[JimJD]

to spend on a new M1911 type.

It has to be absolutely reliable. There will be no upgrades. It would be used for HD, personal defense/car gun use, range work, and has to be a full size service model. It won't be used for CCW.

Which one would You get?
Does such a pistol exist? I was originally going to spend about $400.00 on a new pistol to add to the collection. But, I might be able to bump that figure up to $700.00. It's also quite possible that I might be able to take it up to $800.00.

So, what say you?
Thanks everyone. :)

[ChristopherG]

SW1911. Handled and shot one tonight for the first time, box stock, and it was fine and solid. Owner reports no malfs in the first thousand rounds (all he's got through it so far). If it were my 700, that's what I'd get (and may get, at that).

[Soap]

Colt NRM 5" and then have a reliability tune up done/replace cheap parts.

[Lone_Gunman]

Colt NRM 5" and then have a reliability tune up done/replace cheap parts.


It probably won't need a reliability tune up.

Don't spend money fixing something that isn't broke.

[tc300mag1]

the colt or a springfield

[yesterdaysyouth]

both my 1911's were right around 700, and both have been reliable... well with me behind the trigger anyway... spend some money on good mags, save yourself the headache...

sw1911 and para 7.45s lda
http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?s=&postid=1130150

[Josey]

My first choice would be a nickel Norinco 5". A Colt M1991A1 is a great choice. A SW1911 is not bad. A couple of RocK Islands would be possible.

[SirPorl]

$700 on a 1911. I think I would purchase a RIA GI job. That would run me about $300. I could take the remaining $400 and put it towards my CZ collection.

SirPorl

[Gabe]

That's easy since you're not interested in upgrades, I would go with a Kimber Custom II. Then buy a few McCormick 8 round mags. This is probably your most trouble free bet.

[Rob96]

NRM Colt 1991A1.

[priv8ter]

For $700 you can get a pretty nice Dan Wesson. I wish I had done that instead of getting a Charles Daly :(

greg

[Berg01]

I think the best possible gun for the use you describe would be something like a Sig P220ST with the SigLite night sights, but for a 1911, I'd probably spend your $800.00 for a Kimber TLE, since this one comes with the Meprolite nightsights.

[Rupestris]

Another vote for the Kimber Custom II.
Other than that just keep your eyes open. I was at Cabelas in Michigan last year and wandered into their Gun Library. They had a beautiful blued Colt (series 70? whatever the older ones are.) with rosewood grips. It was used but LNIB and drop-dead-gorgeous. They were asking only $599 :eek:
If I had my Kimber with me I'd have traded it on the spot.
Needless to say it didn't last long.

[JoeHatley]

SW1911, $660 + tax, but they can be found for a little less.

http://www.iowatelecom.net/~hatley/sw1911_r.jpg

Joe

[middy]

Colt NRM 1991A1

[Freightman]

The Kimber custom target 10MM NIB that is at the shop I work part time at.

[Black Snowman]

I have about $700 all together into my Delta Elite to pick it up used and tune it for my loads.

[Red_SC]

In the next week or two I will be putting a Springfield Armory on layaway. Really, really nice gun for $650. You probably won't find it that cheap, it'll be $700 or slightly over for the ArmoryKote model.

Beauty, ain't she?


.
http://www.springfield-armory.com/images/pistols/PX9609LLarge.jpg

[Zundfolge]

For a CCW 1911 at $700, you might be able to find an STI Ranger for that

http://www.stiguns.com/USPress/Gun&Ammo/Sept02-Ranger/Guns&AmmoSept02-P1-1.jpg



EDIT: oops ... I misread that ... so it WON'T be a CCW piece ... nevermind then :neener:

[Correia]

If you know how to shop for used guns, you can pick yourself up a good base gun, and have it tweaked to suit your for under $800. That is what I have done in the past.

(provided of course you are looking for a shooter, and not something pretty. Pretty makes the price go up).

[ssr]

I would say Colt or Springfield. Just remember, any gun can be hit or miss as far as quality or reliability, and the chances of having problems is higher with regular production guns. I have had better luck with recent manufacture Colts than I have regular production Springfields, but I like Springfields design, it's just a matter of getting a good one. Springfield does have a good warranty, however.

You need to determine what exactly you want. By that I mean, what features (type of grip safety, thumb safety, sights, internal vs. external extractor, etc) and other factors such as firing pin safety (Series 80 like Colt, essentially "series 70 type" like Springfield, or the type used by Kimber, SW, etc. Just my personal preference, I don't care for the newer firing pin safeties used by many manufacturers. I'm not commenting on them, I'm just saying it's not my preference.

