Need some help from the 1911 guys

P

PapaBear

Well-Known Fanatic
Joined
May 8, 2012
Messages
498
I've owned a few 1911's, full size and compact carry models, from most of the manufacturers, but have never spent "good" money on one. Now is the time. So I have narrowed my choice down to a few models, and would love some input on what you all think. I know some of you are "in the know" when it comes to the 1911, so your input is super valuable to me at this point. Here's my list, in no particular order:

Remington R1 Enhanced - http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/prod ... 5+Enhanced

Colt Defender Stainless - http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/prod ... +Stainless

Sig Carry Nightmare - http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/prod ... 5ACP+Black

S&W M1911 PRO - http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/prod ... +Stainless

Kimber Raptor II - http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/prod ... R+II+45ACP

And for some reason, I'm REALLY drawn to this one, the Sig MAXM - http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/prod ... P+5%22+Max



I've read a lot of bad things about Kimber nowadays, was wondering if this is the same with even the higher end offerings?

I like the idea of a full-size, as I have many other "carry" guns, but I love the idea of being able to carry a 1911 if I want. I've carried 5" 1911's before and was comfortable with everything other than the heel of the weapon. The Sig carry's rounded heel is nice for my fat roll's comfort.

Thoughts on the S&W offerings? Any experience with them?

Same with the Remington?

Thanks for the input.
 
Register to hide this ad
I am not an expert by any means -- but, I have found Sigs to function the best out of the box.
 
It might help to know how you "narrowed down" to the list you have selected, as none of those would be guns even in my top 20 1911's to purchase.
 
These, with the exception of the Sig MAXM, were selected based on models I have "handled" myself. I have shot the nightmare carry, the R1 enhanced, and the defender.

Also, I have decided to keep this purchase at or below $1400 or so......which rules out 20 that I would select, including Les Baer, Nighthawk, and the rest of the premier smiths.

Would you like to add to the list?
 
I'd add Springfield to the list. I have a Loaded an love it. It's a great shooter.
 
I've owned most of the ones on your list at some point. In fact I took my CWP class with a Colt Defender. Until you get into the true custom guns, most 5" 1911s are very similar and every brand has it's fans and haters. I'm down to 4 right now:

Kimber Eclipse Pro II, Springer Loaded (blue), Springer Loaded Longslide (stainless), and S&W E-Series.

I've probably owned over 50 in the past 10 years and I learned they are very much alike. In the $1200 or so range I like Dan Wesson or Springfield TRP - I've owned both but found that I prefer "cheaper" guns I don't mind getting scuffed and used...
 
If I'm going to spend $1000+ on a weapon, I want function AND form. I want something that looks as good as it shoots. I have always liked the Kimber Eclipse, but am curious about their quality control recently. Have heard some bad things. Also bad stories about MIM parts.

Does the eclipse fall into this category?
 
PapaBear said:
If I'm going to spend $1000+ on a weapon, I want function AND form. I want something that looks as good as it shoots. I have always liked the Kimber Eclipse, but am curious about their quality control recently. Have heard some bad things. Also bad stories about MIM parts.

Does the eclipse fall into this category?
Click to expand...

Mine runs perfectly, in fact so has every Kimber I've owned. Based on the internet, no Kimber should ever work. I've heard all the MiM stories as well but I have yet to see an MiM part fail on my guns or those owned by folks I personally know.

The problem with the internet is one unhappy person can post multiple times on EVERY gun site in the country so it makes the problem appear very widespread. A few years ago I sold off some "inferior" 1911s because I decided to buy a custom gun. I walked into the store with $3500 and fondled Baers, Nighthawks, and Wilsons. Standing there I realized that these guns couldn't do anything different than the Kimbers, Colts, and Springers I had sold - I left the store with the money still in my pocket. To each their own I guess...
 
That's kind of where I stand now. A 1911 in my safe seems mandatory, but I only want to do it once....at least for a while.

I think I'm leaning towards the Sig nightmare at this time. Great reviews, great looks, and the Sig name. Hell, who knows, when I wind up in the gun store the same thing may happen, I might wind up with something else entirely.

Thanks for your input.
 
A friend of mine has a Nightmare and he really likes it and has put a lot of rounds thru it. He's owned all manner of 1911s and is very happy with the Sig. I had a TACOPs for a time that was very nice as well.

I trade guns a lot, not because there's anything wrong with them but I just get the itch for something different...
 
You know I Love my Kimbers..The only one I ever had any problems with was the Solo that I had...and, I have had a bunch of Kimbers.
I only have 3 right now...but, you can come and get one and go shoot it yourself. I have a 5" Custom Royal that will make a believer out of you...COme get it and go shoot it...that is the best way to find out what you want.

Also, do no forget PSA when you start serious shopping. They hav some of the best prices around...as long as you do it over the net. Then,. just have it shipped to your local FFL...you can save a bundel sometimes.

Steve
 
a couple of weeks ago i wanted a new 1911. so i put an officers slide on my carry gun. there is a para ordanance carry at academy that looks like this but with a beavertail grip saftey, skeletinized trigger and hammer etc for $799.

well it looks like imageshack isnt free anymore and i cant figure out how to post this pic.
 
fordnut said:
You know I Love my Kimbers..The only one I ever had any problems with was the Solo that I had...and, I have had a bunch of Kimbers.
I only have 3 right now...but, you can come and get one and go shoot it yourself. I have a 5" Custom Royal that will make a believer out of you...COme get it and go shoot it...that is the best way to find out what you want.

