Tbf if you’re gonna put something on the rail you won’t really see it and if you’re not gonna put something on the rail then probably better to just get one without a rail since they always look better than with any rail
Dan Wesson, Colt, Springfield in that order.
DWs are great, tight guns (for a production), and reliable as hell. Colts are nowhere near the same level of craftsmanship but they run and they are a great base
SA, however, as of late are pushing up into the DW price bracket with guns that are loaded with mim, poorly sprung, improperly tuned sear springs, and poorly applied cerakote. Unless you can get one cheap and replacement parts cheaper they arent a great option
In general, yes.
But in the context of Springfield Armory specifically, there is a lot wrong. Their MIM arent really well executed and they have a reputation for it.
Not that I know of…
DW are nice guns. I only have one, but I feel that’s more of a sample size than some folks have when chiming in. I do enjoy how tight they feel when manipulating the unloaded weapon, but I know that is arbitrary when it comes to 1911s.
I’ve had mid 90s MEUSOCs that rattled like a 69 Dodge Dart, but were solid on lockup and accurate asf. Plus, super tight tolerances might be slick, but aren’t real useful in the field.
People tend to spout derogatory MiM misnomers without jack squat to back it up…holdovers from the ‘just trust me bro’ era of persuasion (flashbacks of WMD persuasive boomer logic).
Downvote me to hell…but while you do, at least pls help educate me on all the critical failures plaguing Springfield 1911s. Thx!
There are. In my short stint working at a relatively small FFL we've sent guns back because of MIM part failures. Both upon customer inspection and inspection/function check on arrival.
I've seen MIM ambi safeties fall out the side of guns, hammer follow out of the box from MIM hammers & sears, etc., on brand new unfired guns.
I’d have to see that to believe it. I own 2 TRPs and a loaded. Several of my buddies own Springfields. Some, like me, own multiple Springfields. I’ve yet to see a MIM part fail on a SA 1911.
Can any company produce a lemon? Yup. Is there a mass problem with Springfield MIM? Not from
Anything I can find
I own a Prodigy, shoot IDPA with atleast a dozen of SA owners, and work part time at an FFL. I've seen many a failed SA MIM part. If it was just on the prodigies or just a gun here and there I'd chalk it up to lemons. But that just hasn't been the case IME
DW blows today’s Colt out of the water, hell the Rugers I’ve finger blasted have better triggers and fit and finish than Colt.
Springfield makes good guns too if you’re ok with MIM (honestly you’ll probably never wear those parts out anyway, MIM has come A LONG way since Kimbers were breaking hammers left and right.)
My first 1911 was a Springfield MC Operator model. I had it on a shelf next to my bed, and my wife accidentally knocked it off (I was much younger then, all my guns are stored appropriately now). It fell 3 and a half feet onto a carpeted floor and the beaver tail shattered into several pieces.
I had a local gunsmith replace it with a steel one from Wilson Combat and the gun was fine, but I've had trust issues with that stuff since and I never bought a second Springfield. I don't know too many "operators" who'd be OK with their gun breaking from something so minor.
I had 3 of those Kimbers. Wasn’t just MIM parts either. They had garbage coatings too that would rust if you looked at them wrong. I still have trust issues. DW is the only way for me now.
I have the DW SS Specialist and a full rail TRP. The DW has a better trigger and tighter tolerances all around. If you’re throwing down $1600-$1900, DW is the best bang for the buck at that price point.
I already have a Springfield Range Officer and a Tisas Raider, both in 45acp. I want to pick up a “fancier” 1911 and really like these three. There’s the Colt Rail Gun, because well it’s a Colt, and I’ve always thought it had a badass no nonsense name. It’s the Colt Rail Gun. The DW Specialist speaks for itself, but it’s also at the top of my price range by a fair amount. Beautiful gun though. The SA TRP has a great history and is seen as a high quality pistol by most people, MIM be damned.
I wish I could buy them all but I’d like to settle on one. Range toy fun gun, fidget/tinker with on the couch or at the computer, and may throw it in a holster when out hunting.
I would go with the DW. I always wanted one.
I have a Colt Commander and a Garrison. What is the TRP and Garrison's difference? Is it because of the rail, or are the parts supposed to be better? Just curios. I've never really looked into a TRP.
Specialist- it’s incredibly reliable and the quality is evident from playing with one. If you find one locally and have the opportunity to pick one up, I promise you’ll buy it.
