Cant decide, STI, S&W E, or Ruger SR

[stevelkinevil]

Ok first off I wont have the money for any of the three till mid September so I have some time to hopefully get over my notorious indecision when it comes to purchases. My price range is the low $600s. I think I have narrowed it down to three choices, unfortunately none are easy to obtain, especially not locally, which makes it more difficult for me that I cannot handle them first. This will be my 5th 1911 (and when I get it my only for a while).

1. STI spartan.
Pros: I always wanted an STI but never had the money. Series 70 config. I like the reviews I have read and its been around long enough to work out the kinks. Seems to be unanimously the most accurate. From reviews good slide to frame fit and barrel/bushing fit. I like the lower profile swell on the GS, like the hammer, and the idea of STI internals, all reviews say great trigger and smooth action. I think I like the FO sights. STI's famous service.
Cons: Although I prefer black finishes Im not sold on the park finishes durability. Read problems of early ones having issues fitting 1 piece MSH/magwells. Not sure about being made in PI. No front strap checking. Plastic trigger and MSH (which i will replace anyway).

2. S&W "e" series 1911
Pros: Love the scale style slide serrations, mostly good reviews, great looking. No plastic stuff. Front strap checkering. Nice grips. Ambi safety.Finish durability. Handsome for a shiny gun.
Cons: I generally dont care for silver or shiny weapons. The external extractor seems to have some issues. I have done the least research on this one.

3. Ruger SR1911
Pros: All US made. Decent grips. Good looking for a shiny gun, Have actually briefly handled this one and felt very nice and solid. No plastic stuff. Very good early reviews. Series 70 config. likely durable finish.
Cons: Never wanted anything to do with a Ruger auto before (although this is not a knock necessarily, I understand they are tanks). Again wish it was black. Not a fan of the large serrated palm swell. No front strap checkering. First go at a 1911. unlike most I like the forward cocking serrations (honestly aesthetic for me).

So there you have it. Glad I have a while to make up my mind, but I would love opinions, especially from folks who have actually owned and or shot them. Maybe a non-issue depending on if I can even find any of them in stock, STI seems the only one that isnt unobtanium at the moment.

[Atrain1]

I would go with the Smith & Wesson trust me you will not be dissapointed. I have a Smith and out of all my 1911 pistals it is the best, I like it so much I wont shoot it anymore. And smith made parts for kimber (which every one seems to think is the best 1911 ever built) until 2001, I was told it was 2 years ago that they quit making parts for kimber, (which was the frames slides and some mis small parts) but I am not sure about the exact year it was, I have not had the time to research it yet. And they are one of the only companies to get the external extractor to work. I have a Para ordnance 14.45 LDA, 2 Rock Island Armory 1911's one is custom job. A Desert Eagle 1911G, 2 taurus pt 1911's, a gsg 1911-22, and a chiappa 1911-22, and as far as slide to frame and barrel bushing fit it is incredible. I would say that the Desert Eagle would come in second place, It is hard to tell they are both such nice versions of the 1911, it is also a very nice accurate and dependable 1911. I am interested in the sr1911 myself I would like to find a place that has one. I would say the Desert Eagle and the SR1911 are probably pretty close from what I have researched, I had a chance to trade my 1911G for a SR1911 and passed, I just want to find one at a good price. I have a one of my pt1911's that is the only one I shoot now, and my gsg, all the others are safe queens.