Suppressors Juggling full frame 1911 choices, please help!

D

Desert_Spectre

Private
Minuteman
Jul 10, 2010
32
0
38
Western USA Regional
#1
I'm sorry if this topic exists elsewhere, and i would be happy to take a link in response, but I would like some input on modern 1911 models.

I am currently running a bone-stock mil-spec Springfield 1911-A1, and while it is sentimentally precious to me, a gift from a fallen 101st Airborne MP, and my best friend, it really has limitations... So I've been looking into modern 1911 models. Now, I cant afford a Wilson, so those don't count in my inquiry here.

I saw the new S&W 'E' series pistols in a magazine article last week, and the drool, she flowed, lol...

So my question is this: Who makes the best factory/semi custom 5" 1911 out there?

My Main concerns/wants:
1)Reliability, and with many ammunition types, as my current weapon only runs round-nose FMJ's without issue
2)Accuracy, which is just shy of reliability for the #1 spot.
3)Solid strength, good build quality and tight
4)Accessory rail is a plus, and I don't mind pretty either, though I'm not a fan of Kimber for personal reasons...
5)This will be an everyday carry, as well as the primary sidearm in my tactical/training/wilderness gear.

If you need to know any other stipulations, Ill be happy to add 'em... thanks for your time!
 
#2
Re: Juggling full frame 1911 choices, please help!

Look at the newest Dan Wesson Valors. Find a dealer with a cosmetic blem one and buy it. I've had a lot of custom and semi-custom handguns and these are some of the best that I've seen, surpassed, IMO, only by some full-custom pieces. Really nice.

If you want a rail, get a Springfield Operator.
 
#4
Re: Juggling full frame 1911 choices, please help!

KEEP IT.

Seriously.

Is there an accuracy problem with it?
Is there a reliability problem with it?

If you want a rail, you can get a Dawson Precision rail.
If you want better sights, they can be added.
Want a beavertail? It can be added.
Need and ambi-safety? It can be added.

I believe this so much, that I just bought a stainless Springfield mil-spec.
I've owned Kimbers and Colts. This is the first Springfield. I picked it because it was basic.

You said it was already special to you, so keep it and add stuff as you go. If you were in my area, I'd offer to help you out.
 
#5
Re: Juggling full frame 1911 choices, please help!

Springfield TRP.

TRP.jpg
 
#6
Re: Juggling full frame 1911 choices, please help!

I have issue with the accuracy, though it may just be me-suck still... but there is some rattle in the slide, however slight. Reliability is a serious issue as i can literally ONLY run Winchester round-nose FMJ's lol. Things like the old WWII pain-in-the-ass recoil spring that tries to take me out every time i piece her apart, lol... And other minor things i know there are parts for, but there are things like the smooth front strap that drive me crazy that can only be tooled. My plan, honestly, was to get a new pistol for all the work, and 'retire' my mil-spec into my WWII 506th Airborne kit I'm building.
 
#8
Re: Juggling full frame 1911 choices, please help!

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Jammyband</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Springfield TRP.

TRP.jpg
</div></div>

+1! ^^^^^ Had one, miss it ^^^^^
frown.gif


I currently have Colt Combat Elite, and it has worked in NICELY! Reliability has always been there, but seemed to dial in the groups as the gun and I became acquanted.

But, for out-of-the-box performance, on a "budget" if you will, I think you're VERY hard-pressed to beat a Springfield!!!

I also had and alloy-frame Operator Loaded model (~$850-ish) and it was also a beautiful firearm!

Best of luck!
 
#9
Re: Juggling full frame 1911 choices, please help!

If you can get by with what you have now, and you have the patience, you can always piecemeal one together starting with a frame, slide and barrel kit from Wilson...

Otherwise turnkey package I would say Springfield TRP or step it up to the Professional.

By the time you go that far, might as well get something from Pistol Dynamics.
 
#10
Re: Juggling full frame 1911 choices, please help!

For the money my .02 would be for the TRP. I will say that I also have a MilSpec and love that thing. I fit a Kart barrel to it and the thing shoots lights out. If you want to learn about the 1911 platform get the Kart EZ Fit barrel and take it slow. As for the slight movement between the slide and frame it has very little to do with accuracy.

