[chuckman]

I like the Colt. I don't like the Kimber (personal preference...other folks love 'em, and that's OK, too). There really isn't anything wrong with any of your choices. Sir, you are suffering from "paralysis by analysis." Just get one.

[chuckman]

This is a very, very common question. Can someone make a sticky with 1911s and price ranges, pros and cons?

[Officer's Match]

Originally Posted by txbonds

Thanks for all the feedback so far. I went to the gunshow this morning and this followed me home to be my first 1911:

Kimber Compact CDP - Series 1 - with Laser Grip & night sights








Hopefully I made a good choice for my first 1911. The action seems to be pretty smooth. The feed ramp looks to have been polished. It cycles snap caps very well. Unfortunately, it's raining and I may not get to try it out until next weekend.

Only thing I don't really like is the backstrap. It's very rough, and I think I'd prefer something more similar to the cuts on the front of the grip.

Any comments, thoughts, or things I should look for?

That's a flat out home run. You can spend (a lot) more and not get a better carry 1911. That's a great choice.

[Officer's Match]

Originally Posted by txbonds

You're saying series 1 is better build?


So other than the firing pin safety being tied to the grip safety, it's similar but with maybe better build quality?

I'm not sure if I over paid for it or not, but got it with the box, rosewood grips, manual, 1 kimber mag, and crimson trace grips for $999. Night sights still glow, but could probably be brighter. My way of thinking was that if you took away $200 for laser grips, it meant paying about $799 for the pistol itself which I thought made sense.

Oh yes, and I weighed it on the kitchen scale and it comes in at 27.25 oz without mag, and 29.5 with empty mag.

Assuming the pistol is in good operating conditions, that is a very good deal, actually a great deal. Kimber was not doing quite as much volume back then and their QC problems have risen considerably since the Series II's have been in production. There was even an ill fated attempt to switch to external extractors, which thankfully Kimber has abandoned.

[txbonds]

Thanks for all the comments.

This is replacing a Glock 26 for everyday carry. Just wanted a larger caliber and always wanted a 1911. I know glocks have their own safeties, but I was never able to get comfortable with CCW'ing with a chambered glock. Almost got to the point of putting a thumb safety on my glock, but decided to just switch platforms instead.


So, back to magazines, what would be the best brand 7rd magazine to put in this to remain reliable and to keep a flush fit in the grip?

[HAIL CAESAR]

The Series 1, or pre series II is a much better gun than the series II!!

The difference is no Swartz safety and much better build quality.

You did GOOD!!!!

Remember if you have feed problems first try a Colt mag. If that doesn't clear it up then get a Wolff spring specifically for the Kimber 4 inchers. Last resort try a Wilson Combat mag. I almost guaranty that it will work fine. If not the remedies above will take care of issues.

Take this for what it is worth;
I hate Kimbers. New Kimbers that is. But I'd own that gun in a heartbeat, especially with the Crimson trace Grips.

[Glockernaut]

Originally Posted by bac1023

LOL!

I think the Spatan is the best enhanced 1911 in the $650 range.

I am looking at this one myself for my first 1911, but dont mind spending a little more if necessary. What would SW 1911, DW valor, DW pointman, SA TRP or even a STI trojan offer over the spartan(if any).

[Glockernaut]

I am looking to get my first 1911. Looking for something in the $600-900 range. I have been looking hard at the SW 1911's,and held a DK model at a gunshop and it was a better fit and finish than had originally thought. The feedback on SW has been good on this forum. What does the Doug Koenig model offer over the standard model. I know it had an upgraded mag well and squared trigger, but what about the other internals. I can beat all the prices on gunbroker for on the DK model.

I also have this little thought that I should get the STI spartan and add/build some upgraded parts later...what do you experienced guys think? How close is the STI spartan to the SW, and what does the DK model add to the equation besides looking great . I have searched this forum through and through and have come down to these models.

[GVFlyer]

Tough question. I like the STI Spartan a lot, but I've also been looking at the S&W1911 Compact ES with the Scandium frame.

[GearGuru]

To each his own, I carry a SW 1911PD daily and in my experience, the S&W's are just not really particular to what they are fed and seem to function with a variety of aftermarket mags. Mine likes ACT, Wilson, Chip Mc and Nighthawk mags just fine. Never hiccuped except with 45+P and a recoil spring change fixed that as well.

The DK has a flat trigger which takes some getting used to "for me anyways" but is a really good shooter. Had one in 45. Wish I still did. The S&W will take most aftermarket access. such as mainspring housings, guide rods, triggers etc. just as the STI and it has a lifetime warranty.

