Back from Ukraine/Czech

[visaveteran 1]

Aren't all Kimbers on the expensive side?

Well...there are companies selling 1911s for $2500 and up which makes Kimber seem more reasonable. Quality to price ratio is probably pretty reasonable all things considered. Maybe a used one for me?

[slim 1,525]

If you want a good quality to price ratio get a Taurus.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Aren't all Kimbers on the expensive side?

I bought the CDP about 7 or 8 years ago. I paid in the neighborhood of $1000 for it but traded in Colt Officers Model. I do not have the Ultra II or whatever they call it, they changed it a little after I bought it. At the time the standard Ultra was about $400 less, if I recall correctly. Not cheap but definitely not in the upper range of 1911's which can get positively obscene.

[slim 1,525]

$1000 is going to get you a pretty nice "factory" 1911 from Colt, Kimber, Para, etc. Knock-off 1911s (like a Llama or similar) can be had for under $500. Most are pretty good and just foreign copies of the original. The Taurus and Springfield 1911s are in the upper end of that price range (appx. $600) and are good quality as well. They'll feature some "custom" features like checkered grips or skeleton hammer, etc.

You can also consider a pretty decent .45 for around $400 if you get something from the Ruger P series. Not really designed with carry in mind but a decent pistol all the same.

[baron555 934]

My little Raptor cost somewhere around $950 a couple of years ago.

My favorite (and beside handgun) is a RIA 1911 with 5 inch barrel, Novak tritium sites and Crimson Trace Laser Grip.

All black and accurate and always functioning out of the box for $350 (gun only).

Oh, and only a .45 for me. (I do have a SW M&P in SW 40 and an Italian Berreta in 9mm.)

[slim 1,525]

I've heard good things about Rock Island. Good value, too.

[baron555 934]

I've heard good things about Rock Island. Good value, too.

That's why I have two. I have some piks somewhere, when I find them I'll post them so we RUBers have something other than out women to drool over.

[slim 1,525]

That's why I have two. I have some piks somewhere, when I find them I'll post them so we RUBers have something other than out women to drool over.

Gun porn. Sweet!

[visaveteran 1]

Any 1911 that works well for $350 is worth seeing some photos of. So, Baron, when you have a chance to post them, I'd enjoy checking them out.

I bought a South African made 1911 called the Griffon. They only imported it for a few years before it disappeared. I paid around $300 from CDNN in Texas who handled disposing of the remaining inventory. If you have not heard of CDNN check them out. Anyway, this Griffon was all steel, Teflon coated, Novak style night sights, extended slide stop and safety, beaver grip safety, etc. It shoots pretty good and handles most ammo well. It's a commander size which I like the best for feel in the hand.

I am also a .45 cal. man...but they're hard to conceal carry which is why I bought the Sig Sauer P238 (which is really a Colt Mustang with some improvements). I like that it has the same battery of arms as the big 1911 in a .380 round. Since playing with the mouse guns I've gotten more interested in them. I heard some good things about a Beretta 950 Jetfire in .25 cal. It holds 9 rounds which is amazing for a tiny gun. They stopped making this model and replaced it with the Beretta Bobcat. But the Bobcat has had some feeding issues and it's a bigger gun than the Jetfire. Anyway, I'm looking in the used market for a 950 Jetfire. It has this niffy pop up barrel that you can pop a round in and eliminate having to rack the slide...so it's good for women and old guys like me. Should mention the Jetfire is single action only which is rare for mouse guns. i don't like double-action guns...I just can't hit anything with that long trigger pull.

Edited December 9, 2010 by visaveteran

[baron555 934]

Gun porn. Sweet!

Rock Island Armory, GI Model, 1911, 45 ACP, 5 inch barrel, Novak sights, and then with VZ grips (now has Crimson Trace laser sighting grips)

Functions flawlessly out of the box. Does need about 200 rounds for break in.

Loaded with Winchester Ranger Talon 230 gr 45 ACP, my family will be protected.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Photo number 4 is why I like the .45

[slim 1,525]

Photo number 4 is why I like the .45

Me too!

There's nothing like looking down the barrel and actually seeing the bullet. Good for morale!

[visaveteran 1]

Rock Island Armory, GI Model, 1911, 45 ACP, 5 inch barrel, Novak sights, and then with VZ grips (now has Crimson Trace laser sighting grips)

Functions flawlessly out of the box. Does need about 200 rounds for break in.

Loaded with Winchester Ranger Talon 230 gr 45 ACP, my family will be protected.

Baron, nice original military style 1911. Other than the sights and grips, it's the same type of gun I carried in Vietnam. I like the basic model because you can either keep it as is or add on some goodies. And the military model helps hold down the costs. The only issue these guns sometimes have is shooting hollow points. Seems like yours does well with all ammo.

And thanks for the photos!

Edited December 11, 2010 by visaveteran

[visaveteran 1]

OK...we had this great thread going on guns, complete with photos. Then somebody restarts some ancient thread on "flowers"...which then morphs into lists of what our wives like about the US. Now there's a fresh original topic.

Slim...where the hell are you? Please tell me you're not out buying flowers. Get your wife some ammo for your anniversary. Take her to the range...forget restaurants. We can't forget the long-term, wife training process here. Think man...think!

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

OK...we had this great thread going on guns, complete with photos. Then somebody restarts some ancient thread on "flowers"...which then morphs into lists of what our wives like about the US. Now there's a fresh original topic.

Slim...where the hell are you? Please tell me you're not out buying flowers. Get your wife some ammo for your anniversary. Take her to the range...forget restaurants. We can't forget the long-term, wife training process here. Think man...think!

He probably will

I should add at this point that Alla likes skeet shooting! I bought her a Remington Model 1148S in 28 ga. And she does pretty well with it. On our recent vacation, I shot in a skeet competition and Alla was mad because she had to spend the day at the local library studying as she had some important homework paper due when we got back.

She also likes shooting the S&W .22/32 Kit gun and a Colt Police Positive Special .38. She is skeered of the .45. Too big and noisy. She hasn't shot any of the "big rifles" yet.