So I'm now confused

[QuarterHorse]

Bear with me folks.

So I joined the forum as I just about had my mind made up about my next purchase being an XD. I planned on going with the Service Model in a .45ACP to serve as carry as well as picking up a Ruger LCP for summer carry as I'm selling my PT-145.

I've always wanted a 1911, I love the way they shoot, but had just written off getting one when I saw the big price tags. As I looked a little deeper, I could have sworn I've seen some SA Mil-Spec 1911's for the mid to low 500's. This is in line with the XD that I had priced out at $490.00

Now this in mind, am I high or are the SA Mil-Specs going for that or is SA putting one out that inexpensive? Second, would I be insane by for-going the XD for a "lower end" 1911 to serve for competition shooting/carry duty and still getting the LCP for summer carry in the pocket?

Let me back up by saying I'm ditching the PT-145 as I want to start some competition shoots, and I'm wanting something a little more accurate than the small PT I have. I'm selling it to a friend, so my next purchase somewhat has to serve double duty, as I can't afford to go all out in a competition gun, and then have several carry weapons.

Getting back to it, would a "lower end" Springfield be a good/decent carry/competition gun staying south of the $600.00 figure?

Thanks in advance fellas

Dustin

[Bullet Boy]

IMO go with the XD for the compeition. I want to preference this by saying I like Springfield. But for competition 1911 anything short of an STI is just second best.

To be competitive with a 1911 the modifications aren't practical for CCW. Once you lower the trigger pull, put a magwell, increase mag capacity, increase/decrease weight, you will not want to carry it. The light trigger pull and other such mods make it to easy to go off. That only applies to making a race gun. But everyone I know that starts out with a lower end 1911 ends up making the upgrades even if they aren't planned. The XD is a good production pistol in IPSC and IDPA. Because of the mods you will want to make to a 1911 you will become non-idpa. Go with the XD because of the cross duty.

Save the $100 on the purchase price and get a guide rod upgrade and it goes nice with the Ruger LCP.

Part of the reason I am pro this decsision as I was faced with the same thoughts a while back. I bought the first available LCP and went with the XDm.

Back to the SA 1911... It is a pretty gun but doesn't hold a light to the lower end CZ's or STI, which are about 2x the price of the SA. I have shoot all of them and really like the STI. When my funds are finally right I will be getting the STI Executive or the STI Legend. For $500 range you are getting IMO the best production compeition ready guns. For a little more you can get the XDM which is in .40 S&W. It is worth the upgrades for out of the box competition. I wrote some poorly worded XDM reviews on my blog Review and a Torture Test. I also wrote about the Ruger LCP 380 on my teams blog. Intro into my search for the Ruger then the performance Ruger LCP 380 vs. Kel-tec's A3AT

[QuarterHorse]

Thank you for the response Bullet Boy.

Let me add, and this is very important and I shouldn't have left this out. As strange as this may sound, I'm wanting to do the competition shoots at first to not be competetive out there, but make sure my skills are where they should be for real world use. I told myself that I took the responsibility to obtain my CCW, I need to take the responsibility to be more than proficient with my fire arm.

Now that that's out of the way, I can't help but WANT a 1911 as silly as it sounds. After I typed out the original post I started doing some crunching of numbers and alloted myself a few more hundy to spend on a 1911. I'm thinking up to the $800.00 mark and still be able to get the LCP in a reasonable amount of time.

I've shot a friends Kimber and loved the weapon. I was talking to a local smith and he started talking about how he liked the Kimber, but was more impressed with the Para weapons. Just to be different from my friend, I too have been looking at a Para piece, and wondered the general thoughts of their fire arms. They seem to be in the price range, all though at the top, and I have not heard of any consistant complaints about them.

Let me re-state, the 1911 will serve as a carry piece, and serve most of the time on me. I'm wanting to do the competetive shoots to sharpen my skills, not neccesarilly take top honors at any event. I have zero problems with putting a little money in the 1911 here and there, but can't justify shelling it out all at once.

Anywho, there you have it. If you had $800 to spend, what 1911 would you get, and why? Thoughts about it for a carry piece in the cooler weather where clothing hides MUCH easier than in the summer (where I'll have the LCP).

Also, at the cheaper end, it seems the PT1911 from Taurus is getting good reviews on various boards etc. Thoughts about them?

Thank you all so very much

Dustin

[qwik48]

Bullet boy--

what sort of target where you shooting at 100 yards with a Ruger LCP? Your and good shot, I'd love to see this done! Might just try it myself in the morning!

Nice shooting!

[Cannibul]

In the $800 range I would look at a SA Loaded. You might find a Dan Wesson Pointman for around that. Smith & Wesson has a couple of models in that price range.

I personally will not buy a Kimber.

[QuarterHorse]

Originally Posted by Cannibul

In the $800 range I would look at a SA Loaded. You might find a Dan Wesson Pointman for around that. Smith & Wesson has a couple of models in that price range.

I personally will not buy a Kimber.

Any reasons why on the Kimber? I wouldn't be getting a "blue" model, just a stainless due to carry reasons for me.

I'm really leaning towards a Para PX745S and getting a fiber optic front for it. I was also looking at the STI Spartan, but I really really want a stainless carry piece.

[JhankG]

+1 for SA Loaded

I don't think Kimber offers the best warranty, at least not compared to SA's lifetime warranty. I can't remember exactly how long it is. I have a stainless 1911 and it will rust just a quick as a blued model.

[sldghmr]

I have (3) XD's, 45 tac, 45 SC, & 40 tac. I also have a SA LW Operator 4" barrel 1911. The Operator is the easiest of the bunch for me to CCW with. The XD's are bulkier, specially in the car, holstered on my right side right by the seat belt clip. I paid $750 for the LW operator at a gun show about 4 months ago.

I shoot the 1911 competition at my gun club, for the same reasons you want to shoot competition. The guys with the extra inch on the barrel do better at the 50 yard mark, but I hld my own at 25 yards.

In the end buy what you want, and put the money into extra ammo to practice with.

[Cannibul]

Originally Posted by QuarterHorse

Any reasons why on the Kimber? I wouldn't be getting a "blue" model, just a stainless due to carry reasons for me.

I'm really leaning towards a Para PX745S and getting a fiber optic front for it. I was also looking at the STI Spartan, but I really really want a stainless carry piece.

Kimber Customer Service or lack thereof.

That and I have a family member that used to work for them and am not a fan of some of their business practices.

Combine that with the fact that they will sell guns to LEOs in California that citizens of that state are not allowed to buy closes the deal for me.

[Reno82]

Go with the XD.... That's why it was named XD. Extreme Duty... can't go wrong. Good luck selecting.