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Best and Most Accurate 1911 .45?

24K views 36 replies 29 participants last post by  Aristotle13 
#1 ·
The title says it all. I want to buy a really good 1911 .45 for use in competition; but, don't have the bucks for a custom pistol.
 
#3 · (Edited)
I want to shoot and carry in my auto; as I have a Concealed Handgun License. I am fairly limited on funds; but, could sell some camera lens and ham radio gear if I had too. And although I've said .45 cal, I really have an unusual SW40VE for both accuracy and concealed carry. A .40Cal is OK too. The bottom line is I've always enjoyed pistol competition and would like to step up from the SW40VE to a nicer handling (easier trigger pull) and performing pistol and it looks like most of the ones being used are .45 cal. So any help or recommendations are appreciated. I'd prefer to keep it under $2000, unless its a truly exceptional pistol.
 
#5 ·
I want to shoot and carry in my auto; So any help or recommendations are appreciated.
One of the most knowledgable men on the 1911/2011 is in your back yard. I don't know if Virgil is turning out any guns right now but it might be worth checking into. Tripp Research is in Alpine.

http://www.trippresearch.com/store/index.html

I think a good base gun for starters. With some competitive experience, you might have a better idea of what upgrades you'd want.
 
#4 ·
What kind of competition, Tex?

If NRA Conventional Pistol, I think your best bet would be to buy a standard model Colt or Springfield and send it to a specialist gunsmith to be accurized. That would probably be less expensive than something like a Les Baer with 1.5" "guarantee". Sign up at
http://www.lava.net/~perrone/bullseye/
and ask for recommendations.

If for IPSC/USPSA or IDPA, the accuracy requirements are less; that standard model Colt or Springfield will do quite well out of the box.
My IDPA CDP was built by a local gunsmith but it looks an awful lot like a Colt Special Combat Government or Springfield Trophy Match. Lesser versions will do and you can upgrade later. A Springfield Loaded will get you by.
 
#23 ·
If NRA Conventional Pistol, I think your best bet would be to buy a standard model Colt or Springfield and send it to a specialist gunsmith to be accurized. That would probably be less expensive[.]

If for IPSC/USPSA or IDPA, the accuracy requirements are less; that standard model Colt or Springfield will do quite well out of the box.
Missed this one on an earlier read. Very well said.

I also agree with Greyson. I had a Kimber Gold Match and my experience with it is identical to his (I no longer have it).
 
#6 · (Edited)
Best .45

Best .45 is often subjective, since many people have different opinions on what is best. You may get better answers if you provide more specific info on what type of competition you plan to shoot, etc.

I like a competition gun that can be used for dual purpose. I like to use my competition guns for concealed carry when the weather is cool enough to wear a light or heavy jacket. My personal preference is for double stack STI or SVI products. You can look at quite a few different STI products at: www.brazoscustom.com

When the weather is warm, and I am only wearing a golf shirt, I tend to carry a much smaller 1911 style pistol like my 9mm Firestar. If I need to conceal a very light gun, I use my Kel-Tec PF9.
 
#7 ·
No need to go high end custom for under 2000 you can get top tier Colt.
Special Combat Governement.
For around a grand you can have a highly sought after Colt Combat Elite.
I have a full house custom series 70 and a Combat Elite on order. I had the money for the special combat, but couldn't justify the cost difference for what I was getting.
Combat Elite is where it's at.
 
#11 ·
I think for the money you are looking for:

Les Baer
Wilson
Ed Brown

Period. There are custom makers that may be able to sneak you into the bracket of accuracy you are looking for but I think for around 2k those are hard to beat.
 
#13 ·
Baer's "regular" guns like the Premier II will shoot at or under 3" at 50 yards. For $300 more, you can get that down to 1.5".

Colts are nice on their own merits, but I seriously question their ability to achieve that kind of accuracy on a consistent basis. Especially since they don't appear to be able to fix things like their off-center recoil spring tunnels.
 
#17 ·
Ed Brown.
Lot's of choices (SF, KC, EE, & CC) but still basically the same on the inside.

Got my KC for $1850, it was "used". Over 1k though it and not a problem. I shoot IDPA and USPSA.

Nuff said. :biglaugh:
 
#20 · (Edited)
I have always found that the most accurate 45 is the one the other guy has! Seems to be true for rifles and, especially, shotguns, too. :)

Seriously, I have 10 even. None are perfect but all are good. Get what you think is reasonable, work up a load and SHOOT! My Gold Cups are great (as Firefuss sez) but my TRP and SA Champion are right there. My Colt Commander in 38Super may be my fav, though not my most accurate.
 
#22 · (Edited)
I always liked CS&N/Y...

I'm not in the 1911 market - *Must Resist, Must resist, Must...* - but I 'watch' it just the same.

Otherwise, I'd be really bored at times. :biglaugh:

I agree that ±$2000 is probably the 'ground floor' these days if you are buying a 'new' 1911-type pistol and want a 'reasonably high level of overall quality to match your application' (or any other, for that matter) and, at most, only 'minimal potential hassles.' (±$2500 might be closer?)

The used market is a whole 'nother story, IMO. No telling what you'll find there if you look...too long? (Again, please don't ask how I know...) :D

HTH/YMMV

ETA: I love Colts, too, but the new ones come 'razor-sharp,' which IMO puts them out of the running for even 'pseudo-serious' use. Sad, but there it is.


Vaguely Relevant SongBite (aka, ViRuS™): Déjà Vu - Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young (1970)
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#25 ·
Depends on the type of competition.

The best "bullseye" (Conventional Pistol) gun is probably not going to make the best duel purpose gun. It's also going to approach or even far exceed your limit by the time your done setting it up.

For other pistol competitions you have a lot more leeway. Get what you like in your price range and you'll probably be fine. (Assuming we talking 1911's).
 
#26 ·
My most accurate 1911 is a Baer. My Brown is right there with it but the longer slide on the Baer makes the difference. My Colt is nice but not nearly as accurate as the Brown or Baer.
 
#30 ·
if you are wanting a great pistol out of the box look into a Les Baer or Dan Wesson, Wilson Combat is also another great pistol. These guns are right at your limit but are hard to top as far as accuracy and quality, if you are looking into a custom gun get ahold of Dave Severns, Bob at Fusion, another choice is a custom Caspian gun. A custom for Wilson Combat may cost more than you want to spend
 
#31 ·
The most accurate 1911 is a unicorn because the most pertinent variable is the shooter.

You can have "name of worlds best handgun maker here" make the most mechanically perfect and accurate handgun, but if the shooter is not experienced, you'll still get out shot by a guy with a worn down Glock.

As I have said in the past, the best addition to any serious shooters stable is a reloading press. Not another pretty safe queen.

I love shooting against guys with pretty guns. ;)
 
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