1911

[Dave.45]

Happy to oblige... It is a Kimber Grand Raptor.

Beautiful looking gun.  Now I am all crossed up.  Should I look at a Kimber?  I was going with Eric's Springfield recommendation.  I have about $1500 to spend on a 1911 and I don't plan on it being a carry weapon, just another fine firearm to shoot.

Recommendations anyone?  The Springfield Loaded line I can get for around $800 so should I splurge on a Kimber or even something else?  The only thing is that I want a full sized (5") vs. the compact size.

If I were you I would look at everything I could get my hands on! You have to decide where your true price point is but I would definitely at least handle a few Kimbers since you are in their price range. Another thing worth mentioning is that in my experience, Kimbers actually sell at about 20%-30% less than their MSRP on the website. You should be able to get a new Grand Raptor out the door with taxes paid, 500 rounds of range ammo, and two boxes of premium defense rounds for under $1500. There is a reason I know this. 

[viii_ball]

There is a reason I know this. 

And what reason would that be?

[Dave.45]

There is a reason I know this. 

And what reason would that be?

Sorry, not trying to be obscure...
The reason is because $1500 is what I had as my "limit" when I went shopping for a Kimber, and the items mentioned above were what I brought home. The range ammo was UMC in the 250 round box and the defense rounds were Golden Sabre in the 25 box.
I was just saying not to let the advertised price scare you from looking.

[Dave.45]

This was a year/year and a half ago before everything dried up.

[Rspaulding]

It you're at $1500... You're not that far away from the 2K Club.... You should consider an Ed Brown or Les Baer. I've seen them for just under 2K.

Don't forget Wilson Combat I love my CQB with a light rail and I picked it up for right @ 2K

[tom]

I was looking at a Springfield-Armory Mil Spec stainless yesterday which is a nicely priced handgun and I noticed that it was stamped made in Brazil.  Are they sourcing frames from Taurus for some models now?  Trigger didn't feel the same as the Taurus trigger (less takeup).  From a potential IDPA gun I like the full size and weight, it is nothing fancy but looks well fit together.

tom

[Eric R Shelton]

IMBEL is apparently a source for lots of 1911 frames and slides.  The guns are still assembled and fit here in the US.

[sharpshot23]

Just bought my Taurus PT1911 with the lightweight frame for carry and I love this thing.  I can't beleive I didn't have one of these sooner.  Just had to add that into the mix.

[maxwell]

Just thought I'd put my 2 cents in. Today I put 100 rounds through a S&W 1911 with the intention of buying one if all went well. Unfortunately, the safety on the rental was completely broken. It wouldn't engage at all. This didn't matter at all for my range session (who needs a safety when you're just racking the slide and firing?), but it definitely left a bad impression. When I went to the counter to look at the guns for sale, I examined the Scandium-framed Commander models that I was interested in. In my opinion, 2 of the 3 guns that I handled had broken safeties. Here's what I mean. Basically, 2 of the safeties were really mushy. They didn't have that nice positive "click" to them and they were a bit sticky. The third functioned perfectly (the way that every other 1911 safety that I have ever handled has functioned). The salesmen said, "oh, that just must be the way they make that specific model." I guess that could be the case. But the end of the story is that I walked out of there empty handed. By the way, this was a S&W affiliated range. They primarily sold S&W firearms, so I was amazed that they didn't keep their rentals in better condition. It cost them a sale today. I think I'll look at Kimber instead. This was just my experience, and I thought I'd share it. Aside from this I'm a huge fan of S&W, so I don't mean to offend any of their fans. For what it's worth, my shooting experience with the gun was very pleasant. It was extremely accurate and fun to shoot. I just won't be adding one to my collection.

[tom]

The salesmen said, "oh, that just must be the way they make that specific model." .... They primarily sold S&W firearms, so I was amazed that they didn't keep their rentals in better condition. It cost them a sale today.

I would be more concerned about this than the S&W itself.  "the just must be" doesn't sound like someone who knows his product and feels comfortable with it.  I haven't shot an S&W 1911 and certainly am no expert but this is the value of going to a range with a variety of as you state "well maintained" firearms.  You can see how they feel in your hand and while a 1911 is "standard parts" there are going to be vendor differences.  
I think there are a lot of nice 1911s out there and the questions beyond budget are: your desired use (carry, compete, bbq, collecting, bedside), tinkering (ie buy a base gun and upgrade just like AR over time you are making it your custom gun), feel/connection yes, the grip angle is the same but do you like a flat floor plate? how is the trigger, what do you like the grip to be like? Then there is look like do you want it "clean" or do you like various engraving etc.  I like cleaner guns (downside in a taurus to me, upside on Springfield or Dan Wesson Cz's).

But I would say, find a store where they are confident and know what they are talking about.

tom

[maxwell]

I would be more concerned about this than the S&W itself.  "the just must be" doesn't sound like someone who knows his product and feels comfortable with it.  I haven't shot an S&W 1911 and certainly am no expert but this is the value of going to a range with a variety of as you state "well maintained" firearms.  

Yeah, I agree that the guy didn't know the merchandise very well, which is very sad because he was the manager. It's difficult to find a range that has well maintained guns. I'm always amazed by this. I'd bring my cleaning kit and give the rental a quick tune up, but they tend to frown upon that     In any case, regardless of which 1911 you choose, I'd give it a thorough function check before purchasing. Because I've purchased duds in the past (a mossberg 500 that failed to strike primers), I'll even go so far as to see if an auto-loader will load dummy rounds, etc. Just make sure that everything feels and operates as it should before you sign on the dotted line.

[clm]

My Taurus hase been flawless through about 3300 rounds but I prefer Colts lately.

[Chris]

I had the opportunity to look over a Para Ordnance GI Expert that Mas had in for testing.
I was impressed. It's a basic-priced gun, but has a very nice trigger and features. It's worth a look if you don't want to spend big bucks.
I have heard a lot of talk about Kimbers on this thread. The only thing I can say is that as a IDPA SO running squads at two matches a month... the Kimber has the highest failure rate of any semi-auto handgun I have seen on the line. Not just the highest failure rate of 1911s... but of any semi-auto. I'm sure there are a lot of Kimbers that function flawlessly. I just don't see a lot of those.
Chris Christian

[Eric R Shelton]

Chris, is there any consistency to the type of failure?  Like a timing issue with the Series II firing pin block, or something else that would point to a specific method Kimber uses?

[Charlie Foxtrot]

... I'm a huge fan of S&W, so I don't mean to offend any of their fans. For what it's worth, my shooting experience with the gun was very pleasant. It was extremely accurate and fun to shoot. I just won't be adding one to my collection.

I believe you'll be missing out: I own a SW1911 (SKU #108284) and I've been impressed with it.  It's been absolutely reliable through 750 rounds including several competitions, and far more accurate than I could ever hope to be. S&W customer service has been exemplary.  And the thumb safety is as sharp and precise as my wife's tongue.

You most likely experienced the poor maintenance and abuse that comes with communal property.       

[Chris]

Eric,
No single faliure issue. I've seen slide stops work out and lock the gun, thumb safies fall off. FTF and failures to go into battery (the last is usually maintenance/shooter related).
There just seems to be a high stoppage rate with Kimber 1911 .45 ACPs.
Chris Christian