Looking for my first 1911. Kimber, Ruger...or?

[RS1200XL 4]

I am looking to get my first 1911(.45), second hand gun. My price range is from about $650-$900. I also only plan to get an American made one. I think I have narrowed it down to either the Ruger SR1911 or the Kimber Custom II(maybe TLE/RL because I wouldn't mind the rail).

 

I have talked with a few dealers, and I know there is a wait on the Kimber and a LONG wait on the Ruger. I am in no rush, I just put in for my permits yesterday, so I have time. What are the pros and the cons to each gun. I know most Kimbers are great, however a bad one tends to be a nightmare. I have noticed the bad stoires I read are generally the carry sized ones.

 

In that price range is there anything else I should check out?

[checko 180]

I looooooove my colt. Bought it used at about 650. Great gun never an issue.

[tony357 386]

The custom 2 is sweet gun..it would be a nice choice in your price range..

[blksheep 466]

I have a Custom II. It was also my first 1911. I wanted one for a while and Kimber was always my first choice. Now I wouldn't mind having a Remington or Ruger just to have them. But Kimber is my first 1911 love!

[Ian S 22]

+1 for Colt. My decision came down to Kimber or Colt. The Colt just felt better in my hand.

[jcerillo70 16]

Are you looking for a gun to shoot competition with?

[Vlad G 345]

In my experience, if a factory 1911 breaks during a shooting match, it is a probably a Kimber. This is not to say that all Kimbers are ****, I just wouldn't purchase one.

 

I would also avoid like the plague anything with a series 80's safety. If I was buying an of the shelf 1911 it would be a Springfield, STI Spartan, S&W, Ruger, in that order.

[RS1200XL 4]

Are you looking for a gun to shoot competition with?

 

No, just a range toy.

 

I'll look into colt, but if I remember corretcly they were a bit out of my price range.

[axeman_g 128]

1911 are like ice cream... so many flavors it is hard to chose which one to have. USA made, just a range toy.... look SA loaded for 800 or GI model. sti spartan new for 650 is the best choice in my opinion.

[Pizza Bob 1,488]

Sig Sauer - most bang for the buck. Made in the U.S.A.

[hd2000fxdl 422]

In my experience, if a factory 1911 breaks during a shooting match, it is a probably a Kimber. This is not to say that all Kimbers are ****, I just wouldn't purchase one.

 

I would also avoid like the plague anything with a series 80's safety. If I was buying an of the shelf 1911 it would be a Springfield, STI Spartan, S&W, Ruger, in that order.

 

I would say not from experience but from word of mouth that I would have no problems with an older Kimber, but I do have to say they still do make a great looking gun. Yes I do know people with new ones that don't have problems, but more say they do then don't.

 

As far as the others you mentioned, STI all the way, I will have one, probably not till later in the year, but I will have 1 or 3.

[this_is_nascar 162]

I've heard good things about the 1911's from Springfield Armory USA.

[Bully 749]

STI Spartan is Phillipine made. Trojan is US made.

 

Springfield is Brazilian.

 

Kimber's frames (allegedly) are Korean forged and cut here.

 

Personally I love my Kimber. You will get lots of naysayers on them, however they built 80.000 or so last year and there is a 5-7 month wait so they must be doing something right.

 

I would look at the Sig's. Really good value for dollar.

 

Good luck. I drove myself absolutely nuts looking for my first. Now, it's even worse looking for my second. Although I have finally settled and made my decision.

 

C

[Bully 749]

http://m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=96540

 

http://forums.1911forum.com/showthread.php?t=320750

 

And these...

 

C

[SW9racer 262]

My first and only 1911 is a Kimber gold match-1 in stainless, I have a love/hate relationship with it. I have no technical issues with it, shoots better than I can, looks great, but I would not buy another one.

[Vlad G 345]

STI Spartan is Phillipine made. Trojan is US made.

Springfield is Brazilian.

