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So the other day I picked up a new sig p238 I've put 200 rounds down it and love it. My range of choice is an indoor range which is owned and attached to my gun dealer of choice. So every time I go shoot I always find myself looking around after I practice. So here's my question: what would be a good non bank breaking 1911 to carry? I've heard about tons of problems and warranty issues with kimber so I'm kinda leaving that on the way back burner. I currently carry a Glock G27 and love it. I've never owned a 1911 style pistol and think Iay like one(not over my trusty Glock)!

Thanks!!

The full size RIA seem decent.

For a carry weapon?

Springers are good, and can be found at a decent price point. A commander sized Springer would be great.

STI Ranger (IV or V).
Ruger SR1911 (if you can find one)

All of the above <$700

FWIW, my Kimber Custom II has been boringly problem-free. And wonderfully accurate. Just today at the range my wife commented on how much she likes shooting it since it is so dead-on. My only issues are with 185 gr. lead semi-wadcutters when the gun is real dirty. Of course, my anecdotal evidence doesn't trump real QC issues, but based on my own experience, I wouldn't be too hesitant to buy another Kimber.

That said, RIA, Ruger and Springfield are great options, as is STI; but I have heard STI is starting to have some QC issues, too.

Agree with the STI Spartan. I own a Spartan III (It's a 3.5 Inch) and it's at a decent price.

However, I urge you to go to Academy and check out the Citadel 1911 in 3.5 flavor. It's a .45 and it's basically a rebadged STI Spartan..

They sell the STI Spartan for 629 and the Citadel goes for about 500..

Good luck. Welcome to the 1911 club. I also own a P238 and carry it EVERY day with me. It has holster wear galore, but has NEVER given me ANY issues no matter what I feed it.

Cheers.

you can get nice Springfields for $700-800 new. i wouldn't get anything less than a Commander size barrel (4.25in).

alexrex20 wrote:you can get nice Springfields for $700-800 new. i wouldn't get anything less than a Commander size barrel (4.25in).

I paid $700 for a SA "Loaded" model with night sights NIB. You can get a lesser models well under $700.

I read all these bad things about Kimber and I'll admit, had I done better research prior to dropping the money, I probably would have opted for an STI instead. However, my CDP II has been nothing but flawless. I've put around 1500 rds through it including several different brands of hollow points and have never had a single issue.

The gun carrys comfortably and shoots very accurately. No regrets other than it definitely is not the cheapest option out there.

My EDC is a Kimber Stainless II and I love it. I've never had a lick of trouble with it and it's amazing how easily concealed a full size 1911 is.

Craig8d8 wrote:So the other day I picked up a new sig p238 I've put 200 rounds down it and love it. My range of choice is an indoor range which is owned and attached to my gun dealer of choice. So every time I go shoot I always find myself looking around after I practice. So here's my question: what would be a good non bank breaking 1911 to carry? I've heard about tons of problems and warranty issues with kimber so I'm kinda leaving that on the way back burner. I currently carry a Glock G27 and love it. I've never owned a 1911 style pistol and think Iay like one(not over my trusty Glock)!

Thanks!!

I strongly suggest that since you live in B/CS go to Champion Firearms and rent several different 1911s so you can test out which one feels best and you like best. I love my 1911s, but they can be a little more picky than a Glock or my M&P.
The Rock Island Armory 1911s (RIA) seem to have had good reviews. They are made by Armscor in the Phillipines, under the supervision of a good custom 1911 smith named Fred Craig. The Taurus PT1911 that I own has been extremely reliable and not picky about what ammo it eats. My Springfield National Match had some problems, but that was caused by the previous owner tinkering with it and not knowing what he was doing. Springfield did a great job of fixing all the problems for me under warranty.
Personally, I do not and have not owned a Kimber. I have shot a couple and they have shot well. I have heard of problems with them as well. All of the STI pistols, with the exception of the Spartan line are made in Georgetown, TX. The Spartan line is imported from Armscor. It is probably msnufactured at the same time in the same plant as the RIA.


Oh, BTW yes you can carry a full size 1911 5" gov't model even during the summer in Texas. I do it all the time.

Been thinking about the Citadel myself....
Academy price is only $500... LINK
Cabela's has a deal on for $575 that includes Hogue grips, 3 mags, eye prot, range bag and a blackhawk holster.... LINK
Seems like a good solid place to start learning 1911 without breaking the bank.

I have 2 Rock Islands right now.

My 5" gun has never given me so much as a hick up, and has been a great carry gun.

My 3.5" gun had some failures to feed my first 2 range trips. I narrowed the problem down to 1 magazine, ditched it and it's been flawless since.

The Springfields might look a little nicer, but you can't beat a RIA for a starter 1911 if its your first one, IMO.

In fact, for those eyeballing the citadel at academy, I'm selling my 3.5" Rock Island right now! Hogue grips, 2 wilson combat mags, 1 novak mag for $400 in the classifieds.

Unashamedly linking to my own ad:
http://texaschlforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=20&t=52583

What I have found with the Kimbers is if you get a good one its real good and usually flawless. But if you get one that give you problems, it will always happen. I had 2 that were problem children and kimber could not get them fixed either. It did turn me away from them but I know of others that have had no problems at all.