What 1911 brands to avoid?

[skibum]

Much solid advice given here. Tisas just announced a major recall, simply Google Tisas safety recall to read about it. I would also stay FAR away from Alpha Foxtrot or AF. I had a problem with the gun right out of the box and it took months to get resolved. Ended up getting a refund. The customer service is non existent. Maybe it's changed in the last several months. There have been a couple of other issues with AF reported elewhere, by others, in this forum. I have owned a Kimber Custom CDP II for many years, it is being sold as we speak. Never had any issues with it, just found guns I like MUCH better. I never really enjoyed shooting that gun nor was I anywhere near as accurate with it. I have a Dan Wesson Specialist Commander, with no bling, its just a real nice shooting, easy to conceal carry gun. I really enjoy shooting it. I would also consider a 2011 such as Staccato. I have a C2 that shoots like a dream, is very accurate and frankly a blast to run and gun with on the range. The other thing to consider is caliber. Some will say a 1911 should be in "The Lords Caliber"(.45) only. There is a good argument to be made on both sides of the .45 and 9mm conundrum. I would strongly suggest finding some friends that have various 1911's / 2011's and throw a few rounds down range with them to see what you like the feel of. I prefer an all steel, heavy gun - until I shot the Staccato. I was really concerned that it would be "flippy" and hard to control such light gun with a short barrel, I was very wrong. So, I guess the moral of the story is stay away from the crappy cheap stuff and find one that feels good to you. I have a new NHC in 9mm coming on Monday and Wilson Combat .45 on order that should arrive in the spring. Range reports to follow.

 

[squarebale19]

I remember back in the 80s when everybody was talking how good Honda were I bought one with 120,000 miles and had to replace everything timing belt alternator starter brakes etc. etc. I was so down on the car I sold it. I talked to the guy. I sold it to a couple years later and he said that's the best car he's ever owned. He's never had to do anything to it.

The brands I like are les Baer, Ed, Brown, GunCrafter, nighthawk, alchemy, Wilson, and price point entry would be Dan Wesson. any of my pistols that are offbrand like Fusion, STI, have been gutted and hand fitted with barstock parts and run like a sewing machine. First, you have to realize what you're willing to spend once your budget is established that narrows down your result because you just can't put nighthawk and Tisas in the same conversation. Imo And when you spend 3 to 4000 on a pistol might be the only pistol you need, I choose to stay in about the 1500 to 2000 range

 

[Ordinary_Guy]

I'm back in the market looking for a 1911 - do you have any countries or brands you avoid?

I've been checking out other forums and even /r/1911; I've seen several folks suggest staying away from Kimber or Taurus.
I would appreciate your feedback as I start down this path again.

Bob, I'm more comfortable discussing what brands I prefer. Based on my current experience, Ruger is my go-to. I would not consider any model using a Swartz-type---grip safety deactivated---firing pin block because of the dual timing issue. It's too easy for the grip safety to release the trigger while leaving the firing pin safety engaged.

I should add "100% American made by an American-owned company" is a hard requirement. Call me a chauvinist if you must. Ruger checks that box, though others do so also.

 

[Quazit]

A lot of information here. Since Blackbeard asked me to reply here I am.

To the original poster: There are some variables you didn't mention such as budget, and experience with the 1911 platform. That would be helpful in answering.

Putting that aside, I have a safe full of 1911s. I have different calibers, difference brands. (Even though people think I just own Rock Islands.)

In any event, I don't care for Kimbers. For the price, I find them inconsistent and sometimes almost shoddy in workmanship. Year of the Kimber probably matters and the newer ones are good, but are still seemingly hit and miss in quality control.

Colts if older are good. I usually look about 10-20 years old for a Colt if Im going to buy one. The new Colts aren't my cup of tea, and are now in my humble opinion selling the name. They're pretty and you get the name you're paying for - at the end of the day, they're a 1911 staple. Unless a special edition or something about the one you purchase, they devalue like any other.

Remington used to be good, but they've gone down over the years. I can't see myself buying one today unless I took it to the range first to test it out.

Tisas have never been something I would buy. Not brand bashing, just have never liked any Tisa I've ever picked up. Something about the fit just doesn't seem natural to me. They also just had a huge recall for the hammer following the slide when chambering a round with the slide. So, there's that. (Quality Control issues can be deadly).

Taurus; I've had a couple. I've always had mechanical problems with their products which brings me to the next comment.


CUSTOMER SERVICE:

Any manufacturer today is with their weight in gold if they have outstanding customer service. If their Customer Service is sub par, I expect their products to match that. Take that for what it's worth, because one experience with a specific employee does not mean poor overall customer service.

WARRANTY:

Many of these "fine" companies offer a "limited lifetime warranty" Which typically means they will cover the firearm for one years "free of defects and workmanship" only. Which means if they are strict about it, unless it is indeed a defect in the manufacturer they don't have to do squat for you by their rules (legal requirements vary state to state). Some expand on that and say it's lifetime. Some cover the firearm only with the original purchaser, so non-transferable warranty. Some allow a transfer thats documents. Others surpass it all and although the wording is similar, their actual actions provide service for the life of the product, no matter who the owner is, even if you don't have an ownership paper trail.


