What 1911 brands to avoid?

[Newtire]

My experience is pretty much focused on Colt. I have, over the years, owned a couple of Kimber 1911's, but sold them. My EDC for many years has been a Colt LW Officer's Model, and I own a few Gov't models and two LW Commanders. Never unhappy with any of them. Stick with Colt...

I have a couple of Tisas pistols and one is their SS Match pistol. Odd, but the "Match" pistol had .007" slop in the barrel bushing between the barrel and the bushing. I called EGW and for $33.00, they seme a close fitting bushing. Now, that Tisas is a great shooting pistol. I bought a Rock Island that shot great groups right out of the box. Now, I own 2- one in .45acp and the other in 9mm. Both are very accurate and dependable so far.

Not like I really needed another 1911 but plucked down the $ for a 9mm Fusion. It really shoots-great right out of the bag it came with! Tax refund came and since I liked the looks of the Long slide Fusion. 45acp in the Bud's catalog, am going to pick that up tomorrow. So far, all these 1911's function with no hiccups. Have shot a few factory 230 gr. hardball loads but mostly my own handloads with powder coated 200 gr. SWC's and 225 gr. Lyman RN. They all shoot reliably using any of these, loaded between 700 to 850 fps or so. As with any semi-auto I've owned, might need tinkering with the load a bit to see what functions and shoots best accuracy-wise.

 

[Newtire]

I have a couple of Tisas pistols and one is their SS Match pistol. Odd, but the "Match" pistol had .007" slop in the barrel bushing between the barrel and the bushing. I called EGW and for $33.00, they sent me a close fitting bushing. Now, that Tisas is a great shooting pistol. I bought a Rock Island that shot great groups right out of the box. Now, I own 2- one in .45acp and the other in 9mm. Both are very accurate and dependable so far.

Not like I really needed another 1911 but plucked down the $ for a 9mm Fusion. It really shoots-great right out of the bag it came with! Tax refund came and since I liked the looks of the Long slide Fusion. 45acp in the Bud's catalog, am going to pick that up tomorrow. So far, all these 1911's function with no hiccups. Have shot a few factory 230 gr. hardball loads but mostly my own handloads with powder coated 200 gr. SWC's and 225 gr. Lyman RN. They all shoot reliably using any of these, loaded between 700 to 850 fps or so. As with any semi-auto I've owned, might need tinkering with the load a bit to see what functions and shoots best accuracy-wise.

 

[Rotorflyr]

I don't believe anyone has mentioned my latest "find" in 1911's..Bul Armory.
Great materials & workmanship, made in Israel (!) if you can find one, they're a bargain for the features & quality .
I bought a Commander sized 9mm, & If I didn't already own so many other brands in 45 acp, I buy one in that cal. in a heartbeat.
Just thought I'd mention the brand, as until I read an online article about them,, I'd never heard of them.
Might be a bit hard to find, but I'd suggest if you can find a Bul 1911, buy it. you won't be disappointed.

see pic of mine, below :

You can actually order direct from BUL (in the US at least) as long as they have them in stock.

 

[Jhavers]

Then you're denying yourself some quality guns at 1/3 the price of comparables. My Tisas' are fantastic quality & fit. I just got their Manta. Totally forged. Only MIM part is the RSA cap. Titanium firing pin. $399. Positive waves, Moriarty.

Well I appear to be missing out on some good guns. Always heard bad about metallurgy and quality issues with Turkish guns. However I've not actually never tried any. Sounds like I'm missing the boat and I need to try some. Thank you

 

[Jhavers]

I've five guns from Turkey. Each one of them are outstanding. I've two Tisas 1911s, two Caniks, and one Tristar (which is a renamed Canik).

IMO, you can be a snob and own Turkish guns (not that I'm a snob).

I can mentioned to another member I've never actually tried anything from there. But it sounds like I am missing out. So I probably need to try some and stop listening to so much negative feedback

 

[Skyviking]

In ascending order of price: Buy Springfield Armory, Colt, Dan Wesson, or (in alphabetical order) Nighthawk or Wilson Combat
SA internals are mainly mim until you get into their upper-tier price point/models.
Avoid Taurus like the Plague.

 

[Trooper343]

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.

I have never held, owned or shot a Kimber, but every time I think about buying one I start reading bad reviews. Just like this thread. So when I start thinking about Kimber, I turn to the next page.

 

[BIGDAVE101]

Why so much dislike? The rest of the world hates our country. Why do you dislike Turkey? I despise China, but a huge percentage of things I buy seem to be made there. Just courious. For the record I have Colt, Springfield, and Tisas 1911's. I also had a Randal Commander years ago. I was not impressed I must say. Isn't Colt owned by CZ now? The opinions stated are entirely my own.

Did not say I dislike Turkey, better ally than most, fought well in Korean War. CZ has ruined Colt as a great pistol, Randal was poorly made, thus out of business. I hope Tisas turns out to be an excellent brand, I like the price, no need to get one... yet.

 

[BIGDAVE101]

Well I appear to be missing out on some good guns. Always heard bad about metallurgy and quality issues with Turkish guns. However I've not actually never tried any. Sounds like I'm missing the boat and I need to try some. Thank you

me2

 

[Bob Lee]

me2

I do have a Tisas Tank Commander. Haven't shot it a bunch but so far so good. Limited time, and other things to shoot, lol. Just bought a S&W model 10-5 3" bbl. Shoots nice so far too. I live a quiet life style, and so if it works out well it'll join my carry rotation.

 

[BIGDAVE101]

I don't know what problems you have had with Kimber but I owned a Kimber TLE II and had no problems with it. It was very accurate and reliable. It shot very well.

love my Kimber...

