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Old March 18, 2009, 12:40 AM   #1
maestro pistolero
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Which of these 1911s is most reliable out of the box?

The category is 2-3k retail (Baer TRS's are close enough to 2K), full sized 1911s. Please choose only one from the following makers:

Ed Brown, Les Baer, Wilson, Nighthawk, STI, Springfield Armory (Professional Model or custom equivalent)

If you have one or more guns from these makers, let's hear it. Were there ANY failures, ever? Did it hiccup once or twice in the first hundred rounds? Or has it been a PITA from the git-go?
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Old March 18, 2009, 04:13 AM   #2
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I either own or have owned everything but the Nighthawk. My Ed Brown Executive Elite has needed more of a break period than any 1911 that I have ever owned. I own two Baers and they are extremely tight. Neither has ever hiccupped. I used to own two Wilson's (no issues). Good guns, but way overpriced in my opinion. Nighthawks are nice pistols, but they are overpriced when you consider They use Caspian to supply their major components. You can have a good gunsmith build you the same gun and save at least $1K. STI should have stuck to double stack game guns. The single stacker (Trojan) that I had was probably the worst 1911 that I have owned (I have owned more than 100). Springfield Armory makes a good gun (I had a Pro model, no issues), but they are overpriced for what they are. My favorite is my Rock River Elite Commando.
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Old March 18, 2009, 06:29 AM   #3
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Hey ranbur what was wrong with the trojan? I have had my eye on it for awhile.
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Old March 18, 2009, 07:00 AM   #4
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Please put a Fusion in the running with these high dollar 1911's.
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Old March 18, 2009, 09:16 AM   #5
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I have a Nighthawk Talon that has been 100% reliable for me over about 1K rounds. However, I bought it off a good buddy that shot it a lot before I got her. From what he said there was no "break-in" period required and the gun was also 100% reliable for him. If I were a wealthy man I'd have a few more but I cannot justify a +2K firearm at this time. Lucky for me I got her at a super-sale price. I do not think that you would be disappointed in any of your options. Good luck.
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Old March 18, 2009, 09:23 AM   #6
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A better question is which one is most likely to be reliable right out of the box? 1911s, even from custom shops, sometimes have hiccups early on.
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Old March 18, 2009, 10:08 AM   #7
Casimer
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Quote:
A better question is which one is most likely to be reliable right out of the box?
+1 that's right.

The problem with these sorts of questions is that very few people have owned all of these pistols. What you tend to end up with is a lot of anecdotes and hearsay.

Not that that's going to stop me

Fusion is the new kid on the block, and they seem to be very hands-on in working with their customers at this point - they're still small enough. So if I were looking for a nice premium grade 100% reliable out of the box 1911 right now, I'd give them a call. But I don't own a Fusion pistol, so take that FWIW.
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Old March 18, 2009, 10:15 AM   #8
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Fusion is run by Bob Serva who used to run Dan Wesson before CZ bought them.... He was the one that created the very popular CZ CBOB....

I have seen their work and it is very nice but some of the details are still being missed there IMHO. They are an up and commer but not top tier yet....

Custom 1911s are not always 100% out of the box because of peoples obsession with tightness. If it were my cash i would go Les Baer..... or a complete and total custom built on a Colt or Caspian Frame.

I did and have not regretted it one bit.
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Old March 18, 2009, 10:24 AM   #9
Christian James
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I have a Les Baer and a Springfield Custom. Both are tight pistols and both have been 100% reliable from day one.
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Old March 18, 2009, 11:35 AM   #10
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The Trojan that I owned shot about 6"-8" low at 7yds. This happened with a dozen different experienced shooters and from a rest. If I just picked the pistol up and moved it, it would have surface rust the next day.

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Old March 18, 2009, 11:52 AM   #11
maestro pistolero
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Quote:
A better question is which one is most likely to be reliable right out of the box? 1911s, even from custom shops, sometimes have hiccups early on.
Umm, that WAS the question. See title of the thread. Thanks everybody, good responses so far.
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Old March 18, 2009, 11:55 AM   #12
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While its not a true custom pistol my Springfield Trophy Match has been flawless. The first 2 shots I took with it where in one oval hole
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Old March 18, 2009, 11:56 AM   #13
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This question makes no sense. Any one of those listed could be 100% out of the box or be a lemon.

