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A little off topic but if my parents want to buy me a handgun is it legal for me to take ownership if i am 18

Yes, legal. You cannot buy it but it can be gifted to you. If you're serving in the military or honorably discharged, then you may even get a CHL.

I agree.

If the budget has a little more flexibility, I suggest looking at the STI line, which is made right here in Texas. The difference in quality far exceeds the difference in price.

Had a Springer Load model, great gun. Super accurate and not a single malfunction. Have a Ruger Commander now and while the fit is a little sloppy I am totally happy with it. I cleaned up the crown and accuracy improved, had a couple FTF's in the first 50rds but now hiccups since and it's stainless. A good budget 1911 made in the USA

I think Kimber builds some beautiful guns. Springfields may not be as pretty. I've fired both and choose to own Springfield because in my opinion it has a better trigger. I absolutely love my TRP and it is one of three handguns that I own that will never be sold, only passed down to my son, who I hope will appreciate them as much as I do.

Having said that, my preferred carry piece in .45 auto is a Springfield XDs 4.0".

I have two Kimbers for carry, the CDP Pro Carry and the stainless steel ultra carry. Both are excellent.

I would not be concerned with the weight of the Pro Carry. I have no problem with recoil. Plus P rounds can be stout, but I can manage them.

The only issue I have with the Pro Carry is the length of the grip. It is a bit difficult for me to conceal during the summer. There is another model, the Kimber Compact, that is the Pro Carry upper on an Officer's model lower. You give up one round capacity in exchange for easier conceal-ability.

The Ultra Carry, 3 inch barrel on an Officer's frame, is a piece of cake to conceal. Both of mine have been utterly reliable with quality magazines.

I agree with everyone that has recommended Rock Island as a good less expensive pistol. I own two of them.

If you're thinking of spending as much as a Kimber, you might want to look at Dan Wesson. Their cost is in the same ballpark, but that is where the similarities end. The fit & finish approaches that of the high-end manufacturers.

I own two Dan Wesson 1911s. One is my all stainless steel V-Bob and the other is the aluminum framed Guardian. While the aluminum frame keeps the weight down, their duty treatment finish wears like iron. I carried my Guardian daily for almost a year and it doesn't have a mark on it anywhere.

Added bonus: The Guardian is available in 9mm, .38 Super, or .45 ACP.

This is my Guardian .45:

dhoobler wrote:I have two Kimbers for carry, the CDP Pro Carry and the stainless steel ultra carry. Both are excellent.

I would not be concerned with the weight of the Pro Carry. I have no problem with recoil. Plus P rounds can be stout, but I can manage them.

The only issue I have with the Pro Carry is the length of the grip. It is a bit difficult for me to conceal during the summer. There is another model, the Kimber Compact, that is the Pro Carry upper on an Officer's model lower. You give up one round capacity in exchange for easier conceal-ability.

The Ultra Carry, 3 inch barrel on an Officer's frame, is a piece of cake to conceal. Both of mine have been utterly reliable with quality magazines.

I have the exact same two handguns for carry. Never had a problem with either one.

I also have a mil-spec Springfield that I love. When I bought it, first time I fired it it went full auto, ran through the mag with one press of the trigger.

Called Springfield, they fixed it and had it back to me in a week. Great service.

when i caught the 1911 bug, i started with the rock island, philippine made, (proud to be pinoy) 1911. loved it so much i got 2. broke it down with some rounds and after countless hours on youtube, i can now say i'm a 1911 armorer! NOT.....lol. but few years and 1 idiot mark later, i moved up to an STI duty one. 1911's are a different breed. i suggest (but then again i may be speaking to a 1911 armorer), get a cheaper one first then move up to a race horse! good luck and i have to warn you, they multiply!
btw, have you looked at the http://www.gunsandammo.com/first-look/f ... commander/.
its a nice starting point.
edited for pics:

both philippine made!

had it cerakoted after the idiot mark

the gran' daddy!

aaangel wrote:when i caught the 1911 bug, i started with the rock island, philippine made, (proud to be pinoy) 1911. loved it so much i got 2. broke it down with some rounds and after countless hours on youtube, i can now say i'm a 1911 armorer! NOT.....lol. but few years and 1 idiot mark later, i moved up to an STI duty one. 1911's are a different breed. i suggest (but then again i may speaking to a 1911 armorer), get a cheaper one first then move up to a race horse! good luck and i have to warn you, they multiply!
btw, have you looked at the http://www.gunsandammo.com/first-look/f ... commander/.
its a nice starting point.

Nice.

I have a 1911 fetish, I own a few, currently carry a Sig Ultra compact.
It's top shelf in my opinion.
Before the sig I had a colt defender in .45 it was a great gun but I'm much happier with the Sig.
Holsters are a problem as the Sig as it is not mil spec and it's a little wider.
I just had a buddy make me custom holster.


However My preferred edc is a 3.3 xds.45 love it.

My first post! Great site guys!

( I tried to upload a pic of my new holster, I wouldn't let me, said file is too large )

Got it! Shes a beauty!

AndyC wrote:I'm a 1911 guy - get the Springfield, ditch the nasty Kimber.

If you're on a budget, get a RIA with good sights eg. the Tactical model.

I was thinking about a Kimber, then I read in the EOTech drift thread the claim that Kimber's are assembled from inferior parts and over priced.

You recommend the Springfield....any others you'd recommend in the under $2,000 price range?

I currently own a Springfield a LW Champ Operator, Kimber and STI. (mentioned the STI since it was already mentioned in this thread)

The LW Champ Oper is a great choice if you like a rail. It looks big but carries about like any commander or 4" gun. And there are a number good holster choices available for it. The Kimbers I have owned have all been nice guns, reliable and good shooting. I personally think the LW Operator is a nicer gun- It's tighter and better fit than any of my kimbers were. My only "complaint" is the lack of front strap treatment/checkering.

For a couple hundred dollars more there are a few STI models available..... I think the step up to STI is more than worth the difference in cost, but I also understand a budget!

Having to choose between the guns on your list is a problem that most people would love to have!