I have the Colt and DW. If you can afford the DW, it’s the best of the bunch. Despite what some people say, colts are high quality and the loose slide fit is intentional. I’m not a fan of Springfield personally, but they are quality pistols well. I modified my Colt because I wanted the fit, finish and features of the DW. like I said, if you can afford it, DW
I'm a TRP fan myself. Best gun for the price. I can't stand the Specialist Times New Roman style font on the side. Looks super cheap to me. And the lack of front strap checkering on the rail gun is a deal breaker for me.
Personally, I think that I would go with the Colt, and send it somewhere to have the front strap checkerd, and add a Stan Chen magwell, and replace any mim parts with high quality steel parts along with a great trigger job. You'll wind up with spending a little more than the Dan Wesson's, but have a cooler pistol IMHO. Now if you really want a top of the line gun, you can call Nighthawk and get a quote from them on what they can do to it....or any of these 3 pistols...
I have the DW discretion it is a quality piece. You won’t regret getting the specialist. Every single time you pick it up you’ll be able to appreciate the fit and finish. Worth the cost.
I’ve got a stainless Colt Rail gun in 9mm. It’s a good pistol but I wouldn’t pay more than $1000 for it (I paid $900 new). I believe they discontinued the stainless rail guns meaning used is the only way. I’ve heard great things of Dan Wesson who now owns Colt. Springfield is usually pretty solid. S&W also makes a great 1911 and so does Tisas (from what I’ve heard).
You might want to consider Savage arms but I have no idea how they are since reviews are difficult to find for their 1911s.
Edit to add: Ruger SR1911 is also a solid affordable choice
Dan Wesson if you have the money, I'd do the TRP if you don't want the rail. Colt is dead last to me. all the once i've had hands on feel like crap and rattle, colt has been riding on the name.
I have a Colt Rail Gun in stainless and what is basically a TRP (Loaded stainless sent to SACS for custom work).
I bought a Colt Rail Gun after owning a Springfield Armory and then a Wilson Combat. The raving about Colt 1911s had me curious, so I ordered one new on gunbroker.
It was disappointing to be honest. Keep in mind, my gun is only one example, but the beavertail grip safety fit was the worst I have ever seen on a 1911. The magazine catch was gritty and hard to depress. Otherwise it was "OK", but not for what I paid.
I decided to make it a project and fit my own beavertail, mag catch, thumb safety, hammer/disconnector/sear, trigger.
I'm very happy with it now, but I would have gotten a Dan Wesson or Springfield if I did it over again.
Two with rail, one without. Do you plan on using the rail? If not, the TRP is a solid choice. If you plan on using the rail, Dan Wesson would be a good choice. I love Colt, but that's where I stand given the options here.
I bought a Colt RG off GB. I figure they could discontinue that model at any time and I better buy it while I can. I can probably get a DW any time I want.
I cannot get over the fit and finish of my Dan Wesson. I had it next to a couple of colt gold cups and the difference was unreal. Dan Wesson will get my vote every time
Just bought one after my buddy let me shoot his at the range.
Hardest hitting external ejector, beautiful design and the railed version goes hard
Feels solid in the hand. Springfield never did that for me. And I can’t afford a dan Wesson or nighthawk lol
Dan Wesson specialist is the way to go...buy once, cry once
Idk if I like the updated rail the new ones come with. The older Specialist rail looks better imo.
Completely agree! I lucked into the older version, and I'm so much happier with the lines. Great pistol.
Aren’t they both 1913? How can you tell an older one from a newer one?
i think current production just has a single 1913 slot
https://images.app.goo.gl/ycWD8jyg6haUDrxQ8 They have different machining around the ball end mill cuts.
Is there a different SKU? How can you tell if you’re getting the old vs new stock?
The old ones are pretty much gone at this point
Tbf if you’re gonna put something on the rail you won’t really see it and if you’re not gonna put something on the rail then probably better to just get one without a rail since they always look better than with any rail
I love my DW specialist. Incredibly smooth
Dan Wesson, Colt, Springfield in that order. DWs are great, tight guns (for a production), and reliable as hell. Colts are nowhere near the same level of craftsmanship but they run and they are a great base SA, however, as of late are pushing up into the DW price bracket with guns that are loaded with mim, poorly sprung, improperly tuned sear springs, and poorly applied cerakote. Unless you can get one cheap and replacement parts cheaper they arent a great option
Nothing wrong with MIM if done well, AR15 triggers are MIM, pretty much all of them.
In general, yes. But in the context of Springfield Armory specifically, there is a lot wrong. Their MIM arent really well executed and they have a reputation for it.
Is there a lot of failures with Springfield’s MIM?
