1911 Fever

[Ah Pook]

Jaydoc1 speaks the truth. 1911s take some time and energy to be made totally reliable. It's definitely worth it, just be aware.

I'm not going to get into a brand preference battle but some brands do have better quality control than others. Price isn't always a sign of quality.

Spend some time reading here.
http://www.10-8performance.com/Articles.html

Enjoy

[cowboykjohnson]

My Kimber Ultra CDP II accompanies me during the winter months!
reliable after the break in period.

[jaydoc1]

I love my springfield lightweight champion operators!

Of the two 1911s that I use for CCW, 1 is a Springfield Lightweight Operator (full-size). Has been an absolutely reliable gun with almost no work.

[Irving]

Try to get a gun with a thermometer built into it so you can nip future fevers in the bud before it is too late.

[DD977GM2]

I once carried a Springfield Loaded 5" with night sights in shorts and a t-shirt. It went bang everytime and was super reliable.
I now carry a Kimber Grand Raptor II 5" and same, goes bang everytime and is easy to wear with a http://www.crossbreedholsters.com/Holsters/IWBInsideWaistBand/tabid/56/CategoryID/1/List/0/Level/1/ProductID/1/Default.aspx?SortField=UnitCost+DESC%2cProductName and it is very comfortable and I have no issues with this pussy nonsense of weight.
I can carry all day doing any number of activities and even drive with it for 14-18 hours of the day.

Id recommend a 5 inch over any 4 inch. I did for a while though have a Sig C3 1911 and it was 4" and I liked it, yet desired the 5".
Good luck with your search.
If you truely are concerned with weight, get a polymer pistol with a 4" barrell and more mag capacity.

[DD977GM2]

Are you serious? I have owned 5 diffrent 1911s.
2 Springfields (G.I. and Loaded)
Sig Sauer C3 4"
Kimber Custom II
Kimber Grand Raptor II

Not one of them I ever had an issue with reliability, eating shit or good ammo or an issue with concealing them.
I made 0 mods to any of them and I cleaned them most of the time when i got home from the range. Sometimes I didnt. I jhust don not understand this reliability issue people talk with the 1911s. I have had 0 FTF or FTEs on any of them. Obviously YMMV, but that spread of diff 1911s would make most rethink this nonsense of reliability.

ETA: The SA GI model for instance, I purchased 200 rounds of independence ball ammo. To me it is shit ammo. All 200 rounds went down range and on target in a matter of 45 minutes or so. I went form gun store to the shooting range (not NRA) north of the Rifle Forest Ranger building. So this takes time crap is just that IMHO. Craptastic internet info.

What I'm trying to say is that 1911s are finicky. They require a dedication to their care that most modern pistols don't to be reliable. That being said they are also the most comfortable to carry because of their sllim profile so they are absolutely (to me) worth the extra effort.

[DD977GM2]

Get the nicest 1911 that you can afford. Personally I would go with a Springfield Loaded in 5". You can usually find them for around $750-$850 bucks.
Good Luck
For what its worth, my oldest son is 12 and has been shooting the 1911s I have had and even then not FTE due to his smaller size and potential for limp wristing. Again, I dont understand this take time and reliabilty issues you all speak of.

I'm thinking of getting a 1911. I'm going to use it for my CCW and replace my full size S&W 9mm Sigma. I think something with a 4" barrel. I have been checking out my buddies Springfield and I like it. I've never owned one and wanted to get some suggestions from you guys. I want it to look good, easy to clean and go bang every time I pull the trigger, without breaking the bank. What's the most bang for the buck with a decent resale value? Any suggestions?

[Rigger]

I agree with above. I have never had an issue with my 1911. I trust it more than my issued m9. I would def look at the features of the para and compare it with the springfield before making a purchase. But both are just as reliable. Remember its called a 1911 because the design came out in 1911. And here we are 99 years later and lots of people would still trust it with their lives. That should say something.

[DD977GM2]

Huge +1. I have never shot a Para, but I wouldnt doubt its reliability or ability to eat anything you feed it and going bang when you pull the trigger.

I agree with above. I have never had an issue with my 1911. I trust it more than my issued m9. I would def look at the features of the para and compare it with the springfield before making a purchase. But both are just as reliable. Remember its called a 1911 because the design came out in 1911. And here we are 99 years later and lots of people would still trust it with their lives. That should say something.

[blackford76]

I had a Remington Rand 1911 that would on accasion fail to extract,never did figure it out. Had a wierd day when I had an ejected round flip backwards ans the slide caught it and tried to feed it. Later the same day the same thing happened with my buddy. I was shooting a SA GI, and he was shooting a Rock Island.