:: Bersa Talk ::

ok, I got the itch bad and have to get one.  There are numerous versions out there that vary in price and performance.  What do you think is the best available for $900-$1200?  I like the Springfields but wonder how much of the price is mktg related to actual performance.  Also, there are a number of options and different models....thx

---

Bersa UC9
Beretta PX4 Storm

Anything in that price range should be good!!!

I've heard glowing recommendations about the Sig GSR series (from gun magazines, police officers, and firearms instructors); and honestly, if I was in the market for one 1911 to use as a primary defensive weapon, it would probably be a Sig (unless money wasn't an issue).

Kimber Pro Carry HD II... approved for carry by the Tacoma, WA PD after extensive trials against other makes/models.  The MSRP is under $900 too.

I own two Para-Ordnances, a P14/45 Limited (pre-PXT model) and a Stainless LTC... and both are really slick weapons that I have no qualms about recommending.  The Stainless LTC has an MSRP over $1K, but I'm betting you can get that for under $900 also.

That'll get you started, but there are sure a heckuva lot more choices available than those.  There isn't one "best" 1911, and I'm sure you'll get a lot more recommendations from other folks too.

John

Take a close look at the Dan Wesson Bobtail Commander.

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/21_82/products_id/17999

I would have bought the Bobtail,  but I wanted two guns, so I went with the lower priced American Classic II in the .45acp (Very happy with it)  and a upper end Springer EMP 9mm small carry 1911 style. ( It's still in boot camp earning it's stripes)  Michael T. and Parrotthead both have DW CBOB's and if you PM them they will tell you how nice they are.

RC

---

AT that price range you can get a COLT  the orginal 1911    A DAN WESSON bobtail Commander . Like I have and a couple other members here also. Remember DW makes around 3000 total 1911's of all their models a year.  Sort of a limited production pistol   at a affordable price

 Kimber falls in that price range . So does S&W.   So their a good assortment to choose from  Springfield would be my last choice in that range . They glue the ejector insead of  a pin. They extractor isn't spring steel so lost of tension is a problem early on. Lots of MIM parts  . These can be corrected  but additional cost.

Now Kimber and S&W use the gripsafety  fireingpin block which Colt dropped befor WWII . Dan Wesson is like orginal design and doesn't use  this not needed lawyer add on. 

My self I would look at Colt and Dan Wesson    Wesson has more extras Like night sights  and other But Colt has name and rep.  

Oh the Colt, Dan Wesson, Kimber,S&W are made in America  Springfield   made in Brazil

 Iam not a fan of Springer I would buy a  Firestorm , American Classic, RockIsland ,Armscor , Charles Daily  Before I got another  Springer.   I had one was ok but just never felt right in my hand. Their frame doesn't feel right to me.   Look at them all  and then you must decide  I would consider COLT and Dan Wesson 1st then Kimber  (safety issue with me)  S&W (safety and external extractor  neither true  1911 design)  ,

If going to be a carry pistol  I would go with the Commander  4 1/4 " barrel . Thats Colt and DW  Kimber  is 4" as is Springfield and Iam not sure about a S&W .  Range and home the 5" Gov . No compact to start. Those come later . Got to set the hook first.

  Double the price and you can get a ED Brown  Kroba carry  This what my DW bobtail  is a copy of and in fact uses many of Ed Brown parts. .

So in world of mid priced 1911's many to choose from.  

WARNING  You can't own just 1  you say you can but you can't .  

 

  

   

---

Bersa Thunder,
PPK/S,
1990 Colt Mustang,
380 Kel Tec
380's Rule

"Just say "Lay A Way"

"WWJBD" What Would James Bond Do?

"Hokey religions and plastic glocks are no match for a good 1911 at your side, kid."

Bullwinkle:

Anything in that price range should be good!!!

I've heard glowing recommendations about the Sig GSR series (from gun magazines, police officers, and firearms instructors); and honestly, if I was in the market for one 1911 to use as a primary defensive weapon, it would probably be a Sig (unless money wasn't an issue).

