1911 (.45) clones?

Question

Help me decide. I like the look of the Para Ordnance Ops and LTC. Second choice would be a Kimber. I have only used a Springfield with a full length slide, I thought it was a great gun. My father likes his S&W wich I havent yet used and friend said to get either a Colt or S&W. So I'm totally confused. I dont really like the look of these others as much but are they better guns. I realize you get what you pay for but the Colt/ S&W seem to be a bit to pricey for me. Would the shorter guns be totallt inaccurate? User reviews of any brand /style would be helpful.

Looking for a full Stainless Steel model. Not blued or anything.

Answer 1

Personally, in my experience you simply get more bang for buck with the Kimbers, which are still manufactured to the highest tolerances of any in the industry. You also get all the desireable bells and whistles standard. I really have never been enamored of the Paras, even though they are good guns, I think that is a bias from the days that they only made those brick handled hi-caps. Their LDA trigger is revolutionary, though I still prefer a normal single action.

On the no frills side, you cannot beat Springfields basic 1911A, shich you can ussually find for around $300-350, and is exactly what the U.S. carried into two World Wars, Korea, and Vietnam. If you can find a longslide V-16 in .45 super, it is a great gun for both hunting and self defense.

My favorite is the Kimber II LAPD swat models though. It really is 1911 perfection, right out of the box.

And no, my shorter ones have not been inaccurate, but it does take a little more work with the short sight radius, but at 25 yards can keep it under 4 inches which is fine for their purpose.

The only problem with the old colts is that while you may be able to buy one cheap, by the time youget done upgrading and customizing (unless you are a gunsmith), you have spent more than you would for a new kimber, and especially with the extractor design on the Kimber II series, the Kimber will be more reliable.
*Doc, good info as usual, but what ya gotta hate on the new kids for?

Answer 2

I own a basic Kimber and don't regret a thing. A basic Kimber beats the hell out of a GI model Springfield (serial #WWxxxxx) or the Standard Springfield (#NMxxxxx). The Springfield series is not what it used to be. I had the latter (New Model) from '96-'02 and main parts were forged and machined very well. I never should have traded it! The newer ones (both WW and NM prefixes) suck on tolerance and and you pay more than the 1996 price to boot! Maybe the higher end Springfields have better specs. Get a 1911 with an internal ejector, just like the original design. A commander-sized model will be just as accurate as a full-size model. I really would get a Kimber Custom II. They can be had in basic form for as low as $599 off the shelf (in my area).

Answer 3

I packed a Colt Combat Commander in .45ACP as a duty gun some years ago, when I started out in law enforcement. My Chief, at the time, was horrified that I carried a ****** and locked gun and insisted I carry a revolver. I stupidly sold the gun. Later, working on another department, I started carrying a Series 70 Colt. Still have it. The only thing I ever did to it was polish the ramp, throat the chamber, changed to a weight adjustable trigger, and put decent sights on it.

If I was going to buy a stainless steel, 1911 style, .45 ACP, now; I would take a long hard look at the Taurus 1911. Lots of custom features on the gun. The blue ones go for about $530.00 and the stainless for about $100 more. I carry a Taurus 745 Millennium as a concealed carry gun. I have been real impressed with Taurus quality.

www.taurususa.com

Answer 4

Look on GunBroker.com for a used Colt 70's series gun. I bought two 70's series, which were completely upgraded. One is a combat gun and the other is a target pistol. I bought each for about $550. Deals are out there, just look for em!

As far as "clones," I'd go for a Kimber or Springfield. Kimbers are better guns and are completely US made, while SF imports their frames from south america. Kimber also tends to build a better gun, but you'll pay for it.

I'd definitely prefer the older Colt to the new clones. 70's series is what you'd want.

Answer 5

Garfield,

If my money were going on the counter for a M-1911-type pistol, there would be a Prancing Pony on the slide.

And I would not even consider purchasing a M-1911 until the Series 80 Colts came out. I've heard too many guys talk about dropping their M-1911 and having it go off. I like that firing pin safety.

I've owned and sometimes carried a Colt Stainless Officers' ACP for nearly 20 years. It is not a tack driving target pistol. If it were, I'd never have put it in my pocket, or on my belt for defensive use. Tight target guns have too many reliability issues. If I am going to pack a M-1911 for defensive use, I will be able to hear it rattle when I shake it.

Don't be one of the wienies who buys a Colt M-1911 and before shooting it, they send it off for $2,000.00 worth of custom bells and whistles. A M-1911 does not need all that crap. The only things an M-1911 MIGHT need is a polished feed ramp to be reliable with HP ammo, and possibly better sights, depending on they age of gun and shooter

I guess that is enough of a rant on "combat customized" M-1911's.

Doc

Answer 6

If you want the best go to GUNSAMERICA and dial up the Colt series 70; you can't go wrong. I have a new in the box nickled series 70 that I purchased brand new in 1972 for $ 149.50; it was right before stainless steel handguns made the scene and nickle became a thing of the past. Last time I looked the price on it was eleven hundred. Now I am afraid to take it out of the house so I bought a couple EAA Witness model 45's for GP. You might want to take a look at the EAA; they make a darned nice stainless 45; they even put out a packaged deal with a 22 conversion kit included; last year I bought one for 489.00.

Answer 7

depending on how much you want to spend there are many options. lets assume you'll spend $1000 and under. I would consider an STI TROJAN a fantastic gun that you have to do nothing, it shoots anything you feed it from many different mags.Trojans go for about $960. I really don't like kimbers so no comment on them.(I have shot many different kimbers and never liked them) Para-Ordnance makes some nice guns for a good price. STI also has a entry level 1911 called the Spartan. it retails for $660 but you can find it for less. this gun has become extremely popular in the USPSA community due to it's price and upgrades that come standard from the factory. ultimately you want to buy a gun that you like, needs less upgrades at time of purchase and reliability.
hope this helps

Answer 8

1911 grips compatible llama 45 1911 a1 clone

Answer 9

I can vouch for the Taurus pt1911, its a sweet 45. right out of the box. It has most if not all the bells and whistles that Kimber charges extra for.Not to mention its about half the price of Colt or Kimber.I have run several hundred rounds thru mine with no hiccups, its one tough gun.

Answer 10

colt products tend to be a bit pricier because of the fame associated with the them most likely.the shorter ones won't have quite the accuracy of a normal or long slide,but they are far from innacurate.I'm not familiar with the para ord ops,but I know their original p14 model for the military held 15 rounds,quite a feet.Kimbers are expensive and are usually best suited to offensive combat shooting,although they certainly do other things well.have you considered Sig's 1911 clones.Or if you have the dough,and STI? STI is like ferrari of 1911s.