Gonna buy a 45 but which one???

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OleEd

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I have had a Remington 1911r1 for about a year and enjoy shooting it. Gave my 9mm to my son and have the itch to get another handgun but $$$ for one is a factor. So what 1911 would you buy if you were limited to MAX $900? I will use it tgt shooting, home defence, and for club level IDPA shooting. I am a more mature adult, a former Marine -- best of all I'm retired so dreams of national matches I bequeath to you.

Thanks in advance. And.., a Very Merry Christmas and Very Happy Hanukkah. I was fortunate to be able to celebrate both as my aunt and uncle were Jewish.
 
Happy Hanukkah!

Personally i would go with a kimber custom 2 or some sort of entry- mid level kimber
 
For IDPA I would get a 9mm 1911 like an STI Spartan $630, or for just over your $900 limit the ramped barrel STI Trojan $999. If you are settled on a .45 then SIG, S&W, Springfield Armory, STI all have good choices for around your price point. SA Range officer is a good entry level 1911 with adjustable sights, if you can find one they should be available for under your price. Again if I was getting a 1911 for IDPA (I did), I would (I did) get an STI 9mm 1911. You could get a Spartan, holster, mag pouches, 6-10 magazines, plus ammo for about $900 and get a 1911 that could outshoot many at twice the price.
 
I like the Sig 1911. Just picked up a compact and a Tac Ops. The compact is my EDC. Fit and finish are great. They are priced right for the options you get.
 
You're in a great spot. In the history of firearms there has NEVER BEEN more fine 1911 models from more manufacturers at better prices than there are right now. Your $900 budget is plenty enough to get you precisely what you want. First two that come to my mind are; Remington 1911 Enhanced or Springfield Range Officer. But that's only two or DOZENS that'll fit the bill. Enjoy your pick!
 
I'd go with the Springfield Range Officer if you can get one. I picked one up yesterday as a kit with plastic holster, two magazines, a two magazine holder, and nice carrying case. I'm quite impressed at the apparent quality, but haven't shot it yet, and probably won't until after the first of the year.
 
Thanks all. Hadn't thought about the STI or Sig but will look there and again at the SPFLD Rg Off, and the Ruger -- if I can find one. More gun stores and again to decide....

Thanks again!
 
I'm not up to speed on all the others, but I started off with a pre-Series II Kimber Custom Classic and moved into full-house custom 1911's from Jim Garthwaite afterwards. That old Kimber's not too bad. I guess if I had to get something else, and get it brand new, I'd get a Springfield. Or possibly a Smith & Wesson 1911. I'd still be looking really hard for a used Springfield, pre-series II Kimber, or even a used Enhanced Colt.

Sometimes Enhanced Colts will show up for good prices, and the nice thing about Colts are the availability of parts. Everyone else uses some sort of proprietary cut for their parts. It could be sights, grip safety, whatever. But the Colt is the original, and more aftermarket 1911 parts are made to the original cuts than the one-off brands, like Kimber and S&W.
 
Well, not every 45 is a 1911. When I want to carry or compete with a 45 these days, the 1911 stays in the safe and my SIG 220 goes with me.
 
I would buy my gun from someone who supports our sport ( uspsa-idpa-I core ) you know,, and Kimber does not sponser any matches,
 
PARA....
or maybe not
I was very upset when i recieved my sf45a
after a little polishing and an aftermarket extractor I love it.
 
I have not shot any of the new crop out there, but about 1year ago I got a Kimber Pro carry 2 . It is a fine E.D.C. gun. In my state (Or.) you may open carry&this is my choice. I added nite sights & Crimsontrace lazergrips.It is better than my old Colt.It is a fine handgun. Many of the new pistols out are great Guns. I would not buy a Taurus as they would not keep to their warranty on a NIB PT 145 pistol. I had to send it back 4 times & it still never got fixed! :(:banghead: I will not buy from them again! Had to sell back to dealer! A ding on him! So watch out!
 
My son and I compete USPSA Single Stack in local matches with our Kimbers. So far they have held up great. Very accurate, and after a little tweaking on mine, have been dead on reliable. STI also is a great choice. I know some folks around here also compete with the S&W 1911. Keep an eye out for used ones at your local gun shop. This time of year deals can be found. Good luck
 
I have always owned Springfield Armory 1911-A1's and compete in PPC Matches (Police Pratical Combat) with them. They are made from forged steel. Forged over cast steel in other brands should be picked everyday with your hard earned dollars, they just out perform and outlast cast. I have had Para's also and have shot friends of mine Colts, and Deltronics (whatever it was), Kimbers and so on. Why pay more and not get more? My friends Colt had the rails warp within several years (cast frame)..they wouldn't stand and cover the repair...I would not be afraid to purchase a good used Springfield. I have seen them used on Gunsamerica from $450 to $850 but you need to watch every day for the deal...you could buy the GI used for $450 and spend $100 bucks with a gun smith on some target sights...Change out a guide rod to a 1 piece and you'll run all day with that gun.
I really like the reliability of Springfield without the $1,000's of dollars, price tags of some others. It is a good gun.
 
DLEJones said:
I have always owned Springfield Armory 1911-A1's and compete in PPC Matches (Police Pratical Combat) with them. They are made from forged steel. Forged over cast steel in other brands should be picked everyday with your hard earned dollars, they just out perform and outlast cast. I have had Para's also and have shot friends of mine Colts, and Deltronics (whatever it was), Kimbers and so on. Why pay more and not get more? My friends Colt had the rails warp within several years (cast frame)..they wouldn't stand and cover the repair...
Click to expand...
Colt has never produced a 1911 with a cast frame. Never. All Colt 1911 frames are forged.

Furthermore, I've never heard of a 1911 of any brand having the frame rails warp. Can you tell us a little more about this? Where did the rails warp, how far out of spec were they, what was the round count, etc?.

-C
 
Possibly an hk45c? Has the same profile as a 1911 and you can wear it single action with the safety on. If you can find a good price you can do 900 could be a little more. You can fit the grip to your hand with the changeable backstraps. I have one it's a great 45.
 
The Spartan from STI is a really good basic 1911...basic compared to the $1500 and up semi custom stuff. I have a Spartan and you can be competitive with it. If you are not stuck on a 1911, though, I would heavily recommend the Springfield XDm 45...either the standard or the 5.25.
 
I asked my friend to tell me what he remembered and all he remmebers is that it was a Colt Combat Elite. He has recanted on the cast frame part saying he thought it was but now is not sure, when I copied your reply. The frame did warp and Colt wouldn't fix it. The frame was stainless and the slide was blued...
 
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