If you want a 1911 than buy a Wilson Combat, every handgun listed on this topic so far do not compare. Under $1k the Kimber is almost unbeatable, however, the Wilson Combat is another level and probably the last 1911 you would have to buy

Christian

 

Get this one (the Mil-Spec):

Springfield Armory

 

Prime example of snobbery...

I've got a Wilson, I've got several Kimbers, so far, not one of them is as good out of the box as my $600 Taurus.

 

SnobberyI don't think so.

I have 4 Kimbers, 2 Wilson Combats, 1 Custom Springfield and 1 Ed Brown. If you have a Taurus that shoots more reliably than your Wilson or Kimber than I suggest that you take your guns to a "world class" gunsmith and see what the issue is. If the Wilson and Kimber that you own check out than you must have a "one of a kind" Taurus and you should frame it and put it above your fireplace

Christian

 

My post came across more confrontational than I intended my friend. My three year old is switched on, my Ridgeback is being demanding, and the phones were ringing... A trifecta of annoyances all at once.

No one is more surprised than I am about how well the Taurus performs. I am just totally jazzed by it, and I've been around firearms for a very long time. And I spent some time as an Armorer while in the Army (I am a former Infantry guy). I've been to Armorers school, and have access to some amazing gun smiths because of a few relationships that I have.

I treat every one of my weapons as a would have if I had it in the field, while in the Army. Which means that it isn't going to get babies, or cleaned as much as I'd like. Don't get me wrong, I'm not in any way saying that wilsons and Kimbers suck, but not a one of them held up as long as the Taurus did.

Frankly, the performance by the Taurus isn't unique. It is just a solid firearm, faced with an adverse reputation from past issues. Gun buyers being what they are, few are objectively giving the company a fair shake. Some guys are as bad as paris hilton when it comes to labels.

 

You probably buy Hyundais, too.

 

Please post a source where the OP could buy a Wilson Combat 1911 within his budget.

 

"Are these guns strictly sold at retail, or can you get them at any type of discount? What other 1911 .45 handgun is worth looking into? Springfield Armory, others?"



If he is willing to drop $800-$900 on a Kimber, I would suggest spending another $500-$700 and getting the Wilson, just my OPINION

Christian

 

If he had $1600 to spend on a 1911, a used Wilson would be a great find if he were lucky enough to find one.

If you found one at that price, please share the source.

 

Out my league price wise. The Kimber is pushing it already . . .

I'm not going to make any decisions soon, just kind of throwing the different options around in my head.