[Scott_Gibbons]

Hello All, I Am New To The 1911 Forum, So This Is My Fist Post.

Here is my issue.. I am ready to purchase a 45, mostly for carry and target. I have been looking at the Kimber Custom, but others are telling me to look at wilsons, and the colt commander... what are your thoughts
Thanks
Scott Gibbons

 

[shane45-1911]

Colt M1991A1. Learn what you like and don't like about the gun before you go with a custom gun like Wilson or Baer. Once you know what you like, you can order your custom with your own preferences.

The M1991A1 is a great starting point, and you can modify it as you see fit, as well.

 

[173abn]

IMHO, a carry gun and a target gun are two different animals. Full size Colt 1911(91A) for target, Defender for carry.
I'm assuming you mean concealed carry and not duty weapon.

[This message has been edited by 173abn (edited 11-14-2001).]

 

[JRJ]

I agree with Shane. A 1991a1 is a good starting point. I started with a Charles Daly, went to the 1991a1 and wished that I had started there.

 

[Watch-Six]

IMHO you can purchase no finer handgun than a Les Baer Thunder Ranch Special. They are expensive and pretty big for concealed carry. I love my TRS, but I carry a more compact 1911. As others have stated a target gun may not be a great concealed carry gun. Watch-Six

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Get your 1911s and AR15s while you still can!

 

[shane45]

I say go with the wilson if your budget permits. I doubt that you will be disappointed. What is more likely to happen is that as you learn, you will find oh my gun already has that, oh my gun already has that also. Also having a great gun makes learning to shoot a little easier because you know its you and not the gun. Last but not least, you would probably loose very little if you did decide you dont like it and sell it.

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George Orwell: "That rifle on the wall of the labourer's cottage or working class flat is the symbol of democracy. It is our job to see that it stays there."

 

[A Johnston]

I'm with Shane45-1911, Colt's M1991A1 is the best starting point. Get one with the new rollstamping and you won't break the bank or be disappointed.

 

[Army Chief]

I would (and did) start with a production Colt -- of whatever variation you like best. You can always use it as a base gun later on, when the "custom pistol bug" bites.

Starting off with a custom Wilson or Baer is sort of like getting a Porche 911 Turbo for your first car. Sure, you can do it, but why not refine your skills on something a bit more affordable?

Right now you would be best served by a good quality production gun (Colt or Kimber) and spending the difference on ammunition and range fees.

My parting shot? Every 1911 fan ought to own at least one Colt -- might as well start the thing off right with a new 1991.

Chuck

 

[paul84043]

Well, here goes nothing....
for the money, I wouldn't touch a Colt, you can get a hell of a lot more gun with a Kimber or a Springfield out of the box. You can buy a Colt and add on 1000$ worth of pistolsmithing and not see your precious for the next six months, for a grand total of about 1600$ to 2000$, or you can spend anywhere from $600 to $1000 and have a very nice 1911 that works right out of the box.
I am probably going to get blasted for saying these things, but I am just a regular joe with a limited income, and I like to get the most bang for my buck. (no pun intended)
I simply have never personally seen any of the custom pistols that are so much better, that I could justify doubling the price. And I have seen alot of them....
Just my opinion.....it's your money.

 

[bountyhunter]

If you plan to shoot seriously down the road, you can get a hand-made match grade gun now (like an STI Trojan) for about $850 and may not have to add anything for quite a long time. The off-the-rack guns like Kimber, Springfield, and Colt are all pretty good. But for a few hundred more you can get a gun that's basically hand fitted and accurized. It may not matter now, but later you'll wish you did.

 

[VaughnT]

I'll second, or whatever it is now, the vote for a new Colt with the nicer rollmarks. The 1991's that I've seen all beat Kimber for fit, finish and feel. I went the wrong route originally by getting a "loaded" pistol only to find that I really don't like the sights/grips/FLGR/etcetera and will have to replace them. My new colt is fairly bare-bones and suits me to a T because I can add the sights I want, the beavertail I want, the grips I want.....

You get the point? Save your money by getting a milspec Colt 1991; it is not a pauper's choice. When you know the what you want to add on, you can do it at your leisure. As Stormmaster said, "when the "custom pistol bug" bites", it's not a question of IF or Maybe or Possibly...you will get bitten and you will spend money on tinkering. It's inevitable; thank God it's fun, too.

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When reason fails...

 

[isi07734]

hey all, im in the same situation. ive been reading for a while now, ive read that for carry, the commander isnt to much of a diffference then full size, so go full size.

ive been looking for my 1st 1911 and this is what ive come up with
kahr-auto ord.milspec
springfield smilspec
Kimber custom

ive heard that the 1991 was garbage, is this not true? maybe i should add that to this list. Kahr has a arched mainspring, i would like a flat.
thanks

 

[isi07734]

ah yes, i forgot charles daily...nice looking gun, although i hear mixed reviews, and aren tlooking for an ambi saftey

 

[col132]

I would recommend the 1991A1 or SA milspec to anyone on a budget (not that the quality is any lower). Next would be an Colt XSE, SA loaded, or Kimber. Next up the food chain IMHO would be the SA TRP, Colt Trophy, or Wilson. Much to choose from depending on what you want to spend.

 

[FB3]

I personally prefer Wilsons. I feel that they are the best buy out there for a top end gun. However, for the money, the STI Trojan is a very nice pistol. I recently purchased a Colt XSE and was so disappointed in the overall quality of the gun that I sold it before I shot it.

I handled a STI and was very impressed with it, especially when considering the price. You should definitely look at one of these pistols before you purchase your 1911.

 

[Andy]

If your budget can stand the initial hit, go with a Wilson Millennium Protector or CQB. Otherwise, I'd buy a base Kimber or PERHAPS a Colt 1991 with the new rollmarks. (Depends on if the Colt is mfgd. on CNC machines now and if the quality is back/there. I haven't seen one personally yet, so can't say.) If you go the base Kimber, you will not need to spend nearly the money to upgrade it as the Colt. By the time either one is upgraded to the level of an out-of the box Wilson, you'll have spent more money and lost the time the pistol is at the 'smith's shop.

If you're a polymer fan, a good alternative is the Wilson KZ-45. I like mine. Although it doesn't feel exactly like my Protector or any of my other 1911s, it shoots one-hole groups and holds 11 rounds. Wilson's 1911s are readily available, have an incredible reputation for reliability and quality, and the customer service is legendary. You can't go wrong with a WC .45.

Of course, there's also brand, "Les Baer". Great pistols, to be sure. I have two, a Thunder Ranch Special and a Concept VII Commander. Sweet pistols. The finish is such that I hate to carry them. I dropped the C-VII on my oak bench and floor and dented the dust cover, so I sent it and my TRS to Baer The TRS needed an ambi safety (I'm a southpaw) and the air freight was about the same for one or two pistolas...

One 1911 that goes about quietly doing the job it was designed to do is the Gunsite GSP 2000. The ones that I have seen and handled have really impressed me. I shot next to a guy that carries one at Rangemater's class in Dallas. That gun never missed a beat - unlike some other handguns on the line - including my G-19. (

Wince!

Well, the agency paid for my training and I have to carry the issue G-19 on the job, and the 9mm ammo is free, and, um...my 1911s were nice an' clean...ad nauseum...)

There are a lot of 1911 choices out there that are equal in price, within a few bucks more or even less expensive than the two models you are thinking about. Do your research, and (to paraphrase Terry Peters of P-T Partners) pay up front or out the back, you get what you pay for.


[This message has been edited by Andy (edited 11-16-2001).]