Kimber Pro Carry HD II... approved for carry by the Tacoma, WA PD after extensive trials against other makes/models.  The MSRP is under $900 too.

This happens to be the 2 makers of 1911's that I am looking at also. Both are nice only thing is on a few Kimber reviews for the CDP I have found recomend you get wilson Mags? who wants to spend 1,200.00 bucks on a pistol and then have to buy mags..How does the HD pro carry differ from the regular Pro carry? I would rather get the Compact CDP over the Ultra the compact is the same grip and height but with a 1' longer slide and barrel and seemd better balanced and better site radious. The Kimber Ultra CDP is the same size as The Springfield EMP but is .45 cal goodness

Sig Sauer

http://www.gunsandhunting.com/RevolutionC3.html

Kimber

http://www.sightm1911.com/lib/review/KimberProCDPII.htm

Thanks for the advice!  You see, there are many models to choose from so it's difficult but I want one that tops.  MT, didn't know that about Springfield but maybe I was gong with name as when you hear 1911, you think springfield.

 

I will look at the BW and the Colts.

 

Let me ask you this...if this were your money, which one specificially would you buy?

---

Bersa UC9
Beretta PX4 Storm

My vote is http://www.sigsauer.com/Products/ShowCatalogProductDetails.aspx?categoryid=25&productid=137 for the price range of 1,200 or less

whats is everyone else's?

I have a new type FireStorm .45 and a Colt Compact. I really like them both. The FS is a very good "cheep" 1911 and the Colt is great. Being a compact you do know its a .45 in a small gun when you pull the trigger. But thats its job. Its what it does.

My future x wife has 2 Kimbers. A custom II that has been nothing but troubles was back in Yonkers for almost 2 months earlier this year and a CDP. Its been ok. Both are GI size. She likes those damn things I guess??

In choosing just one of the above, all the little voices are yackin "take the colt"

---

Whining is for little girls, babies, mommy’s boys and girly men.
SNIVELING? Now that’s an art form!

FS22
BT380dlx; P3AT; PPK
Beretta 92FS; CX4 Storm
BT45 UC; FS 1911 DLX; Colt M1991A1; DW Bobtail
Taurus 38UL
CZ fnh Modell 27 WWII Luftwaffe issued to Hauptman Jaeduvel
+ old family guns

MT, what do you think of this one?  A bit more but now I have the 'itch'.

 

http://www.coltsmfg.com/cmci/Special.asp

---

Bersa UC9
Beretta PX4 Storm

AsH:

How does the HD pro carry differ from the regular Pro carry?

The Pro Carry HD II is all steel construction; the Stainless Pro Carry II has an aluminum alloy frame (I assume the "HD" means heavy duty, but that's strictly a guess).  Because of the frame material, the HD weighs 7oz more (35oz vs 28oz).

John

Check out Smith and Wesson's 1911's. That is the only brand I own besides Colt but I will take the S&W over the Colt everytime but both are GREAT guns. I have friends that own the Kimber Pro Carry's and have ALOT of trouble out of them, they bought them because of the lower price, I think Kimber only has a 1year warranty on their pistols, you might check into that to be certain. S&W and Colt's are lifetime warranty's makes a HUGE diffrence for my decision and customer service is OUTSTANDING for either,, they will do whatever too make the customer happy. If you are planning on carrying your 1911 go with an alloy frame model TRUST ME on this. My S&W 1911PD  4 1/4" barrel weighs 28oz  and is a pleasure too carry all day and has NEVER had a problem, I can't say the same for my Colt's but I would choose them 2nd to the S&W.

Springfield's have a bullbarrel setup which I don't like, as the Colt and S&W have barrel bushing's which you can "accurize", you can't do alot to a top of the line Springfield to make it "hopefully" shoot better than what you get out of the box. I can go on allday about 1911's but it is just a personal choice for what you like, 1911's are my favorite and my weapon of choice for any situation the gun pictured in my avatar to the left is my daily carry S&W 1911.