 

And Chevy's are made in Canada. The Spartan is assembled in the US with decent parts. When you think american made you have to think differently if it comes to guns. A lot of the main parts are made by C&C machines, robots, etc, and if they are made to spec, I don't care where they are made The craftmanship and "jobs americans deserve" are in the assembly, fitting, etc and both Springfield and STI do that in the US for most if not all of their guns.

 

there is a 5-7 month wait so they must be doing something right.

 

There are 3 in the case at Sayreville Sportsman.

[Bully 749]

There are 3 in the case at Sayreville Sportsman.

 

And 20 or so at Bullet hole and Caso's respectively. I meant if there was a special order situation.

 

C

[tony357 386]

STI Spartan is Phillipine made. Trojan is US made.

 

Springfield is Brazilian.

 

Kimber's frames (allegedly) are Korean forged and cut here.

 

Personally I love my Kimber. You will get lots of naysayers on them, however they built 80.000 or so last year and there is a 5-7 month wait so they must be doing something right.

 

I would look at the Sig's. Really good value for dollar.

 

Good luck. I drove myself absolutely nuts looking for my first. Now, it's even worse looking for my second. Although I have finally settled and made my decision.

 

C

 

Kimber is one of the only 100% made in usa guns left.

[71ragtopgoat 23]

I love my Kimber as well. Great shooting problem free gun. And USA made right here in the second amendment denying north east. And a very good looker as well.

[Ray Ray 3,566]

STI Spartan is Phillipine made. Trojan is US made.

 

Springfield is Brazilian.

 

Kimber's frames (allegedly) are Korean forged and cut here.

 

Personally I love my Kimber. You will get lots of naysayers on them, however they built 80.000 or so last year and there is a 5-7 month wait so they must be doing something right.

 

I would look at the Sig's. Really good value for dollar.

 

Good luck. I drove myself absolutely nuts looking for my first. Now, it's even worse looking for my second. Although I have finally settled and made my decision.

 

C

 

Springfield Armory's higher end stuff is made in US of A.

[Vlad G 345]

Kimber is one of the only 100% made in usa guns left.

 

Come again? Would you like to tell that two the 20 or so other companies making guns here? They would be surprised to find out someone moved their factory over the border when they were out at the pub.

[Ray Ray 3,566]

Come again? Would you like to tell that two the 20 or so other companies making guns here? They would be surprised to find out someone moved their factory over the border when they were out at the pub.

 

Ruger is also 100% American made.

[axeman_g 128]

Here is an interesting thought....

 

SIGS are 100% US made with 100% US parts, by US employees....

 

Only 3 MIM parts in SIGS although they do have a 80s style FPS, which is not the issue people make it out to be.

[Ronald Silver 2]

Kimber Raptor II is awesome. Too bad most of their barrels rust since it's not stainless steel. If that doesn't bother you, then great.

Springfield TRP is really nice for $1400 semi custom. BTW, springfield is Brazil & USA made.

Colt is really nice as well.

The others are too expensive or not too exciting to recommend....wilson, ed brown kobra, ruger, sig, para....

Good Luck!

[Ray Ray 3,566]

Springfield TRP is really nice for $1400 semi custom. BTW, springfield is Brazil & USA made.

 

The TRP is 100% made in Amurica.

[NJdiverTony 27]

As far as I know S&W 1911's are made in the USA as well. I have one and love it...

[Ronald Silver 2]

As far as I know S&W 1911's are made in the USA as well. I have one and love it...

 

I sure love the E Series....sigh....

[axeman_g 128]

You know... it sounds to me like we need to have a 1911 only meetup. Everyone brings their 1911s, a tone of .45acp, 9mm, .38super or 10mm and we all shoot each others guns. There might be some swapping going on after... not wives you jackwagons.

[Ray Ray 3,566]

You know... it sounds to me like we need to have a 1911 only meetup. Everyone brings their 1911s, a tone of .45acp, 9mm, .38super or 10mm and we all shoot each others guns. There might be some swapping going on after... not wives you jackwagons.

 

in

[NJdiverTony 27]

I sure love the E Series....sigh....

 

That's what I have... I LOVE it! Here's a pic...