Best Budget 1911 under $500 new

I want a reliable weapon that I won't need to put an additional $300 in to get it to feed,extract, and prevent hammer bite.

Dig around your couch for another $50 in spare change and get a new-rollmark Colt Commander. No hammer bite with the Commander hammer, but the Colt still looks like a real 1911 (because it is).

Under $500 new? That's a toughy because IMO, you'd be making asome serious quality compromises to find something at that price point. I'd recommend you same a little more $$ & get a loaded Springfield or start looking into the pre-owned market ;)

See this thread (http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?threadid=48472). From personal experience, I highly recommend the Griffon, and at its current price of a shade under $350, you can afford to have any little details "tweaked" that you feel are necessary. It's probably the best value for money in a 1911-style pistol right now.

While some people badmouth them (mostly people who knew someone who knew someone who knew someone...who owned one, but usually not someone who actually owned/owns one) I have been very happy with my Charles Daly. It has many thousands of rounds (over 6K now) and I'd still say it has been a good gun. The original mags are POC so you will want to change them out, but after that it should be a good gun. Mine does occasionally fail to go into battery initially (a stronger spring would probably fix that) but once it is initially placed into battery it never fails to go back into battery while shooting (thus, it isn't anything that would scare me from using mine for defense). A set of decent mags (mine are Chip McCormick Power mags) and a heavy recoil spring should be enough to stop the most common problems.

Mine is generally quite reliable and it is accurate. Compared to the Kimber Custom Target II (stainless) that my best friend bought (going on a year ago) it is a little sloppy (it isn't nearly as tight as the Kimber, obviously when you about double the price you get something for that). However, in the time period he's had his Kimber my Daly has had fewer hiccups than his Kimber has (not that I'd say the Kimber is unreliable, on the contrary it is a perfectly good gun, it just has had a few hiccups over a couple thousand rounds). Also, both my best friend and myself are more accurate with my Daly than his Kimber (not sure why, I'd expect the Kimber to be more accuate, and maybe with more time with it we will be more accurate with it).

If you do get one, and if you go used, be sure it has the letters "CD" proceeding the serial number. The reason Charles Daly 1911s have a bad rep is because they used to be fairly bad. However, several years ago they improved them and put the CD before the serial number. About 2 years ago they improved their quality control and upgraded some of the parts and put it out as the "enhanced" model. I have the post-improvement, but pre-enhanced model.

Anyway, I have been completely happy with it and I would be more than willing to buy another. In fact, I do plan to eventually get the 3" version at some point.

Another option is the Rock Island Armory. It is more or less a military spec 1911. It is made by Armscor in the Philipines as is the Daly, in fact I'm pretty sure it is made in the same factory. For some reason though, people who badmouth the Daly (again, usually despite never having owned one) like the RIA.:rolleyes: I'd love to get one of these, but they have been discontinued and they are disappearing fast (but if you can find one it should be a good choice).

A third good choice is the Springfield Armory Mil-spec. Around here they go for over $500 (usually around $550) but guns are way overpriced in MD. Most everywhere else they seem to usually go for around $450 (based on reports here and other forums).

I would spend the extra $50 or so and get an NRM Colt Govt.

a basic springfield 5" 1911 is $485.00 in my area....

WWII Mil-Spec my price was 400 and change, but then i get a price break tho reg price was 450$

My $450 Springfield Milspec is 100% reliable and 100% accurate. I love me and would recomend it to anyone

Rock Island Armory 1911's are not bad at all...

The Springfield Mil-Spec is a very reliable pistol out of the box. You should be able to find either the regular or the WWII model for under $500.

If you can cough up a little more dough, the Colt NRM pistols are a great deal as well.

I shoot al three of these, and they just keep going..........

Rock Island Armory 1911's have NOT been discontinued.
(What ended was merely the distribution arrangement with SARCO.)

A quick search on the 'net will turn up lots of spanking-new RIA's.
The Armscor GI series 1911 is practically the same thing, and to my knowledge is presently serving Philippine troops serving with the coalition in Iraq (IIRC it is an option alternative to the Beretta as a sidearm).


hth

I have a Charles Daly that once I switched to a heavier recoil spring has been nothing but perfect.

