[rocketgeezer]

Get a Rock Island and a Colt, send the Colt to Les Bauer to be slicked up, your choice, shoot the Rock while you are waiting for your Colt to be finished.....Spad

Exactly, your $1500 would probably buy both these guns, a Colt combat elite is tough to beat for the money and its dam good looking, a good trigger job is all I'v done to mine, and its most likely a bunch more accurate than most of our members here myself included, also something else to consider is you can get the Rock in 45 or 9mm which would a bunch cheaper to shoot

 

[FNISHR]

Your P-series Sigs show that you are a man of good taste. So, for a 1911 go for either a nice Colt or a Dan Wesson. Enjoy.

 

[profkirby]

A Colt Special Combat Government is to the best best of my knowledge hand built by some really sharp folks. They retail for $2099 but I would think you can find one for less than $2000.

 

[jmegas]

The Three Reasons I chose the TRP® over the Valor®

Four reasons to choose Springfield Armory® TRP® over Dan Wesson® Valor®:

• Black standard thickness G10 (VZ Grips Tactical Diamond Black G10) on the Springfield Armory™ TRP® as opposed to VZ Slim Line G10 grips on the Dan Wesson® Valor®.

• Wide-mouth funneled S&A (Smith & Alexander) Magwell on the Springfield Armory™ TRP® as opposed to no magwell on the Dan Wesson® Valor®.

• Novak®-style, low profile, combat 3-Dot Trijicon® tritium sights (Made by Springfield Armory® with Trijicon® tritium inserts.) on the Springfield Armory® TRP® as opposed to tactical ledge tritium night sight [single tritium vial dead-center below the sight’s notch] ledge sights on the Dan Wesson® Valor®.

• The Springfield Armory™ TRP® is approximately $300 less expensive than the Dan Wesson® Valor® yet it’s still at the top of the Springfield Armory® production line.

 

[doug1g]

I got a new Sig 1911-45-tacops-tb and love it. Came with 4 mags and dropped streamlight laser white light on it. Waiting for my osprey to come. Shot 1 inch wide groups at 25 and vertical dispersion was all me. It's a great gun. I got Kimber's and Colt and custom and it's as good if not better. And for 1100-1200 bucks great price.

 

[Jed Carter]

Les Baer may be at the top of your price range, it would be, and has been my choice over a Dan Wesson. Owned both, still have the Les Baer. Colt series 70 is my other 1911 .45ACP. I've owned several 1911s, starting with a Springfield Loaded Longslide. Sold most, kept The Colt, STI 9mm, Les Baer UTC, and a SIG TME 9mm. Have a SIG RCS CCO .45, but it's on consignment at a local shop.

 

[demirosapat]

Standard suggestion for first 1911. Spend $800 to $1000 on a Colt or Springer RO and buy ammunition and really Lear to shoot it.

 

[Hikaru]

Four reasons to choose Springfield Armory® TRP® over Dan Wesson® Valor®:

• Black standard thickness G10 (VZ Grips Tactical Diamond Black G10) on the Springfield Armory™ TRP® as opposed to VZ Slim Line G10 grips on the Dan Wesson® Valor®.

• Wide-mouth funneled S&A (Smith & Alexander) Magwell on the Springfield Armory™ TRP® as opposed to no magwell on the Dan Wesson® Valor®.

• Novak®-style, low profile, combat 3-Dot Trijicon® tritium sights (Made by Springfield Armory® with Trijicon® tritium inserts.) on the Springfield Armory® TRP® as opposed to tactical ledge tritium night sight [single tritium vial dead-center below the sight’s notch] ledge sights on the Dan Wesson® Valor®.

• The Springfield Armory™ TRP® is approximately $300 less expensive than the Dan Wesson® Valor® yet it’s still at the top of the Springfield Armory® production line.

All very subjective except for the price difference. And that's more like $200. And for $200 more you get a better fit and finished gun with no mim (if that bothers you) in the Valor. I like the TRP but I'd never buy one unless they remove the hideous TRP and TACTICAL roll marks. They are terrible.

 

[jmegas]

Subjective whether they matter to you.

All very subjective except for the price difference. And that's more like $200. And for $200 more you get a better fit and finished gun with no mim (if that bothers you) in the Valor. I like the TRP but I'd never buy one unless they remove the hideous TRP and TACTICAL roll marks. They are terrible.

These differences are subjective whether they matter to you, but they are objective differences. They are different guns. (And I agree with you that there are several aspects of the TRP I do not like.) I also agree that the Dan Wesson Valor is better finished, better made, and has more hand fitting.

For me the TRP was a ideal "jumping in point" for my first 1911. I agree the fit and finish aren't as good as on the Dan Wesson Valor, but the TRP had other advantages which I liked.

I also think it is less painful learning not to make idiot scratches on a less expensive gun. <ouch> I have already changed the grips twice (see VZ grips thread) on the TRP, so it is "evolving."

I don't think *any* gun is perfect in every respect including the one million dollar meteorite 1911 from Cabot Arms. For me the TRP turned out to be a good first gun for the four reasons I mentioned.

 

[Baltimoreed11754]

Guess I'm telling my age but my first 1911 was a s/s AMT Hardballer. Probably equal to todays Rock Island. It had adjustable sights and shot anything that I fed it. Whatever you buy get good adjustable sights and a good trigger. My target 1911 is a s/s Caspian frame, Wilson controls and a Gold Cup slide which I put together. Hope you enjoy whatever you decide on.

