Would like some help shopping

[Game_Stalker]

So my old man's birthday is coming up next February. He's a lefty who's talked for years about getting a 1911 style pistol. I've got some ideas on what would make an ideal handgun for him, but one important thing I know he's picky about is having an ambidexterous safety. With as much as I'm working, I won't have much time to shop around and compare, so I'm relying on your folks here to help me out. Which 1911 style handguns have an ambi safety?

I'll post other questions as I think of them.

Thanks all...

[poncaguy]

Taurus PT 1911 45acp..........I have one, great pistol, less than $600

[mudstud]

Colt XSE

[mcwoodduck]

I guess the first thing is what is your price range?
1911's range to and from.
The cheapest new guns start around $350 and can go up to 10X that.
Any of the guns can be fitted with an ambi safety.  They are cheap and can be installed pretty easily.
I was looking at building one up not too long ago and found that the Kimber guns were 95% of what I wanted to do and by the time I got it all done to a standard frame was 60% of the cost.  The Kimbers are great fitted and well built guns at effective prices with a large selection of models.  The average is around $1,000-$1,200 depending on model and options. 
I don't know the website but I'm sure you can find it.  it's NOT kimber.com.
You can alsway do a gift card  and an ambi safety to Dad's favorite gun shop and let him pick out the model he likes.
You can also get a Sig P220 and there is no safety.  The mag release can be flipped and all other controls can be done with the left hand.  I actually find it faster when shooting with my left to reach the mag release with my trigger finger than my thumb on my right.

[sdailey5]

I'm with poncaguy on this one...Taurus PT1911, loads of features including ambi safety and shoots great.

[myronman3]

 i know springfield makes some models with ambi safetys, maybe kimber.  my first choice would be a kimber, springer being 2nd. 
  avoid the taurus, because if there ever is a problem, you are both screwed.   my advice is s.a. or kimber, then you have truely given you father a worthy gift.  after all, he deserves it, right?
give yerself a pat on the back as well.  it aint just every son that gets dad such a gift.

[Questor]

Game Stalker:

Finding an ambidextrous safety is not an issue. Many 1911s have that. The real question is what the gun is to be used for. If it's just a plinker, then don't bother with anything more expensive than the most basic gun that has an ambidextrous safety. Either that or buy the cheapest 1911 you can find and put an ambidextrous safety on it.

If accuracy is a concern, get one with an adjustable sight.

My suspicion is that if the older man doesn't have a 1911 by now, he probably just wants one for sentimental reasons, and may only want a basic GI model which he can later modify to have an ambidextrous safety. Either that or he can do what the 15% of left handed GIs did and simply get used to the right hand safety.

Bottom line is that we don't have enough information to make a sound recommendation.  There are literally hundreds of different 1911 configurations on the market today, and at all price points and quality levels.

[Game_Stalker]

Thanks to everybody for the info thus far. I hadn't thought of this question until myronman said something. What has been everybody's PERSONAL experience with the customer service from different companies? Please, no "I heard," or "A buddy of mine," stories. I want to hear it from the horses mouth. Obviously, I want to get him a shooter right out of the box, but know that sometimes you just get a lemon. What kind of level of service can I expect from the different major companies?

Thanks again...

[myronman3]

kimber has an excellent rep, but i have never needed it.  flawless gun.
taurus service is non-existant.  they SAY lifetime warrenty, but getting them to fix even the most basic problems is next to impossible.

[SHOOTALL]

Kimber !
NEVER NEEDED THEIR SERVICE EITHER ! guess they are the Maytag of guns !
don't know if they still make um but there was a Portsider 45 made at one time for lefties !

[williamlayton]

STI Trojan and have the ambi added by the dealer.
Blessings

[Heavy C]

kimber has an excellent rep, but i have never needed it.  flawless gun.
taurus service is non-existant.  they SAY lifetime warrenty, but getting them to fix even the most basic problems is next to impossible.

+1 on that.

[mcwoodduck]

So what did you get the old man?