Again just my .02.


Semper Fi
1*
 
#11
Re: Juggling full frame 1911 choices, please help!

dude just send your milspec to springfield custom shop. heard nothing but RAVE reviews their prices are awesome and supposedly the head guy is one of the better 1911 guys in the country. if not i would suggest the same with another milspec, buy it and send it to a smith with a good rep ie: mars armament, chuck rogers, dave berryhill, stan chen, etc and get exactly what you want. truthfully if you just tell them you want a reliability and accuracy package it should be fairly reasonable if you don't get all the frills like golfballing and the gucci options. and the gun will be worth well over what you have into it.
 
#12
Re: Juggling full frame 1911 choices, please help!

I'm pleased with Springfield Armory . Their warranty covers used guns . If I had the money , I'd get a Professional . I shot one - its very smooth . I have a TRP and its hard to tell the difference between them . I also have a TRP Operator . Its too heavy for everyday carry , but it recoils almost like a .22 because of the full-length rail . I think you're better off buying a factory-gun with the options that you want , instead of paying to have one customized ...
 
#13
Re: Juggling full frame 1911 choices, please help!

If your budget allows, the Springfield TRP is a great pistol.

In the alternative, it'd be very hard to beat an STI Spartan + having the frontstrap checkered. You could even get a fancy finish like hard chrome and it'd still be less expensive than the TRP when all was said and done, and you'd get your choice of 20, 25, or 30 LPI checkering. The TRP might have a little nicer fit, but my Spartan is really tight, so you might be surprised (I need a bushing wrench or I can't remove the bushing at all).
 
#16
Re: Juggling full frame 1911 choices, please help!

I know a couple people with TRP's and they're pretty nice, but really not much different than my MC Operator. Trigger felt the same, fit, and function was next to identical.

Because I like to tinker, I added the magwell MARS mainspring housing to mine and a Vickers fire control group with C&S hammer strut. Mainly because I didn't like the lawyer lock and idea of MIM parts. Original FCG was better feeling though and I ended up putting it in my dedicated 22lr 1911. I've probably put 7-10k rounds on that .22lr kit so I guess the MIM holds up. Someday I might hand the MC Operator over to a smith to get the the FCG worked over.

Recently I added a Stormlake threaded barrel to it in order to use it as a suppressor host. Fit great and has, functioned fine so far.

Anyway, out of the box the MC Operator is some serious bang for the buck.

Osprey45cal_1911.jpg
 
#17
Re: Juggling full frame 1911 choices, please help!

I own a full size S&W 1911 that looks just like a Kimber Warrior and I just bought a lightly used Springer Champion Operator for $600.00 out of the two the Springer is my favorite of the two.
 
#19
Re: Juggling full frame 1911 choices, please help!

Thank you all so much for your opinions and information... i have long looked at a Springfield operator as a sweet choice... but I believe i want to handle a para ordinance tactical as well before I finalize my decision... Killer MC you have there, BTW... WoW!
 
#20
Re: Juggling full frame 1911 choices, please help!

+1 for either the Springfield TRP or MC Operator (if you want a rail). Hmmm, I just bought both.

I had the front strap of my MC Operator checkered by the Springfield Custom Shop and now the ergonomics of both pistols are identical.

Only problem is I have trouble deciding sometimes which one to carry.
 
#21
Re: Juggling full frame 1911 choices, please help!

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Salmonaxe</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I know a couple people with TRP's and they're pretty nice, but really not much different than my MC Operator. Trigger felt the same, fit, and function was next to identical.
</div></div>

The TRP has machine cut 20 LPI checkering on the frontstrap. The loaded models do not. That doesn't explain all of the price difference, but a look at your pictures finds skate tape on your frontstrap--which means that you recognized something was missing there over the TRP.

The loaded is a decent gun for the money, but I think that the Spartan is a better buy. Upgrade it to ambies, put some good grips on it, and order it with the Dawson front sight upgrade, and you've got yourself a better pistol for about the same amount of $$$.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: DesertSpectre</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Thank you all so much for your opinions and information... i have long looked at a Springfield operator as a sweet choice... but I believe i want to handle a para ordinance tactical as well before I finalize my decision... Killer MC you have there, BTW... WoW! </div></div>

Newer Paras are absolute junk, and Para has never really been known for making a decent gun. If I was between Springfield and Para, that'd be a no brainer. Springfield wins hands down.
 
#22
Re: Juggling full frame 1911 choices, please help!

*sighs* and then i got to holding the old girl, and reminiscing... damn it, ok... In the event that i try and just give her a modern facelift,ambi safety, magwell, hammer and beavertail, ext... can a Milspec GI model be made to feed defensive hollow-points? and can the front strap be checkered by a smith? what about upgrading to a modern recoil spring/rail system? can these be done? and if so, where would y'all recommend I look to get the ball rolling?
 
#25
Re: Juggling full frame 1911 choices, please help!

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: DesertSpectre</div><div class="ubbcode-body">*sighs* and then i got to holding the old girl, and reminiscing... damn it, ok... In the event that i try and just give her a modern facelift,ambi safety, magwell, hammer and beavertail, ext... can a Milspec GI model be made to feed defensive hollow-points? and can the front strap be checkered by a smith? what about upgrading to a modern recoil spring/rail system? can these be done? and if so, where would y'all recommend I look to get the ball rolling? </div></div>

yes and send it to springer custom shop they'll hook you up you can go to the springer website and see how much it costs for everything or hit up any of the smiths i linked before
 
#27
Re: Juggling full frame 1911 choices, please help!

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: DesertSpectre</div><div class="ubbcode-body">*sighs* and then i got to holding the old girl, and reminiscing... damn it, ok... </div></div>

YOu mentioned this gun having sentimental value right? I then would *NOT* do anything to it you coudn't reverse! Seriously! IF you want to put on an ambit safety, or change the slide-stop, or the hammer, okay. BUT, once you start milling into the metal of the base gun, frame, slide, etc, you'll be forever changing the pistol you received.

It's likely already a shooter, barring the barrel being bent, the slide rails being boogered up and the firing pin channel being closed shut with crud.

Save your pennies, go shoot some 1911's in your price range, and By golly, before ya know it, you'll have yourself a companion 1911 for the one your friend gave you.

-G45
 
#28
Re: Juggling full frame 1911 choices, please help!

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: DesertSpectre</div><div class="ubbcode-body">*sighs* and then i got to holding the old girl, and reminiscing... damn it, ok... In the event that i try and just give her a modern facelift,ambi safety, magwell, hammer and beavertail, ext... can a Milspec GI model be made to feed defensive hollow-points? and can the front strap be checkered by a smith? what about upgrading to a modern recoil spring/rail system? can these be done? and if so, where would y'all recommend I look to get the ball rolling? </div></div>

<span style="text-decoration: underline"><span style="font-weight: bold">Ambi-Safety</span></span>- Pretty simple S.A. Custom Shop can do it

<span style="text-decoration: underline"><span style="font-weight: bold">Mag Well funnel</span></span>- Assuming Smith and Alexander, you can probably do it, minus the blending. The only other ones I like are the Stan Chen and the Heinie but both of those require milling of the frame.

<span style="text-decoration: underline"><span style="font-weight: bold">Hammer</span></span>- S.A. can do that.

<span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="text-decoration: underline">Beavertail</span></span>- I'm anal on this one. I'd recommend having Nighthawk do it or possibly Chuck Rogers. Whoever does this may as well do the hammer and the ambi safety to, because of finish work and blending.

<span style="text-decoration: underline"><span style="font-weight: bold">Front strap Checkering</span></span>- Yes, it can be done, but for your use, it can be about the last thing. It will, like the beavertail (done properly) also require refinishing of the frame. Skateboard tape works good.

Accessory Rail - Dawson Precisionmakes one that can be attached by drilling and tapping the dust cover. Look up the MEU/SOC pistol and you may see it.

Now, the hollow point issue is usually a barrel throat issue and that can be done to the existing barrel. I would love to see a pic of the breach end of the barrel looking into the chamber and see what the ramp in the barrel looks like.
 
#29
Re: Juggling full frame 1911 choices, please help!

Try scrubbing out the chamber with a .50 cal (pistol) bore brush. I have reversed the effects of thousands of ball rounds to feed hollow points. Or have the barrel throated, a simple job. JPG
 
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