I’m thinking a 10mm 1911 may be in my future. I have always shot the 1911 platform better than other semi auto pistols and have had good luck with Kimbers. I’m leaning toward a Custom TLE II as I like the basic features it has. Anyone have thoughts, experiences, reccomdations on a good basic 10mm 1911? It’ll mostly be a range gun.
Robb
Rock Island Armory makes a double stack 10mm 1911. I've not shot one yet but would like to own one in the future. I did see one at my local gun shop. Had to hold it to see how it felt and it does have a meaty grip to it. Seems very well balanced too. I'm sure with the weight of the gun, recoil would be a lot less that say a Glock in the same caliber.
This Might help a bit.
gundigest.com
Best 10mm 1911 Pistols For The Money [Field Tested]
The 10mm 1911 typically commands a king's ransom, but not the few we hunted out. Find out what will get you power on the cheap.
gundigest.com
Yes, YES, YES... Sorry, Love the 10mm and 1911's make great platforms.
I've owned a RIA 10mm, SA TRP 10mm, and currently own a Kimber (as well as a Glock 29 and Glock 40, but that's another story). I was hoping for a Ronin, but wasn't going to spend on it. Got a deal on the Kimber and sold the TRP for about double what I had in it. I had issues with the RIA design, primarily with the ambitious-safety. Getting my high grip precluded positive disengagement of the thumb safety, other than that, I was pretty happy with it. Sights seemed pretty rudimentary though. All of the 1911 10mm's I've had issues to some degree with consistent feeding.
I will say that, mags are terribly important (more so than a 1911 in 45 or even 460 Rowland, which I also own). Wilson's have run the best for me (so far) and unless you want so spend $$$$ on ammo to break it in, I'd buy used if you can. My Kimber reportedly had around 1000-1200 rounds through it before I got it and it runs the best of any I've owned. I replaced the recoil spring as soon as I got it (it felt soft/weak) as well as the guide rod (HATE full length ones) and it's run 95% since I've got it. Owner did say that he had a few hitches with it when I bought it. I would not hesitate to use it defensively (in the woods) as the hitches have been with the last round getting hung up. I also shoot mostly reloads, but have found out 10mm 1911's need a pretty heavy crimp to run well and do that on my 10mm loads. I think I can load the projos I want and get it to run 100%, just haven't made the time.
In short, get it and enjoy it, but don't expect it to run like a top at first. You'll likely have to play with it and certainly break it in to some extent ESPECIALLY new ones.
All the best with the search and purchase.
ETA: All of them I've owned were single stacks.
I've owned a RIA 10mm, SA TRP 10mm, and currently own a Kimber (as well as a Glock 29 and Glock 40, but that's another story). I was hoping for a Ronin, but wasn't going to spend on it. Got a deal on the Kimber and sold the TRP for about double what I had in it. I had issues with the RIA design, primarily with the ambitious-safety. Getting my high grip precluded positive disengagement of the thumb safety, other than that, I was pretty happy with it. Sights seemed pretty rudimentary though. All of the 1911 10mm's I've had issues to some degree with consistent feeding.
I will say that, mags are terribly important (more so than a 1911 in 45 or even 460 Rowland, which I also own). Wilson's have run the best for me (so far) and unless you want so spend $$$$ on ammo to break it in, I'd buy used if you can. My Kimber reportedly had around 1000-1200 rounds through it before I got it and it runs the best of any I've owned. I replaced the recoil spring as soon as I got it (it felt soft/weak) as well as the guide rod (HATE full length ones) and it's run 95% since I've got it. Owner did say that he had a few hitches with it when I bought it. I would not hesitate to use it defensively (in the woods) as the hitches have been with the last round getting hung up. I also shoot mostly reloads, but have found out 10mm 1911's need a pretty heavy crimp to run well and do that on my 10mm loads. I think I can load the projos I want and get it to run 100%, just haven't made the time.
In short, get it and enjoy it, but don't expect it to run like a top at first. You'll likely have to play with it and certainly break it in to some extent ESPECIALLY new ones.
All the best with the search and purchase.
ETA: All of them I've owned were single stacks.
Love the 10mm! If you like power and recoil...it can be satisfying. I download for one of my Delta Elites' to 40 specs for USPSA Single stack class. I rely on "Cobramags".!!! Also I use shok buffs. 10 mm brass is not so cheap though... I pick up my, what I call, My "Magnums". They stand out on the ground!
I bought a used Ruger SR1911 in 10mm about 4 years ago, gave $800 for it. Looks brand new, even after my 4 years of ownership, and I've put maybe 800 rounds through it. Mine is a TALO Exclusive model, had some horrendous white grips with black chevrons on it, which were immediately replaced with a set of Altamont panels. I've yet to have any malfunctions from it. It uses a bushingless barrel and long guide rod, and is a Series 70 action. It uses a titanium firing pin and heavier spring to make it drop safe.