Another vote for the Rock Island Armory mislpec .45. Mine's tight, reliable, accurate, has a decent trigger right out of the box, barrel's hard chromed inside and out and no MIM/plastic parts or two piece barrels. All I've done to mine is install a Wilson 18 lb recoil spring, Pachmayr rubber grips and meprolight night sights. IMHO you'll be hard pressed to find a better budget .45. Do a search for "Rock Island" and "RIA" here and check out the owner comments: http://www.1911forum.com/forums/
HTH...
Tomac

Xavierbreath, I really like that Springfield. Have you changed anything on it,or is that all factory?

Look around and buy a used Kimber for $500. I've shot dozens of 1911's with trigger jobs by many top-rank gunsmiths and the out-of-the box Kimber trigger is the best yet.

I am considering spending a bit more money... anybody have an opinion about a Springfield Armory model PX 9109L?

well, thats 3 guys stating the milspec or basic springfield 1911 all for the 4 and a half mark.........

SA Mil-Spec is probably as low as you should go.

I am considering spending a bit more money... anybody have an opinion about a Springfield Armory model PX 9109L?

I bought the px9109l about a year ago. I am really happy with it. The only problems that I've faced are a couple of malfunctions with Fiocchi ammo (mainly their 200gr. JHP) and some comercial reloads. With american factory ammo it runs like a champ.

http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?s=&postid=594233

Mil Novecientos Once

Haha, nice name 1911.

Look around and buy a used Kimber for $500. I've shot dozens of 1911's with trigger jobs by many top-rank gunsmiths and the out-of-the box Kimber trigger is the best yet.

In my experience, there's no such thing as one brand that comes with great triggers out of the box. My series I Kimber is great but it came with a lousy trigger. $130 later, it's the best I've used.

(Come to think of it, my NRM Colt had a very crisp trigger out of the box.)

For around $550 you could get a Kimber Custom without night sights. It seems that the more 1911's I buy that Kimber seems like it really is a good deal. I only own 2 though? :confused: Kimber Custom (http://www.kimberamerica.com/custom.php)

My Springfield mil-spec is great. Never a hiccup at all, until I tried some cheap no-name mags. The Springer WW2 commemorative is 400 +/- and is a solid platform. (The non-WW2 mil-spec is around 450 here and is worth the extra money, IMHO.)

Budget crunch - I feel your pain. My answer: Springfield Mil-Spec, WWII or standard, under $500, very reliable, lifetime warranty, excellent customer service. Bonus: Loaded coupon with which you can get up to 10 extra mags for under 10 bucks each.

I just traded for a WWII Mil-Spec and I love it.

Another Springfield recommendation.

I've been taking a long, hard look at the Springfield Mil-Spec recently.
Then, yesterday at the gun show I held one. Really like the look and feel.
It's good to hear some nice things about it.
I wanted to get the PX9109L, but I don't think I can go that high...
Don't mean to hijack the thread, but is it worth the extra money?
Are the bells and whistles really that much better?

That would be the Griffon from South Africa. CDNN still has them NIB for a little over $350 and that includes night sights. The gun has a forged frame and slide, unlike many cheap 1911's. Those parts, sights, and grips are all I kept. That gives you over $400 to put into new parts. You can get a take off Colt Commander barrel for $50 from C&S, the rest of the part can be ordered, Brownell's, or picked up at gun shows.

I agree with Mr. Ford; a couple months ago, a local gunshhop had a nice Kimber Series I Custom for $550.00, but I could have gotten it for $500.00. By the time I went back to get it, it was gone (yeah right, ya snooze, ya lose). I would rate the trigger on that Kimber better than the Springfield Mil-Specs that I've personally tried. The demand factor argues in favor of the Kimber; good Series I Kimbers at a fair price fly off the gunstore shelves, whereas the Mil-Specs seem to be readily available; keep that fact in mind any time you buy a 1911, since you may at some point need or want to sell it.

I have Springfield Armory's Mil Specs from way back when that's all they offered. Both have seen their fair share of USPSA competition. If I was in the same market today, I'd go with the SA WWII Replica. In my area, they are going for $400. I agree with several others in also placing a Colt 1991 NRM in either Government or Commander length. For the extra $50, you get a Colt and its enduring resale value. Both are well made, forged handguns. I have a Colt Commander on my wish list.