 

[osu007]

Just my dos centavos. I possess a STI lawman 5.0. I certainly do not have any complaints about the gun or customer service. I am an old school shooter, and cut my teeth on an old GI issue 1911, colt. Carried an Ithaca while in the Marine Corps. So I am a thumb under shooter. Can't do it with the 5.0 out of the box. I did however, send it back to STI, and they did a little magic. My 5.0 is now very friendly to my thumb under style, and no engagement of the safety while shooting. I carry mine for duty. I do not particular care if my gun takes a little more effort to engage the safety. If I am going to a "safe" mode, then the crap is over with, and I can take a little more effort to make it safe. However, going from cocked and locked to fire, it is still buttery smooth. I personally do not know why STI 1911's are talked about as much as some of the others. I liked the 5.0 so much, that I actually picked up a 3.0 yesterday. Yes it will go back for a thumb under job. The 3.0 will be my off-duty, and generally all around carry. I have shot and carried colts, springfields, and even shot a taurus. Had a cousin that had a kimber. He sent it back to factory 4 separate times to get it to work properly. That to me is UN-acceptable. Have held a les bauer, and was really not impressed. The triggers on my STI's are pretty sweet out of the box. Of course, since they are going to be used for duty, and due to all of the wolves in lawyers clothing, there will be no mods to either of these, but once again, they work and run right out of the box. You can get a new in the box STI for the price you are talking about. Any other STI owner's out there???

 

[shootinglou]

I am a TEXAN ! If you ask a TEXAN how many 1911 s he has, and he tells you--- HE AINT GOT ENOUGH. Having said that, I own more than a few. I pack a 1911 all the time. As I type this there is a SPRINGER compact R/O on my hip. I compete with a full size SPRINGER Range Officer both 9 mil and 45. I have some hi dollar 1911 s in other brands but I seem to gravitate to the Springers and KIMBERS But----- taste is not debateable. Me gustan todas !

 

[doug1g]

I got a Sig 1911 45 tacops-tb. It shot about a 1 inch group at 25 yards off bags. The vertical dispersion was my poor eyesight. It came w 4 mags. I put a green last white light streamlight on it and Ann waiting for my osprey. No quality problems here and at 1100-1200 bucks the price was right.

 

[Billy1911]

For the price, Dan Wesson is hard to beat for fit and finish. If you're thinking of putting a light on for home defense, the Specialist is a good option. Otherwise I'd suggest a Springfield TRP or MC Operator and use the extra money for ammo.

I'am a big Springfield Armory fan boy . That being said USMC 1911 laid
it out very well . Dan Wesson is as close as you can get to a full custom
they are great pistols . Next on the list would be a Springfield TRP or
a loaded Mc Operator PX9110ML or LB Operator PX9105LL .

http://www.springfield-armory.com/products/1911-trp-45-acp/

http://www.springfield-armory.com/products/1911-loaded-45-acp/#PX9105LL

Any of these pistols will show you what you like and don't like about
1911's and you will know what to buy the next time , because they are
like rabbits once you go down this road they seem to multiply .
Grab a gun has good online prices .

Good luck in your hunt .
Bill

 

[valing]

You can find all you want in a Colt 1911 for under 2k. But then I'm biased.

Exactly! Colt is showing up with many, many fine 1911s under 2K as we speak.
I have three Colt 1911s at this time. Used to have more(of the 1970s models).
I am also thinking to add a few Colt 1911 this year. Colts bite hard and they are kicking again!:rock:

 

[valing]

For me, I can't justify 2 grand for any pistol!

I currently have 3: a Colts MKIV Series 70, a Springfield Armory Trophy Match, and a Ruger Commander (still waiting on the permit). In all honesty, I am very content with the reliability of the Colts and Springfield. The Springfield is my bullseye gun, and the Colt taught me the virtue of a 1911. I expect no less from the Ruger when it comes home with me.

I can understand that you have set a budget for yourself, but what exactly are you looking for this up to 2 grand 1911 being able to do? You can find many mission capable 1911s for a lot less. The money you save you can put into either ammo or a reloading press so you can hone your skills!

Well, I used to think the same way.
Along the ride, I found that we are not buying the 1911s for utilitarian purposes only. We like to feel, ogle, hear the sounds, discuss, etc. with the collections that we have. So, for most of us here, it's also about passion. That is hard to explain. I have about 10 1911s ranging from $400.00 to $5,000.00 pieces. Spent way more on a gun that I used to compete with.
So you see, it's the enjoyment that dictates the expenditure.

 

[nash6769]

Colt 1911

Colt Lightweight Commander has everything I would Want

 

[Smithkowitz]

If I were buying a new 1911 what would I buy? I have a Kimber Super Carry Pro HD, it is no longer made. Now they have the Master Carry line. Same basic gun, just a different look mostly. Otherwise, I like CZ-USA and they market Dan Wesson; so I'd probably look at the Guardian or Valkyrie Commander. If you really want a Full Size, the Springfield TRP Operator is a great firearm, I really liked mine while I had it. Always flawless, accurate, just a bit too large for everyday carry for me. I like the 4" to 4.25" barrel models of 1911.