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Shooting & Reloading - Mausers, Big Bores and others >> Handguns

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mehulkamdar
.416 member


Reged: 09/01/04
Posts: 3688
Loc: State of Ill-Annoy USA.
Any opinions on the Smith and Wesson 1911s?
      #105660 - 20/05/08 11:31 AM

Yesterday I was at my favorite gun store and saw a really nice brand new Smith and Wesson 1911 factory custom pistol with the extended palm web protector (whatever it is called) and the custom grip safety with a tab on it. It looked very nicely put together and while the price was high, it was much less than buying a gun with similar features from one of the custom names.

Is this a good handgun to buy? I know the 1911s are fantastic but have not heard much about the Smith and Wessons. Anyone here have any experience with them?

Thanks for all opinions in advance and good hunting!

--------------------
The Ark was made by amateurs. Experts built the Titanic.

Mehul Kamdar


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Tatume
.400 member


Reged: 09/06/07
Posts: 1091
Loc: Gloucester, Va USA
Re: Any opinions on the Smith and Wesson 1911s? [Re: mehulkamdar]
      #105681 - 20/05/08 09:16 PM

Dear Mehul,

No, I've not shot one of the S&W M1911s, although I've heard good things about them. But, the M1911 is a well-found design, and many companies are willing and able to produce top notch examples. The best I've seen range in price from Tarurs (ca. $600) and Kimber ($700) through Les Baer, Brown and Wilson ($2000 and up). My Kimber Custom Gold Match has been firing 5000 - 10,000 rounds per year for many years now, has never broken a part (though I've worn out some springs), and still shoots 1.5 inch groups at 25 yards. If you're buying your first M1911, I recommend the Kimber line.

http://www.kimberamerica.com/

Take care, Tom


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szihn
.400 member


Reged: 24/06/07
Posts: 2100
Loc: Wind River Valley, Wyoming
Re: Any opinions on the Smith and Wesson 1911s? [Re: Tatume]
      #105697 - 20/05/08 11:34 PM

I agree with Tatume 100%
I would look at the Taurus and the Kimber before you buy anything
S&W is nice, but in my openion it's not any better as the Taurus and the Kimber (and maybe not as good)and it costs more.
And yes.......... I HAVE shot all 3.

Steve


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Mike_Bailey
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Reged: 26/02/07
Posts: 2289
Loc: GB
Re: Any opinions on the Smith and Wesson 1911s? [Re: szihn]
      #105700 - 20/05/08 11:57 PM

Steve, there are so many semi autos out there, DA, SA, both ?? I remember years ago an article about a H&K in .45 ACP, I think it was called the P9S. What about the Glocks in .45 ACP. What do you think the best .45 auto is at the moment (light weight and compact portability as well as 100% reliability)
rgds
Mike

p.s made the lube today...it came out well very satisfying, best, Mike


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szihn
.400 member


Reged: 24/06/07
Posts: 2100
Loc: Wind River Valley, Wyoming
Re: Any opinions on the Smith and Wesson 1911s? [Re: Mike_Bailey]
      #105702 - 21/05/08 01:27 AM

Hi Mike

I am glad you are doing well with the lube.
What is "best"?
Wow....... that's quite a question.
In my openion, the 1911 is still one of the best designs, but it was a conceptualized in the fertile mind of John Browning in the days when guns were hand fitted by gunsmiths and trained skilled workers. The 1911 is NOT a gun that can be "thrown together" and still have a reliable gun.
The glock is outstanding, but it's too big for people with smallish hands and many with medium sided hands. The CZ offering is the same. Well made, but big. So it is also with the SIG. I have fired the H&K only 1 time and I didn‘t care for it for the same reason. I just didn’t like it’s large size. I have no complaints about it’s quality, but it’s just too big to please me
One gun I have been VERY impressed with is the Kahr. It's not made with a double stack magazine, and it's very well put together, super accurate and easy to shoot.
I own a Taurus 24/7 too. I like it better then any of the other double stack 45s out there with the possible exception of the Springfield XD. The XD holds a double stack mag without getting “too fat’ and the Taurus is smaller still, but the Taurus is so light that the tork of the recoil will force the bullets down word (nose down) in the magazine with +P loads and jam the gun chronically. Not so with the XD.
The read “down side” to bother Taurus and Springfield is that they don’t sell parts. They want all repairs to be made by them, and not by any gunsmith. Now, that seems ok, until you look at the political landscape. In the USA many (if not most) guns owned by people are not “papered” to the owner, and these new companies want to “cooperate” with the governments and make a paper trail on every gun. Something many Americans feel is insulting and threatening. Any one with a brain understand that the paper trail is not truly on the gun, but on the gun owner.

But.........back to the original question;
The best gun is one that works 99.99% of the time, is accurate, and is well liked by it’s owner. I have several friends who LOVE their Glocks, but I don’t. I have NOTHING bad to say about the gun, except that I can’t get it to feel comfortable in my hand and I shoot my 1911 and my 24/7 MUCH better, and much faster. That doesn’t make my guns “better” but it does make me a better shot.
So, I would tell the readers to get a GOOD 1911 if the like a 1911, and that they should have no concerns about quality with SIG, Glock, Kahr, Springfield, and H&K
I have used a 1911 since I was an 1`8 year old US Marine, and i have owned one ever since. I have shot MANY other 45 autos in the following 34 years, but I can say I have not found anything yet that I think “beats” it, and only the new Kahr may match it. I like my 24/7, but it’s not as forgiving in the ammo it uses as my 1911. I would also call the XD “as good” if they didn’t have the socialist policy of tracing all the guns they sell. I would never buy one retail because of that fact.
But I can replace 1911 parts at will. I am an accomplished gunsmith however, so my abilities may not be the norm, and my feelings about the 1911 vs. a Taurus or Springfield are probably not realistic to the average shooter.
If my hands were extra large, I would probably feel as good about a Glock.
There you go...........
Clear as mud!


