Posted: 9/1/2026 9:55:25 AM EDT
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I want to buy a quality 1911 in the next few months. So far, I have it narrowed down to the S&W SW1911 E Series and the Springfield TRP. I know I want the following features; 3 dot sights, front strap checkering, 70 series. A “nice to have” but not a deal breaker; magwell. What I like about the TRP; I like the tactical rack 3 dot tritium sights, cerakote finish, two piece magwell, and factory VZ Grips. Dislikes; the 20LPI is really aggressive and I’d like to replace the two piece guide rod. What I like about the SW1911; 30LPI front strap, three dot sights, front and rear slide serrations, and I like the external extractor What I don’t like; the standard doesn’t come with a magwell, and I don’t really like stainless guns. I looked at one of the performance center models with the magwell, but I didn’t like the adjustable sights (can’t pick up a plain front sight that well) and I didn’t like the slide cuts. But the trigger was pull was extremely nice. So, help me decide or give suggestions for any non Turkish 1911’s in the 1200-1600 range that would compare to the above two. |
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I'd go SA, personally. The E-Series checkering isn't sharp/aggressive enough for me and I don't like the external extractor, coming from a parts availability standpoint. That said, the E-Series guns are great. I know of a SWAT team that T&E'ed them and eventually issued them. They beat on them hard, the one and only issue that kept coming up with higher round count guns during testing was MSH pins were breaking (and not as common, plunger tubes), but this was under high round counts with +P ammo being used. This was over ten years ago now. If I personally went E-Series, I'd change out the MSH pin because of this. If you are dead set on the E-Series, send it out for black nitride or cerakote. That's what I'd do, I don't care for stainless guns, either. |
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I would get the TRP. You can always switch out to a GI style recoil plug and rod set up. That’s what I did with mine. The 20LPI checkering isn’t as bad as people make it out to be. I have 2 TRP Operators and a regular TRP. The checkering doesn’t bother me at all. Attached File Attached File |
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I haven't bought a S&W 1911 because of the external extractor = nope - you can get an internal extractor everywhere. Two piece magwell I have used to loosen up and had wiggle to it = had to apply the locktite to fix it. No problems with the one piece magwells = I like them way better. Out of your choices = TRP and don't look back. That's a nice gun. Change to a GI guide rod and done. My choice = Dan Wesson Valor. The current model is a lot of gun for the money. |
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Originally Posted By bad2006z71: TRP over S&W. Used Les Baer UTC or Custom Carry over either one.  Attached File |
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What makes the green grass grow?
| TRP hands down. SA will warranty anything that happens for life. Good luck dealing with SW. I bet you will get used to the 20 LPI and eventually prefer it over anything else. When I send guns out for checkering I always do 20 LPI after experiencing it on my first trp |
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Well, I did it. After going down the comparisons rabbit hole, and some recommendations from here… I bought a SS Valor. After reading the break in procedure in the manual, I noticed it advises against Slip2000 oil and recommended FP-10, Militec-1, MilCom TW25B grease, or Weapon Shield. I use Slip2000 for pretty much everything, but I do have a small bottle of FP-10 in an Otis Kit. Is there that much of a difference? |
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Joined:
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$1500 used Dan Wesson Valor. If a TRP get the CA Roster or OG rollmark model. Better guns IMO. |
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I have also learned from experience that the greater part of our happiness or misery depends upon our dispositions, and not upon our circumstances.
Kites rise highest against the wind, not with it. - Churchill
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Originally Posted By marc1979: Well, I did it. After going down the comparisons rabbit hole, and some recommendations from here I bought a SS Valor. After reading the break in procedure in the manual, I noticed it advises against Slip2000 oil and recommended FP-10, Militec-1, MilCom TW25B grease, or Weapon Shield. I use Slip2000 for pretty much everything, but I do have a small bottle of FP-10 in an Otis Kit. Is there that much of a difference? i was annoyed at having to buy new stuff when i already have a shelf full of cleaners and lubes, but then i realized i was annoyed at a $15 bottle for a $1.5k gun |
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Two range trips down. First trip Sunday, I lubed it with FP-10. Fired 50 rounds of Blazer Brass 230 grn. Out of 50, I had three rounds fail to feed. This was always during the last 2 or three rounds in the mag. Cleaned and lubed with FP-10 in the rails and a little TW25b grease on the rail flats, ejector, and disconnector. Went to the range yesterday and shot 50 more rounds of Blazer Brass using only Wilson Combat 47d mags. 0 failures of any kind. Cleaned and lubed again last night. Loaded the factory mags and will let them sit loaded until the next range trip. Those may have been the issue with the earlier failures. |