Best 1911 for $1,500??

[OneBadV8]

Here is one for you

 

[Wabatuckian]

You need one of these guys:

Berryhill Custom, LLC

Condition One Pistolsmithing, LTD.

I have talked to both of these folks in the course of my learning, and they are very competent and extremely polite.

Josh <><

 

[Crimson]

Try a Dan Wesson. They are nice and fall in the $1500 range and below.

 

[stony]

I say Fusion. You can have it your way.

 

[Kirk Freeman]

Lots of good guns out there for that price. I have multiple Les Baer Thunder Ranch Specials that meet your requirements.

I made my choice based on someone's recommendation that I respected and after shooting one.

Whatever you decide, I would recommend shooting one before you proceed.

 

[xd45in]

I would go with a Springer or Kimber and buy mags and ammo with the rest

 

[Britton]

I would go with a Springer or Kimber and buy mags and ammo with the rest

Ditto!

 

[dice dealer]

Buy Two sizes of RIA extra mags with a few customs , Probably still have some extra cash left over for some Ammo

 

[Nimrod]

I purchased a Pro Rapter ll from Kimber's custom shop in April. After a return to the factory, a fix, and shop complementary work it is as it should have been when I bought it. Around $1130 plus tax.

 

[SC_Shooter]

I bought a Kimber CDPII Pro a couple of months ago and it's a great gun. Just today received five Wilson Combat mags from UPS (yes!!!) to complete the purchase. Wilson mags are the best I've ever used. There are probably many good choices out there, but I'm a Wilson guy on mags.

Kimber CDPII Pro = $1,225
Wilson Combat mags (5) $185

I looked too at a Les Bauer Thunder Ranch Commanche Special, but at $2,300 I opted for the Kimber instead. Wilson Combat has some great options too, but will be in the $3-5,000 range. Links to all are below.

Good luck deciding. I'd say I feel for you, but I'm really just a little jealous! You are putting enough $$$ into it to get a fabulous weapon, regardless of what you settle on. You and your grandchildren will love the choice.

Kimber - Continuing The Legacy

Les Baer Thunder Ranch Specials

Legendary Magazines

 

[sbatten]

"I purchased a Pro Rapter ll from Kimber's custom shop in April. After a return to the factory, a fix, and shop complementary work it is as it should have been when I bought it. Around $1130 plus tax."

I have been researching 1911's as well, and I read the article in the earlier part of this thread from "Choosing your first 1911". In the article it mentioned the quality issues with any Kimber that has "Custom II" anything on it. I was leaning towards a Kimber but I'm now starting to have second thoughts. I'm not trying to start a Holy War here, but I don't want to drop $1k and then have to send it in to be fixed. I'm just looking for some feed back on the Kimber from people who own the newer ones to find out if the quality issue really is a problem or someone's bias.

 

[buckfever34]

Springfield TRP would get my vote....for a little more you could get into a Les Baer.

 

[Trujillo107]

There's nothing wrong with colt but like everything in the world your paying for the name. I personally prefer Kimber, I've owed a few and bullet for bullet they're just as accurate and true as a colt. But with out the expensive price tag. Althought when it comes to competition shooting, most will tell you its in the gun its in the shooter. Don't matter what I pick up, odds are I can shoot a fly off a bulls ***. Good luck with your search!

 

[IndyGunworks]

sorry guys, gotta do it.... i say you buy THREE glocks and get THREE times the gun!!! please someone argue my logic

 

[IndyGunworks]

Don't matter what I pick up, odds are I can shoot a fly off a bulls ***. Good luck with your search!

please post some pics!!!

 

[sbatten]

sorry guys, gotta do it.... i say you buy THREE glocks and get THREE times the gun!!! please someone argue my logic

I already have a Glock but I want a 1911 to add to my collection.

BTW, The Glock gets the job done, but I look at it like a good woman. She can have a nice personality, but she needs to be good to look at too!

 

[GetA2J]

I love my S&W 1911's
I own two of them.
I have heard that Kimber has been using MIM parts which are of a lower quality. The term lower quality is a debateable term in and of itself. The parts are molded in such a way so as to minimize the need for additional machining, hence maybe higher quality. But with many cast metal parts a small air bubble could throw a wrench into the entire works, possibility of lower quality.
Good luck...
and Good shootin'

 

[BIG TIM]

I have two Kimbers and both are excellent shooters. The first is a Gen I and the second is a Gen II. Many of the older 1911 series pistols were known to have problems in a variety of areas. Even though I own several Colts, they were known for this. My suggestion is to find a used pro length Kimber with about 500 rounds fired through it. The seller will have just broken it in for you and if it had problems when new, they are now likely resolved. By the way, there is one for sale now on the INGO board that fits all this criteria, and no, it's not mine!

 

[mkelsey]

There's nothing wrong with colt but like everything in the world your paying for the name. I personally prefer Kimber, I've owed a few and bullet for bullet they're just as accurate and true as a colt. But with out the expensive price tag. Althought when it comes to competition shooting, most will tell you its in the gun its in the shooter. Don't matter what I pick up, odds are I can shoot a fly off a bulls ***. Good luck with your search!

I must be missing a couple lines of Kimber pistols because I was pretty sure they were in the same price ranges as Colts. At least that is what I have seen in my shopping for a 1911.

 

[MACHINEGUN]

I would say any Kimber.. especially a CDP or any of the ones posted already.

They make my mouth salivate.