Also, do no forget PSA when you start serious shopping. They hav some of the best prices around...as long as you do it over the net. Then,. just have it shipped to your local FFL...you can save a bundel sometimes.

Steve
Click to expand...

I'm traveling to Tennesee this weekend by car, so I will certainly be stopping at PSA. But honestly, locally, with tax and all, even when doing online at PSA, any real deal just kills it.

Buds seems like the way to go right now for most everything I've found.
 
Joker said:
Curious to how you guys rank up the Desert Eagle 1911?
Click to expand...

Personally, I would prefer a Ruger 1911. ( and I trash-talk Ruger's product line all day long)

The Desert Eagle 1911, to me, appears to be good (acceptable) quality and accuracy but nothing exceptional. I have also taken note of Magnum Research (Kahr Arms) not being the best people to deal with in regards to "Hey, I gave you hundreds of dollars for a life-saving product that doesn't function, can you fix it?"

I would never purchase a Desert Eagle 1911 unless it was under $400. Even then, the price of Armscor 1911's would have to sky-rocket before I would do that.

The good thing is that there are a ton of companies making "mid-range" level 1911's. The bad thing is that they aren't held to an industry standard of levels of performance.

Springfield and Ruger make a better 1911 for the price of a Desert Eagle. Throw another $100 - $200 on the price and you get a Colt.


( caveat: although I have owned many makes and models of 1911's over my lifetime, I currently only have two Norinco M1911A1's and one Springfield Armory 1911A1 ... still searching for a Colt Rail Gun in a reasonable price range )
 
Well, I bought the Sig Nightmare carry from Buds online. Their new "make offer" feature saved me over $130 off of their list price........

Went to local FFL to pick it up today, and was certainly mad. I filled out my part of the paperwork, and as he was filling out his, I removed the weapon from the plastic bag it was in. Just my luck, large scratch on the frame. It's on the "tube" that contains the spring and detent for the thumb safety. So it's back in the box on the way back to Buds. Of course they won't ship a new one until that one arrives back, so my plans for the weekend are shot.......

How this made it through QC is a question that I will never know. Hard to get a pic with an iPhone, but this shows it pretty well:


 
Change of plans on my 1911 hunt. I sent back the scratched nightmare carry and cancelled the order.

HHB has figured out a way to take advantage of Sig Sauer's "free 22" deal they were running that got all messed up.

SO I ordered a Sig TTT and an FDE 1911-22 for about the same price as the nightmare. After thinking about having to use a sidearm called "nightmare" in a defensive use, and thinking about defending the decision to carry a firearm called nightmare, I passed on it.

I have experience with the TTT and think it will fit my needs just fine. The 22 is a bonus that I had considered previously, but Sig messed it up for me.
 
PapaBear said:
Change of plans on my 1911 hunt. I sent back the scratched nightmare carry and cancelled the order.

HHB has figured out a way to take advantage of Sig Sauer's "free 22" deal they were running that got all messed up.

SO I ordered a Sig TTT and an FDE 1911-22 for about the same price as the nightmare. After thinking about having to use a sidearm called "nightmare" in a defensive use, and thinking about defending the decision to carry a firearm called nightmare, I passed on it.

I have experience with the TTT and think it will fit my needs just fine. The 22 is a bonus that I had considered previously, but Sig messed it up for me.
Click to expand...


Where is this sig deal? is it still on?

How do you feel the sig 1911 stands up to other lines?

What is different with the TTT vs. Standard models?

Thanks.
 
The original deal was that if you bought one of six Sig models you got a 22 for FREE.

https://www.sigsauer.com/upFiles/CmsCon ... OMO-V2.pdf

After calling EVERY Local dealer, and getting the same "we don't know what you're talking about" answer, I pursued my purchase online. I got this response from East Coast Guns:
To our valued SIG SAUER? Consumers: As a result of the overwhelming demand for our recent 1911-22 promotion, we are announcing that allocation of these promotional packages has been fully committed. While promotional product will continue to flow into dealer locations throughout February and March, we will no longer be accepting dealer reorders. SIG SAUER would like to apologize for the confusion that this promotion has created in the marketplace. From the onset this was a limited supply promotion that was only available through participating dealers. Not all 1911?s and 1911-22?s in the marketplace are promotional firearms. Unfortunately, SIG SAUER is unable to identify participating dealers because the majority of the promotional packages were sold to distributors who service the national dealer network. We urge consumers to visit or call local dealers to determine if they are a participating dealer with promotional inventory available. Again, SIG SAUER apologizes for the confusion that this promotion created and looks forward to continuing to provide the finest firearms available. Sincerely, Bill Silver SIG SAUER, Inc. VP Commercial Sales


So Sig messed up and let the distributors handle it and it got all out of whack.

After I ordered the nightmare from Buds, HHB posted something on their facebook page that a distributor has offered to work something out.

Buy one of six models from HHB:
1911 Triple T $949.00
1911 Stainless Compact $889.00
1911 Black Compact $889.00
1911 POW MIA w/ Kabar $1215.00
1911 Max Michel $1315.00
1911 Target Adjustable $869.00

And get the 22 in black/od green/fde for $150.

Not sure how long it will last......

The Sig 1911's seem to be right up there. I've had no trouble with the half-dozen or so I've fired.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest posts

Random media

DSCN7659.JPG
wilson_pro.jpg
0128181724_HDR_cropped.jpg
3F27D61C-E3E5-4F56-BCE7-F21393EEFBBF.jpeg
DAN WESSON SPECIALIST GRIP PIC.jpg
IMG_1303
1668788958701.gif
Back
Top