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mehulkamdar
.416 member


Reged: 09/01/04
Posts: 3688
Loc: State of Ill-Annoy USA.
Re: Any opinions on the Smith and Wesson 1911s? [Re: szihn]
      #105709 - 21/05/08 03:03 AM

Tom / Steve,

Thank you very much for your opinions. As you know, I am a geriatric student these days and have to watch my expenses carefully. Your advice is going to save me money - for another gun in the future.

Mike,

The P9S is not amde anymore as far as I know but H&K have several other new models. SOmehow, I like the 1911 as it is simple and efficient and I just happen to be old fashioned.

Thank you, gentlemen, and very good hunting!

--------------------
The Ark was made by amateurs. Experts built the Titanic.

Mehul Kamdar


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szihn
.400 member


Reged: 24/06/07
Posts: 2100
Loc: Wind River Valley, Wyoming
Re: Any opinions on the Smith and Wesson 1911s? [Re: mehulkamdar]
      #105711 - 21/05/08 03:32 AM

By the way.......
The HK I fired was not the PS9 It was the new one.... I can't remember the designation. Made with threads for a suppressor and was the one the US Navy SEALS bought........

Anyway....good gun, but I didn't like it. This old Marine still likes his 1911.


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Mike_Bailey
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Reged: 26/02/07
Posts: 2289
Loc: GB
Re: Any opinions on the Smith and Wesson 1911s? [Re: szihn]
      #105712 - 21/05/08 03:53 AM

thanks Steve, the problem here is that I am a bit in the "outback" Spain wise so no way the local gunshop will bring in 10 or so different semi auto .45's from madrid for me to try !! I am looking for something small and I think there is a compact or sub compact Glock in .45 ACP (is it the model 31 or 33 ?) that I am tending towards. Still, no hurry, I want to burn up some stuff through the Ruger Old Army first best, Mike

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peter
removed


Reged: 11/04/07
Posts: 1493
Loc: denmark
Re: Any opinions on the Smith and Wesson 1911s? [Re: Mike_Bailey]
      #105714 - 21/05/08 05:25 AM

what about the para-ordnance i got one in the P-18(9mm) version and it is such a well made gun, that i highly endorse the maker to anyone.
on the other end of the scale in europe we can still get the norinco 1911 super low cost but as reliable as an ak-47, i got one in a dbl stack 9mm(15 rounds) i tossed in a new barrel and worked the trigger and it is as well shooting as most midrange guns i have tryed.

best regards

peter


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dnovo
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Reged: 21/02/05
Posts: 490
Loc: Chicago & SE Wisconsin
Re: Any opinions on the Smith and Wesson 1911s? [Re: peter]
      #105741 - 21/05/08 10:06 AM

I have owned and shot several of the S&W 1911s. Excellent guns and, at least here in the US, their service is second to none. I also am a long time fan of S&W automatics, being an avid owner/shooter of the 945 and also a great fan of my long slide 9mms, all custom shop built and superbly accurate and reliable weapons. Again, just as in their service, I find the S&W Custom shop (aka, Performance Shop) , along with that of Springfield Armory, to be the best of all the handgun mfg custom shops. Dave

--------------------
Time Wounds All Heels


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hoppdoc
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Reged: 02/03/06
Posts: 1791
Loc: Southeastern USA
Re: Any opinions on the Smith and Wesson 1911s? [Re: dnovo]
      #105769 - 21/05/08 08:31 PM

I like 1911's,have many, but carry them less recently.I like the Browning Hi Power better for full size IWB carry.Still, you can't go wrong with a 1911 if it fits you!!

The Browning Hi Power was created by the same 1911 designer!!A gunsmith can redo the action around the Magazine release and get a fine trigger pull.Stock pistols triggers are crap--

Don't like Glocks cause they are not that accurate(though extremely reliable)and carry Kahrs although they have a trigger pull into next year.The Double action/SA on HK's and Sigs takes getting used to.

For a full size rig, a redone Browning Hi Power is great!!Manual safety, accurate, and a good trigger.

Enjoy your choice whatever it may be!!

--------------------
An armed man is a citizen of his country, an unarmed man just a subject.


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bigmaxx
.375 member


Reged: 13/06/07
Posts: 660
Loc: Bowling Green KY U.S.A.
Re: Any opinions on the Smith and Wesson 1911s? [Re: hoppdoc]
      #105841 - 22/05/08 12:51 PM

I have a Glock 21 thats really quite accurate for defensive use. I also have a Glock 30 for concealed carry. Mine are full size and not the newer small frame models. I have fairly good size hands and they fit me fine. Super dependable. I do however like shooting 1911's. I have a Kimber Custom. For the money I think its a good choice. I use Wilson mags in mine. The Kimbers have match grade components and are well made with nice finish. Mine has adjustable sights. I have had a couple of cutom made 1911s and a few Springfields and all were nice, but i like the Kimber very well.

--------------------
One day at a time...


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