[dsk]

When Springfield first came out with the inexpensive WW2 Mil-Spec they rocked. For a meager $379 I got a fabulously reliable gun that needed nothing. Sadly, I have been examining the ones that are coming into the local dealer (they still sell quite well, so turnover is good), and unfortunately I'm starting to see a lot of inconsistency. So far it's been just super-gritty triggers and thumb safeties that require a hydraulic press to engage, but I can see things getting worse.

Colt, they continue to have their good days and bad, but then again what else is new?

[Rob96]

and unfortunately I'm starting to see a lot of inconsistency.

Could this be due to the the WWII and Mil-Spec are now made completely in Brazil?

[MoNsTeR]

You have $700.00 to spend on a new M1911 type.
It has to be absolutely reliable. There will be no upgrades.
I take my money and go home. If a thing is worth doing, it's worth doing right.

Don't get me wrong, I'm a big fan of the 1911. But I can't get a good one for $700, unless we're talking a well-used one that's woefully underpriced.

[birdv]

Buy a Kimber

[JimJD]

Some great replies everyone! :D

I hope I can keep My target price of $700.00, You never know though, something always comes up...
I'm really looking at Colt and S&W. But I am open to others.
Ahhh... only two weeks 'till the gun show.

[XMP]

I too am not a fan of the Series 80 parts, so I'd either save to the $800 range and get a Colt Series 70 or buy a SA Milspec ($500) and use the extra 200 to change out a few MIM parts.

[fix]

It has to be absolutely reliable. There will be no upgrades.

Forget it. It aint gonna happen if you and I have the same definition of upgrades and reliable.

[JimJD]

So... I am going to have to pay a lot for this muffler? :D
(old commerical alert!)

I'm a little confused.

There is no M1911-A1 type out there that is box stock reliable in the $700-$800 dollar range? Say it aint so! There just has to be!

Plus, If I were to swap out(some?) MIM parts, I've been told by some I would have to take it to a gunsmith. Some have said that is not the case. I'm asking becuase I don't have access to a whole lot of good smiths where I live, I'd probably have to send it out.

[Vern Humphrey]

Quote:
-------------------------------------
That's easy since you're not interested in upgrades, I would go with a Kimber Custom II. Then buy a few McCormick 8 round mags.
-------------------------------------

Good choice.

The Kimber Custom (not the II version) has been my carry gun for almost 10 years now, and I've probably put about 5,000 rounds a year through it. All with McCormic 8-round mags.

[fix]

There is no M1911-A1 type out there that is box stock reliable in the $700-$800 dollar range?

Nope. Sorry.

If you lose the "no upgrade" requirement, you might be able to pick up a springer milspec in the 400-450 range and toss a couple hundred dollars in machined barstock at it. That would get you there. Take it up to 800 and you're definitely in the ballpark. No frills and good reliability runs around 850 nowadays with "leave the BUG at home cause this one ain't breaking" reliability running upwards from there to as high as 5k. You pays yo money and you takes yo pick.

[otomik]

i'm not sure who said it first but "1911s are like Harley's, everyone has one or wants one and they are always in need of a little work."

and yet that's hardly a weakness when they're so fun to work on.

[MoNsTeR]

You can get a reliable one for that much dough, but...
1. there's a significant probability that you won't
and
2. it'll be full of junk parts (Springfield, Kimber)
or
3. won't have a desirable set of features (Colt)

If I absolutely had to tread into the sub-$900 price range, I'd get a Colt 1991. I wouldn't be happy about having the Series 80 parts, or about not having a beavertail, but it least it would work and not be completely full of MIM.

The best thing to do, if you're determined not to spend any more just now, is get a Series I Kimber, and upgrade it later if/when you feel it's necessary.

[at-home-daddy]

Jim wrote:
"I'm really looking at Colt and S&W. But I am open to others."
--------------
Keep looking at that S&W...it's a great gun. The pricing and reliability out-of-the-box is right along the lines of your requirements.
http://home.att.net/~clinton65b/1911_019a.jpg

[Black Majik]

Blued Colt Government 1911

No funny business, pure beauty and pleasure.

Oh... and no front cocking serrations. :D

[cracked butt]

Already have a nice Springfield, now I want a Colt as well:cool:

[rjk2475]

quote: "...completely full of MIM."


what is MIM?