The Firing Line Forums

Go Back   The Firing Line Forums > Hogan's Alley > Handguns: The Semi-automatic Forum

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Old April 21, 2013, 07:14 PM   #1
Oswald
Junior Member
 
Join Date: March 18, 2012
Posts: 12
Which 1911. S&W or Springfield ?

I have a dilemma. I would like to purchase my first 1911 pistol. Right now I'm interested in either the Springfield TRP 1911 or the S&W Performance Center 1911 .45 acp. At this point I'm uncertain. Are there better choices to consider? I realize that I might have to wait a bit for the above models. Might an STI be a better choice ?
Oswald is offline  
Old April 21, 2013, 07:22 PM   #2
geetarman
Senior Member
 
Join Date: November 18, 2009
Location: Arizona
Posts: 3,157
You are probably going to have a problem finding either of those guns.

There are some 1911s you might find.

I have had pretty good luck finding Smith and Wesson E series and Pro series in .45 or 9mm.

Also have had pretty good luck finding both the Ruger SR1911 and the CMD size. The Rugers are not finished as well as the others but the guns shoot fine and mine are reliable.

I have a couple of Dan Wessons but you will have a problem finding any of those unless you find some used ones.

I see an occasional Ed Brown show up at the LGS but they are not cheap.

Good luck trying to find the one that suits you.
__________________
Geetarman

Carpe Cerveza
geetarman is offline  
Old April 21, 2013, 07:24 PM   #3
Wreck-n-Crew
Senior Member
 
Join Date: March 8, 2013
Location: Ohio
Posts: 1,820
I am a S&W guy but I like the Springfield better.

PS You can always buy them both and send me the one you don't like as much
__________________
If you ever have to use a firearm, you don't get to pick the scenario!
Wreck-n-Crew is offline  
Old April 21, 2013, 07:27 PM   #4
Technosavant
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 29, 2007
Location: St. Louis, MO area
Posts: 4,040
Those would both be good guns. I've had both a S&W and a Springfield... the Springfield had better fit and finish. Now, neither was of that level (was a "loaded" Springfield and a "regular" SW1911), so I would anticipate the TRP and a S&W PC gun would both be of very high quality.

I think you'd be hard pressed to go wrong with either one.
Technosavant is offline  
Old April 21, 2013, 07:34 PM   #5
AFK
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 28, 2010
Posts: 151
I own 3 Kimber's and know other people that own them. All have been flawless. Don't believe all of the hype surrounding them. They produce more 1911's than all of the other manufacturers combined. Anyone that I have recommeded a Kimber to, has always been happy.
AFK is offline  
Old April 21, 2013, 07:37 PM   #6
ClydeFrog
Junior member
 
Join Date: May 1, 2010
Posts: 5,797
My input...

I'd save up if you can & buy a hand-fit 1911a1 .45acp like a Wilson Combat, Les Baer, DL Sports(Dave Lauck), Cabot, etc.
Some say to avoid the MIM parts too. I'm not a gunsmith or engineer but I can see the valid points.

Colt & S-A(which has many sworn LE agency contracts like the FBI) are highly rated for common brands.
Kimber America sold the most 1911a1 series pistols at one point but they have fallen far & fast in some circles.

I'd snag a custom Cabot left-hander .45acp 1911a1 myself, but they are high end, .
The new Ruger SR1911 was co-designed by noted gunsmith: Wanye Novak, www.NovakSights.com .

ClydeFrog
ClydeFrog is offline  
Old April 21, 2013, 07:57 PM   #7
cbennettx
Member
 
Join Date: June 11, 2007
Posts: 77
I would recommend the TRP, it's an excellent pistol. I can't comment on the SW, I've never owned one. Since you asked about other brands, I highly recommend Ed Brown 1911's. They are excellent pistols; I am currently waiting on my second one. If you have the patience, order one how you want it built; Ed Brown, Wilson, Baer, etc.. it's worth it.

cbennettx is offline  
Old April 21, 2013, 08:15 PM   #8
saleen322
Senior Member
 
Join Date: March 8, 2010
Posts: 778
Both the S&W and Springfield are great guns. My Springfields will no BS shoot sub-2" at 50 yards with the right load. There are many custom .45s that will not. Shooters will tell you what the builder said it will do and maybe even show a test target but watch what happens when you ask them to demonstrate at 50 while you watch. Good luck with your pistol.



saleen322 is offline  
Old April 21, 2013, 08:38 PM   #9
meadams314
Member
 
Join Date: April 4, 2013
Posts: 26
Quote:
They produce more 1911's than all of the other manufacturers combined.
Really now? I'd like to see your sources...

Interesting seeing as your Kimber 1911s are clones of the original Colt...
meadams314 is offline  
Old April 21, 2013, 09:02 PM   #10
CDR_Glock
Senior Member
 
Join Date: September 30, 2010
Posts: 704
Which 1911. S&W or Springfield ?

The Springfield TRP is a solid choice. S&W are not famous or popular for 1911s, but they are for everything else.

Another option is a Dan Wesson 1911.

I have a Guncrafter, Ed Brown, Wilson, Mars armament Colt, Detonics And a Coonan 1911.
CDR_Glock is offline  
Old April 22, 2013, 03:58 PM   #11
pete2
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 15, 2012
Location: Texas
Posts: 2,566
I own Colt, Kimber and Springfield. If I had it to do over they'd all be Colts. The only one that flat didn't work out of the box was the Kimber. I had to dimple the slide stop before it would work. I'm not the only one who had the same problem with the Kimber.
pete2 is offline  
Old April 22, 2013, 04:05 PM   #12
ShootingNut
Senior Member
 
Join Date: December 27, 2006
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 1,475
saleen,
Just curious, are these 50 yard targets shooting off a rest, or off hand?
If Off Hand, I am really a bad shot!
ShootingNut is offline  
Old April 22, 2013, 05:46 PM   #13
Kreyzhorse
Senior Member
 
Join Date: April 12, 2006
Location: NKY
Posts: 12,463
I own a TRP and that gun is really impressive. Excellent fit and finish, totally reliable and just plain accurate as hell.

