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Posted: 12/28/2002 12:05:17 AM EDT
a buddy of mine has an older plain jane 1911 & is wanting to get a newer .45ACP pistol

I'm telling him to get a nice upper end Springfield, Kimber or maybe even something like a Les Baer.

He's asking about SIG's & H&K's too.

Any others to consider??

Glock 21,30,36    
S&W4506  the new S&W SW99 .45?
Ruger??

Anything I'm overlooking ?????
Link Posted: 12/28/2002 12:17:32 AM EDT
[#1]
Link Posted: 12/28/2002 12:31:48 AM EDT
[#2]
He's on the right trail.  He wouldnt go wrong with any of the brands of 1911 you listed. Id prefer the SIG P220 over the HK, even though it is also a fine gun.  I just like single stack mag guns better.  They fit my hands better.  The Glocks are good guns too.  The G21 is a BIG gun with a BIG grip though.  I owned a S&W 4506.  God knows why.  The thing pointed like a hair dryer, and it was rough internally.  Pretty reliable however.  Rugers are fine if you like overly large, overly beefy pistols.  They dont do much for me.  If he REALLY liked the new SW99, Id wait a year or so and let other new buyers help S&W work the bugs out.  Does he know S&W is coming out with a new 1911 clone?
Its pretty nice looking:



Link Posted: 12/28/2002 1:40:50 AM EDT
[#3]
any 1911 that isnt totally 100% Colt compatable (70 or 80 series) isnt worth getting, IMO.

and that means the kimber 2's and firestorm pistols, possibly the new S&Ws? (remains to be seen)

or go with a SIG 220
Link Posted: 12/28/2002 2:57:59 AM EDT
[#4]
I am not a .45 expert but, I have had Kimber high end and Springfield loaded and my favorite .45 is my Wilson Combat KZ45. The Wilson is more accurate than the others and has a 10 rd flush mag. Even with the Wilson double stack mag the grip is slightly smaller than the others and at around $1150 its within reach of most guys.
Link Posted: 12/28/2002 3:17:08 AM EDT
[#5]
HK USP 45
or
Ed Brown 1911 = $$$
Link Posted: 12/28/2002 7:50:21 AM EDT
[#6]
I guess a lot depends on your budget.  Based on my meager research, I'd pick from SVI/Infinity, STI, Les Baer, or Valtro for a 1911.  If you cannot afford $1200 to $1500 or more, don't get a 1911.  For less than $1000 I'd select the SIG 220.
Link Posted: 12/28/2002 7:59:48 AM EDT
[#7]
p220
Link Posted: 12/28/2002 8:10:32 AM EDT
[#8]

Quoted:
any 1911 that isnt totally 100% Colt compatable (70 or 80 series) isnt worth getting, IMO.

and that means the kimber 2's and firestorm pistols, possibly the new S&Ws? (remains to be seen)



Just an honest question, but why not?  Interchangeability(is that even a word?) of parts?  Springfield's aren't good?  Just honest questions here.

-Gloftoe
Link Posted: 12/28/2002 8:18:07 AM EDT
[#9]
In my opinion, anything but the standard single action M1911. The only firearm accidents I've ever had, both were with that pistol. And it's not that I don't handle weapons. I use everything from a Bersa Thunder .380 ACP to a Remingtion Model 11 auto 12 gauge.

The SIG is an excellent design. DA/SA is very safe, decocker instead of safety selector. H&K is good too, just overpriced. Glock I have no opinion on. I think the Ruger's are butt-ugly, but they are functional, reliable, and cost-effective. I don't know anything about Para-Ord's double action 1911s.

Just my two cents.
Link Posted: 12/28/2002 8:32:57 AM EDT
[#10]
If you want a single action= Kimber

If you want a double action= Sig

If you want the best of both= Glock

Don't even consider a pistol with slide mounted controls for defense work.

I don't like the USP. They have a bunch of problems and one of the worst double action pulls on the market. The variant one is the most troublesome. Tucson PD equiped their 1000+ man department with USPs a couple of years ago. They've Had nothing but problems with  them and are replacing them with Glocks as their budget allows.
Link Posted: 12/28/2002 9:39:40 AM EDT
[#11]

Quoted:
a buddy of mine has an older plain jane 1911 & is wanting to get a newer .45ACP pistol

I'm telling him to get a nice upper end Springfield, Kimber or maybe even something like a Les Baer.



If your friend is entertaining the idea of spending the dough on an "upper end" Springfield or Kimber he would be much better suited with a Les Baer. IMO, Baers present a much better value... no MIM parts and the guns are actually built by a gunsmith. Springfield and Kimber make nice guns but the best value is found in their "base" pistols. For about the same price of a top of the line Kimber or Springfield one can have a Baer... a much smarter move, IMO.
Link Posted: 12/28/2002 10:00:43 AM EDT
[#12]
I have the Sig 220 and have had the G21, HK usp, and others.  I love the Sig, however, the older I get the more I come back to the good ol' 1911.  I like the Kimbers for the value, if you have the money go for a Les Baer.  I carry a Colt 1991A1 commander that for some reason or another shoots better than my custom pistols.  Have your friend shoot each of the guns, draw them from a carry holster, and see which one he likes.  Good Luck
Link Posted: 12/28/2002 10:02:34 AM EDT
[#13]

Quoted:
If you want a single action= Kimber

If you want a double action= Sig

If you want the best of both= Glock

Don't even consider a pistol with slide mounted controls for defense work.

