$1000-$1500 to spend on a railed 1911

[Mip]

What would you get, or have gotten? I made a post on a diffrent site, but am looking to your own fact based opinions/experience to help me be certain of a choice.

The main features I am looking for are:

5 inch barrel
Full steel - Perf Black for the finish.
Front strap checkering
Rail system
I would prefer American made(proud Veteran), but am open to other options if they are nice enough.

I do live in California(Bay Area) so the Safe list roster might matter. I am willing to spend extra for single shot exemption to get what I really would like, and skip the safe list bs.

The price is listed is for the weapon, but there might be a slight amount of flex if there is something a bit more. Ammo, mags, and equipment money has already been saved. I look forward to reading your responses!

[Jdlv4_0]

Other then the Springfield TRP w/ rail, I'm not aware of any railed guns like that with checkering in your price range, the first two that come to mind are the Kimber Warrior and the Colt Rail Gun in Black Cerakote.

I don't think the Kimber will be on the DOJ list as it does not have the firing pin safety...

[*NOVA*]

With the low end of your price range being $1,000.00 I'll submit that I am very happy with my Smith & Wesson 1911TRP. It is more accurate than my other lower priced 1911.

[NeoGeo630]

How about the Kimber TLE/RL and Sig TacOps (either the "Sig" slide or traditional slide). I have both and they're excellent pistols. I think the Sig is one of the best bang for the buck right now, it's on the low end of your budget.

The Kimber is on the roster but the Sig you would have to do SSE.

[UMich 2011]

They are relatively new, sound about in that price range, and not sure if California compliant...

Dan Wesson Specialist would get my vote.

[youngAR]

DW Specialist or STI Duty One.

[weekendninja]

I'm not sure what is on the list but I know you can get the warrior II. It doesn't have front strap checkering but it's a nice gun. I'd rather have a Dan Wesson specialist or trp if possible.

[B-Rad]

Sign 1911 tactical operations

[Mip]

There is a list, but there is a loop hole around it. So any 1911s are fine by me! Thanks for your imput so far, hope to see some more.

[98XJRC]

I'd recommend the DW Specialist however I'm not sure if they are on the list and they haven't quite released the duty coat treatment one yet.

Check out this thread by a guy who got one in CA

http://forums.1911forum.com/showthread.php?t=369407

[FB3]

The Dan Wesson Specialist would be an excellent choice. No mim parts either.

[john45]

+1 for the Kimber TLE/RL II

[7in1911]

TRP is my vote. I also have the railed Sig Scorion that's just as accurate as my TRP. Either one is a good choice.

[bflying]

Smith and Wesson will put you on the lower end of your price range, and leave you a little something for ammo.

Smith advertises $1300 for list price, but street price at LGS is closer to $1000-$1150 (blue vs. stainless) for E series and under 1k for standard model.

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/w...layErrorView_Y

[Bigapple828]

Originally Posted by bflying

Smith and Wesson will put you on the lower end of your price range, and leave you a little something for ammo.

Smith advertises $1300 for list price, but street price at LGS is closer to $1000-$1150 (blue vs. stainless) for E series and under 1k for standard model.

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/w...layErrorView_Y

+1 for SW1911TA.

Check out my stainless one in the last page of the picture thread (on a phone and can't post a pic). I think the smith has the most modernized look with the fish scale serrations and the serrations on the rear and top of the slide.

I got mine locally with night sights for 1302 bucks total. Best money I've ever spent.

[Rick McC.]

In your price range; Colt.

Rick

[s197shockwave]

MC Operator

[fadedsun]

Springfield operator, without a doubt

[Badabang]

I'm thinking about getting something meeting the same requirements. Sig Tac Ops at the top of the list right now.

[Brian R.]

Springfield TRP Operator - if you can find one.

[vortech347_1911]

The Sig Tac Ops meets everything you listed as requirements.

I can't compare it to the other pistols listed but I am very happy with my Tac Ops and it was < 1k delivered/transferred.

I looked pretty closely at a TRP and it was very nice but the 20lpi front strap checkering was quite sharp and would take some getting used to.

The Sig has 25lpi front strap checkering and it seems just right to me. Not too sharp but still very grippy.

[11Bravo25th]

My only railed 1911 is the Kimber Tactical Entry II.

Got mine brand new for $1060. Has pretty much everything you can put on a 1911.

[heekma]

Hello,

Although it lacks the front-strap checkering, I own a Colt Rail Gun and it's as fine a firearm as a production gun can be.

Well, almost. It's got some sharp edges, the thumb safeties are a bit crude, but nothing is perfect.

Accuracy and reliability have neen outstanding. It's the first new Colt I've purchased since the mid 90s.

Colt has officially gotten their act together on the commercial side of things once again.

It's not the only choice-the Sig and S&W are fine offerings as well, but it's a contender, it's a Colt and it's made in these grand old United States.

Just food for thought.

Best,

Heekma

[John McKenzie]

I would get the Colt rail gun in stainless then have either the Colt custom shop or someone else checker it. Maybe even send it to Chuck Rogers for his front stap treatment. Getting the stainless would take care of the refinishing costs.

[UrbanSI]

I own a Sig and a TRP, I have written a little more extensively about why I like one over the other in previous threads but I will make it simple. Money not being the object of this decision, if I had to sell one tomorrow it would be the TRP(20% of that reasoning is due to the front checkering LPI)