

i love my dan wessons.

i like the trp - it is a nice gun. i will probably buy one after I am
done breaking in my dan wessons.

i like 9mm 1911 - very easy too shoot and if i was buying a nighthawk i would get a thunder ranch in 9mm.

Mike

quote:

I've experienced more than a few catastrophic failures with S&W revolvers.

I would like to know what you consider a catastrophic failure in a S@W revolver.

Me too. That's something I've never seen.

quote:

Originally posted by NormanConquest:
Me too. That's something I've never seen.

I saw a model 29 that a couple of guys keep loading hotter and hotter till the cly gave way.

S@W replaced it.