In your opinion - who makes the best 1911model pistol?

Question

There are a lot of manufacturers making 1911 style semi-auto pistols today. Colt, Springfield, Kimber just to name a few. Not including the custom shops like Wilson Combat, who makes the best "assembly" line model 1911 on the market today and why do you think that company is the best?

Answer 1

Well, without having experienced them all I cannot accurately answer this question. Also, what is your criteria for "Best?"
I can give you my experiences. I have a Springfield which is a great gun. They are great quality at a reasonable price.
Kimber to me seems to be overrated. They are a good quality gun, but I think part of the price is the name.
I've shot Para Ordnance pistols for a competition and was NOT impressed. They had the special DA trigger that Para is known for. I did not like it at all. It was also a very dirty pistol. The way the frame is made it allows gases to come down around the trigger onto your finger.
Colt is colt. A very reliable name, but from what I've heard and read lately, they don't have the quality they used to. I guess they're relying on their name. But, I doubt it. You don't keep a reputation by jinking on quality.
Wilson Combat is one of the biggest names in "custom" guns. You called them "assembly line" guns. It is true that they do produce a product. But you can get a truly custom gun through them.
Wilson Combat, Ed Brown, Les Baer, and Nighthawk all seem to get the same level of write up.

There is a small company over in Blue Creek Ohio that makes custom 1911's. I met one of their employees and she told me they make better guns than WC. I don't know. I've never seen one. They use Caspian and someone elses parts. (Blue Creek Tool Company)

Putting everything I know about 1911's into one answer, i'd suggest either Nighthawk or Les Baer for a top of the line gun, and a high end Springfield for economy. It comes down to how much quality you want vs. how much you want to spend.

Answer 2

virtually every authority on handguns i've talked to mentions Kimber first when talking about 1911"s. I believe i saw an add which said Marine force recon used Kimber exclusively (forgive me if not accurate) and many other law enforcement and govt. agencies.

Years ago I owned a colt govt model mark IV and it was terrible...it wasn't nearly as accurate as the wwII vintage I carried in the service. The accurizer(barrel) bushing tore up the out side of the barrel...if they still use this i'd never own another one.

Answer 3

Para Ordnance the F.B.I. swat use them I have two best out of the box you can buy. I've had Colt customs Springfields and built a couple of race guns and still like my P.O. best The two I have are P-13 P-14 they have double stack mags. and hold 13-14 rounds respectively. They shoot sweet and I have, to prove a point ,with out cleaning, put 642 rounds through my p-14 before it jammed, and then it was just a stove pipe.(when the case stands upright instead of fully ejecting)

Answer 4

Springfield

Answer 5

Wilson Combat

Answer 6

Nighthawk Custom makes the best out-of-the-box 1911. It is of custom quality. The best after that is SIG-Sauer.

Answer 7

Kimber. They are a bit pricey. But for the level of quality, accuracy and reliability you get right out of the box, they can't be beat.

Answer 8

I don't know about today, but the best the best one is the original Colt 1911A. Nothing bets an original!

Answer 9

I have an old Colt and it's in great condition. I carry it with me all the time and yes I do have a concealed weapons permit

Answer 10

Smith and Wesson .45