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Thread: Current state of the 1911 industry?

  1. #11
    Site Supporter Elwin's Avatar
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    Sample size of one etc., but my Ed Brown EVO is a 9mm that runs damn well so far, and it’s a design that took a lot of queues from what Wilson has done to make 9mm guns work (especially the EDC9 and X9 series). It’s also a little softer on the wallet than comparable guns, hovering at around 2k instead of 3 or 4.

    That’s all I’ve got to add for this thread, though I’ll be reading plenty.

  2. #12
    Quote Originally Posted by TC215 View Post
    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.
    To be fair on this, though, I know of more than one FBI team that had trouble keeping the Pro’s running.

    Which is just another reminder that 1911’s are not the best gun for an issued duty pistol.

  3. #13
    Quote Originally Posted by TC215 View Post
    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.
    .

    Could you elaborate on this? What is the direction you feel they are going, relative to your opinion of where they were?

  4. #14
    Quote Originally Posted by MandoWookie View Post
    Could you elaborate on this? What is the direction you feel they are going, relative to your opinion of where they were?
    Some of it is cosmetic— I prefer the look of some of the older models. I believe they’ve also changed vendors for frames/slides.

    They lost several good ‘smiths/employees in NY (not sure if that was due to the strict lockdown rules or what), and now all DW warranty work is being handles by a CZ ‘smith in Kansas City, who was allegedly recently trained to work on 1911’s (I have heard good things about him, though).

  5. #15
    Site Supporter KevH's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by TC215 View Post
    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.
    My experience with Ed Brown has been pretty mixed. We've had at least three guys that have had to send their gun back multiple times. I've heard it's getting better, but in the past their customer service, to be quite blunt, sucked.

    I've seen some of the folks on here complain about Wilson guns. We had nearly twenty running at one time (would have been around 2010). They all seemed to work and when there was an issue Wilson took care of it. I ordered an aluminum framed 5" 9mm CQB for myself about six months ago. Once it's here I'll let you all know how it runs. If it sucks, I'll let you know that too.

    I think we've had to replace or refit something (plunger tube, extractor, etc) on just about every sub-$2000 1911 we have in service. From a starting point I've been pretty happy with the TRP, the MC Operator and the LB Operator.

    Any team that collectively purchases 1911's is going to have problems, no matter who the manufacturer is, for a variety of reasons. Keeping on top of a fleet of 1911's to keep them running is a time intensive job...especially when they're issued to people that can't maintain the gun themselves. Glocks or M&P's is a piece of cake. I'm not sorry at all that younger guys have been gravitating to polymer guns since it's made my job much easier.

    I used to own a Springfield Professional. It was ok, but I don't think they're the end all be all like I once did. They were a steal when they were $1950 LE price (that's what I paid for mine), but you were stuck with super sharp 20 LPI checkering, no undercut, and a ridiculously tight barrel bushing. With the price they're going for now I think there are probably better options out there than when the FBI spec'ed it nearly 25 years ago.

  6. #16
    The R in F.A.R.T RevolverRob's Avatar
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    The questions here have to be redirected into the correct context.

    1) What is the intended use of the gun in question?
    2) What is the budget for the intended gun?

    For Range Use: Any of them.

    For Carry/Duty: Dan Wesson (1-2k), Springfield Pro (2-3k), Alchemy (3k+)

    But if it were me - I'd wait another 6-12 months for the new CZolts to start showing up and see how the quality on them is. I'm hoping the acquisition if Colt by CZ results in better QC from Colt. Leveling them back up in the game.

  7. #17
    What is the consensus on the Colt Competition 1911s I have been seeing locally for around $900? Or current Colt production in general?

  8. #18
    Quote Originally Posted by RevolverRob View Post
    The questions here have to be redirected into the correct context.

    1) What is the intended use of the gun in question?
    2) What is the budget for the intended gun?

    For Range Use: Any of them.

    For Carry/Duty: Dan Wesson (1-2k), Springfield Pro (2-3k), Alchemy (3k+)

    But if it were me - I'd wait another 6-12 months for the new CZolts to start showing up and see how the quality on them is. I'm hoping the acquisition if Colt by CZ results in better QC from Colt. Leveling them back up in the game.
    Wait, did CZ actually purchase Colt? I though that was just speculation that they could?
    And yes I will definitely not be purchasing anything for at least the next 6 months.
    Speculative upper budget is in the $1500 range, but honestly, anything above $900 gets progressively harder to sell myself on.

    As I am not LE, duty use isn't my concern, but it might be for others.

  9. #19
    Quote Originally Posted by KevH View Post
    My experience with Ed Brown has been pretty mixed. We've had at least three guys that have had to send their gun back multiple times. I've heard it's getting better, but in the past their customer service, to be quite blunt, sucked.

    I've seen some of the folks on here complain about Wilson guns. We had nearly twenty running at one time (would have been around 2010). They all seemed to work and when there was an issue Wilson took care of it. I ordered an aluminum framed 5" 9mm CQB for myself about six months ago. Once it's here I'll let you all know how it runs. If it sucks, I'll let you know that too.

    I think we've had to replace or refit something (plunger tube, extractor, etc) on just about every sub-$2000 1911 we have in service. From a starting point I've been pretty happy with the TRP, the MC Operator and the LB Operator.

    Any team that collectively purchases 1911's is going to have problems, no matter who the manufacturer is, for a variety of reasons. Keeping on top of a fleet of 1911's to keep them running is a time intensive job...especially when they're issued to people that can't maintain the gun themselves. Glocks or M&P's is a piece of cake. I'm not sorry at all that younger guys have been gravitating to polymer guns since it's made my job much easier.

    I used to own a Springfield Professional. It was ok, but I don't think they're the end all be all like I once did. They were a steal when they were $1950 LE price (that's what I paid for mine), but you were stuck with super sharp 20 LPI checkering, no undercut, and a ridiculously tight barrel bushing. With the price they're going for now I think there are probably better options out there than when the FBI spec'ed it nearly 25 years ago.

    I’ve just had one Ed Brown (4.25”, bobtail) and it was very nice and ran great (just one on a long list of guns I shouldn’t have sold). I used their customer service to have some custom work done. Service was good, but that was when Justin was there— not sure how it is now.

    Of my five Wilsons, 3 have had issues (all were purchased 2016 or after). Two had to go back to the factory, one had to go back twice. @Pit had some serious issues as well. I’d buy another Wilson, probably, but they wouldn’t be my first choice.

    The SWAT team I was on when I was a local issued Sig 1911’s. They ran surprisingly well (I still wasn’t a fan, and carried a personal DW), and most of the problems were stupid stuff— magazine issues, loose magwells, sights falling off, etc.

    I’ve always been of the opinion that the Pro is a good $2200-$2400 1911. No way I’d pay $3000+ for one. I sold mine and kept my DW Specialist.

    I was a die hard 1911 guy for a long time, and have owned 40+ over the years. I’m down to one now. I have to carry Glocks at my current agency. They don’t have a soul like a good 1911, but they get the job done for a lot less money, and I have less to worry about.

  10. #20
    Abducted by Aliens Borderland's Avatar
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    I had four 1911's until a few months ago. I'm down to two now and only one gets used. So I'm not real nuts about them like I used to be. I carry something else and the one I shoot is a target pistol/range toy. There is nothing I enjoy shooting more than a 1911 and I will probably have one or two around for a long time. 45 ACP is my favorite pistol cartridge.

    I wouldn't have a clue about buying anything new. My Gold Cup has always delivered. I've had it for about 10 years and never had an issue with it. I probably got one built on Wednesday.
    In the P-F basket of deplorables.

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