Help me select between

[philipc5]

I went to my local Gun Shope and found 3 1911's...

[Joni Lynn]

.....and you don't want all three?

[philipc5]

May I please get some opinions about which one to get?

1: Colt M1991A1 Series 80. It has already been to our local Shooting Range Gunsmith to have work done on it as well as a good look over. It has Hogue grips on it. A few scratches from being a carry gun. Cost before taxes $ 759.

2: Springfield Custom Loaded FULL-SIZE 1911-A1. It also has a few scratches from being a carry gun. It's a Tactical Combat Black Stainless Steel. Cost before taxes $599.

3. Kimber Desert Warrior. Brand new. Cost before taxes 1159.

I don't know much about the Series 80 from Colt. I have read from the M-1911 Technical Issues page. Selecting a 1911 from SargeMO, I don't believe he mentioned the Series 80 from Colt. Anyway, I would appreciate any help you could give.. Thanks in advance!!!

[philipc5]

Yes, I would love all 3.

[Joni Lynn]

Gee, new sounds good..........but the Springfield has an attractive price. I think I'f have to handle them and then consider how much I wanted to spend on which one or two of them.
I'd probably look at the COlt first, with the other two being a toss up.

[gottripletsNC]

The Springfield custom black tactical, my brother in law bought one about 6 months ago for about 650, so 599 for a used one is a little high.

I don't like the idea of the FP safety in the series 80's, and I don't care much for Kimbers so....

ain't much help, but I do like the looks of the Desert Warrior however.

[philipc5]

I have been to several Gun Shops in my area, The prices at this shop have been some of the best I've seen in the area. Most of the shops around here are pretty close to the Manufactures Website prices. Which I must admit surprises me for Arizona.

[Rio Vista Slim]

I'd probably look at the COlt first, with the other two being a toss up.
philipc5,
I am in complete agreement with Lynnie on this one. Your post makes it sound as if a gunsmith has gone through the 1991A1 with a fine tooth comb, and pronounced it fit for duty. That price, however, is a little high for a used gun. See if you can get him to lower it, some.

Brian is correct in his assessment of the price of the Springfield.

He and I feel differently about the Series 80 firing pin safety, but that's the nature of this forum. You get both sides. :D

As far as the Kimber Desert Warrior is concerned, I, too, like the looks of it.
I would like to give Kimber just a little more time, though, to get their quality control issues straightened out. This is nothing against Kimber firearms, just a little caution on my part. Of the five Kimbers that I owned in the past, four of them ran like a top!

[philipc5]

I don't really have a price issue. I mean, I came within an inch of buying a Ed Brown Kobra Carry. I think that I need to decide if I want a new or used gun. maybe I'm wrong but do I really need to choose from Nighthawk, Wilson or Brown and spend $2000 plus to get a very good solid 1911?

[philipc5]

Thank You everyone! I'm new to the 1911 field, as well as this forum and I'm reading and trying to digest everything I can. I appreciate your advice and opinions.

[Hunter]

I would get the Colt no question. The Series 80 firing pin system works well in all my Colts and to me the Colt is the better made pistol of the three.

[gottripletsNC]

I don't really have a price issue. I mean, I came within an inch of buying a Ed Brown Kobra Carry. I think that I need to decide if I want a new or used gun. maybe I'm wrong but do I really need to choose from Nighthawk, Wilson or Brown and spend $2000 plus to get a very good solid 1911?

Not so much the price issue, but the fact that the prices are high for used. If you are that close to a new price on a used one, I would just go ahead and buy a new one.

If I had to pick of the three though, I would go with the Colt. As Steve said, we mite see differently on the safety, It works without flaw from what I hear, I just like one without a FP safety, like my SA. Couple less parts to break or wear out.

[Click Click Boom]

If money isnt a major factor I would take the Desert Warrior. Im not a big Kimber fan but I lvoe the Desert Warrior.

[jeff1124]

I have 3 Colts with the series 80 safety and have had no issues with them. I have a Full sized Springfield Loaded and think it's a wonderful gun. I think the Desert Warrior is a beautiful looking gun, if you're leaning that way, make sure it's got the internal extractor. Some Kimber owners had issues with the external ones so Kimber went back to putting internals in their II guns.

[rollback88]

All three are fine pistols. Forced to pick, I'd give the edge to the Kimber.

Almost typed Colt instead, but the price and, even though a smith as looked it over, it doesn't sound like the best deal. Of course, you said price is not that big of a concern, a Colt Gold Cup can be had for around $1000 give or take.

I am a fan of Kimber (at least the one I have SS Gold Match II), but it would be nice to have a Colt.

my .03 (inflation/gas prices :))

--jcd

[jeff1124]

I have a Colt XSE light weight Commander coming that cost what your used one is going for and it's NIB! I recall paying just a shade over 700.00 for my 1991A1 SS Gov't Model. So, yes the price of the Colt is too high for a used one in my opinion. In the long run, you have to live with what you pick....just trying to give you info to help you decide! Good luck! :)

[Click Click Boom]

I payed $700 plus tax for my Colt Gov. XSE at a gunshow. It was new. Offer the guy $500 for the colt.

[pa_guns]

Hi

For between $800 and $1000 you should be able to find several different models of Colt brand new with all the paperwork. The same price range should get you a SW 1911, also NIB.

I have a major problem with paying "almost new" prices for used pistols. That's just me, a lot of people must be very willing to pay those kind of prices. You see them priced that way every day of the week.

One alternative if you are really out in the middle of nowhere is an internet purchase. You buy the pistol and it's mailed to a FFL holder near you. You pay the shipping, and something like $25 to $50 to the FFL. On a brand new pistol the process is normally pretty low risk.

Bob

[jeff1124]

One alternative if you are really out in the middle of nowhere is an internet purchase. You buy the pistol and it's mailed to a FFL holder near you. You pay the shipping, and something like $25 to $50 to the FFL. On a brand new pistol the process is normally pretty low risk.

Bob
I've bought several guns over the internet. I've compared prices and been able to beat the price w/ sales tax on the net from the stores like Gander Mountain etc. If you shop a bit you can find sellers that ship for 15 - 20 bux, my FFL charges me 20 bux to transfer. Buying used that way can be scary unless you have a lot of pix to look at and some places, like Auction Arms, have rating systems for used weapons and seem to be fairly accurate in descriptions. But buying NIB is a lot less risky. Budsgunshop seems to have nice prices on guns and a good rep.