MISC COMMENTS:

As to the "Cast vs forged" issue. Don't let this dissuade you as almost all manufacturers use both cast and forged parts and most if not all use MiM, even if they tell you they don't. If you prefer forged, that's fine. Cast has gotten better over the years as the science has improved in metallurgy. Again, this is usr preference. I haven't found forged to be better and I know at least one manufacturer that tests their products hardness before it is ever assembled. Cast can be bad, and forgings can be bad.

A comment was made to "stay away from anything less than 1k unless its a Tisa". Not bashing that person, but I wholeheartedly disagree. But I wont expound on that, just saying there are a lot of offerings out there for budget good 1911s that are under 1k.

Hope this helps in some small way.

 

[Mike A1]

No cast, and it boils down to hand fit, some just feel to front heavy to me, and i dont do kimber

I agree 100% it's about fit.
The 1968 Colt trooper felt like it was made for my hand while the S&Ws felt all wrong, so I bought it.
Of all the 9 Colt 1911s I have from 1917 to 2011 they all have Flat MSHs & long triggers.

Can't stand the arched MSH & short trigger it just don't fit my hand.
Just my .02

Betsy was born in 1917 & is wearing her original shoes.

 

[red442joe]

I avoid Kimber; nice looking guns, just seen too many that either work or don't work with no in-between.
I have one Gersan and three Tisas.
They have all worked great.
The Girsan is NOT mil-spec. The grip screws and bushings are an odd-ball metric. The frame flats are "larger" than normal because the front, and back, straps have less curve than mil frames.
The Tisas screws and bushings interchange with common 1911.
I prefer Tisas. I bought them to mod; if I screw it up I'm not out a lot of money. They also come with short triggers, which I prefer.
The one with mag funnel is a Griffon, one Tisas not shown.

Joe

 

[Bob Lee]

The only "bad" 1911's I've had over the years were from the Philippines back in the day. They were really bad back then. Very rough finish, slide to frame fit, dirty out of the box with metal shavings at times, you get the idea. I went through several of them before going for the more expensive brands. But that being said, I've had a bad Sig, a questionable Taurus, and a very cantankerous High Standard. I think all of the makers have good and bad days where someone lets one slide that should have been thrown off the line. If you are starting off, to no one here's surprise, I'd point you to the new Tisas line. Plenty on here about them. Yesterday I saw that they were picked to supply the CMP with their guns. Nice vote for them on that score. When you find one you like, spend some time searching that model online for reviews, they'll be no shortage of them to read/watch.
Have fun searching, and then shooting!

Tisas Partners with Civilian Marksmanship Program to Build 1911 Pistol - Civilian Marksmanship Program

By SDS Press Release Tisas USA, a division of SDS Imports, the internationally recognized firearms manufacturer that provides high quality firearms at unrivaled value is pleased to announce a partnership with the Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP). Tisas is the first commercial manufacturer to...

thecmp.org

The shopping is one of the best parts of the experience for me. I've had and still have Springfield and Colt. I even had a Randal Commander. That was a great shooter once I got it to stop jamming. It was definitely different. A previous owner had made some changes. I recently purchased a Tisas Tank Commander, so far I love it. Smooth well fit and it makes me look like a decent shot at 50 feet. Not bad for 70 year old eyes with cataracts.

 

[Carl Humphreys]

I can not say to avoid any brand. I have had several poor guns but later had a great gun of that same brand.
I have had inexpencive guns but they had thier purpose. One loved oil. If it was not very well oiled it would jam. I knew it and oiled it well before I took it out. It would not be an every day carry.
I had another that was very heavy. It was under $100 new 15 years ago. Worked flawlessly, but was not any fun to carry.
It really depends on what you want it for and how much you want to spend and on the specific model of that brand. IMHO.

 

[Pierre]

I remember folks talking about Les Baer, Gun Crafters, etc., which were great brands.

Cast parts definitely stay away. I remember growing up really liking Para Ordnance, but they sold out to the Freedom Group - so I'd avoid them as well.

As far as cast gun goes, I'm confused. Depends on who you read. Granted forged is better but some casts are considered just as good depending on the cast.

 

[Bob Lee]

I agree 100% it's about fit.
The 1968 Colt trooper felt like it was made for my hand while the S&Ws felt all wrong, so I bought it.
Of all the 9 Colt 1911s I have from 1917 to 2011 they all have Flat MSHs & long triggers.

Can't stand the arched MSH & short trigger it just don't fit my hand.
Just my .02

Betsy was born in 1917 & is wearing her original shoes.


