Who makes a top quality made in USA 1911 these days?

[teddy12b]

I've kicked around the idea of a new 1911 before, but I don't know what company to look at first. My very first pistol was a Colt 1911, but from what I read it doesn't sound like Colt's are what they used to be by any measuring stick. My next thought was to look at Springfield, but after that whole Illinois fiasco I don't really feel like spending any money with them for now.


Currently, I've got a springfield loaded parkerized that I'm very happy with. I really wouldn't change a thing other than I wouldn't mind having a rail on it, and I wouldn't mind getting a 1911 that was tuned for accuracy. With Colt, and Springfield out I thought my next options would either be a kimber, or a Wilson combat if I really wanted to drop some coin.

As far as what I'm looking for I like the looks of the Colt M45A1, and the springfield TRP.

Any thoughts on this? Are Colt & Springfield ok these days and I've been reading the wrong information?

 

[maansmit]

I would take a hard look at Dan Wesson.

 

[chubbs]

Kimber has went to hell over the last few years. They started sourcing parts from the lowest bidder. They are not a manufacturer, they are a half ass assembler.

 

[Dddrees]

Not sure whether Wilson Combat, Les Baer, or Ed Brown are truly made in the USA. However the makes and the budget you indicate with the names you used I would and have purchased a Dan Wesson.

 

[halfmileharry]

Baer, Brown, Wilson, Custom shop guns.
I WAS a big 1911 freak for decades but the mass produced molded parts turned me off.
I loved Kimber. Now days IF I buy a Kimber I plan on spending about $300 more on them to replace the innards.
Colts have really disappointed me as well. I should expect a gun that earned it's rep in a few wars over the last 100 years or so would be built loose. I forgot that part but I want a tighter gun than Colt has shown me in a few years. More than a few years actually.
IF and that's a big "IF" I'd expect to spend NO LESS than $2K on a decent 1911.
Unless things have changed recently that's what I'd expect.
It's not that they don't make some decent guns but I don'l want to have to look at a couple of dozen before I find one that's fit up right, snug, and out of the box with a decent trigger.
Yea, I'm on a 1911 rant/bash. I miss the days of a good 1911 for $500. That's been a while.

 

[Expat]

If you have the money, I have never heard anyone say they regretted buying a Wilson Combat

Then you have the Ed Browns, Nighthawk, GunCrafter, Les Baers....

I have several Colts and they have all been fine.

 

[SSGSAD]

Teddy, talk to Churchmouse, he is the resident 1911 guy .....

 

[AllenM]

I do

 

[halfmileharry]

I do

Very True. Excellent workmanship.

 

[SSGSAD]

I do

YES, you sure do .....

 

[gmcttr]

Another strong suggestion for a Dan Wesson.

 

[WebSnyper]

I do

Not just USA made, but Indiana, more specifically Avon, Indiana made 1911

 

[halfmileharry]

Another strong suggestion for a Dan Wesson.

Is DW made in USA again?

 

[Doublehelix]

Is DW made in USA again?

Yes, Norwich, NY. They are now owned by CZ.

I just purchased a Dan Wesson Silverback, and it is a gorgeous gun that is made to a very high standard. Very impressive.

 

[armyvet209]

i own a dan wesson vbob and a dan wesson discretion and have been very happy with both.

 

[churchmouse]

I do

He does

 

[88E30M50]

If you are looking for a production gun, check out Dan Wesson. They are US made and don't need to guts replaced when you get them like a lot of other guns. If you are treating yourself to a custom gun, give AllenM a call. I've shot several guns he built and all have been fantastic by every measure. If you are looking for a USGI style 1911, find a CZ 1911A1. They are the best USGI style gun out there and cost well under $900. They are built by Dan Wesson for CZ and are up to DW quality levels at 2/3 the cost.

 

[Dean C.]

Get a Dan Wesson Specialist and call it a day, based on your preference for an M45 or TRP this is the gun for you.

This is the commander sized model for reference

 

[Hopper]

Get a Dan Wesson Specialist and call it a day, based on your preference for an M45 or TRP this is the gun for you. This is the commander sized model for reference

Dean wins the thread! That commander Specialist gets two of these emoji things...

 

[Ithaca45]

I have a Colt Wiley Clapp Lightweight Commander, a Colt Wiley Clapp Government, and a Springfield Custom Shop. All three shoot great and are built very well. The Custom is the tightest fit and a great finish but the Colts are fit well and the finish seems to be very durable. My 2 cents.