Who makes the best M1911 Pistol ?

Answer 1

I have a Para-Ordnance Limited Series pistol and I am very happy with it.I have seen the new Smith & Wesson pistols and they seem to be very nice.Your question asking who makes the best allows too much for personal preference.Every person who has a 1911 style pistol thinks that theirs is the best and every custom maker feels that they make the best pistol out there.The reality is that the "best " 1911 is the one that you own and functions reliably and is accurate in "defense-type" distances.

Answer 2

Although there are varying levels of quality and value among 1911 manufacturers once you reach the high level makers advantages are small and often personal.

Personally suggest the Wilson Combat KZ-45 Tactical Carry Pistol, good value, $1300-$1400, accuracy guaranteed to 1.5" group @ 25 yrds, resistance finishes(Stainless steel / Armor Tuf, Kevlar polymer), light weight, available light mount for $30, and 11 round capacity, without the widened grip of most hi-cap 1911's.

http://www.wilsoncombat.com/p_kz45.asp

For the real world a high level Wilson, Ed Brown, or Les Baer is more of a luxury than a tool. The do make extraordinary firearms though. The pistol is accurate but to a level which will never be realized except in sport by the finest shooters.

Answer 3

The best M1911 pistols are going to come from Wilson Combat or Ed Brown. These custom guns are lower production and very expensive.
Other than those two companies, I would pick Dan Wesson (heard nothing but good about them) or Kimber (I own a Custom II). Springfield Armory is a brazillian joke anymore. They cannot make a good frame anymore if they try (sloppy,sloppy,sloppy) and are way overpriced for current quality. People who cite Springfield are living back in the 1990s when Geneseo was importing well-made, ALL forged and machined parts. Not anymore. At least Kimber has clean and non-sloppy MIM parts.

Answer 4

Springfield uses wilson style parts and are 70's.

Kimber uses Ed Brown style parts and are 80's.

For the average to good shooter the out of the box dressed up models are more accurate than the shooter.

The difference between a Ed Brown, Les Bear or Wilson combat is that you pay for the names.
Les Bears are too tight and require at least 500 rounds through them before they stop having malfunctions, to me that is too tight.

Most shooters can not tell the difference in the groups. So hold the different brands and which ever one feels the best to you is the one to buy.

Answer 5

I have a Kimber TLE-II and it is a great sidearm, my buddy Dan has alot of Colts, and two Springfield's. When we go out to the range we both occasionally have an issue like failure to eject, or a stovepipe happens. Usually the failure to eject has to do with the 200 grain SWC and the exact position that the magazine holds the next round.
Also the stovepipes were diagnosed as being magazines with bad springs, or really bent up feed lips from failure to fire drills where we quickly strip out the mag in the well, and they occasionally hit on the lips when they fall.

My point is If there is a perfect 1911 45 auto out there, and it functions flawlessly, regardless of how many rounds it had squeezed out that day, week, or month, and it even functions while covered with mud and blood. Well I doubt it is going to get sold.
I Can't say they all are the same, but I can tell you if you buy from a reputable big name manufacturer, you will have the waranty, and promiss of reliability.
So buy the best that you can afford, because once they are broken in, they should be just as reliable as the next.

Answer 6

Bound's hubby here:

Current production 1911s ... I would have to say the best made 1911s come from Springfield Armory. I have not seen examples of current production Colts, but those that I saw in the 1990's did not impress me. However, I plan on building my own 1911 (either Government or Commander model) using frames and slides made by Essex. Personally, I weigh the product versus the price ... I do not feel that I should have to break the bank to have a reliable sidearm.

Have a great new year!

Answer 7

For the money the new Taurus PT-1911 has a lot going for it. It is one I am considering for sure. Only experience and usage will identify the "best" for "you".

Answer 8

I'm partial to SIG myself. Bit expensive, but worth every cent.

Answer 9

Colt.. Plain and simple