 

---

Free Men Do Not Ask Permission To Bear Arms

Lets see this is from Colt custom shop.  For a carry gun no way look at rear sight. Snag city. + pokeing and wearing out shirts.  As a house gun or range only. Sure be nice to have  But that ain't cheap. 

 I have  the light weight Commander  , steel  Commander , I also have stainless  For carry the Light weight is hard to beat . I also have a Defender and a New Agent  These lit weight Compacts are also nice. But the require more looking after in recoil spring department. (need changed more ofter than longer slides) All the compacts ARE THIS WAY NO MATTER WHAT MAKE.  That short slide has a lot to do in a short space and time. Requires heavy spring to do this. They are also like all short barrels harder to shoot accurate . Short sight radis.

  I don't consider the SIG a 1911 or Para Ord .  1911 type to me means Compatiable in parts.  In other words  Colt parts in theroy should fit my DanWesson . Mags of full size frames interchange

No real 1911 is a double stack Not orginal design . My Para was trouble and even factory never got right.  Talk about mag prices try 50+ for a double stack 45 mag.  

 My vote at present for What you get for most money goes to the Dan Wesson  They have several models and Commander Bob tail is lower in as for price.  I have been packing the DW more than my Colts . Weight more than the Lite weight but with a good belt and my UBG holster not a problem.

If you want a pistol built  Fusion Firearms    http://www.fusionfirearms.com/   He was president of Dan Wesson till CZ bought. He has started his own company and will build you a pistol  to your liking.

 I have looked at useing his  frames slides and barrel package as a basic for a build.

  See many choices  We haven't even went over the $2000 mark into Wilson ,Ed Brown, Night hawk ect. These are still considered production gun. Not custom built.

 So we can go from  $360 Firestorms to the sky the limit in price .  They all do one thing launch a bullet at a target .  Like a car  just depends on your wants and what your willing to pay for that want.

 

 

---

Bersa Thunder,
PPK/S,
1990 Colt Mustang,
380 Kel Tec
380's Rule

"Just say "Lay A Way"

"WWJBD" What Would James Bond Do?

"Hokey religions and plastic glocks are no match for a good 1911 at your side, kid."

My first 1911 was a Les Baer Premier 2; followed by a NightHawk BobTail Talon 2, followed by a Sig Platinum Carry. followed by a Kimber Ultra CDP 2, followed by a Kimber Tactical Pro II, followed by a Dan Wesson CBOB, followed by a Wilson Combat Sentinel round butt....Were I limited to just one gun in the under 1200 range it would be the CBOB...mine is dead on accurate and shoots even when dropped in the sand off the range table which tipped over in a sand storm....and kept on ticking until it was later cleaned...could ask for better....Blessings...

 

Gila Jorge:

My first 1911 was a Les Baer Premier 2; followed by a NightHawk BobTail Talon 2, followed by a Sig Platinum Carry. followed by a Kimber Ultra CDP 2, followed by a Kimber Tactical Pro II, followed by a Dan Wesson CBOB, followed by a Wilson Combat Sentinel round butt....Were I limited to just one gun in the under 1200 range it would be the CBOB...mine is dead on accurate and shoots even when dropped in the sand off the range table which tipped over in a sand storm....and kept on ticking until it was later cleaned...could ask for better....Blessings...

 

 

Your in El Paso right. sand storms, wind , and good food.

---

Bersa Thunder,
PPK/S,
1990 Colt Mustang,
380 Kel Tec
380's Rule

"Just say "Lay A Way"

"WWJBD" What Would James Bond Do?

"Hokey religions and plastic glocks are no match for a good 1911 at your side, kid."

thanks for all the suggestions everyone.....I really appreciate it.

 

sorry, I should have mentioned that it won't be for carry as in NJ (aka socialist state of America) it's nearly impossible to get that license.

 

So it will be the Bob W or the Colt.......thanks again......This itch is so damn bad, I can't wait to get my permit

---

Bersa UC9
Beretta PX4 Storm