Can I get some 1911 advice?

[darkfader]

Guys, I’m trying to decide on a new 1911. I love the Colt M45 and found one for a reasonable price, I guess. But I’m pretty sure I want to be able to suppress it because I’m addicted to cans now too. So a threaded barrel would need to be fitted and with that, I’d want to add suppressor height sights. Fitting a 1911 barrel doesn’t sound like something I can do.

My other thought was the Kimber Desert Warrior TFS, already threaded and higher sights. The problem with this one is Kimber told me this morning they are 12-14 months out on fulfilling their orders and I went all the way to the last page of the entire internet and can’t find one for sale.

I’m impatient.

Would you go for the colt, and have the work done, or agonize over a daily search for the Kimber until one became available?

Is there anything I should know about either model that could sway my decision?

Do I buy the Colt today, and get the Kimber when I find one? Lol

 

[Hobo Hilton]

Buy the Colt today........

12 - 14 month wait can easily turn into a 24 month wait....... Do you want to roll the dice on the "State of the Nation" in 24 months ?
Kimber's are "tight / precision" weapons....... I'm a fan of the Kimber's. I have shot some of the Kinber "Rent a Gun's" at several ranges.... After 1,000's of round they were still slick.... I too have passed some some things this year due to the waiting time...
A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush

Best of luck.

 

[Choid]

I wouldn't buy a new Kimber unless I was going to redo everything on it.

The m45A1 is, IMO, not a great 1911, and none of the holsters for a standard railed 1911 will work with it. It's not that it is bad, it is just kind of meh. I am assuming this is not coming out of the custom shop, where the barrel hoods are often oddly dimensioned, so a semi drop in Barsto threaded barrel should be pretty darn easy to fit. Might just drop in, might require a few file strokes. But in the end you have a series 80 gun that has proprietary dimensions and no front strap treatment, so I would look elsewhere.

FWIW, 1911s aren't the greatest pistols to suppress because of the relatively thin barrel and thread pitch.

 

[The38Super]

Personally, I'd skip them both and go with something that'll be good to go without worries. Get it cerakoted and call it a day.

Dan Wesson Wraith
or
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/914827548

 

[Highbrass]

I'm not an expert on 1911s but I do own a couple. The Dan Wessons are super nice.... AAAaaaannnnnd CZ owns both names now. I wonder if CZ will exploit the Colt banner and drop the Dan Wesson label ? I would really like the Bruin 10mm

 

[sinister]

You can have a pistol built for you to your specifications, but you've got to find an experienced gunsmith and see how far he is back-logged.

This is Bill Laughridge of Cylinder and Slide with an Army Marksmanship Unit pistol built on a Caspian frame and slide set.

This is a Marine Corps-style Kimber:

 

[XikoPlavi]

I’m not much of a pistol guy but my 1911 kimber custom eclipse is an awesome pistol. It’s accurate and consistent. If I was ever going to invest in anothe r1911 full frame it would be a Lea Baer match that has the accuracy guarantee. That’s just just me and I realize there are probably better ones in that range.

I’m any case I’d go with the kimber match model if they still make it (they used to have a match version kimber)

 

[Averageman]

I use an Obsidian 45 on my STI 2011 .45, Suppresses great. I'd have to say it's my favorite non-22 pistol to shoot suppressed.

 

[powdahound76]

Well.

Affordable? Dan Wesson

Time to wait and $ to spend? A Cylinder and Slide would be awesome (used to live near there and go to Midland Lutheran in Fremont to chase girls). I have been a fan of Bill Laughridge’s work for a long time.
As would a Volkmann Precision (local to me).

I have a Kimber only because it belonged to a friend who passed on.
It will be 100% rebuilt shortly.
But had eaten A LOT of rounds without a hiccup and is darn accurate for me.

But I wouldnt want to depend on a Kimber in a gunfight based on 4 others I have owned.

 

[darkfader]

Lots of good insights so far and I appreciate it. Hasn’t really made my decision any easier though. Haha. Where else do people shop besides gunbroker?

 

[TheBigCountry]

Get a Dan Wesson. Idk what Choid is smoking but mine came suppressor ready and is a dream shooting suppressed with my Obsidian 45.

 

[TheBigCountry]

I wouldn't buy a new Kimber unless I was going to redo everything on it.

The m45A1 is, IMO, not a great 1911, and none of the holsters for a standard railed 1911 will work with it. It's not that it is bad, it is just kind of meh. I am assuming this is not coming out of the custom shop, where the barrel hoods are often oddly dimensioned, so a semi drop in Barsto threaded barrel should be pretty darn easy to fit. Might just drop in, might require a few file strokes. But in the end you have a series 80 gun that has proprietary dimensions and no front strap treatment, so I would look elsewhere.

