Madstyle1

I know this is a ruger form but need everyone's opinion on what's the best 1911 pistol out there..

Gstan1919

I think they are all about the same.
A few things that I considered before I made a purchase of a 1911.

1) Made in U.S.A.
2) Customer service from the manufacturer.
3) Affordability.

Deacon07

I've only had mine for two weeks and didn't get to the range till last Fri. but it is a sweet gun to shoot. Even my wife can handle it and it has less kick than our GP-141 with .357 rounds flying down range.
I like the first reply about it being American made,with a good history. For those of us who now own a SR 1911, we'll be part of that history.

Madstyle1

Ok good to know.. Please excuse the newbie question but are all 1911's .45?

WvDave

Yes, there are 1911 "style" pistols in various calibers, but the original 1911 by John Browning was a .45 ACP

My 1911 is a Remington R1

Madstyle1

Sounds good looking to own a 1911 in the near future. I've heard so many good things about them. However I need to be more experience with hand guns first.

bobkk

I had a Colt combat commander and bought a Kimber target model. Liked it so wound up with a Kimber compact and a ultra carry. After shooting the Kimbers I sold the Colt. First Kimber was about 15 years ago. Still have the Kimbers. Only trouble with any of them was the recoil spring wore out on the compact. Easy fix with a Wolf spring. Like to have a Ruger but don't need another one.

James6591

My SR1911 is a joy to shoot.

Spike12

To answer:

1) 1911s come in a few different calibers, 9mm, 38Super, .22. I'm not sure you can call these variations '1911' as the original '1911' spec called for and was built around the .45ACP.

2) 'BEST' is hard to determine. LIke cars and most other things there's no 'one size fits all'. It really depends on what your requirements are and in particular what is most important to you. Value? Trigger? Reliability? Speed?

One could make the case for Ed Brown but I'm sure there are other master 'smiths who make them 'better' but just don't advertize.

IMHO: The original requirements were for a gun that was reliable, easy to manufacture and low cost (when you order 1000s of something, a few pennies per unit adds up). The original design meets those requirements by just about anybody's judgement. Thus a TRUE 1911 doesn't cost 1000's of dollars but works well for much less.

What's "best" to you will most likely be not what's 'best' to me.

I still don't understand why a loose gun more reliable (ie: AKs, 1911s, etc) but the high end buildres claim that they gain 'high' reliability by making the things tight enough to separate the salt out of salt water.

Hans13

Actually it was originally chambered for .38 ACP. The military found that they didn't like .38's but the .45 Colt sure killed people nice so they wanted the pistol chambered in a .45 caliber. So the disciple John (Moses Browning) quickly changed it to .45 acp.

It is similar to what happened with the FN FAL. It was originally chambered for 7.92X33 but was later changed to 7.62X51.

dodododa

I don't have one of the "high end" 1911's. Mine is a metro arms fullsize American classic II and I let a LEO shoot it last time at the range and he said it shot every bit as good as his remington R1. Do I love my 1911 any less because it didn't cost $1200? Hell no. I love my 1911.

Dozer02

I currently own 21 1911's from 16 different manufacturers in 4 different calibers ranging in price from $345.00 to just under $5,000 each and they all have one thing in common, they go "Bang" when you pull the trigger! As was stated earlier, the best one for me won't be the best one for you. I think that if you start out with a mediocre platform like a Rock Island Armory or a Ruger you can upgrade it into your personal "vision" of your "best" 1911! We all have favorite brands and some folks are loyal to only one brand even if it means settling for something they don't really care for just because of the company that makes it is their favorite, that's not me! When it comes to the 1911, I prefer a wide variety. Each has something that the other lacks. I don't think there is a "best" 1911 but rather your best 1911 or my best 1911. Whatever you trust with your life that functions reliably and shoots accurately, carries comfortably and just plain makes you most happy will be your best 1911! That's what matters most, not the brand.

moakes58

Madstyle1, might I suggest a Ruger 22/45.
In addition to the identical grip angles, the 22/45 features the same fire control locations (manual safeties, magazine releases and bolt hold-opens) as the 1911, making them perfect for 45 caliber shooters looking for an affordable way to train.
I copied that last paragraph from the Ruger website, pretty impressive!

Madstyle1

Nice to know I will look into it

punkinlobber

I started out with a Springfield Armory and kept trading up over the years. I now own several Wilson Combat CQBs. I will not go back to a lesser weapon. In the 1911 game, you get what you pay for. Rugers, Remingtons, Springfield Armory are all fine weapons and serve quite well. The difference is that with my Wilsons I consistently break clay pigeons on the fifty yard berm at our range. You get what you pay for.