WWJMBD—interesting point about Hi Powers. I’m a huge fan, love how they feel in the hand, but never got around to buying a real one, or a clone. For me, they come in second, after 1911s, as the most instinctively pointable and ergonomic autoloader ever. But for some reason, I’ve always thought of Hi Powers as service/duty sidearms. Can you recommend a forum or blog about accuratizing Hi Powers?
Mannyy—instinctive comfort as a skill multiplier is a good point. Unfortunately, between work and wifey, I don’t get to the range as often as I’d like to. I actually CCW a Springfield EMP 3, which it what made me check out their Loaded Target.
When I was browsing, the youngsters and my LGS showed me some Staccatos and that Sig(?) 2011 everyone is jonesing for. The triggers all felt good, but I didn’t feel an instant wow factor. (The FUD aesthetic runs deep in me lol).
Between B&H and Cylinder and Slide for springs/trigger components, a match barrel, and some Novak/Heinie you can have 90-95% of a well tuned 1911. At that point, both guns shoot better than nearly every person shooting them.
I bought an FEG with a terrible trigger off of here, like 8-9lbs and gritty. I replaced the main spring and recoil spring with some B&H springs, and installed a C&S hammer and sear. It's down to about a 2.5lb glass break trigger, but the OG sights are bent so whatever I point it at is pretty safe at 20 yards. If I get it cut for some better sights, I'll add some more goodies to it. B&H also sells a two stage recoil spring setup, an improved trigger mechanism closer to JMB's original design, and match barrels. I've seen a few of the SA-35s pop up on here for about twice MSRP, but they're still a decent deal vs doing all that work on one of the other clones or an FN. The only thing the SA-35s are really missing are the match barrel, and the B&H improved trigger is still a little nicer. If you've really got some money to throw at it, C&S does some nice custom work, but they did recently change hands.
I've thought about getting an EMP, next time I see a 4" EMP pop up for less than a grand, I'll get it. XL gloves fit snug, so honestly a Commander feels as small as I would want a gun to be. If I don't like it, my wife or kids will at least be able to shoot it. I don't have a CCW, but if I do eventually get one, it would just be to have one in the car when sensible, or in the kit out in the woods/desert, and most of the time that'll be a Gov. in God's caliber.
As far as the 2011s, for that price I'd rather a Wilson, an on the cheaper end with the upcoming Kimber, I'd still rather a Dan Wesson or Baer 1911. Fudd or not, I think making a better pistol has been a fools errand for roughly 115 years.