100% out of the box is a Glock, HK or Sig. Not a 1911.
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Old March 18, 2009, 11:59 AM   #14
maestro pistolero
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Quote:
This question makes no sense.
Think "Most likely to be reliable out of the box", and maybe it will be easier to answer.
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Old March 18, 2009, 12:59 PM   #15
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I have one Ed Brown, one Les Baer, 4 Wilson Combats - no STI, Nighthawk or Springfield ...... all of my guns are 5" ( all purchased in the last 2 - 8 years).

The worst of the bunch for me was my Les Baer monolith / and it took 20 or more boxes to break it in and get it to finally feed. I think Bare makes his guns too tight / and it causes problems. Having finally gotten it broken in - its shoots very well.

My Ed Brown Kobra carry - took about 10 boxes to break in - and then it was fine. Its a nice gun.

My Wilson's are a combination of CQB and Protector models - in 9mm, .40 and .45 acp / and they have all run flawlessly right out of the box. They are a little more money - but I've enjoyed working with Wilson's people. If I want another 1911 - I'll go back to Wilson.
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Old March 18, 2009, 06:58 PM   #16
maestro pistolero
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BigJimP, that was informative. So all 4 Wilsons were 100% from the box?

Anybody else have different experiences with Browns, Baers, or Wilsons?
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Old March 18, 2009, 08:42 PM   #17
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I have owned numerous 1911's from Kimber, Springer,Nighthawk and Colt.

the ONLY 1911 I have ever owned that worked from go and has never had a hiccup is a Springfield loaded. That thing is a monster and eats everything I feed it.

All for about $750 including night sights.

Let me also say this, there is a very sinking feeling when you lay out upwards of $2.5k for a gun and it burps 5 times the first 100 rounds.

The best, most reliable and accurate .45 I own says H and K on it.

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Old March 18, 2009, 08:46 PM   #18
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I own 3 Colts

And never had a failure to feed or fire with any of them. Ever. One is a 1996 Colt Gold Cup Series 80 and two are the newer XSE commander and govt models. They are excellent guns and often overlooked in the discussion about 1911's

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Old March 18, 2009, 08:58 PM   #19
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Dan Wesson...........nuff said.
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Old March 18, 2009, 10:29 PM   #20
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Above a basic 1911A1, the two that I have never had any problems with are the Springfield Loaded, and ...............(wait for it).........an RIA Tactical.
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Old March 19, 2009, 01:43 PM   #21
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+1 with parisite
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Old March 19, 2009, 03:13 PM   #22
BigJimP
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Yes, all 4 of my Wilson's ran 100% right out of the box ....

and that's why my primary carry gun is a Wilson CQB 5" in .45 acp .
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Old March 19, 2009, 04:53 PM   #23
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I have a Springfield TRP 1911. It's probably the finest handgun I've ever owned.
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Old March 19, 2009, 06:38 PM   #24
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My 375.00 Springfield GI 1911 is by far still the best handgun I have. I have nearly 4000 rounds through that thing and not one hangup yet. And I am proud to say that it will do 2" groups with pretty much anything I put in it at 20 yards. And it still all stock. Its my AK of pistols.

Springfield makes an awesome 1911, as soon as I get the funds I will probably go for one of their more higher end models.
I have already written to Springfield to express how happy I am with their GI model....it rocks, I will for sure be a return customer.
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Old March 19, 2009, 09:36 PM   #25
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ranburr - I'm stunned by the problem you described with your Trojan. I've got 4 STI pistols (3 double stacks & 1 single stack) and all perform flawlessly and are wickedly accurate. STI is well known for accuracy and widely used in competitive circles. I've never heard of a pistol (any pistol) being that far off at seven yards. I’ve also not experienced any issues with the finish. I assume you talked to the folks at STI - what did they say?
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