View attachment 34802

There she is again! I definitely do better with the arched

I will offer my very limited experience here. I have owned 3 1911's in this order.
A Ruger SR1911(2012 appr), Springfield Armory Range Officer(2013 appr), and a Dan Wesson Valor(2016).
All 3 made trips back to the factory for issues, mostly minor but needed attention. All 3 were reliable.
Based on that experience I would not buy another Ruger just because I don't feel they are of the same quality as the other 2. Cast frame and slide and very loosely fit.
SA and Dan Wesson are forged and tightly fit with the Dan Wesson Valor being the tightest. I still own the Valor.
The other reason I would not buy anything Ruger is a recent nightmare experience with their LCP II. All I need to say is they gave me a refund after 3 trips back to the factory.

m/s housing and short trigger, but again they suit my small hands better.

 

[Pierre]

With the world situation as it is, I cannot give money to a country that does not support us. Turkey under the present leadership is not our friend. Just my opinion.
As for other brands there are lemons in every case. One of my best shooters is a Frankengun 1911. Remington Rand slide, Springfield receiver, rest all WWll mil spec parts. Tuned by a Marine armorer...Have a cast Hungarian Hi-power it's a great shooter.

 

[ThemanJC]

I have had the good fortune of not finding a lemon so far, knock on wood. I own a Kimber but it is in 9mm and it is one of my favorites to shoot. I have had the privilege to fire some higher end 1911s and I will certainly have a few when money allows.

I don't have any bad experiences so I am unable to opine on what to avoid. I owned or have owned Springfield Ronins and Garrison, Colt, Dan Wesson and Kimber. love them all. Had a couple of Tisas but I sold them last fall. They were solid and reliable, I just didn't like the sights and didn't want to change them. I used the funds to buy an Sig P365 for concealed carry instead.

 

[haroldg48]

I'm back in the market looking for a 1911 - do you have any countries or brands you avoid?

I avoid Taurus 1911s. Have no confidence in them given my experience with other Taurus firearms.

 

[Bob Lee]

With the world situation as it is, I cannot give money to a country that does not support us. Turkey under the present leadership is not our friend. Just my opinion.
As for other brands there are lemons in every case. One of my best shooters is a Frankengun 1911. Remington Rand slide, Springfield receiver, rest all WWll mil spec parts. Tuned by a Marine armorer...Have a cast Hungarian Hi-power it's a great shooter.

With the world situation as it is, I cannot give money to a country that does not support us. Turkey under the present leadership is not our friend. Just my opinion.
As for other brands there are lemons in every case. One of my best shooters is a Frankengun 1911. Remington Rand slide, Springfield receiver, rest all WWll mil spec parts. Tuned by a Marine armorer...Have a cast Hungarian Hi-power it's a great shooter.

I also have Hungarian Hi Powers. I also have Kareen, and Argentine Hi Powers. The Argies are the Pre Mk3 style as in original style. I even have one that is marked Browning. I have MK3 Brownings. I love the sound of your Frankrngun. Overall I think it comes down to the user every bit as much as the gun. Yes there are lemons as in my Randal, as well as a series 70 Colt, and a L/W Springfield full size which just made me mad.

 

[Pierre]

I have had the good fortune of not finding a lemon so far, knock on wood. I own a Kimber but it is in 9mm and it is one of my favorites to shoot. I have had the privilege to fire some higher end 1911s and I will certainly have a few when money allows.

I don't have any bad experiences so I am unable to opine on what to avoid. I owned or have owned Springfield Ronins and Garrison, Colt, Dan Wesson and Kimber. love them all. Had a couple of Tisas but I sold them last fall. They were solid and reliable, I just didn't like the sights and didn't want to change them. I used the funds to buy an Sig P365 for concealed carry instead.

Have you tried the Sig 938???

 

[Pierre]

I also have Hungarian Hi Powers. I also have Kareen, and Argentine Hi Powers. The Argies are the Pre Mk3 style as in original style. I even have one that is marked Browning. I have MK3 Brownings. I love the sound of your Frankrngun. Overall I think it comes down to the user every bit as much as the gun. Yes there are lemons as in my Randal, as well as a series 70 Colt, and a L/W Springfield full size which just made me mad.

If I could get my paws on some of them I would...great shooters. FEG makes a good product problem with them is depends on the year the gun is made as they use parts from different countries...As long as you don't modify it it's great. Talking about their Hi-powers

 

[ThemanJC]

Have you tried the Sig 938???

No but they look kind of cool. I'm going to the gun store / range today. I will see if they have any. I have the P365, a Glock 43x and sometimes carry the Smith 642 revolver. I'm always open to something better! Thanks!

 

[Pierre]

No but they look kind of cool. I'm going to the gun store / range today. I will see if they have any. I have the P365, a Glock 43x and sometimes carry the Smith 642 revolver. I'm always open to something better! Thanks!

When the 365 came out I didn't care for the curved trigger...the straight trigger felt a lot better but not as good as that 938...if you are used to a 1911 then the 938 will come as second nature to you. Cocked & locked carry.

 

[Pierre]

Look at what I just received...

Tisas USA - Important Safety Recall Notice - 2024.0001

 

[Gator]

My first non military .45 was a full sized Kimber. They make pretty guns but after a few hundred rounds still a failure to eject each full magazine and trigger became so sloppy I thought it would fall out.
Purchased a used Wilson .45, still have it thousands of rounds down the tube years later.