The only drawback, the full length guide rod. For under $30 you can replace it however.

You can't go wrong with the TRP or Springfield.
__________________
"He who laughs last, laughs dead." Homer Simpson
Kreyzhorse is offline  
Old April 22, 2013, 06:04 PM   #14
Jumping_Jehosaphat
Member
 
Join Date: April 21, 2013
Posts: 67
I think you're going to happy with either one. If you've got a gun range that has both, rent them. I rented a couple of 40s the other day that I thought about getting and I'm glad I did that so I didn't waste my money.

My hat would go with the Springfield because that's what I know. The 1st time I shot the Springfield 1911 A1 I was in love.

I read this on another forum somewhere but comparing guns is like Ford vs Chevy. Both are GREAT products, reliable, and will make you happy, happy, happy!
Jumping_Jehosaphat is offline  
Old April 22, 2013, 08:31 PM   #15
saleen322
Senior Member
 
Join Date: March 8, 2010
Posts: 778
Quote:
Just curious, are these 50 yard targets shooting off a rest, or off hand?
If Off Hand, I am really a bad shot!
I wish I could do that off hand. They were shot from a rest.
saleen322 is offline  
Old April 22, 2013, 10:28 PM   #16
kimbers rule
Member
 
Join Date: November 3, 2012
Location: State of Jefferson
Posts: 95
Quote:
I own 3 Kimber's and know other people that own them. All have been flawless. Don't believe all of the hype surrounding them. They produce more 1911's than all of the other manufacturers combined. Anyone that I have recommeded a Kimber to, has always been happy.
I found a great forum for Kimber guys. 1911 forums. It doesn't have many haters and ritch people that own Wilsons and Browns don't look down thier noses at Kimber owners. Check it out.
kimbers rule is offline  
Old April 23, 2013, 07:21 AM   #17
Hunter Customs
Senior Member
 
Join Date: March 26, 2005
Location: Osborn, Missouri
Posts: 2,697
Springfield would be my choice.

Best Regards
Bob Hunter
www.huntercustoms.com
Hunter Customs is offline  
Old April 23, 2013, 09:42 AM   #18
NJgunowner
Senior Member
 
Join Date: February 13, 2009
Location: NJ
Posts: 1,254
I like the sig 1911's myself. Hard to go wrong with a Springfield 1911 though
NJgunowner is offline  
Old April 23, 2013, 12:17 PM   #19
Noreaster
Senior Member
 
Join Date: January 30, 2011
Location: New England
Posts: 1,449
Buddy of mine has the S&W pro series 1911 and it is an extremely smooth gun. I like everything about it. Fit and finish are top notch and it's a shooter.
Noreaster is offline  
Old April 23, 2013, 03:01 PM   #20
Sgt Pepper
Senior Member
 
Join Date: August 19, 2001
Location: Texas
Posts: 811
I, too, strongly recommend the S&W 1911. I have had two - an E-series .45 and a Pro Series in 9mm. Both were excellent, smooth, accurate shooters. Excellent fit and finish for non-custom pistols. I would not hesitate to buy or use one again. The only reason I moved the E-series along was to acquire an Ed Brown.
Sgt Pepper is offline  
Old April 24, 2013, 03:57 PM   #21
kutz
Senior Member
 
Join Date: September 24, 2012
Location: Arizona
Posts: 393
TRP, & Kimber, it's a tie, ok get the TRP.
kutz is offline  
Old April 24, 2013, 04:01 PM   #22
kutz
Senior Member
 
Join Date: September 24, 2012
Location: Arizona
Posts: 393
Wait, maybe the Kimber. My Kimbers are my EDC unless it a colt, my night stand is a TRP unless it's a S&W revolver. Understand?
kutz is offline  
Old April 24, 2013, 07:12 PM   #23
virg
Senior Member
 
Join Date: September 24, 2010
Location: SE KY
Posts: 131
Which 1911. S&W or Springfield ?

Quote:
Originally Posted by AFK View Post
I own 3 Kimber's and know other people that own them. All have been flawless. Don't believe all of the hype surrounding them. They produce more 1911's than all of the other manufacturers combined. Anyone that I have recommeded a Kimber to, has always been happy.
+ 1 on this !
virg is offline  
Old April 24, 2013, 08:16 PM   #24
kutz
Senior Member
 
Join Date: September 24, 2012
Location: Arizona
Posts: 393
Ur right virg
kutz is offline  
Old April 24, 2013, 09:17 PM   #25
Rinspeed
Senior Member
 
Join Date: February 1, 2000
Posts: 1,505
Quote:
I'd save up if you can & buy a hand-fit 1911a1 .45acp like a Wilson Combat, Les Baer, DL Sports(Dave Lauck), Cabot, etc.
Some say to avoid the MIM parts too. I'm not a gunsmith or engineer but I can see the valid points.



Years ago Wilson used several MIM parts in their lower end 1911s including the hammer and sear. Too many people called up bitching that their $1800 1911 had MIM parts in it because they were experts due to the errornet. Wilson came to the conculsion that even know that weren't seeing many failures they would switch to tool steel parts, they promptly raised the price $300.
Rinspeed is offline  
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:27 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
This site and contents, including all posts, Copyright © 1998-2021 S.W.A.T. Magazine
Copyright Complaints: Please direct DMCA Takedown Notices to the registered agent: thefiringline.com
Page generated in 0.12172 seconds with 10 queries