FWIW, 1911s aren't the greatest pistols to suppress because of the relatively thin barrel and thread pitch.

You sure about that last statement? I run my DW suppressed 90% of the time, and it’s one of the quietest and softest shooting guns I own and no issues whatsoever like you’re describing

 

[TurboTrout]

Just order a Infinity
Or get a SA sig

Or be a boomer

 

[Gil P.]

I'm definitely 1911 fanatic.

Between the two, get the Colt. Suppressor height sights and a threaded barrel can be fitted later by a good gunsmith.

Either that or have a custom 1911 built.

 

[GenericBadGuy]

Fit and finish, buy a Les Baer and drop the suppressor.

 

[Ronin_64]

I own a Kimber 45, can’t remember what model. Multiple people told me that the first thing you do is throw away the factory Kimber magazine. This was about 10 years ago. I didn’t even try it. Bought aftermarket magazines. Like the Kimber. Also bought a Sig 45 1911 tactical and enjoy it. Sig came with a threaded barrel from factory. Kimber did not.

 

[Choid]

You sure about that last statement? I run my DW suppressed 90% of the time, and it’s one of the quietest and softest shooting guns I own and no issues whatsoever like you’re describing

They shoot soft for sure, but they tend to have more POI shift in 45 than in 9, where you are looking at a meatier barrel and less bore. I might be full of shit. This comes from a long discussion on the topic I had with Jim Garthwaite several years ago.

 

[Choid]

Well.

Affordable? Dan Wesson

Time to wait and $ to spend? A Cylinder and Slide would be awesome (used to live near there and go to Midland Lutheran in Fremont to chase girls). I have been a fan of Bill Laughridge’s work for a long time.
As would a Volkmann Precision (local to me).

I have a Kimber only because it belonged to a friend who passed on.
It will be 100% rebuilt shortly.
But had eaten A LOT of rounds without a hiccup and is darn accurate for me.

But I wouldnt want to depend on a Kimber in a gunfight based on 4 others I have owned.

I've never handled a full build C&S gun, but have used a lot of his parts for years, and can only imagine the full builds are top notch.

The Volkmann I have seems to be basically an Ed Brown gun brought to the very height of what is possible from those parts, and standard Ed Brown guns are damn nice. So that is to say Volkmanns are super nice guns.

 

[Choid]

I own a Kimber 45, can’t remember what model. Multiple people told me that the first thing you do is throw away the factory Kimber magazine. This was about 10 years ago. I didn’t even try it. Bought aftermarket magazines. Like the Kimber. Also bought a Sig 45 1911 tactical and enjoy it. Sig came with a threaded barrel from factory. Kimber did not.

1911 magazines used to be total garbage, and were responsible for probably 90% of what went wrong with the guns back when I started shooting them. Now there are a number that are really good, so there aren't as many excuses. Wilson, Tripp, McCormick, Metalform. They are all excellent.

 

[darkfader]

Honestly I can’t see myself dropping 3-4k for a single pistol. I can go be poor elsewhere, but I think 2k-ish is going to have to be my max. At first I cringed at the thought of 1600 for the desert warrior until I saw that Colt at 2200.

What is it about the Kimbers that make people say that it needs to be rebuilt? What is it about the colt that would make you say it’s “meh”.

Just to put things in perspective, I only own one 1911. It’s a stainless Para GI Expert that was purchased new probably 10 years ago. There’s a couple flaws in the overall finish, but not a single failure in over 1000 rounds. I know it was a budget piece but I would 100% trust it for EDC.

 

[Jigstick]

Cabot

 

[powdahound76]

Seriously.

If you are looking at 1600-2200, for sure shop for a DW.

Kimber uses a lot of less than stellar parts.
Reliability issues.
Im surprised mine hasnt had issues.

 

[Choid]

Honestly I can’t see myself dropping 3-4k for a single pistol. I can go be poor elsewhere, but I think 2k-ish is going to have to be my max. At first I cringed at the thought of 1600 for the desert warrior until I saw that Colt at 2200.

What is it about the Kimbers that make people say that it needs to be rebuilt? What is it about the colt that would make you say it’s “meh”.

Just to put things in perspective, I only own one 1911. It’s a stainless Para GI Expert that was purchased new probably 10 years ago. There’s a couple flaws in the overall finish, but not a single failure in over 1000 rounds. I know it was a budget piece but I would 100% trust it for EDC.

Kimbers have a weird drop safety system that is hard to time internally and can often make for a bad trigger pull. Some people balk at the way some parts are made, but I think that is basically bullshit.

The Colt in question also has what is called Series 80 internals, which is a drop safety system for a gun that doesn't need one. It makes for a worse trigger pull because there are more springs and moving parts between your finger and the hammer/sear interface. It is maybe a little less problematic than the Kimber version, but it makes for a worse gun overall. On top of that, I don't like 1911s with smooth front straps, but that is preference.