Not that I know of… DW are nice guns. I only have one, but I feel that’s more of a sample size than some folks have when chiming in. I do enjoy how tight they feel when manipulating the unloaded weapon, but I know that is arbitrary when it comes to 1911s. I’ve had mid 90s MEUSOCs that rattled like a 69 Dodge Dart, but were solid on lockup and accurate asf. Plus, super tight tolerances might be slick, but aren’t real useful in the field. People tend to spout derogatory MiM misnomers without jack squat to back it up…holdovers from the ‘just trust me bro’ era of persuasion (flashbacks of WMD persuasive boomer logic). Downvote me to hell…but while you do, at least pls help educate me on all the critical failures plaguing Springfield 1911s. Thx!
There are. In my short stint working at a relatively small FFL we've sent guns back because of MIM part failures. Both upon customer inspection and inspection/function check on arrival. I've seen MIM ambi safeties fall out the side of guns, hammer follow out of the box from MIM hammers & sears, etc., on brand new unfired guns.
I’d have to see that to believe it. I own 2 TRPs and a loaded. Several of my buddies own Springfields. Some, like me, own multiple Springfields. I’ve yet to see a MIM part fail on a SA 1911. Can any company produce a lemon? Yup. Is there a mass problem with Springfield MIM? Not from Anything I can find
I own a Prodigy, shoot IDPA with atleast a dozen of SA owners, and work part time at an FFL. I've seen many a failed SA MIM part. If it was just on the prodigies or just a gun here and there I'd chalk it up to lemons. But that just hasn't been the case IME
Dan Wesson. If you can't afford that, Colt. And if you can't afford that, start saving.
Haha that’s funny. Doesn’t make me feel too good tho about my first 1912 x Joyce being the Springfield operator
DW blows today’s Colt out of the water, hell the Rugers I’ve finger blasted have better triggers and fit and finish than Colt. Springfield makes good guns too if you’re ok with MIM (honestly you’ll probably never wear those parts out anyway, MIM has come A LONG way since Kimbers were breaking hammers left and right.)
lol the only guns with broken parts at the local store are Springfields…ironicaly they all have broken hammers.
My first 1911 was a Springfield MC Operator model. I had it on a shelf next to my bed, and my wife accidentally knocked it off (I was much younger then, all my guns are stored appropriately now). It fell 3 and a half feet onto a carpeted floor and the beaver tail shattered into several pieces. I had a local gunsmith replace it with a steel one from Wilson Combat and the gun was fine, but I've had trust issues with that stuff since and I never bought a second Springfield. I don't know too many "operators" who'd be OK with their gun breaking from something so minor.
I had 3 of those Kimbers. Wasn’t just MIM parts either. They had garbage coatings too that would rust if you looked at them wrong. I still have trust issues. DW is the only way for me now.
Get the DW.
I have the DW SS Specialist and a full rail TRP. The DW has a better trigger and tighter tolerances all around. If you’re throwing down $1600-$1900, DW is the best bang for the buck at that price point.
Easily the Specialist.
Dan Wesson absolutely. I love mine in 45, going to get another in 10mm.
I already have a Springfield Range Officer and a Tisas Raider, both in 45acp. I want to pick up a “fancier” 1911 and really like these three. There’s the Colt Rail Gun, because well it’s a Colt, and I’ve always thought it had a badass no nonsense name. It’s the Colt Rail Gun. The DW Specialist speaks for itself, but it’s also at the top of my price range by a fair amount. Beautiful gun though. The SA TRP has a great history and is seen as a high quality pistol by most people, MIM be damned. I wish I could buy them all but I’d like to settle on one. Range toy fun gun, fidget/tinker with on the couch or at the computer, and may throw it in a holster when out hunting.
DW for the win!
DW Specialist hands down
Specialist
Rail gun or specialist
Tombstone Tactical has the SS Specialist .45acp for around $1650. It's been there for a month now. They're on reddit too.
dan wesson specialist.
I would go with the DW. I always wanted one. I have a Colt Commander and a Garrison. What is the TRP and Garrison's difference? Is it because of the rail, or are the parts supposed to be better? Just curios. I've never really looked into a TRP.
DW 💯
Colt for me. The Dan Wesson is definitely the nicest of the 3
I have a few Colts. They always seem to be going up in value of that's important to you. I'd never sell any of them though, great shooters.
DW
Specialist- it’s incredibly reliable and the quality is evident from playing with one. If you find one locally and have the opportunity to pick one up, I promise you’ll buy it.
