Which M1911 45 ACP is best for me?

Vanity

[TNoldman]

I am looking to get a 1911 45 ACP for recreational shooting, home defense and sometimes Carry. I currently have a .357 Taurus snub nose that I carry with .38 +P Personal Defense Ammo.

I would like an older, used Military Pistol and am leaning toward a M1911A1. I am not interested in modern day knockoffs at this time.

Anyone out there please advise pros and cons of the various vintages of 1911's. Is there a preferred Manufacturer?

[WayneS]

I have a Matte Black 1991 Colt Commander .45.

I have found it to be a nice shooting, very reliable weapon; although a bit big for everyday concealed carry.

[grobdriver]

most any 1911 pattern pistol will function reliably with round nose FMJ military style ammo. With a .45 I do not believe you really need any other. That is why the military chose it in the first place.

I believe ball ammo use is a result of Geneva conventions.
Any caliber can benefit from a good hollow point - and my Kimbers will feed them for as long as I have money to buy them.

[oh8eleven]

Semper Fi, Mac!
Don't know what "vintage" Marine you are, but those words were actually an insult to WWII Marines.
My understanding is they meant either TFB or "I got mine, FU." Just saying.
Semper Fi ...

[Lurker]

I have a Colt Combat Commander that I absolutely love. If you can find one in decent shape I’d recommend you take a good look at it.

[mrmeyer]

http://www.springfield-armory.com/armory.php?version=4

[driftdiver]

I have found that most any 1911 pattern pistol will function reliably with round nose FMJ military style ammo. With a .45 I do not believe you really need any other. That is why the military chose it in the first place.

I always heard the Geneva convention banned anything but ball ammo, which is why hollow points are not used. Regardless there is a significant difference in the ballistics of a hollow point vs fmj even in a .45 ACP.

[Gaffer]

I have a cherry 1911A1 US Army made in 1943 - Colt all original. You wouldn’t want to pay for what I’d have to charge you for it. Whatever you buy, get some good mags for it. The cheapo 7 shot mags are crap. Get some good Combats, or similar...makes an old gun function like new if the firing pin works and it’ll recoil right....

[slouch-no-more]

When our soon graduated from Marine Basic 5 years ago, we presented him with a new Kimber Warrior. This is the civilianized version of the Special Operator’s weapon. He has put thousands of rounds through it with never a problem. Beautiful, tough, and accurate.

http://www.kimberamerica.com/1911/custom-ii/warrior

[I Buried My Guns]

I think I speak for many when I say “PHOTOS PLEASE”.

[nerdwithagun]

Glad you mentioned a warning on bad magazines. The two free Springfield magazines that came with my gun are horrible and when unloaded, the plate (forgot the proper term) wiggles. Haven't had a jam, but they are strictly for plinking and I would never bet my life on them. Kimber and Wilson work just fine though

[Joe Boucher]

Check out the Kimber
I know i love mine

[Trajan88]

I have a Colt iteration... and it is good :-)

[archy]

I am looking to get a 1911 45 ACP for recreational shooting, home defense and sometimes Carry. I currently have a .357 Taurus snub nose that I carry with .38 +P Personal Defense Ammo.

I would like an older, used Military Pistol and am leaning toward a M1911A1. I am not interested in modern day knockoffs at this time.

Original WWII M1911A1s have become collectables that will likely run you well in excess of a $1000. The new Remington 1911R is a pretty credible 1911 available for a bit over half that, but if you really want a military 1911 that's a usable protection or field piece, there is a way.

The answer is the M1927 Argentine. Originally, Argentina ordered a production run of 10,000 Colt 1911A1s in 1927-28, then arranged with Colt to obtain the production machinery and build the guns under license in Rosario, Argentina, starting at first around 1936 with Colt employees assisting and supervising, then on their own.

They're collectable on their own, and there are those who would not trade a 1930's vintage Argie DGFM M27 *Systema*, with its original charcoal blue finish and machine-cut checkering, for a new production commercial Colt or Kimber. And I'm one of them.

You may have to look a bit to find an owner ready to part with one. And when you do, you'll likely pay about what you would for that Remmie R1. But it's likely worth it.

[dainbramaged]

“I have a cherry 1911A1 US Army made in 1943 - Colt all original.”
I have one built in the same year by Ithaca, stamped “U.S. ARMY” on the side, my Dad bought it for $40 back in the sixties from a guy who liberated it at war’s end. I don’t have any intention of selling it, but would be curious what it’s worth in excellent condition.

[JDoutrider]

My carry for the past three decades remains the same... Colt Commander.

Don't leave home without it! (Thanks AMX!)

[telebob]

I’ve got a Springfield GI with an after market trigger and guts I use as my house gun. Very reliable and accurate but I don’t think I’d use it for carry. I’d go with a shorter frame.

I also have a Colt and a Kimber but those are set up as target guns.

I don’t know why you’d want to conceal carry a military 1911 when there are so many good carry 1911’s out there for less cost.

[Gaffer]

$1000 plus, easy. You may find someone who says they’re less, but try and find someone who’ll sell one to you for the price they say.

[Gaffer]

If it’s you don’t believe me, I’ll email you the serial number. I don’t have it hosted anywhere so I’d have to fool with that.....it was stamped by GHD, Colt US Army. I’ll email you a picture if you mail me an address....

[Gaffer]

I finally broke down and bought about 20 Wilson Combat mags for my 1911s, best thing I ever did...the followers are composite material and not mostly-flat like issue magazines. I have a buttload of issue new magazines but really don’t use them, now..

[Mariner]

Colt Lightweight Commander.

Doesn't get any better.