Is 1911 worth the cost?

[Big Ben]

As a loyal Glock man I have always bought and advocated for Glock at every turn. Lately I have been looking at some 1911 models such as high end Sigs and Kimbers in particular. I really think the guns look great especially the stainless Kimber models. My question is does the 1911 have enough of a difference over my more cost efficient Glock i.e. quality, accuracy, durability, and ect... to justify the cost or is it all aesthetics and just a matter of preference?

[Keith]

IMO there is not a easier gun to shoot great groups with. It's worth the money to me. I bought Kimber and haven't regretted it at all. Great guns. Before my 1911 I was an XD fan. Still love them but there now my 2nd favorite.

[E150GT]

I love the 1911. The first pistol I ever shot was a WWII Remington-Rand 1911A1 made in the 40's. I fell in love. I cant find a gun I shoot better with. Sadly, I dont own one cause of their cost. Do I think its worth it? NOt necessarily. I can shoot with my glock ok and it will be reliable.

[glbedd53]

I like em because thay are flat. Also because they are 1911's. Mine are Colts and I love them but seems like most of what I read lately say the Springfields are the ones to get.

[paadams]

I own 3 glocks and love them. Shoot great groups, never have any problems with FTFs or FTEs, but lately I've been thinking about getting a 1911 as well.

I just can't talk myself into spending $800 plus on a pistol when I can get a Glock for $500.

[MoJo]

My first carry gun was a 1911 still have it and another and still carry them occasionally (BBQ guns.) My primary carry semi auto is now a 40 S&W M&P. Why? Cost wise two M&Ps = 1 1911 . 15+1 vs 7+1 capacity and the polymer frame doesn't rust or show scratches. A fully loaded M&P is weighs about the same as a fully loaded 1911. True point and shoot guns no safeties to operate etc. Accuracy is as good as a 1911 as is stopping power. In my opinion, the M&P is just "more better." YMMV.

[Munk]

I carried my Sig P220 for a while, switched over to a Glock 23, and THEN bought a Kimber Ultra CDP II.

I still have all three as the wife is now carrying the Glock.

IMO, I have never fired a better pistol than my Sig but the Kimber is as close to that Sig that I've found. The only problem with the Kimber is after 100 consecutive rounds it gets tiring to hang onto and tends to blister your hand.

If cost is no issue, I say grab a Kimber.

[gigag04]

If we could carry 1911s at work I would have another one yesterday. I've owned kimbers - they are great. I have an immaculate series 70 Colt Golt Cup that is perfect (it was setup as a competition gun by my dad).

I have my eye on a Kimber Covert or Desert Warrior for my next big gun purchase. They are great looking and shooting guns.

I think every true gun guy should own and know how to operate at least one 1911. I think Glock's are more like PC's because they are cheap and ugly and widely used.

[karl]

My take on 1911s:

I'm not a professional shooter and buying a high end Kimber, Sig, Nighthawk, Dan Wesson, etc. is not worth it to me. Why? These manufacturers pay attention to a lot of things, namely the fine details that I, as an amateur shooter and gun enthusiast, am not concerned with. I will never need a match grade pistol like that. Lower cost, quality manufacturers (Kimber can be included in this category too) like Springfield, RIA and others deliver the goods of a 1911 (looks, reliability, quality) without the fine tuning that I wouldn't utilize in the first place.

I think a lot of people buy 1911s for the looks and history behind the gun. If you're looking for a fun gun to shoot, both a low- and high-cost 1911 can satisfy that criterion.

[03Lightningrocks]

Thing you have to bear in mind is that the Glock is like an Apple Mac - it's made only by that company, so they control what goes into manufacturing the base-product.

The 1911 is like a PC - it's is made by almost everyone and their dog, so when it comes to reliability, durability, accuracy, etc, you have to start looking at the manufacturers of your chosen model and their reputation - not only for the product itself, but in terms of customer-service. With so many manufacturers, there are going to be variances in machining tolerances - and when you start mixing and matching parts from different companies eg magazines, sights, etc, you'll have to be alert to those possible variances.

That said, the 1911 is the Barbie-doll of the pistol-world - you can buy parts for it anywhere and customize it exactly to your taste. It's a user-friendly design - but it's not made for the lowest common denominator of shooter who just wants to point-and-click; it demands that you know what you're doing.

I like the way you described the issue. I do love my Kimber.... and have no idea who made what parts for it. I guess I just assumed Kimber did. My Kimber Raptor 5" is probably one of the most accurate "out of the box" pistols I have ever owned.

To me it was worth the cost. By the way... you don't have to buy a twelve hundred dollar 1911 to have a darned nice 1911. Taurus and others make sub 700 dollar 1911's that will work just as well. I think I even remember seeing a Kimber that was sub 700 bucks. Plain Jane model. They just ain't as purty...

P.S. I just did a quick search at Gun Broker. I saw several that were below 600 bucks. Check it out.

[Sidro]

1911 pistols are like Lays potato chips, one just ain't enough.

[Charles L. Cotton]

Thing you have to bear in mind is that the Glock is like an Apple Mac - it's made only by that company, so they control what goes into manufacturing the base-product.

The 1911 is like a PC - it's is made by almost everyone and their dog, so when it comes to reliability, durability, accuracy, etc, you have to start looking at the manufacturers of your chosen model and their reputation - not only for the product itself, but in terms of customer-service. With so many manufacturers, there are going to be variances in machining tolerances - and when you start mixing and matching parts from different companies eg magazines, sights, etc, you'll have to be alert to those possible variances.

That said, the 1911 is the Barbie-doll of the pistol-world - you can buy parts for it anywhere and customize it exactly to your taste. It's a user-friendly design - but it's not made for the lowest common denominator of shooter who just wants to point-and-click; it demands that you know what you're doing.

Excellent post.

Chas.

[Quahog]

AndyC has a way of saying just what is needed without all the extra. I guess you could say he's succinct.

[rm9792]

I own 3 glocks and love them. Shoot great groups, never have any problems with FTFs or FTEs, but lately I've been thinking about getting a 1911 as well.

I just can't talk myself into spending $800 plus on a pistol when I can get a Glock for $500.

RIA 1911 about $385 new and is reliable all day long. Plenty accurate for defensive use. If you want to purty it up later it takes all standard 1911 parts.