The correct answer is, as said above, Dan Wesson. It is going to be better in every single way than the two you mention.

 

[darkfader]

I’m checking out the DW’s

 

[darkfader]

Thanks guys

 

[264win]

As mentioned above D/W is great in that price range. Personally, I really like the Springfield TRP series as well

 

[1moaoff]

This thread reminded me somewhere I have a old Kimber polyframe double stack...

 

[darkfader]

It looks like the DW Specialist might be the ticket for me.

 

[Jefe's Dope]

I wouldn't buy a Kimber. For any amount.

Dan Wesson easily in that price range.

Or pony up some more money and get a Wilson or Ed Brown.

 

[Choid]

Honestly, at this point I would not buy a Wilson over a DW. Wilson has gone oddly downhill in my experience over the last few years, both in quality and in customer service. Haven't purchased a Brown since Justin left for Kimber, but they have always been very good in my experience.

 

[mewillis]

Having had a DW Wraith I say go with one that comes already fitted with a TB and high sights. You cannot go wrong on the DW.
I still own a Remington R1 Enhanced that is 100% reliable and accurate to boot, best bang for the buck ~$950 supressor ready no messing around with fitting anything later which can be costly. my 2 cents........

 

[kthomas]

DW

 

[Jefe's Dope]

Get a Dan Wesson. Idk what Choid is smoking but mine came suppressor ready and is a dream shooting suppressed with my Obsidian 45.

Which model?

 

[Jefe's Dope]

You can contact DW and they will do some custom work for you as well.

Custom - Dan Wesson Firearms

CUSTOM CONTACT At the Dan Wesson factory, we not only produce, but also customize some of the finest quality 1911 handguns. Through our Dan Wesson Custom Shop, our craftsman rely on skill, hard work, and American industry to transform your 1911 into a piece so individual, it becomes a piece of...

danwessonfirearms.com

 

[Steve_In_29]

Screw Kimber!!

I own a Kimber Pro CDP II ($1,300) and it was defective from the factory with what turned out to be non-parallel frame rails (among other things).

Long story short, after having Kimber's customer service first try to tell me I didn't just buy the pistol (apparently it had been sitting in the store's warehouse for a while) and then pretty much word for word telling me I wasn't qualified to question them, the gun made two trips back under warranty. With the end result they messed up the finish and declared the measurably non-parallel rails (which had caused slide fitment issues) were suddenly within factory spec so wouldn't do anything more for me.

That being said, the Kimber Pro-Tac 1911 mags are pretty good and I own a bunch and they work fine in all my 1911s. They aren't made by Kimber though and are sourced from a major manufacturer (whose name eludes me at the moment).

 

[Matches Malone]

I’ve seen peoples aluminum frame kimbers crack. At least the m45 is a military grade pistol. Overpriced for what it is, but non the less.

Fitting a barrel requires some sand paper and a couple files….you’re a dude right? You don’t have sandpaper and a file laying around ?

 

[3rdfocal]

In case you're not dead set on the .45/1911, a Stacatto P 2011 with a factory threaded barrel is right at $2k. Mil/LE discount makes it about $1700. Lot of pistol for the money.

 

[FuhQ]

I have an old Kimber TLE/RL II and it's been a phenomenal gun, other than the finish wearing off...But the older Kimbers were notorious for that issue. Easy fix... Just have it cerakoted when it wears.

Since getting my Dead Air Mask HD, it's been wearing it's Kimber .22LR rimfire conversion with a custom Pike Arms 1-piece stainless threaded barrel. It's my daily carry (outside of work), until my stamp finally comes back for my Rugge Obsidian 45. Then I'll probably start carrying my Shield 45 again, but with the Obsidian 45 in the K configuration as my daily.

Standard .45 form... (you can see all the finish wear from years of CYA duty in an IWB)



.22LR conversion w/ Dead Air Mask HD (I added the steel Kimber flared mag well sometime between the dates of the pics)

 

[AngryKoala]

Get a Dan Wesson. Idk what Choid is smoking but mine came suppressor ready and is a dream shooting suppressed with my Obsidian 45.

Well usually he's smoking dicks...sorry I mean sucking.

 

[mewillis]

I guess DW stopped making suppressor ready models as there are none on their website. Best look for the old models I guess, wonder why they
stopped since the market seems huge?? Wish I would have kept my Wraith now...........

 

[Jefe's Dope]

I guess DW stopped making suppressor ready models as there are none on their website. Best look for the old models I guess, wonder why they
stopped since the market seems huge?? Wish I would have kept my Wraith now...........

You can contact their custom shop.

