Current state of the 1911 industry?

[MandoWookie]

Out of curiosity, what is the current state of the 1911 industry?
Which companies are making the best examples in their price range?
Are Kimbers still pretty looking razor blades shaped into 1911 form?
Are the Ruger SR1911s a good option in the $700 to $900 dollar range?
Is 9mm still full of alchemy and witchcraft to work in the platform, or has it been figured out?
If someone was looking into buying a 1911 in the current year, what would be the recommendation, relative to budget, experience, and intended use?

[Gumby]

Popping some corn for this thread😎

[JAD]

I have not gone wrong buying and recommending Dan Wessons to folks looking for a don’t fuck with it 1911. If you’re willing to invest in something prettier I still think the best look is an S70 and a full house build. If you want to spend less than DW money I don’t have suggestions. And I, at least, am over 9mm 1911s. The platform works real good in .45, .45 is nicer to reload, and the extra round isn’t worth the squeeze to me.

[Rmiked]

I was in your shoes for the last year. I just bought my first 1911. Got a Dan Wesson Specialist in 10mm. I think they have it figured out. It is a tight pistol but I believe it is broken in after 150 rounds but will continue to follow factory recommendations. It is not cheap at $1850. But it has every feature you could want and is an amazing pistol. The features I like are front and back strap checkering, beveled mag well, front and rear cocking serrations, tritium “straight 8” type night sights, ambi safety, accessory rail, aggressive VZ grips, and a serrated rib on top of slide. It is really a deluxe pistol.

[MandoWookie]

I have not gone wrong buying and recommending Dan Wessons to folks looking for a don’t fuck with it 1911. If you’re willing to invest in something prettier I still think the best look is an S70 and a full house build. If you want to spend less than DW money I don’t have suggestions. And I, at least, am over 9mm 1911s. The platform works real good in .45, .45 is nicer to reload, and the extra round isn’t worth the squeeze to me.

Going into 2020, my goal had been to purchase a 1911 and a Garand.
Then events overtook my ambitions, and that goal had to be sidelined.
I had settled on a Dan Wesson A2 as my ideal, pretty much being exactly what I think I want for features while retaining the classic look. And a Fulton Armory M1 in .308 to complement it, or vice versa. Neither would have any practical purpose beyond range use and satisfaction of ownership, but as I have a brace of Glocks for actual carry and practice pure utility is covered.
Come the new year, and I find the A2 has been discontinued, and Fulton has suspended taking orders for the foreseeable future, time to restart evaluation of the options out there. The long process of research and saving begins anew.

[MandoWookie]

I was in your shoes for the last year. I just bought my first 1911. Got a Dan Wesson Specialist in 10mm. I think they have it figured out. It is a tight pistol but I believe it is broken in after 150 rounds but will continue to follow factory recommendations. It is not cheap at $1850. But it has every feature you could want and is an amazing pistol. The features I like are front and back strap checkering, beveled mag well, front and rear cocking serrations, tritium “straight 8” type night sights, ambi safety, accessory rail, aggressive VZ grips, and a serrated rib on top of slide. It is really a deluxe pistol.

The Centimeter has been a cartridge that has always spoke to me, but I can never figure out what its saying. I just cannot have it and 1911 fit together in my head. I don't know why.

[KevH]

There are a few good threads (one extremely long...here: https://pistol-forum.com/showthread....r-1911-Running) that are full of good info.

Your question is very open ended and leads to subjective responses. What is the gun going to be used for?

After a couple decades of dealing with police armorer issues with 1911's of various qualities I've formed some pretty strong opinions. Others may feel differently.

If you want a 1911 to take to the range now and then and play with then a Kimber, Springfield, Ruger or one of the myriad of other quality manufacturers is fine. This is your $600 to $900 guns.

Normal patrol duty use where the guy shoots it five or six times a year max and carries it everyday? Springfield TRP or LB Operator guns are fine, so is the Dan Wesson range, especially with a little massaging. The $1200 to $1500 are fine here.