Only shot STI's a few times, likes them, but not as much as my Smith's

[Ghost Tracker]

It's currently the "Golden Age" of 1911 offerings. Quality control & the amazing tolerances made possible by modern CNC equipment (tighter, slicker, faster, cheaper) have not only given us more GREAT options but have required the serious 1911 manufacturers to become & stay competitive with each other. S&W and STI are perfect examples. Pick your poison. You're gonna' find opinions on both sides of the fence, but none that say you've made a terrible choice! I like S&W better. But ONLY because I've had such (complete) satisfaction with past S&W Customer Service. Their professionalism has earned my repeat business. I've had no dealings with STI. But I suspect they're every bit a good.

[okie]

Originally Posted by swatbwana

STI it's a real 1911 and you will learn how they work..

The smith has a crappy FP safety and an external extractor.
Except for Gear Gurus gun I have seen it , the Scandium guns shoot nice

I forgot about Smith having the FP safety, the STI for sure

[bac1023]

The Spartan has my vote as the best entry level 1911 on the market.

[Mayhem like Me]

Originally Posted by Glockernaut

What is the difference in the quality of the internals, beavertail, trigger, barrel etc between the SW and spartan. When comparing the spartan and trojan what upgrades are made to justify the higher price.

Trojan has no MIM fire control parts the Spartan does.

Spartan is on par with the Smith as far as internals the trojan has higher quality internals, hammer, sear Slide stop.

[Ruggles]

Had both myself. I really like STI and still have my STI Lawman (great 1911), also STI is Texas born & bred and so I am. That being said I have the base S&W model 5" 1911 (108285) and I think it is a much better 1911 than the Spartan I had. The Spartan was solidly built but had two issues which I did not care for.

1. Too tight, I thought my Baer was tight, this thing made it look like a WWII production gun! Maybe not that much difference but the Spartan was too tight for my liking.
2. Thumb safety snapped right in half during use. Not a huge deal but it was not really under any excess stress when it occurred.

The Spartan is as stated not a true STI in reality but still a very nice 1911, I just prefer the S&W. I am not really concerned about the EE as it works perfectly, S&W did it right on the EE. The FPS does not bother me either.

Not sure if you could go wrong with either but I vote S&W.

[bac1023]

Both are good 1911s.

[sdsnet]

Why not get a Colt Series 70 Reproduction for $999 ? They are beautiful pistols.

[Glockernaut]

If the quality of the internals are close between the SW and Spartan, which would have the better slide to frame fit and serve best as a base model for future upgrades. Are the SW/STI slides and frames casted or forged? DO either of these actually serve better than say a less expensive SA mil spec as a base for future upgrades?

[skeeter1959]

Originally Posted by Ruggles

Never used a flat trigger before, I prefer a solid short trigger in my 1911s but I would love to try the flat trigger someday. Do you like it better than a standard trigger? As in will you switch out you standard triggers for the flat in your other 1911s?

For me, the flat trigger helps me get the pad of my finger on the trigger more consistantly. I don't have to think about it like I do with the other 1911 I have (Para GI).

Note: I am a long time rifle/shotgun shooter and I have just gotten the pistol bug since I got my CHL, so I'm a noobie at all of the 1911 pistol stuff.

[HAIL CAESAR]

Originally Posted by txbonds

I'm pretty certain this mainspring housing is metal. It is a bit too rough for sure. I've had a few other folks check it out and they agree that it's pretty sharp.

I'm looking at alternates now.

If it is metal then it is stainless steel. That is a good thing as it is metal and is a good part. You can use a file on that too to knock off the tips of the checkering. Start off with one draw stroke at a time and test to your preference.

[Mayhem like Me]

STI spartan = cast

S&W = Forged

[txbonds]

Originally Posted by HAIL CAESAR

If it is metal then it is stainless steel. That is a good thing as it is metal and is a good part. You can use a file on that too to knock off the tips of the checkering. Start off with one draw stroke at a time and test to your preference.

I may very well try this first before jumping to replace it. It's mainly at the very bottom near the butt of the gun that is at issue due to the shortness of the grip it is digging into my palm.

[FM12]

Well.I HAD a S&W sku 108284, but had to sell it for some reason. It was the best 1911 I've ever had or even shot. I am sick now, cant replace it for what I had in the first one. The best one, I say, out of about 25 or so 1911s, including several Gold Cups.

[bootsx]

Originally Posted by swatbwana

Don't believe what you read, believe what you see Pick up a Spartan and look at the hammer the mold line is visible.

Just spoke to Jay Dunlap at STI and the fire control parts are EDM wire cut forgings. So the record is straight.

[HAIL CAESAR]

Originally Posted by txbonds

Someone told me that I should go ahead and order a new recoil and FP spring when I bought it. Maybe the recoil spring is the issue. I have no clue how many rounds had been fired in this when I purchased it, so I don't have a good measure for life cycle unless I start my own by replacing the springs.

Any thoughts? Thanks.

That would be me about replacing the recoil spring with the correct Wolff spring. It is the first thing I used to do when getting one. It is the first thing I ever tried when there were issues with the 4 inch Kimbers and it fixed 95 percent of the feed issues.