Difference b/w 1911 handguns??

Question

I am looking to get a handgun. I am reading alot of good things about the 1911. My question is what is the difference between all the differnent makers? They all say .45 1911 but the prices range from like $450 to $1500. I was looking at the Springfield 1911 Milspec 5" 45ACP SS W/Holster for $657, Springfield GI .45 1911-A1 Stainless for $490, and the TAURUS PT1911 .45 ACP PISTOL IN STAINLESS STEEL for $533. What is the difference? Using it at the range and for home protection.

Answer 1

Taurus is the better one in my opinion. I am not much of a 1911 guy, but my friend is and I will choose hisTaurus every time. It is forged steel which means stronger than the others. Also you cannot beat the price of them. They also have a lifetime of the gun warranty which means that it will be with you or whomever you sell it or give it to (if you do that) will be able to get the gun fixed. The best holster to look at for this firearm is the Blackhawk CQC holsters with the Serpa lock.

Answer 2

There have been dozens of well-selling books written on this subject just in the last 10 years, and this question has been around since...well since 1911!

Many 1911 owners are all about the customization. There are whole catalogs of parts available. So the base model is the way to go for a lot of guys. If you don't know, don't go there.

Also, companies like Kimber (who someone here is sure to recommend...) used to be a well-known 'custom' shop that turned out top-quality custom pistols. USED TO BE.

Now, Kimber is just a large corporation riding on the wave of that once-true myth. They are mass-produced and suffer from a lot of mass-produced problems. Not really any better than anyone else.

If you are a fisrt time handgun owner, but a .357 revolver from S&W, Taurus, Ruger or Colt.

If you really want a 1911 and want to get into shooting with a ready-to-go "out of the box good pistol with few problems, get the Taurus PT1911.

ALSO: most 1911s require a several hundred round break in period. Jams are not uncommon. They are persnikedy even after a good break-in. They are a single-action pistol. If you don't know what the means, get a revolver first like I said and learn to shoot, then get a 1911 when you have some experience.

Answer 3

Any mil-spec 45 is going to be as loose as a $20 who*e. It will be fine for pretty much anything under 25 yds. as long as it's not a bullseye you want to hit. You'll pay more for SS regardless of the manufacturer but it doesn't affect accuracy.
The higher priced 45s basically just use more expensive components, tighter tolerances and better sights. Again, not really necessary unless you're looking to hit the center of a pie plate at 50 yds.
Given your list, I'd prob nod towards the Taurus, as Springfield is relying more on their name to sell the gun.

Answer 4

My best advise is to find a real Colt M-1911 in factory stock configuration. Do nothing to it without need and shoot the bejazus out of it.

99% of the price differences comes from various and assorted un-needed bells and whistles added to the basic M-1911 design by gamers.

All the basic M-1911 design ever needed was a set of good sights, and a polished feed ramp so that hollow-point ammo will feed reliably. Everything else is just a way for gunsmiths to make money and generally make the old M-1911 less reliable.

Doc

Answer 5

Long live 2A! Congrats on your new gun. This is one of those questions like Ford vs. Chevy vs. Dodge. You are going to get all different answers and all of them are going to be biased.

I would suggest going to a gun shop and handle each and every one of the weapons you are considering. If they will let you, cycle the action, remove/replace the clip, even dry fire if they let you.

Pick the one you are most comfortable with and then go to the range. Remember, every type of ammo will shoot differently, and you need to put a hundred rounds or so through the pipe to get a good feel for your gun and trust its reliability as far as misfiring or jamming.

Happy hunting.

Answer 6

Take a look at the Colt Combat Commander in 45 acp*...