So, what is the best 1911 handgun?

[Jerem]

Do 2011s count?
That would be a 9mm in a 1911 frame.

My understanding is that a 2011 is a extra wide magwell and can fit a double stack magazine. My .45acp 2011 holds 14+1 for example.

 

[gill77]

Accuracy seems to be one of your priorities. In most applications, a quality hand gun will be far more accurate than the shooter. For target applications, you may want to check out:

https://www.personaldefenseworld.com/2015/07/8-competition-1911-pistols-ready-right-out-of-the-box/

 

[mdram]

You're stuck with what's on the roster unless you are exempt or can find what you want private party. Best on roster is a Les Baer.

edit: Honorable mention: Wilson Combat, Knighthawk Custom

roster? as in state roster? not all have them

 

[deadlyapp]

roster? as in state roster? not all have them

Yeah I can't remember if Jules is located in California or not, but that is a good point. If it's off roster the only way he'll be able to get it is from a private party that imported it or you import it as a single shot exemption (I can't remember if there still is that loophole or not).

 

[Jerem]

roster? as in state roster? not all have them

Ca. does and Jules is in Ca.

 

[Jerem]

Yeah I can't remember if Jules is located in California or not, but that is a good point. If it's off roster the only way he'll be able to get it is from a private party that imported it or you import it as a single shot exemption (I can't remember if there still is that loophole or not).

They changed the single shot exemption significantly. It doesn't work for conversions anymore.

 

[DigDog]

My understanding is that a 2011 is a extra wide magwell and can fit a double stack magazine. My .45acp 2011 holds 14+1 for example.

I did not know that 2011s came in .45, but yes, they are doble stack, flared magwell.

Liberty Defense has some +p low-grain ammo (that has been shown to penetrate IIIa) topping 2000fps, both 9mm and .45, so stopping power isnt really an issue on either caliber.

 

[nutxo]

I’m looking to purchase one but I want a full-size government model. Something reliable and traditional looking. Leaning toward a Springfield Armory custom model.

Any recommendations?

Ive had 2 Springfield's. One Govt and a champion. I really liked both.

 

[PISTON1246]

I did not know that 2011s came in .45, but yes, they are doble stack, flared magwell.

Liberty Defense has some +p low-grain ammo (that has been shown to penetrate IIIa) topping 2000fps, both 9mm and .45, so stopping power isnt really an issue on either caliber.

Did they show data on effectiveness like death rate with that ammo on flesh and bone targets or are they only telling you what it did to armor?

 

[DigDog]

Ok pal.

 

[gill77]

I have found Rob Leatham pretty difficult to disagree with. Why trigger snobs favor 1911's:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZlCO7MYzXGA

 

[Jerem]

Saw this and I thought of you Jules

https://www.theliberalgunclub.com/phpBB3/

 

[Scarpozzi]

You're going to get lots of opinions. Rock Islands used to go for $350-400 around here, but that was 8 years ago.

https://www.pewpewtactical.com/best-affordable-1911s/

I like the concept of going cheap and having more guns. Consider buying used too from a pawnshop or gun show. People trade all the time.

 

[gill77]

Something different:

https://gunprime.com/product/colt-government-1911-38super-blue-02991/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KSevk49yokc

 

[IBMJunkman]

My first gun, 9 years ago, was a Smith & Wesson 1911 .45. Sent it back due to problems with ammo. Came back with same problem. After some testing I determined it just did not like PMC FMJ. It ran flawlessly with everything else including some homemade wad cutters.

 

[pcgeek11]

Last year I purchased a Springfield 1911 Range Officer Champion, 9mm. It is not a full size 1911 it has a 4 inch match grade barrel and weighs 31.5 ozs for CC. It is a pleasure to shoot. Accurate and has never jammed on anything I have put through it.

 

[killster1]

Super easy answer HK USP 45..

My second choice would be the kimber custom elite.

 

[Mayne]

Have you guys given paint ball a chance. It doesn't kill people. Even at 10 feet away and shooting a chick in the throat..it won't prove deadly. I did feel bad as fuck for doing that though.

 

[IBMJunkman]

Paintball requires more athleticism than I have. Putting holes in paper is harmless. My guns don’t kill people.

 

[olds]

No love for Ed Brown?

 

[olds]

And you can buy off roster if you PPT.

 

[JulesMaximus]

I bought a Springfield Armory TRP yesterday. I can pick it up on the 19th. They had Kimber and SIG-Sauer 1911s but the guy spoke very highly of the Springfields so I went with one of those. It has the custom trigger, beaver tail grip safety and checkered front strap and mainspring housing. I went with the parkerized finish.

Can’t wait to poke some holes in paper targets with it.

I also bought a bigger gun safe as the one I have is getting pretty tight on space.

 

[BarkingGhostar]

I also bought a bigger gun safe as the one I have is getting pretty tight on space.

And speaking of that ... my Q is on gun safes vs. secure lockers. Is it the idea of thievery over fire loss that is most important? I ask about this, because anything worth of value I do not really keep in the home, but a safe deposit box. Not that SDB's are that much more safe from theft, but in my neck of the woods the law enforcement is indifferent when it comes to firearm theft and nothing I own personally has a value that would substantiate the need for a fire-rated safe that can honestly deliver on its marketing. Of course then also needs to be mentioned that in addition to secure lockers that not all safes are created equally, because there are safes for safety against theft and then there are safes for theft & fire protection.

I just remember that two of my friends that seemed to have moved three times collectively in the past decade bitching about the PITA safe having to be moved.

 

[olds]

I've seen guns that were in fire safes and were destroyed by fire. My locker is fire rated but it has holes in it where it's attached to wall studs and the floor so I doubt that "fire rated", in this case, means anything.

In that locker, other than guns, I have important documents, gold, silver, etc. in a portable fire safe. I have a separate policy on the guns and my regular insurance is "replacement" insurance. I only have one gun that has sentimental value but I am not a real sentimental kind of guy.

 

[JulesMaximus]

I have a teenage son so having a safe is more for peace of mind that he and his friends don’t find a gun in the house. I have taught him how to shoot and safely handle a gun and I trust him but I’d still rather have my guns locked up than not. We have cleaning people come through the house on a bi-weekly basis too and it’s nice to have them securely stored so I know none of them will go missing.

The safe I bought is fire rated to 1400 degrees for 90 minutes. That wasn’t really of utmost importance to me though. Nor is moving. We’ve been in this house for almost 20 years. I don’t see us ever moving again but if we do I’m hiring movers anyway. This thing is almost 800lbs and it will be bolted to the concrete slab of the house so it isn’t going anywhere easily.