For SWAT guys or firearms staff that shoot at least every couple weeks, blow through at least 500 rounds a month, and carry the gun on duty...you either need at least a Wilson quality gun or a gun that has been completely overhauled with quality parts and fit by someone that knows what they're doing. It's pay-to-play so you are in the $3k plus range.

It's easy to make a 45 ACP gun run because that's what everyone knows how to do and what the modern 1911 was meant to run with.

9mm can be finicky, but can be made to work just fine.

I see less and less cops wanting to carry the 1911 these days. 1911's were the shiz about 10 to 20 years ago. Plastic guns rule the day now.

[TC215]

Normal patrol duty use where the guy shoots it five or six times a year and carries it everyday? Springfield TRP or LB Operator guns are fine, so is the Dan Wesson range, especially with a little massaging. The $1200 to $1500 are fine here.

For SWAT guys or firearms staff that shoot at least every couple weeks, blow through at least 500 rounds a month, and carry the gun on duty...you either need at least a Wilson quality gun or a gun that has been completely overhauled with quality parts and fit by someone that knows what they're doing. It's pay-to-play so you are in the $3k plus range.

Dan Wesson worked just fine for me for SWAT/firearms instructor duty. I will say, though, I’m not necessarily crazy about the direction the company is headed. I’m sure they still make good guns though.

There’s been several of us here that have had serious issues with Wilson Combat guns the last few years. If I was going to order one right now, Alchemy would get my money, or maybe Ed Brown.

Only Springfield I’d consider carrying on duty would be a Pro. I know of teams using the TRP that have issues keeping them running.

[MandoWookie]

There are a few good threads (one extremely long...here: https://pistol-forum.com/showthread....r-1911-Running) that are full of good info.

Your question is very open ended and leads to subjective responses. What is the gun going to be used for?

After a couple decades of dealing with police armorer issues with 1911's of various qualities I've formed some pretty strong opinions.

If you want a 1911 to take to the range now and then and play with then a Kimber, Springfield, or one of the myriad of other quality manufacturers is fine. This is your $600 to $900 guns.

Normal patrol duty use where the guy shoots it five or six times a year and carries it everyday? Springfield TRP or LB Operator guns are fine, so is the Dan Wesson range, especially with a little massaging. The $1200 to $1500 are fine here.

For SWAT guys or firearms staff that shoot at least every couple weeks, blow through at least 500 rounds a month, and carry the gun on duty...you either need at least a Wilson quality gun or a gun that has been completely overhauled with quality parts and fit by someone that knows what they're doing. It's pay-to-play so you are in the $3k plus range.

It's easy to make a 45 ACP gun run because that's what everyone knows how to do and what the modern 1911 was meant to run with.

9mm can be finicky, but can be made to work.

I see less and less cops wanting to carry the 1911 these days. 1911's were the shiz about 10 years ago. Plastic guns rule the day now.

My question is deliberately open ended, because my intention was to spark discussion and invite a broad range of perspectives on the industry.

My own experience is limited, and my use is definitely in that range toy range.
But I know my limited firing time with rentals and friends 1911s might be limiting my perspective, so having a broad range of opinions could help me decide better where on the scale I want to direct my efforts.

[MandoWookie]

Dan Wesson worked just fine for me for SWAT/firearms instructor duty. I will say, though, I’m not necessarily crazy about the direction the company is headed. I’m sure they still make good guns though.

There’s been several of us here that have had serious issues with Wilson Combat guns the last few years. If I was going to order one right now, Alchemy would get my money, or maybe Ed Brown.

Only Springfield I’d consider carrying on duty would be a Pro. I know of teams using the TRP that have issues keeping them running.

This is why I thought it worthwhile to start a new thread and not just rely on older discussions. Company's can shift rapidly in reputation in a short time, especially after the large upheavals in the industry that has occurred over the last year.