In fact, the armed forces procured around 2.7 million M1911 and M1911A1 pistols in military contracts during its service life. Conversely, with a Glock 17, I have two out of the box with no cleaning, no lube, and no mods whatsoever. The Colt M1900 had been released in .38 ACP, and America was fighting the Philippine-American War. zero issues. 1911 fans called Glocks Tupperware guns and plastic fantastics. Glock fans countered with claims that 1911s were antiques that were heavy, unreliable, and had a low ammunition capacity. Some folks treat their guns as an extension of their bodies and even personalities, not just as a utilitarian tool. The Quaker State Q Motor Oil is expensive even after being such a bad quality oil. No truly the original would be Browning, as in John Moses Browning, or Springfield 1911 the Armory you know the one John F Kennedy shut. This becomes even more critical with a gun. The 1911-B is and upgraded 1911 in 9mm with various features. Norinco made fair to middling 1911s. I cant believe Dan Wesson wasnt on this list. The slides were 17-4 DOUBLE HEAT TREATED SS. There are lots of Llamas still on the market. : An Honest Look at Ohios Armed Teacher Laws - Part 2, Ohio Slashes Gun Training Requirement for Teachers? Gun KnowledgeGun LawsNewsReviewsStatistics, AccessoriesHandgunsRiflesScopes & OpticsShotguns. I shot MANY 1911s over my lifetime, and handled even more after my retirement, and becoming an FFL (for fun, not for profit). Be sure to give it enough time and rounds, lubricate long bearing-bearing surfaces and expect some malfunctions during this time. My chosen holster was a jackass rig that I covered with a windbreaker. The early 2000s brought about a renaissance for the 1911. the Chinese Norinco ENHANCED Govt and Commander models, which come with adjustable sights, extended everything, ambi safeties, etc. For example, Canadians love the M305, which is a Norinco copy of the M14, which they designed by reverse engineering captured American m14s from the Vietnam war. Finally, many foreign countries built their own 1911s. Then, we will jump into an outline of companies who make these guns. Some are bare bones, but sometimes its all you need to cover self-defense necessities with a sturdy and reliable handgun. These can be things like fitting quality triggers with adjustable over-travel stops or installing match-grade barrels/bushings, which allow them to fire far more accurately than factory-standard handguns. They also come in a variety of calibers, ranging from .38 up to .45 (there are others, but those are uncommon, for instance, the .50GI ). Designed by Armscor, the pistol follows the lines of the original WWII patent carefully. The price alone is another reason why the 1911 is not for everyone. Not sure why firearms were singled out since we import practically everything else from China, but they were. A 'pre-CZ' Colt will probably go up in value in the future. The 1911 pistol is the most manufactured pistol in world history. The gun is designed to be hand fit and built. Since the 1911pistol is a standard, whenever a gun company is expected to be taken seriously, it developsa 1911of its own. !1911philes are stark staring NUTS. The tactical gun from Wilson is just what SWAT units and Military Special Operations have in their holsters. Some very well-known companies helped, to include Remington Rand, Ithaca, Springfield . Gun News Daily has been reporting on gun news and conservative politics since 2001. It can be used immediately, with no breaking-in period required. As you have seen throughout our list, there are many different 1911s out there with many different features. Hi-Point 9mm. Failures to extract top the list, but failures to feed are far too common. Those . It's an award-winning brand. Depending on your needs and budget there is always 1911 out there for you. Caliber: 45 ACP Barrel Length: 5" Weight: approximately 40 ounces with an unloaded magazine inserted 5" Government model slide, single stack government model frame. 1911 pistols manufactured by Wilson are often unreliable, and users have reported problems with the slide stop pins breaking. It would be the last gun I would part with. To its credit, Whirlpool pioneered the first automatic washing machine in the late 1940s. I customized two of them (out of four that I sold to friends) with beavertail safeties, ambidextrous thumb safeties, skeleton triggers, etc. This is a gun that is built to last and retain its quality over the years with almost no need for additional work or fixing. Who can forget the scene in We Were Soldiers where Sgt Major Plumley stands in the midst of a wild firefight, calmly picking off attacking North Vietnamese soldiers with his 1911? Why is My Samsung Dishwasher Not Draining (With Videos)? The history of the 1911 is well known. Most of them will end up as meme generators. You are using an out of date browser. Springfield Armory produces several different models of 1911 pistol, including the Range Officer Elite Champion Compact model and the XD series of polymer-framed handguns chambered for .45 ACP cartridges featuring double-action/single-action (DA/SA) triggers. Assuming that you will be shooting it a lot, the initial cost of the pistol fades into oblivion after you buy ammo, magazines, holsters, and all the other things that make owning any pistol fun and worthwhile. And shot well enough, including three Canadian IpSC Nationals, to make B class. Plenty of revolvers were on the market, but if you wanted a pistol, it would likely be a 1911. One thing that many people don't realize, however, is that the demand for them was so high during the war that Colt contracted out to other companies to help keep production numbers up.. So, what would be a good alternative to a Norinco 1911? But if you are willing to search the used market or ask around, you may be able to find this. Well, if youre looking for a pistol that very well combines flashy design as well as reliable, powerful performance, then we recommend you check out theRuger SR1911. 10 yards in a quarter all eight rounds. 