 

[TurboTrout]

Hmm


“Sig Sauer P220 Full Stainless Pistol 10mm 8 RD”

$1189

Sig Sauer P220 Full Stainless Pistol 8 RD 10mm - Omaha Outdoors

Sig Sauer P220 Full Stainless Pistol 8 RD 10mm - For Sale - MPN: 220R5-10-SSE-SAO - UPC: 798681517626 - Out of Stock - Price: $1,189.00 - MSRP: $1,417.00 - Notify Me

www.omahaoutdoors.com

Got other finishes too

10mm Sig Sauer | SIG 10mm For Sale - Omaha Outdoors

The SIG 10mm for sale at Omaha Outdoors gives you an advantage in extreme shooting scenarios. Find 10mm pistols, mags, and ammo for a low price.

www.omahaoutdoors.com

This is kinda cool, target in 45

Sig Sauer 1911 Super Target Full Stainless 5

Sig Sauer 1911 Super Target Full Stainless 5

www.omahaoutdoors.com

 

[darkfader]

The more you guys post, the more it seems I’ll be investing in more than one. I’ll be looking into the DW custom shop posted above. I still have this want for the M45 because I have a love for all US military weapons and I like to collect that stuff, I have the M9A4 on order, already have a 19X, and the M45 would round out the trio of FDE handguns that I’ve been wanting. Maybe the Sig will happen sometime in the future as well.

All that said, you guys have waved me off the kimbers for sure. After researching and looking, the DW specialist is seriously talking to me right now, and there are a few out there for sale right now so conceivably, I could have that in hand this week which probably just requires a smokey bourbon and giant ice cube and my laptop.

Either way, I greatly appreciate all the comments so far and I have learned quite a bit of info I never knew just researching info in your posts!

 

[Chickentoast]

I wouldn't go cheaper than a Springfield TRP.
Dan Wesson to save money.
Les Baer for best value.

 

[Greasly]

See where this is going? "Well, thanks to you dudes, I went full custom"

 

[AngryKoala]

I wouldn't go cheaper than a Springfield TRP.
Dan Wesson to save money.
Les Baer for best value.

Cheap 1911's still go bang.

 

[Steve_In_29]

Cheap 1911's still go bang.

Yep and unless you are target shooting for tiny groups on paper they are just as functional at taking care of business.

Aside from tiny groups on paper, my $500 Rock Island Tactical will do everything those expensive pistols will.

 

[Choid]

The problem with cheap 1911s is not that they don't go bang, and it isn't even that they are particularly inaccurate, it is that they tend not to feed anything but ball very well, and they tend to be very finicky as far as magazines go. The feeding issues are increased with a suppressor because the slide is coming back into battery more slowly and there isn't a lot of momentum to compensate for a shitty feed ramp and no work on the throat. You can sometimes get away with shooting hollow points that have ogives very similar to ball ammo, but that's about it.

 

[AngryKoala]

Yep and unless you are target shooting for tiny groups on paper they are just as functional at taking care of business.

Aside from tiny groups on paper, my $500 Rock Island Tactical will do everything those expensive pistols will.

What!! You mean you don't have to drop 3k on a wilson....blasphemy

 

[Steve_In_29]

The problem with cheap 1911s is not that they don't go bang, and it isn't even that they are particularly inaccurate, it is that they tend not to feed anything but ball very well, and they tend to be very finicky as far as magazines go. The feeding issues are increased with a suppressor because the slide is coming back into battery more slowly and there isn't a lot of momentum to compensate for a shitty feed ramp and no work on the throat. You can sometimes get away with shooting hollow points that have ogives very similar to ball ammo, but that's about it.

You mean like ALL 1911s used to do? A lot has been learned since the days of needing to send every 1911 off to a smith before you even shot it. Modern pistols are pretty much manufactured with that smith tune-up already incorporated, even some of the inexpensive models.

My Rock Island had issues with 230gr HP (but not 200gr) and a bit of work (done free by a USMC match armorer) on the feed ramp to better match barrel throat cleared that up. Though even had I paid for the work it still would have cost a LOT less than buying any of the other brands mentioned in this thread. I actually don't shoot 230gr HP for defensive use and only have some because back in the day Walmart sold the Rem 100 packs for dirt cheap.

I haven't noticed an issue with magazines aside from the cheap ones some inexpensive pistols ship with and knock off GI mags. The ACT mags Rock Island uses are also OEM mags for several bigger name 1911s. I have a hard time seeing any quality mag giving an inexpensive (built to GI spec) 1911 any issues.

Now all that being said, I'm not trying to imply there isn't a place for the higher end 1911s, that they aren't nicer cosmetically or that they don't shoot tighter groups and I would buy some myself if I had the cash. But for now (and the foreseeable future) my Colt, Kimber, Rock Island along with a Para LDA in 9mm and the since sold Para P13 and Colt Officer's have filled the 1911 niche for me.