Affordable 1911

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montess85

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Hey guys...I am in the market for an affordable 1911....

Now my idea for Affordable is the 5-700 dollar range....

I just want a basic 1911..I don't need all the hi-zoot accessories from the factory....It doesn't have to be a target gun.....I just want the gun to shoot straight and reliably.....It will be used mostly for home defense and as a range toy...I don't need it for anything in particular...I just want a 1911....I might upgrade it eventually.....

I have been thinking about the new Remington R1, but they are hard to come by in my area(which is weird since I live like 30 minutes away from the plant they are built in)....I have also been thinking about the PARA GI expert SS......I like the looks of the GI style 1911s...There is something kind if nostalgic about them....

If anyone has any other suggestions please let me know....Also I dont need any brand snobs....I don't care if your $3000+ whatever combat 1911 shoots 1/4 inch groups at 1000 yards.....I am not spending that much money....So don't suggest anything like that...
 
New or used?

New:
STI Spartan (my #1 choice!!!!!!!)
para GI Expert
Rock Island
Remington R1
Springfield GI
Springfield MilSpec
Taurus 1911

Used:
Springfield Loaded (might be able to find one new actually)
Kimber Custom II
Sig GSR
Colt 1991

Ive owned everything listed. My favorite in that price range would be a toss up between the Springfield Loaded and the STI Spartan... Followed by the Sig GSR and Colt 1991.

JOe
 
I bought a stainless steel Springfield GI .45 1911 for $550 about 6 months ago (it was listed for $600, but they took $550). The pistol was brand new, but it had some scratches from being banged around in the display case so I called Springfield and they emailed me a shipping label, they refinished the pistol for free, and I got the pistol back in 6 days. Best customer service hands down!!!! The blade sights were too small so I purchased some Springfield 1911 Mil-Spec three dot sights from Springfield, and had a gunsmith put them on. I suggest you get a Springfield Mil-Spec, unless you can get a heck of a deal on a GI .45 like I did then buy some three dot sights to put on it.
 
Springfield mil-spec prices may vary... When I was 1911 shopping there was a SS model for the low-low price of $785. What a steal. I went elsewhere.

Dealers are riding the hype of 1911s now, so you will have to some shopping around to find someone with a fair price.

HH
 
While also looking at 1911's in that range ive found an odd guide that tends to tell me something about quality.
Its the list of approved guns that Clark recommends for their .460 Rowland conversions.
To me if a guns on this list it has a weak point somewhere and it pertains to the quality of the metal the gun is made of.

http://www.clarkcustomguns.com/rowland.htm#faq
Q: Are there any other guns that you specifically DO NOT recommend for the 460 Rowland?
A: YES! We do not recommend this kit for installation in
IAI (Israeli Arms International) - We've found the top lugs in the slides of the Philipines produced 1911s to be soft! We've not tested the Israeli made guns but would recommend extreme caution.
Rock Island Armory
Auto Ordnance
Taurus
Llama
AMT
Charles Daly
Essex
Remington Rand
Any "GI" 1911 (note: Springfield Armory Current Production models excluded)
Click to expand...

My PT1911 was just added to the list since i last looked about 4-5 months ago.
Ive found mine to have very soft steel in the material the slide is made of. And also the smaller parts of the slide not being as good of quality i would expect.

Im replacing my PT1911 due to these reasons so i can own a gun i know will last a lifetime without being sent back to have whole slides replaced due to excessive wear.
 
If my Glock 30 ever sells :uhoh:
I'm planning to buy an "affordable 1911"
The Para GI Expert is about the best value going, and they are on sale through Gun Genie atm. I had one a few years ago and it was a great weapon I wish i never sold.
I'm also considering:
Auto-Ordnance 1911A1
Taurus PT1911 "Bullshead"
 
Flame Suit on..... The Taurus PT1911 is a great value. They go for $500 in these parts. I have owned two (currently only one) and have never had a single problem. Look at the list of features and you'll see the value.
 
I am leaning towards the Springfield Armory GI....I love the looks of that gun....My question is about the not lowered and flared ejection port...How important is it....
 
The most affordable 1911 is one worked over by a gunsmith.

While you may pay $600-700 for a production gun, consider the costs associated with break-in and testing: ammo, range fees, gas, time, repairs, modifications and shipping. At $400/1000 for 45 ACP...it's now expensive just to do the break-in.

I spent quite a bit of money on a $1300 Kimber that never functioned properly. I could have had a very nice custom gun that was correct out of the box from Ed Brown, Les Baer, Nighthawk, etc. If I had the patience, I'd send a Colt Series 70 to one of the top gunsmiths and expect to see it a year later.

Just save up for a few more months and get the right gun.

All that said, take a look at the Colt Series 70. They've fixed their quality control and their guns are supposed to be really nice. The Colt Government 1991 model may work for you also (around $775), but that has a extra internal safety that some people dislike.

Even with the Colt, you may end up spending lots of money anyway.

Get on the 1911forum.com/forums and start looking around.
 
Last edited:
New guy here. I have a Springfield GI. I'm not bothered by the ejection port as long as I wear a hat to the range (shells tend to land on my head), but I don't care for the sights. I would rather have gotten the mil-spec.

Best of luck with your choice.
 
I am leaning towards the Springfield Armory GI....I love the looks of that gun....My question is about the not lowered and flared ejection port...How important is it....
Click to expand...

probably catch some empties in the face because of the non-lowered ejection port. also, i should mention the barrel isn't throated as well on the GI as the mil spec, nor is the mag well beveled. the sites are also microscopic on the GI.

the amount of features the mil specs have make them worth the extra cost.
 
I got smacked in the head about 5 times with shells today from my G.I. and I took one very hot shell in the bend of my arm. It doesn't bother me too bad, and I like to think that my grandfather had the same problem in the military.
 
i bought a nice s&w 19111 used in december for $700. it has been great no problems liked it so much i decided to use a 1911 for carry. someone said the para gi i like these but i would say if you go that route get the para gi esp it has a few nice upgrades. should be around $600. i would think that $700 should put you close to a used colt. i think new ones start around $850. mine arn't fancy but the options i wanted were a bever tail, night sights, & reliable.
 
See if you can get a Colt 1991. Colt makes a good 1911. Don't worry about the internal safety, you won't even notice it.

Edited to add: although I'd probably look at a Rock Island for what you're wanting to do with it if you want less expensive.
 
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