1911 on a $600 budget

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Well I will throw my hat in the ring as well, I love 1911's, but when you get into them, there are things you have to accept about them. More maintenance than a plastic fantastic, capacity, (I EDC a Glock 26gen4.) Reliability and heres the one everyone will argue about, not one is made similar to another. They may look the same, but they perform night and day different. You GET what you pay for in the 1911 world.

for what you have to spend:

1. Remington R1
2. Ruger SR1911
3. STI Spartan
4. Springfield mil-spec

Used:
Springfield RO, Springfield Loaded, Sig

I have an R1, and I really like it. Mine is an earlier ERPC gun, and I did have it sent to a 'smith to get the trigger done (Wilson Combat flat face Ultralight), 10-8 Performance Sights, Novak Cut milled, Front Cocking Serrations done, and overall fit job done to it. I like it alot, I wanted a flat mainspring housing, I dont care for extended beavertails, a full length guide rod, extended safety, etc. So I got specifically what I wanted and nothing else. The one thing I may get done is a checkered front strap. The gun shoots better than I can. Its well made, has a great slide to frame fit, barrel bushing to barrel is tight.

I do advise against the bush hut Philippine 1911's, the Rock Islands, Citadel, ATI etc. Not to disparage anyones personal sidearm, BUT I have not held one that felt well put together, slide frame to fit has been very poor, barrel lockup, trigger slop, bushings I could turn with my finger with, and the slide should not wobble on the frame. I know someone is going to say, well the STI Spartan is made by Rock Island. Yes, but its assembled and inspected and warranted under STI.

I would say a good starting point on a 1911 budget is know the features you want in the gun, and the expected level of performance to needs and then go from there. Look for a well built gun, tight lock up, slide to frame fit, etc. It should not sound like a baby rattle when you shake it. Good luck.
 
I own a Colt Series 70, a Colt Series 80, and a Les Baer SRP. I've owned 1911s since 1980, and have shot a bunch over the years. I worked for a gunsmith in the early '80s, almost bought his shop when he retired. He used to make a good income making 1911s work...

That said, my last three 1911s have all been bush hut Phillipine RIA Tactical models, all in <gasp> 9mm. All have been well-built, accurate, and dependable. None rattles when I shake it. None have failed to feed, fire, or eject anything I've tried.

They aren't as pretty, but they all shoot well. I keep reading about their great CS, but have yet to need it. If you can inspect the gun prior to purchasing, I would not hesitate to buy one.
 
I got an STI Spartan from a user named Waterhouse back in '09 for a *very* good price (under the price you're looking for, tax included). Not only is it a tack driver, but their customer service is fantastic.

It's an absolute beast. It's chewed up and spit out all the ammo I've put through it with zero problems except for a weak magazine spring in one of the two included mags. I contacted their CS and instead of sending me a new spring I got two new mags in the mail 2 days later.
 
Just today, I shot a bush hut Philipine RIA side by side against a Kimber from a rest to test some ammo for a friend. Both were 9mm. They shot about the same group sizes.
 
As far as I am concerned, Metro Arms American Classic II is one of the best kept secrets. I have owned many 1911's from PT1911 to semi-custom and I dare to say my MA ACII is the best 1911 I have owned!
 
<$600 1911's

I had never owned a 1911 and didn't want to invest a ton of money, so I went with a basic Girsan. Have ran about 400 rounds thru it without a failure. Only complaint is the sharp edges on the beavertail. Can cut your hand during recoil.
My next one will be a Tisas just for comparison.
 
I do advise against the bush hut Philippine 1911's, the Rock Islands, Citadel, ATI etc. Not to disparage anyones personal sidearm, BUT I have not held one that felt well put together, slide frame to fit has been very poor, barrel lockup, trigger slop, bushings I could turn with my finger with, and the slide should not wobble on the frame. I know someone is going to say, well the STI Spartan is made by Rock Island. Yes, but its assembled and inspected and warranted under STI.
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Funny my Citadel seems to be put togather pretty well. Slide to frame is good, barrel locks up tight, trigger is fine. Yes I can take the barrel bushing out without a wrench, never realized it had to be so tight that you need a wrench make good 1911. Finish wise the Citadel will never be considered beautiful but I don't see a lot of it when I am shooting it. I only have experience with one the one I own, others may be different. I have put 2500+ rounds thru it with no problems, unlike a new xyz gun I paid close to $1100 for that the sights were both falling out of the dovetails by the thrid time I shot it. I am not trying to say it is as good as a "insert name here" that costs more but I feel it is a good gun. Will it last as long as a $1500-$2000 1911, who knows but I have lots of money left over for repairs. (Note I said good, but maybe not great)

Maybe BDS just had the one he traded to me well trained. :)

Of course no one at the range is going to go ooohhhhh a Citadel, but quite frankly I don't care what anyone thinks about it, I like it.


PS: It shoots as good as I can.
Just today, I shot a bush hut Philipine RIA side by side against a Kimber from a rest to test some ammo for a friend. Both were 9mm. They shot about the same group sizes.
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LOL
 
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A LGS here had a one day special on the Remington for $489. I'd rather get the Ruger (I've already got one) but this is a pretty good deal. You may get lucky and find a similar deal.

Edit- Just noticed that price was after a $75 mail in rebate. You might want to look into the rebate from Remington.
 
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Remington has a 75 dollar rebate right now http://www.remington.com/pages/news...nd-promotions/Spring2015-Rebate-Handguns.aspx If you don't mind a series 80 they make a nice gun. I have an sr1911 and love it. Bought mine barely used for right at 600. I see them all the time new for 639 or less. Para makes a good 1911. My dad has one and LOVES it. Rock Island is always in the mix. I've had more 1911 snobs tell me that's the way to go than any other brand. Sure Kimber's look nice but Rocks' just work. They are made in the Philippines which is a good thing as they absolutely love the 1911 there.

My vote is for SR1911. Hard to beat a Ruger but I'm biased... I own quite a few of their guns.
 
I'm going to try either a Tisas or Metro Arms. This should be fun. Hopefully the gun will be good.
 
I'd be inclined to try the Ruger at that price.

I personally have an STI Spartan (which STI has said they are discontinuing) and it's been so-so. I get a failure to eject about once per 150 rounds or so. I'm thinking it's extractor related and will likely have an Aftec extractor fitted by my local smith soon to see if that takes care of it.

I also had trouble with Wilson magazines locking in (the included magazine - a Metalform - did fine). Swapping out the STI mag release with a Wilson one solved that issue. Looking on several forums its apparently been a common issue with STI guns that Wilson mags often don't work well with the stock release.
 
richkratz said:
Based on.....? Because, Hickok45 called it a "pretty good gun" and a "good choice".
[YOUTUBE]6MK8ffcLL3A[/YOUTUBE]
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The Tisas is a 1911 to get if you just want to say that you have a 1911, and end the conversation right there.
 
Thermactor said:
The Tisas is a 1911 to get if you just want to say that you have a 1911, and end the conversation right there.
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I've never seen a Tisas except on Bud's website, and so I'm curious - what's the problem, exactly? Poor slide fit, bushing, accuracy, trigger, support, finish? Have you personally owned/shot/examined/seen one?

Back up your statement, please.
 
OP requested suggestions for a 1911 at around $600, and he suggested a Les Baer or Wilson Combat, nuff said.
If intention for 1911 is competive shooting, then the stock GI Tisas is not going to work well for you. GI sights and trigger being basic. Factory recoil spring is stout at like 22-23lbs. Other than that, it is a pretty decent 1911 with a very good finish and slide-to-frame fit. I wanted the basic GI version, and for the money it was a very good deal.

Edit: i suggest watching Hickok45's video of the Tisa GI 1911. He disassembles it and demonstrates how accurate it is right out of the box, bone-stock.
 
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Teachu2 said:
I've never seen a Tisas except on Bud's website, and so I'm curious - what's the problem, exactly? Poor slide fit, bushing, accuracy, trigger, support, finish? Have you personally owned/shot/examined/seen one?