I don't like the USP. They have a bunch of problems and one of the worst double action pulls on the market. The variant one is the most troublesome. Tucson PD equiped their 1000+ man department with USPs a couple of years ago. They've Had nothing but problems with  them and are replacing them with Glocks as their budget allows.







I have two USP.45's one compact, the other a fullsize. Both are variant one and I have had ZERO problems with either. I have two friends with TPD and neither has ever had any trouble with their issue USP's (TPD uses the 40s&w) and both have purchased USP.45's for personal weapons. I would recommend a HK USP to anyone, they are very accurate and reliable.
I have had three glocks (21,30,22) and did'nt like them at all. I like the sig, but just never really wanted one.
As far as 1911's go, I prefer Colts and have had good luck with the ones I have had.
Link Posted: 12/28/2002 10:22:16 AM EDT
[#14]
I own a springfield 45 v-10 ss, I send it
back to springfield they put a new frame under
it but it sometimes still don't want to cycle
right. It will be gone soon for something else
soon.
Link Posted: 12/28/2002 1:10:09 PM EDT
[#15]

Quoted:
I guess a lot depends on your budget.  Based on my meager research, I'd pick from SVI/Infinity, STI, Les Baer, or Valtro for a 1911.  If you cannot afford $1200 to $1500 or more, don't get a 1911.  For less than $1000 I'd select the SIG 220.

                                                  EXACTLY......add a colt gold cup to this list..........at the very least...a springfield mil spec....will need some personal mods
Link Posted: 12/29/2002 12:53:51 PM EDT
[#16]
Another vote for Wilson.  I use a Tac Elite as my secondary home defense gun.  Other 1911s like the MilProtector or CQB are very well made too, and more affordable.  
Link Posted: 12/29/2002 1:14:11 PM EDT
[#17]
The answer is simple.......Sig P220.
Link Posted: 12/29/2002 2:54:21 PM EDT
[#18]
LBC or EBC
Link Posted: 12/29/2002 3:04:18 PM EDT
[#19]

Quoted:
I don't like the USP. They have a bunch of problems...



Funny, I have 4 USPs and have NEVER had a problem.

Care to explain what kind of problems they're having?
Link Posted: 12/29/2002 3:05:57 PM EDT
[#20]
G21
Link Posted: 12/29/2002 3:18:50 PM EDT
[#21]

sti
Link Posted: 12/29/2002 3:48:41 PM EDT
[#22]
FWIW, I've got a Kimber *Series II* Stainless Steel Compact that I shoot IDPA with. Got over 1500 rds thru it and never had a malfunction of any kind as long as I used Wilson mags. (50% FTF with factory mags).
Link Posted: 12/29/2002 4:35:59 PM EDT
[#23]
SIG 220. It and its magazines work perfect right out of the box.
Link Posted: 12/29/2002 5:38:32 PM EDT
[#24]
Thanks for all the feedback.

I think a SIG220 or higher end 1911 will be the recommendation.
Link Posted: 12/30/2002 9:27:09 PM EDT
[#25]
Get a Kimber Custom TLE II. Sweet.

You could spread it on toast and eat it(It's butter and NOT jam).
Link Posted: 12/30/2002 9:58:42 PM EDT
[#26]
I've owned a few 45's, including; Glock 21, Glock 30, Ruger P90, Sig P220, Hi-Point JS-45, Colt Gold Cup, SW 4506, SA M1911A1.

I strongly recommend the Glock 21.

The Sig P200 sits way to high in my hand. The shot to shot splits were SLOW compared to the Glock 21 & M1911 pattern guns.

The P90 is a pig. Eats everything, but big & ugly.

The Glock 30 grip is too short, but it would LOVE the Glock 30 Upper half on a Glock 21 frame.
Link Posted: 12/31/2002 1:20:30 PM EDT
[#27]
As I like Cocked and Locked carry.  My vote would have been for the Kimber before the series II.  Now I am not so sure!

If I wanted a double action I would pick the Sig.
Link Posted: 12/31/2002 2:20:36 PM EDT
[#28]

Quoted:
He's on the right trail.  He wouldnt go wrong with any of the brands of 1911 you listed. Id prefer the SIG P220 over the HK, even though it is also a fine gun.  I just like single stack mag guns better.  They fit my hands better.  The Glocks are good guns too.  The G21 is a BIG gun with a BIG grip though.  I owned a S&W 4506.  God knows why.  The thing pointed like a hair dryer, and it was rough internally.  Pretty reliable however.  Rugers are fine if you like overly large, overly beefy pistols.  They dont do much for me.  If he REALLY liked the new SW99, Id wait a year or so and let other new buyers help S&W work the bugs out.  Does he know S&W is coming out with a new 1911 clone?
Its pretty nice looking:

photos.ar15.com/WS_Content/ImageGallery/IG_LoadImage.asp?iImageUnq=3089




I got to handle a sales rep`s sample when he was at my local gun store. It`s a well made pistol and should help revive S&W`s sales. The sales rep wasn`t a real helpful resource to me, though. You know the market he has to reach.

Also look into Para Ordnance. The have neat guns with interesting features, and that nice LDA trigger. HTH
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