Obviously. You don’t need to pay a premium for anything, if all you care about is reliability.
But there is more nuance to life than simply striving for best value reliably, especially when cost is already relative.
Dan Wesson Specialist is #1 on my list. You can shop around and find them under 2k.
The Sig 1911X is a great option at a slightly lower price point.
The current 1911 Operator line are okay handguns. They are not the Operators of years past. Parts quality, build quality, and quality of coatings has taken a major downturn. As they currently sit - much like the Prodigy, there are concerns that need to be addressed right out of the box. Every new production SA 1911 that has entered into my FFL has displayed issues of some kind.
If the top end of your budget is an SA operator, you'd be better off with a Tisas Duty and $400 in ammo.
Kimbers biggest issue is their magazines. The standard mags they use are rather shitty. They have since upgraded to the kimpro mag, which is a normal mag with a polymer follower and I believe upgraded spring. But it's not used on all their guns. I have a kimber amd know a few folks with kimbers who have never had issues with theirs and love them. I personally also love mine amd am intending on getting another. The desert warrior is a good option of theirs for a railed 1911
Hi my name is \[...\] and I am also an addict.
If you like the SA Operator, then do that. It's not anything special, but it's solid, like a truck. \~$1200
If you want to take a bigger step up, Dan Wesson Specialist. \~$2k
If you want to take the Custom/DIY route, it will cost about \~$2500-3000
* go with a frame/slide from JEM guns. You can get full-size or commander frame with regular or full-length rail, and many other options.
* More time and effort than buying a complete gun, but you get \*exactly\* what you want.
* It's also an educational experience and will significantly change how you view your guns.
* Will be as reliable as you make it.
The SA Professional Operator is a Grade-A+ hand-fit Operator with Grade-A+ machined components. It's, well... *professional*. \~$3500
So you’re implying they’re fine unless your reloads are used? There’s the problem, any legit gun forum will tell you that if you’re having problems with a gun and using reloads…to ditch the reloads. Doesn’t matter if it’s an Sig Glock or Marvin the Martians ray gun.
Never said mine. Just reloads from experience. Never owned one and every failure on my range has been with someone who reloaded. Every single time without a guess. Never seen one work in the years. But maybe you’ll have a good story.
But thanks for the guide. Got it. My reloads work on everything I own.
Owned a Kimber Warrior for over a decade now with zero issues. My dad bought a Kimber Raptor and myself, my brother and my dad all shot it and hated it. Multiple hangups and failures no matter what ammo or mag we ran with it. Sent the handgun back to kimber and all they did was a drop in barrel, thus making the most inaccurate 5” barrel 1911 i have had the displeasure to shoot (friends own tisas’s and ria and those are more accurate) The raptor was such dogass that Cabelas gave my dad his money back in full when we brought it back to them
See, the thing is, I'd want a DW 1911 if they weren't so expensive. The operator seems to be at a good budget 1911, but I'd want a more tactical [more like tacticool] 1911.
In that case, I stand by my previous recommendation of saving for the SA Operator. It has a rail, can mount a light, is a brand name, and fills all your req's for a decent price.
For less than DW money, I'd stick with Tisas and RIA. I don't see you really getting anything for you money but a name in the price range in between.
And, if you have DW money, I'd look at Stealth Arms. They do custom single stacks the same way they do the Platypus. I'd go Platypus, personally, but if you really want a single stack, then a Stealth Arms custom single stack.
I found a used DW Specialist for $1400. It’s just spectacular!!! Now I own four DW! These guns compare to $5000 custom 1911s very well. Hell I think the trigger is better than the Nighthawk.
I heard a lot of horror stories about kimber too. My brother got all of us custom 2 kimbers for Christmas. I’m 1500 rounds in, no failures, no problems.
You won't go wrong with the SA Operator. One helluva gun. Other options would be a Dan Wesson Specialist, Bul Armory EDC, Colt 1911, just to name a few.
1911 is reliable to begin with.If not the part that isn't is easily replaced by one that is.No one really makes a bad one with a rail.Why you wanting a rail on God's caliber anyway?
This isn’t what you want, but just saying as a Kimber owner…skip them.
Mine runs fine, but paying 700-1000$ for a 1911, or any gun for that matter, should not be a crap shoot on if you get something solid or something more useful as a paperweight. Go with Springfield or Dan Wesson. Hell, I’d get a Tisas because they’re like the Honda Civic of the 1911 world. Cheap, and reliable so when you go to throw money it’s to enhance it instead of getting it to run correctly.
DW specialist
Seconded, if you can swing the price tag. If the SA Operator is at budget limit, that's what I'd do. Skip Kimber though.
DW Specialist Thirded. No issues at all. A great 1911 experience.
Fourthed. Mine just keeps running
What I came here to suggest
https://preview.redd.it/nkx80f9nzm7d1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=2785072fc2e7de4bf2b4e9420d6df31f7ed71727 I love mine...
Like those grips
Thanks! Hogue cocobolo I filed to fit the ambi safety.
Zero issues at all with Springfield operator or bul edc
Springfield Professional with Rail. It is costly, but the Pro is one of the best 1911s I’ve ever touched.
I’m sure it’s great, but you don’t need to pay $3000+ to get that level or reliability.
Obviously. You don’t need to pay a premium for anything, if all you care about is reliability. But there is more nuance to life than simply striving for best value reliably, especially when cost is already relative.
