I'm looking for a medium grade 1911

[downtownv]

Not the crazy high priced custom blah blah blah.
$500-$1300 range.
What should I look for and avoid?
How good are Sigs in this arena?
The caliper will be .45 , though I see a lot of 9mm options out there (Probably due to ammo costs...

[DKD]

With that wide a price range, an entire field is open to you. Most of what I would call the better pistols would be closer to the $1,000.00 area. I WOULD LOOK AT THE FOLLOWING: Springfield Armory, Kimber, Sig Sauer, even the new Ruger 1911 if you find one thhat has the price jacked up. I would be comfortable with any of the above manufactures. You will find the Kimbers and Sigs at the higher end of you price range. Hope this helps you out. Happy Hunting

[Ken_K]

First off, what are you planning to use it for? Plinking, hd, ccw?

[TucsonMTB]

Here is a good review of the Dan Wesson Guardian, which is available in both .45ACP and 9mm. It is at the top of your price range, but with Dan Wesson's strong track record and my own experience with their CBOB, this alloy framed, commander sized, bobtail is at the top of my wish list.

Go ahead. Make me jealous. Lots of people do.

[downtownv]

PERSONAL PROTECTION BUT NOT CARRY Kahrs are made for CCW and of course Killing that terrible paper target at the range!

[downtownv]

I keep hearing about Kimber; no one says anything about the Sig models.

[wlc]

Check out STI. They make some very nice 1911 and 2011 pistols in that price range. I like them more than Kimber. JMO

[DKD]

DOWNTOWNNV,

I mentioed the Sig Sauer 1911's in my post. What are you suggesting that 1911's are for paper punching and not CCW? If I am misunderstanding your response I will beg your pardon......if not, than you are sorely mistaken. Whats wrong with condition #1 cocked & locked...been done for over 100 years with complete sucess. The 1911 is an awsome platformas a defensive pistol, now I'm not sayig that I would like to carry i my pocket that way...most even the 3" models are still way to heavy for that style & mode of carry, but on the belt, or IWB carry it's a very viable platform.

[Bawanna]

Didn't GB just get a Sig not too long ago? I think it was a Sig, maybe a Smith?

For that range there are a ton of very good 1911's to choose from. I got an MRI 1911G first of the year and I love it. Great gun and a great value. The Remington about the same price range and also very nice.

The Ruger SR1911 I held was very nice and a heck of a gun in the 700 range too.

I haven't owned an STI but somebody already mentioned those and the ones I held looked really good too.

I know the first Ruger I meet face to face that's for sale I'll probably take home, I'll get a beating but it's happened before.

I agree with Tucson too, I carry a Cbob everyday and while they are at the top end of your price range, very top, they are an incredibly nice gun.

I envy your search, I have the desire, I just need your 1500 bucks and it would be a great day. Heck for 1500 I could get 2 Rugers or MRI's.
If the right one don't get ya, then the left one will, kiss ka boom, kiss ka boom. I should have been a rock star but prefer banjo. It's a curse.

[downtownv]

Well where do I begin.... I'm a business man from NJ where retired cops can barely be approved for carry. That being said I have a CCW permits from ME UT And FL so I have to travel out of state first and was thinking smaller lighter is better (Hence my Kahrs cw-9 and K-9)
I would love to carry an M-60 but I gotta hump it and don't need the extra baggage.If I lived in a normal state, OWB holsters would be no problem. IWB is a little different.