Back up your statement, please.
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Hickok45 is an entertaining gun reviewer but you have to consider two things.
1) He is sponsored by Bud's Gun Shop.
2) Bud's Gun Shop is the sole importer of this weapon.
He's advertising the gun and he's being paid by them to do it.

A couple of threads about the Tisas:

http://www.tngunowners.com/forums/topic/72432-warning-tisas-1911-is-a-do-not-buy/

http://forums.officer.com/t185308/

Finally,
it never hurts to buy an American-made 1911, does it?

I'm not going to say anything majorly negative about the Tisas gun. The only things to note are that the gun, as it is sold by Buds right now, has factory sights that aren't that fantastic and the trigger isn't that amazing. Those aren't critical concerns. For what it costs to buy AND FIT (the 1911s need parts fitted, they arent glocks) a good trigger and good sights, you aren't far off from a quality intro-level 1911 like the Sig Sauer 1911.
(Removed suggestion for STI Spartan because its made in the Phillippines)
 
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The two Tisas 1911 pistols I own have actually been very good shooters after a little polishing on the frame ramp. They are actually good guns for the price. However, if the intent is to use one out of the box for serious use, I would look into the higher priced offerings (I would really like to have a Springfield TRP:D).
 
1911 for $600 ?

Personally, I got a Star Model P .45 ACP, at a pawn shop for $200, in or about the late 1990's. It has operated fine, since I got the broken firing pin fixed.

If I were to purchase a new 1911, it would probably be a Rock Island Armory GI (plain Jane) or Remington R-1. RIA for function and economy; R-1 for function and beauty.
 
Wow. If these two weak links are your backup, most anything you profess as truth is suspect.
First link was to an "alledged" owner of a stainless model who never provided pictures/video of any claimed issue, but admitted never firing it.
Second link was of ZERO owners of a Tisas, and no claims of any experience with them. Great examples.
Third, so are you implying Hickok45 DIDN'T fire 10+ mags flawlessly on the video, hitting long distance as well as rapid fire? He's "in the tank" with Buds, your implying, so the video is a fake?
Implying his endorcement is paid and biased is inflammatory and insulting. Have you shot this gun? I suspect not.
Ridiculous. If i were buying a gun, the LAST ppl i would listen to is ppl with ZERO experience with the gun, like yourself.
 
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Get the Ruger and don't look back. Once you own one 1911 you'll want another, and another, and another... So for starting out the Ruger is a good choice IMHO.
 
Thermactor said:
Hickok45 is an entertaining gun reviewer but you have to consider two things.
1) He is sponsored by Bud's Gun Shop.
2) Bud's Gun Shop is the sole importer of this weapon.
He's advertising the gun and he's being paid by them to do it.

A couple of threads about the Tisas:

http://www.tngunowners.com/forums/topic/72432-warning-tisas-1911-is-a-do-not-buy/

http://forums.officer.com/t185308/

Finally,
it never hurts to buy an American-made 1911, does it?

I'm not going to say anything majorly negative about the Tisas gun. The only things to note are that the gun, as it is sold by Buds right now, has factory sights that aren't that fantastic and the trigger isn't that amazing. Those aren't critical concerns. For what it costs to buy AND FIT (the 1911s need parts fitted, they arent glocks) a good trigger and good sights, you aren't far off from a quality intro-level 1911 like the STI Spartan.
Slickguns featured the STI Spartan for $599 just two weeks ago, unfortunately currently sold out. http://www.slickguns.com/product/sti-spartan-1911-45-acp-5-barrel-8-rnds-59999
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So, in summation, you are a person with no first-hand experience stating strong opinions and offering advice based on the opinions of others who have no personal experience with the product that you are slamming?

Good to know.
 
Well, as is typical, other financial priorities have once again put the idea of a new gun on the back burner.

Definitely have some things to consider for when a new gun is a priority again.
 
USAF_Vet said:
Well, as is typical, other financial priorities have once again put the idea of a new gun on the back burner.

Definitely have some things to consider for when a new gun is a priority again.
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Good deal man! The 1911s will be there when you're ready!
 
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