1911 pistols from Charles Daly are usually very inexpensive and poorly constructed. We recommend you check out theSpringfield Armory 1911model. Got one for $1310. Have had no problem with either, I also own a few center-fire pistols, but theres something special about carrying a piece of American history on your side. You want to talk reliability? Next up, we will evaluate some of these features. I shot expert with it on the old WWII GI/USMC qualifier (on the 4th try). What is it about the 1911 pistol that has created this enduring legacy and following? That is a solid assumption for that class of guns. I spent a few years competing in IpSC with one of my DETONICS COMBAT MASTER PISTOLS. They were known for poor extractors, and many internal parts would work loose over time. Over 6000 test rounds were performed at the time on this piece of metal, which was the only one to emerge from the competition with other notable brands such asSmith Wesson and Savage. Affordability Vs. Recommended as a great gun for a beginner since it is supposed to work flawlessly straight out of the box. I have shot almost every 1911 made. But that isn't the case. The 1911 pistol is a Colt design that has been in production for over a century and has earned its reputation among civilian, military, and police as being a reliable, hard-hitting weapon that many folks happily carry every day to protect their lives or the lives of others. For now, however, we're going to advise folks to avoid a Norinco 1911, especially as a concealed carry or duty gun. If you see any Randall pistol on the market , GRAB IT! The two eight rounds magazines keep you in the game, while the skeletonized trigger is crisp and precise. in Ontario, California. However, this is irrelevant when youre creating a custom pistol. The motto guiding Nighthawk Custom is, One gun, one gunsmith at a time.. But, not all 1911s are created equal. The best way I have ever heard 1911 ownership explained was this: Go outside and look at your lawnmower. A fellow shooter. Glad I waited to get my full size. Nighthawk is a nice gun but required about 200 rounds to break in. Hey everyone I'm Chris. I have a number of higher end guns ( Nighthawk, Wilson,Brown, D Wesson and Baer. We do not have any new steel . 1911s made in China by Norinco are inferior to 1911s manufactured in the United States. If it is clean, maintained and taken care of, you are probably a 1911 person. Lets start with a few facts. The feel, the handling. I trust my life to it. Of course, we have divided our above list by price, and this is an excellent place to start. The best way to do this is to consider how you are actually going to be using the gun. Some of the other, major disadvantages of this Chinese replica of 1911 include; Norinco 1911 isnt worthy of your money and time. The nice thing about this piece is that is hammer forged, and you can see that by checking the serial numbers on the parts. In this article, we are going to tell you everything you need to know about this iconic gun. The empty case is then ejected by a kick in the rear, the slide is pushed forward by a spring and pulls a new cartridge from the angled magazine, depositing it into the firing chamber. Just dont be fooled into thinking you are getting an American-made 1911 Government Model. They have lowered the price point on most of their offerings. The skys the limit for the price tags on these pieces. Almost like the polishing crew skipped the one I bought, tool marks and rough metal everywhere. Therefore, it makes sense to select an accessory that speaks for itself. The 1917-1925 fenders are crown top. Just bought a RIA BBR 3.10 1911 and look forward to firing it soon. Not only will they have more quality parts and accessories, they may be durable and last longer. The key is deciding which features are important to you. However, some can be much higher priced (up to $2500). It was the first gun I ever bought and carried. This Colt Government model is a solid choice and makes our list of best 1911 pistols for good reason. It is difficult to find this pistol these days. However, many of these companies have not lived up to the 1911s standard for reliability and design quality. I would venture to say that I know a little bit about firearms. it came with a .22 barrel and another slide, which isnt too bad. What US military history does a Glock have? On the other hand, if the mower is shoved in the corner of the yard and covered in grass, you might want to consider a striker-fired gun. Remington is one of the first companies to build 1911s to help out Colt with their production during wartime. No folks,..Ontario is a city in SoCal, at the intersection of I-15, and I-10. They also tend to break and need repair. Many people over the years asked me what is the BEST 1911 out there, and this question is not easy to answer. If that isnt enough to make you not buy one, theres more. Each of these pistols is well over $1,000 as a starting point is built with exceptional detail, features, and style. Rock Island has very high praise and so does Kimber for good reason. I built some of the first Para match pistols in Canada. After changing mags and tripe to my pistol smith, tradedat apawn shop. Kel Tec Sub 2000 Review Focused On Mobility. What Are the Best Slugs for Whitetail Hunting? And I liked it better than the equivalent Kimber. I tend to prefer 70 series non-firing pin safety guns but 80 series work. Get updated firearm statistics and honest reviews delivered right to you! In fact, there is not one perfect gun that works well for everyone. Usually, displays no failures in either department, including feed, chamber, fire, or cartridge eject. )I just picked up for $320 is amazing for the price. One 1911 full-size, two 1911 compacts, a .38 Special M206 snubby revolver, and a 12 gauge pump shotgun. If you are really keen on this model, it may be worth the search. But that doesnt mean they were any good to start with. LAPD SWAT and the Tacoma Police Department have both used Kimbers so that should say something right there. Well, we had to include it because the Llama 1911s are still around and sold as super affordable 1911 pistols. In my humble opinion, it boils down to this. Starting with WWI, Remington also got a license to produce it along with other Canadian and local companies. Some are so old they qualify as Curio & Relic guns. Better yet, it was a fast-shooting autoloader that held 7+1 rounds. 1911 pistols produced by Taurus often have problems with their mag release buttons becoming stuck or breaking off while the pistol is being fired. Ant here you have it. I carried to the bank every Monday and Wednesday morning when I owned the bar. The 1911 pistol does not tolerate mass manufacturing well. Life-long Second Amendment Supporter. So, which 1911 is right for you? Unfortunately, affordablity isn't necessarily the most desirable trait in a weapon. I dropped bout $1,200 after opting to add 2 extra Wilson Combat magazines. 9. Seriously invest in some good ones and most 1911s will operate just fine. Rock Island is the name of an old, US government arsenal that made, among other things, great 1911 pistols. If youre looking for a gun to last you a lifetime, an investment in a well-known brand such as a Colt or a Springfield might give you the best value for your money. The result of this was a list of firearms companies building 1911s as long as your arm.