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Take a look at this.....
battlehawkarmory.com
Rock Island 51991 Rock Ultra FS 10mm Auto 5' 8+1 Black Parkerized Gray G10 Grip
<p>The Rock Ultra FS has a 5" button rifled barrel supported by a full length guide rod. The smooth angled, snag-free style allows for quick draw in fast need situations. Includes a low profile adjustable rear sight and high visibility fiber optic front sight. Also includes skeletonized hammer...
battlehawkarmory.com
Maybe late to the party on this one, but I have an RIA single stack and I really enjoy it. Zero problems 2 years in and it’s a great shooter. I also have the Girsan “hunter” long slide 10mm, and it’s kind of a hoot. Maybe it’s the little kid in me but the extended 1911 just looks cool, and the added inch on the barrel doesn’t hurt 10mm velocity any either.
However, the one I’m trying to find at a decent price is the Magnum Research/Desert Eagle 1911 in 10mm as it’s made by BUL armory and if it’s built like the 9mm version I have then it’s an amazing bang for buck proposition.
However, the one I’m trying to find at a decent price is the Magnum Research/Desert Eagle 1911 in 10mm as it’s made by BUL armory and if it’s built like the 9mm version I have then it’s an amazing bang for buck proposition.
@Cataphract, thanks for the input. I was unaware that MR/Desert Eagle 1911's (10mm at least) were produced by BUL. Thanks for the info.
I first wet my 10mm beak with a Girsan. It's not going to win any beauty contests but it was affordable and runs like a champ. Then I bought a Rock, which is in my opinion one of the best valued 1911 product lines out there. The quality of RIA seems to have improved considerably in the past couple of years. They aren't fancy but functionally they 'rock'. Very reliable in my experience.
Then I splurged and bought a Kimber Camp Guard. Was I sorry. It had to go back to Kimber twice and it still is finicky. I can't trust it.
I appreciate the refined Cabot's, Wilson, Nighthawk, etc., but I am not a brand snob when it comes to guns. There are good 1911's at all price points. I always associated Kimber with quality and considered them among the best in that mid tier 1911 realm. But I think that's gone out the window. I know the company has been bought, sold, moved a few times, got into financial trouble, and the founders are long gone. I think all of that has taken it's toll and they are in downward spiral. I have older Kimber's that are decent quality 1911's but the latest ones.... no thanks. This isn't about breaking in. They seem to have manufacturing issues and definitely a deficient QA process.
Anyway... back on the topic of 10mm, I also have a G20 Gen 4 . Like all Glocks, she ain't pretty but always puts out. I'd recommend the Glock, but since you mentioned 1911, the Girsan or Rock is a good way to get started in 10mm.
Then I splurged and bought a Kimber Camp Guard. Was I sorry. It had to go back to Kimber twice and it still is finicky. I can't trust it.
I appreciate the refined Cabot's, Wilson, Nighthawk, etc., but I am not a brand snob when it comes to guns. There are good 1911's at all price points. I always associated Kimber with quality and considered them among the best in that mid tier 1911 realm. But I think that's gone out the window. I know the company has been bought, sold, moved a few times, got into financial trouble, and the founders are long gone. I think all of that has taken it's toll and they are in downward spiral. I have older Kimber's that are decent quality 1911's but the latest ones.... no thanks. This isn't about breaking in. They seem to have manufacturing issues and definitely a deficient QA process.
Anyway... back on the topic of 10mm, I also have a G20 Gen 4 . Like all Glocks, she ain't pretty but always puts out. I'd recommend the Glock, but since you mentioned 1911, the Girsan or Rock is a good way to get started in 10mm.
I have a STI (changed their name to Staccato) single stack 1911 that's no longer made, but it's a BEAST and has handled thousands of rounds of hot loads without an issue. Since they don't make those anymore, I'd go investigate the new Colt Delta Elites, and I'm curious about the Sig 10mm 1911s because I have an awesome Sig Tacops .45 that's a great work horse. I had a Kimber 10mm that was great too, despite what people say about Kimbers. This was like ten years ago.
I would stay way away from Kimber.
rangehot.com
Dan Wesson Razorback, one round to rule them all. - RangeHot - Expert Firearms Reviews & Guides
It was a few months ago the Dan Wesson Razorback arrived and we got right to work on the review. After I was convinced it was reliable with a good cross section of defensive ammunition I started carrying the pistol every day. So my review will cover the pistol as an every day carry handgun...
rangehot.com
Colt Delta Elite Gen II, classy handcannon. - RangeHot - Expert Firearms Reviews & Guides
In my opinion, the reintroduced Colt Delta Elite some years ago was good to go as it was, except for that ugly rowel style Commander hammer and wrap around rubber stocks. I reviewed that pistol two years ago and you can read that review by following this link. I learned at this past 2016 NRA […]
rangehot.com
I also went with the Springfield Ronin. When I shopped, I looked at the Glock m20 and Sig Xten. They both were comfortable, but the plastic felt cheap. Tried a Girsan when it came out in 10, but there was a lot of gritty feeling in the slide to frame fit. Walked out with the Ronin, and never looked back…
I have a Kimber Rapide in 10MM. It is really smooth and have not had a single issue with it. I would not call it economical for most, but It seems to be in line with most quality 1911s for say Colt or S&W
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