1911 Recommendations

[NDGuy]

$2500 budget

I already have a cheaper Springfield so no desire for the lower end. Anyone have experience with Ed Brown, Dan Wesson, Les Baer, or high end Springfield’s/Colts?

I know some folks softened on EB due to his poor interactions with people in his later years but curious how EB has held up quality wise with his passing.

 

[NRA4LIFE]

Colt Gold Cup. I have loved mine for 35+ years. An absolute joy to shoot.

 

[Formidilosus]

$2500 budget

I already have a cheaper Springfield so no desire for the lower end. Anyone have experience with Ed Brown, Dan Wesson, Les Baer, or high end Springfield’s/Colts?

I know some folks softened on EB due to his poor interactions with people in his later years but curious how EB has held up quality wise with his passing.

Have used all of the above- most quite heavily. Assuming 45 auto?

I am not interested in project 1911’s in general. I need want them to work correctly and as reliably as any modern service pistol.

For $2,500 I would be looking for a used Springfield Professional. Then either a Les Bear or an older Rick River (very good pistols usually). After that an EB. Dan Wessons used to be pretty solid at sub $2k, however seems to have fallen off a bit the last couple of years.

If you look for a while, you should be able to find an Alchemy Custom for sub $3,000.

 

[rbutcher1234]

Valor precision

 

[NDGuy]

Have used all of the above- most quite heavily. Assuming 45 auto?

I am not interested in project 1911’s in general. I need want them to work correctly and as reliably as any modern service pistol.

For $2,500 I would be looking for a used Springfield Professional. Then either a Les Bear or an older Rick River (very good pistols usually). After that an EB. Dan Wessons used to be pretty solid at sub $2k, however seems to have fallen off a bit the last couple of years.

If you look for a while, you should be able to find an Alchemy Custom for sub $3,000.

I found an absolutely mint Stainless Ed Brown Kobra Carry for 2k at my local shop this weekend. Doesn’t look like it’s been fired. Pretty tempting

 

[Turkeygetpwnd38]

I'd be looking for a used Ed Brown Special Forces, can find them for around $2500. New, I'd probably look at the top of the DW line, find one with the features you want/like.
I used to be into 1911s pretty heavily and never found a Colt or Springfield I really liked.

 

[rbutcher1234]

I’d plug a staccato p in your price range if you care about 9mm and 2011, but you said 1911

 

[NDGuy]

if you care about 9mm and 2011

Not big on these

 

[Thinkingman]

STI would be a great piece under your price range.
I have one and it's like the slide rides on bearings.
Dan Wesson used to make the closest thing to a custom. Their fit was so tight it was difficult to rack until a few hundred rounds were through it.
Kimber with an internal extractor would also be on my list.
Older Colts were rattle traps-the machine tool replacement in around 2012 helped them tremendously.