I bought the 9109L. Decided it had what I was ultimately looking to add later at a decent price now... Time will tell whether I should have spent less and got a Mil-spec or WWII or Griffon or Charles Daly etc.

To my knowledge while the parts used in the Rock Island Armory, Charles Daly, and Armscor are the same, they are assembled in different places. The Armscor is made and assembled in the phillipines. The RIA and CD are assembled in the US. Hence the improvement in their quality.

A 1911 afficianado that I know highly recommends the low-end Kimber which he bought for $550.

I have heard nothing but good things about the Mil-Spec.

springfield mil-spec
here ya go (http://www.impactguns.com/store/springfield_milspec_1911a1.html)

http://www.impactguns.com/store/media/spring_1911_milspec.jpg

Nobody has mentioned Dan Wesson's. Local dealer has a Panther for $499. Brand New. Looks pretty nice.

Anyone vouch for the Auto Ordnance 1911? Are these good pistols?

Auto Ordinance mad a total of TWO pistols that worked 100% out of the box. and I owned both of them. :D

They were good pistols. I had traded around and got them at two different local gun shows. I had about $150 invested in each. :evil:

They weren't as well made as a Colt 1991A1 and they would not have held up as well. If you can find one that runs well, it would be a good house gun. But if you are looking for a .45 that will shoot tens of thousands of rounds you'll have to be prepared to replace some parts in an AO.

I replaced the thumb safety, trigger, sear, hammer, disconnector, and ejector on mine. It took a little bit of work to get the ambidexterous safety on one of them. Everything didn't line up quite right. On the 2nd one I had no problem however.

The hammers seemd a little soft and the ejectors were showing wear . The extractors however were just fine.

The slide/frame rails were somewhat gritty feeling but a touch or Dremel Polishing Compound with a couple of drops of Clenz-Oil and after 100 rounds they were fine.

Even though most people seem to hate them. I'll recommend them if you can find them at a good price.


Just my tuppence, YMMV

Sorry so late responding Chuck...........

My Springfield Mil-Spec has had some things changed. It was my first 1911A1. Modifications include an Ed Brown Tactical Ambi Safety, Kim Ahrends Cocobolo Combat Checkered Grips, 20 LPI Checkered Mainspring Housing, Longer Trigger (Colt), 18 lb Wolff Mainspring, a Blued King's Match Bushing, a King's Wide Spur Hammer, and a lot of action polishing. Next on the agenda is a CMC drop in rear sight. Once I'm finally satisfied I may get it coated or blued. I'm thinking that the rear sight will be the last mod.

Here's the WWII model.

I would have to say.....get 1/2 of an STI Trojan and play like youre shooting it! :D

Ok....Rock Island Arms are a steal, Most Charles Dalys run fine, SA Mill Spec is a great gun for those retro guys, the SA Loaded guns are a better deal if you want the Modern Version-this gun will save you 100's in mods, The used Kimber is another highly recommended way to go and Griffons run better than the Daly's for a very very good price currently.

I know, Ive helped out by "NOTHING" but you got my opinion.

Shoot well...........

I've got both a Springfield Loaded and a Milspec. The loaded is much lighter than the milspec and it comes with the upgrades (beavertail. ambi saftey, night sites, two piece guide rod).

Two things I've done to the milspec 1. Put on Hogue finger groove grips and 2. Tune the extractor. It was having feeding problems that worked out to be the extractor.

I've used the loaded for USPSA shooting and really liked it there. Got the milspec to help the wife. I could use the same ammo, same magazines, holsters, etc. instead of buying all new with a different gun.

I really like both and they shoot great with my reloads. I'd recommend either. The milspec if you want basic, the loaded if you think you'd ever want to upgrade the options. At least for me, it made more sense to spend a little more at the get go than to spend a lot more to have things added later.

Good Luck Hunting.

Find a Norinco 1911 at your next gunshow. They are a "best buy" of 1911's. I've had several and they were all excellent pistols. Best, John

If you are or know any LEOs, Smith and Wesson will sell their 1911 factory direct for about $560. with their LE Discount program. Hope it helps.

"To my knowledge while the parts used in the Rock Island Armory, Charles Daly, and Armscor are the same, they are assembled in different places. The Armscor is made and assembled in the phillipines. The RIA and CD are assembled in the US. Hence the improvement in their quality."

There seems to be a statement of brilliance

SirPorl:rolleyes: