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BrassMonkey wrote:I have decided to sell my Custom II to help pay for the one Caylor is going to build me. PM me if interested.

Did you get my PM?

Mike1951 wrote:

NcongruNt wrote:I think the Taurus has dropped off of my list

I don't know what caused you to drop consideration of the Taurus.

It is by far the best value for your money and the 1911 most likely to function 100% out of those you mentioned. I have bought three and all were fantastic.

I have two Springields, a Mil-Spec Champion and a stainless loaded. Neither functioned after a good break-in period. The loaded was bought back in the '90's and the customer service was nonexistent. The Champion was bought in 2002 and customer service worked on it twice, bending over backwards, and I couldn't have asked for better.

My Kimber Eclipse Pro II, likewise exhibited problems and Kimber's customer service isn't up to Springfield's.

I know nothing about the STI, so won't comment.

If you don't consider Taurus, I would go with Springfield simply based on the quality of their customer support.

I'm not a big fan of the notch and blade/post sights, and since Taurus made theirs all non-standard, I wouldn't want to go through the hassle of trying to change them for something else. Also, something about the look of the gun just doesn't sit right with me. It comes with extended magazines, which I would prefer not to have. I'd much rather go with the 7-rounders that fit the handle and don't stick out. Yes, I'm sure these are available and I could purchase them, but that would send the price of the gun up considerably, and it would end up being about as much as the STI or Springfield.

I'm leaning towards the Springfield at this point, if for nothing else but the sights and customer service. I still am not a fan of the spur hammer, but I don't think it's nearly the concern, given the beavertail design, as it would be with something like a Hi-Power. The STI is probably in second place, though I've never used fiber optic sights on a pistol before, and am not sure how I would like them.

It's going to be at least October before I get anything, as I'm devoting most of my cash to purchasing a real shiny rock mounted on some gold so I can ask my girlfriend if she'll hang out with me for the rest of her life.

So it's been a little over a month now, and I'm starting to warm up to the Kimber and Springfield guns. I think the Taurus has dropped off of my list, though the STI Spartan is still a possibility. These are all around the same price, with the Kimber being the most expensive of the bunch. Here's the 3 that I'm seriously considering:

Kimber Custom II (The plain base model, all black)

Springfield Mil-Spec (Parkerized)

STI Spartan

Here's my take on them so far:

I like the looks of the Kimber, and a lot of people around here seem to like them. I like the commander hammer, but I wish it wasn't shiny. I'd prefer it to be black as not to attract attention. The sights seem to be simple notch and post sights, with the other option being night sights for an additional $150. This also seems to be the most expensive of the three, coming in at just under $700 at my local shop for the notched-sight version and $840 for the night-sight version.

The Springfield Mil-Spec seems to be a popular choice, from the comments so far. I was considering the GI model, but wanted something better than small military notch-and-post sights. The white dot sights are good for me, as I already have these on my Hi-Power and really like them. The hammer is a spur hammer, which I'm not fond of. I'd much prefer a commander-style hammer. Unlike the other two, this one also has no front slide serrations. This one goes for just under $600 locally.

The STI Spartan seems to be similar to the Kimber, but with a fiber optic front sight instead of a post. The rear sights are also adjustable, unlike the fixed sights of the other two. It has a commander hammer, and is parkerized black instead of shiny like the Kimber. Another plus with STI is that they're a local company. They're just north of Austin in Georgetown. Unfortunately, it looks like the Spartan isn't produced locally, but is instead made in the Philippines, similar to the Rock Island and Charles Daly guns.

Anyone want to give their opinion, given these three as a choice?

(edited to remove redundant sentence)

stevie_d_64 wrote:Yep, thats what I meant...

Nothing flashy, fancy...Just so that it goes bang when I need it to...

If its ugly, and goes bang, even better...

Didn't realize you were looking at the Rock Island stuff as well...

I'm jealous...Yer having to much fun with this!

If only those Rock Island guns came with black grips instead! I guess I'd have to buy some replacement grips for it if I got one. Anyone have any experience with these?

That same seller also has a SA G.I. Champion hi-cap for $500 with shipping. Not too shabby.

stevie_d_64 wrote:Looks like your list is short...You should be able to decide fairly easy, and be happy with what you choose...

There are a few folks going with the Taurus (I happen to like them)...That Smith is not something I would turn away from either...

Ain't shopping fun!

I guess we all love spending others money!

It's not that my list is short, it's more that my requirements are simple. Rereading what you wrote, maybe that's what you mean.

Black/blued, reliable, <=$700, nothing shiny.

I also don't know a whole lot about the world of 1911s, which is why I asked if anyone else had any in mind that would fit my requirements. I'm taking a look at the Rock Island guns suggested by G.A. Heath now.

TX Rancher wrote:

Houston1944 wrote:I think the best value for the money currently is the S&W 1911. I have two and they have been flawless. Another good option is the SA mil-spec (I am not a big fan of the "Loaded" series). The mil-spec is a good reliable firearm but the sights are not the best for conceal carry.

Both are good options...

If this is going to be your carry weapon, and you're willing to bet your life on it, should cost be the deciding point? Seems reliability should be at the top of the list... looks, cost, finish, etc would all take second seat. Just something to think about

While your assessment is generally true, higher cost != higher reliability. In some cases it does, in others not so much. "Performance" and customization play a huge factor here, and I do not find it an unreasonable expectation to expect a $700 pistol with no special features or performance modifications to be reliable for carry duty.

I paid far less for my Hi-power, which has proven itself to me to be flawless in its reliability. It's never had a jam or failure in any way in the ~400 rounds I've put through it thus far. I trust it, and it is my daily carry. It also cost me $300 NIB. While it is a good deal even for an Argentine model, they still only generally go for around $400.

In another example, Glocks are known for being reliable guns. They are a favored gun of law enforcement agencies and officers who trust their lives to them every day. Pretty much any of their models can be had for less than $600, plain and stock.

While the SA mil-spec falls in the ~$700 range, the S&W is far too expensive to be reasonable for my needs. The line has to be drawn somewhere, and I think $700 is a reasonable one.

So I'm slowly mulling over the idea of getting a 1911 in the semi-near future - not for another 3 months or so, at least.

The recent activity in Tacomaoffroader's post regarding his 24/7 got me looking at the Taurus site. Then I remembered what those guns look like and couldn't bring myself to look at them and their weird oblong handles and plastic frames. So, I headed over to the 1911 section of the Taurus site instead. Oh the beautiful lines and styling of the 1911! No insult intended to anyone who carries a plastic gun, I just can't bring myself to like them personally.

So anyhow, I'll probably be in the market for a 1911 in a few months. I'm not looking for anything fancy or shiny or super-tuned or anything like that. Matte black or blued finish is what I want. A dark gun is much easier for me to conceal, as most of my clothes are dark, and black blends in better. I'd specifically like a 5" model. I don't want to spend a ton of money on it, I just want something basic and functional.

So... I have been looking around at 1911's, and specifically have been looking at both the STI Spartan and the Taurus PT 1911. I've also found that the basic Springfield GI and Mil-Spec models fall into the same price range. The Kimber Customs are a little more pricey, but it seems they all come with shiny stainless hammers, a feature I do not want for the sake of concealed carry.

Anyone have any advice or testimony regarding the reliability of these or any other 1911 pistols that can be had for a decent price?

Thanks in advance.