Picking people's brains for opinions and info... on 1911s

[ProtoPatriot]

Ok, so...looking into 1911s... debating on which to get.

I am so far looking at the Sig 1911 STX (http://sigsauer.com/CatalogProductDetails/1911-stx.aspx) or maybe the Sig TacPac (http://sigsauer.com/CatalogProductDetails/1911-tacpac.aspx damn good deal for the price). I like the feel of the Sigs, of course I wish I could try it out before purchase, but don't think it's happening this round. But I do like the Sigs I have shot.

Not a fan of the Kimbers and don't want a low end model either.

Springfield and the Ruger aren't bad by any means either.

So... any USEFUL information to help decide?

Edit: forgot to include purposes which may be helpful...not looking for a day to day carry 1911. I am looking at 5 inch barrels for range, fun, longevity, reliability, etc. Though I may take it on some treks, but that would most likely be open carry.

[gsd]

Alot depends on what you will be using it for. I carry an Officers model (3.5 inch) High Standard/RIA mutt that I gave diddly squat for. Add a few Wilson Combat parts and some Ed brown goodness and I have a solid reliable shooter.

The Sigs are fine weapons, unfortuantely I do not have much experience in them other than what I read. I got to check one out when a feller at the range was showing off, and that's about it. Weight was balanced, light pull, probably around 4-6 lbs, crisp break. Magwell made reloads nice if you plan to run any 3-gun or speed competitions.

As possible contenders...

I've also gotten my mitts on both a Springer TRP and a SR1911. I got a chance to shoot the TRP, and at 10 yards, first time with the weapon I ran 3 rounds touching. It was also a $1500 pistol.

The SR1911 I have not fired, but I molested the ever loving heck out of it. Fine pistol as well, fit and finish are top notch, as one would expect from Ruger. Price point was competitive with a mid to upper level Kimber at around $1200. That being said I would take a Ruger over a Kimber also, I don't care for them, too many issues have surfaced with what should amount to the Honda Civic of the .45 world. (Anything you want to do to it, you can.)

Honestly, if it were my money, I would probably snag a Taurus for $550, throw another $300 at it for aftermarket goods, and have a damn nice shooter for less than $900. Which would leave money for ammo:)

[ProtoPatriot]

Alot depends on what you will be using it for. I carry an Officers model (3.5 inch) High Standard/RIA mutt that I gave diddly squat for. Add a few Wilson Combat parts and some Ed brown goodness and I have a solid reliable shooter.

The Sigs are fine weapons, unfortuantely I do not have much experience in them other than what I read. I got to check one out when a feller at the range was showing off, and that's about it. Weight was balanced, light pull, probably around 4-6 lbs, crisp break. Magwell made reloads nice if you plan to run any 3-gun or speed competitions.

As possible contenders...

I've also gotten my mitts on both a Springer TRP and a SR1911. I got a chance to shoot the TRP, and at 10 yards, first time with the weapon I ran 3 rounds touching. It was also a $1500 pistol.

The SR1911 I have not fired, but I molested the ever loving heck out of it. Fine pistol as well, fit and finish are top notch, as one would expect from Ruger. Price point was competitive with a mid to upper level Kimber at around $1200. That being said I would take a Ruger over a Kimber also, I don't care for them, too many issues have surfaced with what should amount to the Honda Civic of the .45 world. (Anything you want to do to it, you can.)

Honestly, if it were my money, I would probably snag a Taurus for $550, throw another $300 at it for aftermarket goods, and have a damn nice shooter for less than $900. Which would leave money for ammo:)

Yeah, I am looking at the 5 inch barrel models, not really as a carry piece except maybe during some treks which would be open carry anyway (if I carry it, it will be more likely openly, though it could be concealed easy enough). I primarily carry 40s, not a big fan of manual safeties on my carry guns (currently carry 2 x S&W M&Ps, not much of a Glock fan).

Want it so I have another for the range and such...also with it's full metal construction, it's lifespan and toughness is awesome...but of course, things may change down the road after using it a bit more. I have only shot a 1911 a couple times, nothing really all that extensive.

Well, the Sig TacPac is only $900 with the 3 magazines and basic holster and the STX is $1100 with a single magazine (or was it 2?)...

I have never had or fired a Taurus, though they seem nice when I have held them.

I have nothing to complain with about my current Springfield... I love my XDM and the EMP at Cabelas is quite nice.

[lunchbox]

I have owned both the railed tacpac and the stx., Sig makes a great 1911 for the money. A lot of folks dislike sig because of the non traditional slide profile and the external extractor. I myself like them. I currently carry a STI Ranger II 9mm and rotate that with a Dan Wesson ECO. If you’re wanting to stay in the sub $1k territory, I dont think you can get a better gun for the money than SIG. If you’re in the 1000-1200 territory, I would take a serious look at the STI Trojan for a government length. Dan Wesson would put you in the $1400-1500 range. One more thing to mention is that SIG does use a series 80 type safety(some folks dislike this). STI is a series 70. I also own a SA Range Officer, I absolutely love it for a range gun and it also serves as a frame for my .22 conversion. I also am not a fan of Kimbers. Springfields are series 70 also. If you are interested in shooting a few different 1911’s, maybe we can figure a time to meet at ENGC and you can shoot a few of mine. Granted all of mine are not stock. But at least you can get a feel for all three size 1911’s and different calibers.

[Lorimor]

Somebody's AAR for the Vickers 1911 class (pretty much matches my experience):

http://forums.1911forum.com/showthread.php?t=347807

Building a 1911 right costs a lot of money these days.  I would NOT carry a 1911 for defensive purposes that cost less than $2K out of the gate (unless it had been gone through by a competent 'smith and set up properly which obviously adds $$$ to the project.) 

It was amazing to see the little things, like loose plunger tubes and improper extractors or wobby ejectors on production guns. 

My $0.02. 

The http://forums.1911forum.com/index.php is a great resource for all things 1911 btw.

Edited to add:  Vickers did say that Colt is building the best guns they ever have now.  You just have to deal with sharp edges on them.  But, they cannot keep up with present demand. 

[Husker_Fan]

I'd give the Ruger some thought. I think it provides a great value for the price. I don't care for FLGR or Series 80 type safeties.

SIG makes a nice gun and the profile and external extractor do not bother me in the least. External extractors are not all the same, and SIG seems to have designed a good one. The only issue with the profile is finding holsters that will work well with it, but that may not be a very big deal.

[pfinn]

I have a SA Mil-Spec which I picked up for about $600 on GunBroker a little over a year ago. I have 1574 rounds through it, and its been great so far... No problems. It handles well, shoots great, and looks nice (at least I think it does). I will occasionally conceal carry it, with no problems. I've never shot the Sig, but from I think the SA was a great  value.

It made me really dislike the trigger on my XD!