 

[PJP]

Hello there, a lot depends on your budget and expectations of the pistol. I have owned many of the pistols that folks in this thread are bashing, cast vs forged, MIM vs machined etc. Have owned them all and been able to make them work to my needs. I personally prefer Colt for a number of reasons, resale being one of the reasons, but all in all Colt makes a fine pistol.

 

[Trooper343]

Hi @Turkey ,
For me it's not a matter of what brands I'd avoid, but what manufacturers I like. I don't know what your budget is, but I've found that Les Baer packs a lot of value into their 1911s, and they can be purchased for a reasonable price on the secondary market. Also, "CJ" sells them new at a pretty good price, although some folks find him to be disagreeable. If semi-custom isn't your thing, I've owned a number of Colts and they were all very good right out of the box. Please keep us posted on how your search goes!
Best,
Tom

Purchased a Baer from CJ several years ago and we had a great conversation for about an hour. A great guy.

 

[Airdale26]

One commentor has listed one aspect. It depends on what you intend to do with the firearm. Closet Queen, EDC, collector, etc. Anyone who has been in doing this for a while knows that there are less expensive firearms that work just as well if not the same as the expensive pistols. High price does not equate to being better, just you paid more. The 1911 series is one of the most talked about and adaptable frames over the last 75+ years. There a few of the different manufacturers that are not condusive to making change or modifications. So again, what is the intended purpose .

 

[ratwhacker]

The one brand I avoid like the plague is Auto Ordnance. I was around when they started selling pistols, they were some real stinkers back then. I have yet to have my opinion changed on the matter
. I've got Colts, Springfields, Tisas, a couple of Rock Islands, and a Ruger. All have been reliable and reasonably accurate, but overall, the most accurate is a RIA .45, of all things. It's got a cast frame, which some will say is deficient, but it's a good shooter, and has a great trigger, too. Frankly, since buying the first Tisas, I haven't bought any other brand, they have caused me less aggravation and heartache than the Colts or Springfields (and one of the Colts came out of the Custom Shop).

 

[Airdale26]

As it has been listed here on a few occassions, for those first time buyers of 1911 frames in any caliber. I would recommend :
1.Renting first if available
2.Borrow of try out with some one you know who has one
3. Buy expensive is your option, but buying less to middle ppricing is good to see if you like the frame and the caliber selected.

 

[Tigerstripe]

well hi guys that remember me.
i dont know what to say about non recommended 1911s except werent we all mad at Springfield for bailing on the US?
i was a Colt lover till everything has inflated 4 times. i went head over heals for Para when they came out. i bought the alloy kit and put my Satin Nickel Officers slide on it then i bought the steel kit and made my race gun for IPSC. i will have to come back with some pics.
now there are low cost 1911s coming from all over.
im sad to read the bad reviews on Kimber. i have one and was looking into the two tone or one of the light weight frame ones.
i did buy a Tisas Army Aviator which is an alloy frame with a blue or really black slide thats 4.5, commander length. i really like it. i have some 5 inch and 2 Officer length guns but never had the 4.5. i think it shoots great also but needs more break in.
anybody had their slide sticking? its not the bullet catching. i think from looking it is the slide snagging on the end of the slide release.
i also couldnt hold back on the Charles Daly PSA sells. its the most like a real blue finish ive seen thats not $2000 and the frame is case hardened, what is it, color case whatever, AND its an engraved slide. for some reason i havent fired it yet. they have two other "models" but the only difference i see is different grips.
ok computer guys dont make me go through trying to post a pic. please.

 

[Bob Lee]

well hi guys that remember me.
i dont know what to say about non recommended 1911s except werent we all mad at Springfield for bailing on the US?
i was a Colt lover till everything has inflated 4 times. i went head over heals for Para when they came out. i bought the alloy kit and put my Satin Nickel Officers slide on it then i bought the steel kit and made my race gun for IPSC. i will have to come back with some pics.
now there are low cost 1911s coming from all over.
im sad to read the bad reviews on Kimber. i have one and was looking into the two tone or one of the light weight frame ones.
i did buy a Tisas Army Aviator which is an alloy frame with a blue or really black slide thats 4.5, commander length. i really like it. i have some 5 inch and 2 Officer length guns but never had the 4.5. i think it shoots great also but needs more break in.
anybody had their slide sticking? its not the bullet catching. i think from looking it is the slide snagging on the end of the slide release.
i also couldnt hold back on the Charles Daly PSA sells. its the most like a real blue finish ive seen thats not $2000 and the frame is case hardened, what is it, color case whatever, AND its an engraved slide. for some reason i havent fired it yet. they have two other "models" but the only difference i see is different grips.
ok computer guys dont make me go through trying to post a pic. please.

Great input. I had two different Kimber Pro carry alloy guns when they first came out. I'd never buy another one. I had problems with both of them, and their attitude tword me when I spoke to them was really lousy. I currently have Colt Springfield and Tisas. I'm happy with them all. Maybe what it comes down to is this. Try before you buy, talk to people who have or have had what you're interested in. Gun folks are a strange lot we all have our likes and dislikes, but in the end we just love guns. At least I do! I do suggest trying out what you're interested in and see what you like or don't like. I've personally had great luck with Springfield, and the couple times I had minor problems, they were quick to help me out. Colts have been solid for me, and so far I really enjoy my Tisas Tank Commander. I buy predominantly uses now and have for years. If buying online, I look closely at the pictures and ask questions. I find "most " folks take very good care of their guns. If appears they haven't, I won't buy it.