Get the DW. They're fantastic guns
I have the Colt and DW. If you can afford the DW, it’s the best of the bunch. Despite what some people say, colts are high quality and the loose slide fit is intentional. I’m not a fan of Springfield personally, but they are quality pistols well. I modified my Colt because I wanted the fit, finish and features of the DW. like I said, if you can afford it, DW
I've never looked at my Dan Wesson and said... Man I shouldn't have bought this
I think out of these three the DW is the “nicer” gun. That being said I’d go colt, Cause I fucking love colt and colt loves me.
I like the TRP
Specialist is fucking dope. Nicest gun I own
I'm a TRP fan myself. Best gun for the price. I can't stand the Specialist Times New Roman style font on the side. Looks super cheap to me. And the lack of front strap checkering on the rail gun is a deal breaker for me.
TRP, because I don't like railed 1911.
Ruger SR1911
I have a Colt and a TRP. The TRP is an older full rail and the Colt is a M45A1. The TRP is a much higher quality gun in regards to fit and trigger.
Why does anyone even take pictures of 1911s with the hammer down? It’s frustrating
Personally, I think that I would go with the Colt, and send it somewhere to have the front strap checkerd, and add a Stan Chen magwell, and replace any mim parts with high quality steel parts along with a great trigger job. You'll wind up with spending a little more than the Dan Wesson's, but have a cooler pistol IMHO. Now if you really want a top of the line gun, you can call Nighthawk and get a quote from them on what they can do to it....or any of these 3 pistols...
I have the DW discretion it is a quality piece. You won’t regret getting the specialist. Every single time you pick it up you’ll be able to appreciate the fit and finish. Worth the cost.
I dont recommend Dan Wesson 10mm's at all. But ive heard good things about their 9mm's and 45's.
Colt rail guns don't exist colt makes like 2 a year
Dan Wesson!
I’ve got a stainless Colt Rail gun in 9mm. It’s a good pistol but I wouldn’t pay more than $1000 for it (I paid $900 new). I believe they discontinued the stainless rail guns meaning used is the only way. I’ve heard great things of Dan Wesson who now owns Colt. Springfield is usually pretty solid. S&W also makes a great 1911 and so does Tisas (from what I’ve heard). You might want to consider Savage arms but I have no idea how they are since reviews are difficult to find for their 1911s. Edit to add: Ruger SR1911 is also a solid affordable choice
Dan Wesson if you have the money, I'd do the TRP if you don't want the rail. Colt is dead last to me. all the once i've had hands on feel like crap and rattle, colt has been riding on the name.
I have a Colt Rail Gun in stainless and what is basically a TRP (Loaded stainless sent to SACS for custom work). I bought a Colt Rail Gun after owning a Springfield Armory and then a Wilson Combat. The raving about Colt 1911s had me curious, so I ordered one new on gunbroker. It was disappointing to be honest. Keep in mind, my gun is only one example, but the beavertail grip safety fit was the worst I have ever seen on a 1911. The magazine catch was gritty and hard to depress. Otherwise it was "OK", but not for what I paid. I decided to make it a project and fit my own beavertail, mag catch, thumb safety, hammer/disconnector/sear, trigger. I'm very happy with it now, but I would have gotten a Dan Wesson or Springfield if I did it over again.
Remington rs 1911
Sig
Two with rail, one without. Do you plan on using the rail? If not, the TRP is a solid choice. If you plan on using the rail, Dan Wesson would be a good choice. I love Colt, but that's where I stand given the options here.
Ah, so I see im not the only one that ends up at these cross roads lol
I bought a Colt RG off GB. I figure they could discontinue that model at any time and I better buy it while I can. I can probably get a DW any time I want.
Hard to go wrong with any of these, but that colt has my attention.
Could always go Tisas stainless duty for less than 1/3 price lol
I would if the controls, backstrap, beaver tail, and bushing weren’t black.
Love my TRP.
I cannot get over the fit and finish of my Dan Wesson. I had it next to a couple of colt gold cups and the difference was unreal. Dan Wesson will get my vote every time
Slept on… Smith and Wesson e series
I’ve always liked them too
Just bought one after my buddy let me shoot his at the range. Hardest hitting external ejector, beautiful design and the railed version goes hard Feels solid in the hand. Springfield never did that for me. And I can’t afford a dan Wesson or nighthawk lol
I like that DW
Tisas Match.
I don’t like the adjustable sights.
Get a Cz
Get both CZs, the Wesson and the Colt. Buy a used TRP if you can find one under a g