I'd recommend you go with at least a 4". The 3" pistols just have way too much geometry to feed reliably. The Kimber Pro models are 4" and easily conceallable. I own a few Kimbers, I'd love a Wilson, but I'd never buy either in a 3" barrel.

The BW Carry Pistol is a 4", so no worries about the 3" issue there.

Given your choices, I'd go Wilson in heartbeat. Kimbers are "nice" (I say this because I am not fond of them), but the Wilsons are the better built guns in the long run.


That being said, there are plenty of great guns out there for less $$$$ Dan Wesson and Fusion being two of them. I'd definitely take a look at a CBOB from DW or have a gun built totally to your specs from Fusion for less than a Wilson.

Thanks, never heard of Fusion.

Originally Posted by VAMarine

That being said, there are plenty of great guns out there for less $$$$ Dan Wesson and Fusion being two of them. I'd definitely take a look at a CBOB from DW or have a gun built totally to your specs from Fusion for less than a Wilson.

That would be nice, but I don't know how that would work, being new to the 1911 game. There's so many aesthetic options out there in 1911's, you might not know where to start. I don't mean to sound harsh, but I know the gun I wanted a year ago, is far different from my taste buds now after owning a couple and seeing all that is out there!

+1 on the Dan Wesson CBOB

But on the other hand, he might think a little more about what he wants before dropping up to $2300 on a gun.

Originally Posted by VAMarine

But on the other hand, he might think a little more about what he wants before dropping up to $2300 on a gun.

Well I am sure there will be a lot of opinion entered into replies. A friend bought a Kimber Ultra Carry Crimson Trace and it is sweet. I found the recoil to be not so bad. Very accurate as well.

My dilemma is spending the bucks on a really good 45. Or spending a few bucks and getting a Crimson Trace for my Sig P239 9mm. I have Sig Super Walnut grips and I hate to lose those grips as they were rather costly, $120 or so.

Then, I would have to re-train motor movements to flick off the safety. With my Sig it's draw and squeeze!

And to be perfectly honest, although I spent 24 years in the Infantry and have handled and fired just about every thing out there, my expertise to design a gun is like nill.

Have to admit, both the Kimber UCII and the Bill Wilson Concealed Carry are sweet out of the box guns

Yeah, my buddy has a Kimber Ultra Crimson as well and its a sweet gun. Probably one of the most accurate guns I have shot to date.

STI's are pretty sick as well if you are willing to lay down the $$. I think you can find a .45 Edge for $1600 if you look hard enough. Definitely a gun that's on my future list of investments.

Here's a review on youtube from a competition shooter that wasn't too bad.. worth watching IMO.
(pt1)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b4JIP_lJ5Dw
(pt2)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7EijX3baSfw
(pt3)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-ZN_ng1YnI

Wow, sweet.

I never liked the huge cocking serrations that STI puts on their slides

Take a look at the STI line of pistols, great guns for the money. I have a Ranger II in 45 ACP, 4.15 in, very accurate and conceals very well.

Originally Posted by redpenguin01

STI definitely has their own look, but I just don't like it!

I think it looks very unfinished when you look at the trigger guard and the blocky-ness of the slide and muzzle of the frame. Also, the recessed slide stop and thumb safety just break too far from traditional 1911 lines for me.

I know I'm always talking about CBOBs, but look at how pretty it is! You don't have to do anything fancy for a 1911 to look sexy as all hell! ...notice how clean that slide is too, it doesn't read like a billboard for its maker.

Thanks for the input. Gonna put this on hold for a few weeks. Will post as to what I get, if I decide to get!