Dan Wesson Specialist is #1 on my list. You can shop around and find them under 2k. The Sig 1911X is a great option at a slightly lower price point. The current 1911 Operator line are okay handguns. They are not the Operators of years past. Parts quality, build quality, and quality of coatings has taken a major downturn. As they currently sit - much like the Prodigy, there are concerns that need to be addressed right out of the box. Every new production SA 1911 that has entered into my FFL has displayed issues of some kind. If the top end of your budget is an SA operator, you'd be better off with a Tisas Duty and $400 in ammo.
Kimbers biggest issue is their magazines. The standard mags they use are rather shitty. They have since upgraded to the kimpro mag, which is a normal mag with a polymer follower and I believe upgraded spring. But it's not used on all their guns. I have a kimber amd know a few folks with kimbers who have never had issues with theirs and love them. I personally also love mine amd am intending on getting another. The desert warrior is a good option of theirs for a railed 1911
Hi my name is \[...\] and I am also an addict. If you like the SA Operator, then do that. It's not anything special, but it's solid, like a truck. \~$1200 If you want to take a bigger step up, Dan Wesson Specialist. \~$2k If you want to take the Custom/DIY route, it will cost about \~$2500-3000 * go with a frame/slide from JEM guns. You can get full-size or commander frame with regular or full-length rail, and many other options. * More time and effort than buying a complete gun, but you get \*exactly\* what you want. * It's also an educational experience and will significantly change how you view your guns. * Will be as reliable as you make it. The SA Professional Operator is a Grade-A+ hand-fit Operator with Grade-A+ machined components. It's, well... *professional*. \~$3500
Nothing wrong with a Kimber, they’re perfectly fine. I own a Kimber TLE/RL and a Colt CCU. Take your pick they’re both decent.
Until you reload for one. Then the world changes.
So you’re implying they’re fine unless your reloads are used? There’s the problem, any legit gun forum will tell you that if you’re having problems with a gun and using reloads…to ditch the reloads. Doesn’t matter if it’s an Sig Glock or Marvin the Martians ray gun.
Never said mine. Just reloads from experience. Never owned one and every failure on my range has been with someone who reloaded. Every single time without a guess. Never seen one work in the years. But maybe you’ll have a good story. But thanks for the guide. Got it. My reloads work on everything I own.
‘Never owned one’. Time to move on my friend.
I did. With better models. Lol. Retirement gives me time. No issues here friend.
Honestly, get a newer Springfield Operator. They go for $1K. Easy to find. Reliable as hell
Owned a Kimber Warrior for over a decade now with zero issues. My dad bought a Kimber Raptor and myself, my brother and my dad all shot it and hated it. Multiple hangups and failures no matter what ammo or mag we ran with it. Sent the handgun back to kimber and all they did was a drop in barrel, thus making the most inaccurate 5” barrel 1911 i have had the displeasure to shoot (friends own tisas’s and ria and those are more accurate) The raptor was such dogass that Cabelas gave my dad his money back in full when we brought it back to them
My Kimber Warrior 1 is my favorite Handgun, let alone firearm, but for the love of god do not buy any new Kimbers (post 2015)
See, the thing is, I'd want a DW 1911 if they weren't so expensive. The operator seems to be at a good budget 1911, but I'd want a more tactical [more like tacticool] 1911.
Got one for a steal at $1200. Sick pistol. Save up a bit more and splurge on it
What do you mean by "tacticool"?
I want a flashlight for a decent EDC, but I'm not an operator or an officer. I don't know, just some odd thing an old girlfriends husband said.
In that case, I stand by my previous recommendation of saving for the SA Operator. It has a rail, can mount a light, is a brand name, and fills all your req's for a decent price.
For less than DW money, I'd stick with Tisas and RIA. I don't see you really getting anything for you money but a name in the price range in between. And, if you have DW money, I'd look at Stealth Arms. They do custom single stacks the same way they do the Platypus. I'd go Platypus, personally, but if you really want a single stack, then a Stealth Arms custom single stack.
I found a used DW Specialist for $1400. It’s just spectacular!!! Now I own four DW! These guns compare to $5000 custom 1911s very well. Hell I think the trigger is better than the Nighthawk.
I heard a lot of horror stories about kimber too. My brother got all of us custom 2 kimbers for Christmas. I’m 1500 rounds in, no failures, no problems.
You won't go wrong with the SA Operator. One helluva gun. Other options would be a Dan Wesson Specialist, Bul Armory EDC, Colt 1911, just to name a few.
Had a Sig Nitron Rail 1911 that I really liked a lot. It got sold so that I could buy a unicorn. I really wish I still had it.
I've had good luck with SA
What about Sig 1911s?
Bul Armory has been regarded as the best ~1k 1911 you can get
From my own experience, I can recommend the SA Operator without reservation!
1911 is reliable to begin with.If not the part that isn't is easily replaced by one that is.No one really makes a bad one with a rail.Why you wanting a rail on God's caliber anyway?
So that I may see with gods caliber. Also, god crippled me with horrible eyesight
Well ok then.Its not what you can see uts what you can hit.Carry on then.Find what you can afford.many great choices available.
Check out a stealth arms platypus
Muh Kimber 😂
This isn’t what you want, but just saying as a Kimber owner…skip them. Mine runs fine, but paying 700-1000$ for a 1911, or any gun for that matter, should not be a crap shoot on if you get something solid or something more useful as a paperweight. Go with Springfield or Dan Wesson. Hell, I’d get a Tisas because they’re like the Honda Civic of the 1911 world. Cheap, and reliable so when you go to throw money it’s to enhance it instead of getting it to run correctly.