Alright fellas,

Been to the pistol range lately? Have a target grouping you're proud of? Well let's see it. Let us know what pistol and ammo you used and at what distance you were shooting. Let's see what you've got...

Got out today to test out the new PRP Ultimate Match Target trigger I installed in my XD40sc. Unloaded three 12rd mags of Remington UMC 165 Grain FMJ into this 8" target @ 15yds...





Not bad for a 3" barrel subcompact. I absolutely LOVE the new trigger!

Just got back from the range. Put 300 rounds through the new SA 1911-A1 this morning with no issues whatsoever. It's a super smoothe shooter.





Here's one of my better 7rd groups at 15yds...

Looks good. I can't wait to get a 1911, I just have to figure out how much I want to spend and which one I want

In my experience you get what you pay for. But whether I'm shoot'n my Kimber, my SW1911, or my new Springer, the groups all look the same...

DoubleTap wrote:Looks good. I can't wait to get a 1911, I just have to figure out how much I want to spend and which one I want

I'll begin by saying I don't have very much experience with handguns. I haven't shot many 1911s, but I did a ton of research before selecting the one I have. I read review after review and forum post after forum post on Colts, Springfields, S&Ws, and Kimbers, and for the price the R1 is outstanding in performance. Springfield and S&W were getting good reviews, but it seemed the R1 was receiving more praise, however that could be because of its recent release. A friend of mine whose been collecting for years upon years has had many different 1911s including Kimbers. His comment when I asked him about them was, "they're a flashier and more expensive version of any other 1911 out there, but doesn't cycle reloads." With their $1,000+ price-tag I went with him on his opinion. My final decision was a tossup between a Remington or a Colt. The Remington was $300 cheaper and the way I figured it that's $300 worth of ammo I could spend and shoot through an outstanding gun, rather than spend the extra $300 for the novelty of having a Colt. After shooting my R1 I can't imagine how any other brand would shoot any more flawlessly. I may not be a competitive shooter or incredibly experienced, but after shooting one of these beauties you don't have to be a genius to know it's a great buy. The only changes I'm thinking of doing to it are installing a beavertail and getting some custom grips.

I for one own three 1911s so far. One S&W, one Kimber, and one Springer. There is a definite difference in engineering between the three that leads to a perceptible difference in the tolerances in each model. My Springer Mil-spec has the loosest tolerances of the three. The S&W is a bit tighter and the Kimber is locked up tighter than a submarine hatch. I can really tell the difference when handling and firing each pistol. As for results on paper, it's still equally relative to the pistol's design. I am by far more consistent on target with the Kimber. That's saying a great deal considering it's a 3" barrel Ultra CDP II compared to the other two being full-sized models.

All that said, the reliability of each model has been impressive. They all go boom when I want them to and have yet to fail me. I can't say that one is inherently "better" than the other just because it cost more. Due to its size, the Kimber is my EDC and I trust it with my life. However, I would have no issues carrying the other two for personal defense. It's true that you get what you pay for, but in the case of any well made 1911 you most always come out ahead in the deal...