Hello I will be getting a 1911 soon and I would like to hear some opinions about which one to get. I have large hands and a budget of roughly 1000 dollars. I have been looking at Ruger, Colt, and Springfield. I will be using it for target practice. Thanks.
Which 1911 should I get?
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Zaydok Allen
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I suggest looking at Sig Sauer and S&W too.
+1 on the Sig. Look at the Traditional models if you do not want the square Sig profile slide. You get a lot of features for a good price. The trigger on my Tac-Ops Traditional was much better feeling to me than the Rugers, Colts I've handled at my LGS. Springfields were good as well. Also, hard to beat a Range Officer for an entry level 1991 in my opinion. I just picked up an STI Duty One 5.0 for just a few dollars more. All I can say is "wow". Just be ready for the ailments of the 1911 bug.......
JTQ
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Springfield Range Officer.
I actually spend a lot of bandwidth trying to talk folks out of the Range Officer due to the guns adjustable sights. I don't think they belong on a 1911 and the sight cut is different than on a fixed sight model severely limiting your after market sight options. However, if you are only going to use it for target practice, there is an advantage to having adjustable sights and the Springfield Range Officer would be an excellent choice for that application.
jhb
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I like my colts....but then again I like my tisas 300 and change gun too. Go to lgs with lots of stock and brands and put them in your hand and see which makes sense to you.
Sauer Grapes
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I have a couple Colts, Springers and a S&W. No complaints with any of them. Accuracy wise, the Colt Gold Cup and the SA Range Officer are probably a little better than the others. I'd hate to live on the difference though.
OneSevenDeuce
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Springfield makes a darn good product for the money. I've been lusting over the new Range Officer Compact for a while now. I also have a Kimber Custom HD II. Some people seem to have something against Kimbers, but I've never had a problem with any of the ones I have owned, and I would never get rid of my HD II.
Hurryin' Hoosier
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I had a slightly tighter budget with which to operate and got an Auto-Ordnance 1911A1. But, I'll tell you what - I'd just as soon have it as guns costing twice as much.
tommy.duncan
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I agree with the Colt and Kimber, my cheap beater is a Regent. It is accurate and it fires anything I put into the mag.
Steve CT
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I own two 1911's, a Dan Wesson PM-1S and a substantially modified Springfield LW Commander. For a "target" type gun (adjustable rear sight) I'd look at the Range Officer.
I think the Ruger SR 1911 is the best value available right now in the 1911 market
I think the Ruger SR 1911 is the best value available right now in the 1911 market
wlewisiii
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RIA Tactical FS and $500 in ammo to learn how to use it.
Then see if you actually want anything more expensive.
Then see if you actually want anything more expensive.
raze
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Springfield range officer or sti Trojan/ Spartan. Or keep your eyes out for used one scored a lightly used les baer thunder ranch special for 1k not too long ago
I have a Dan Wesson Valor Black Duty Coat finish which is a fantastic range pistol, I shoot some really great targets with it, I bought this one used for a good price. I have an SW1911 that is also a very good range gun. I also agree that the Ruger SR1911 is probably the best 1911 value on the market right now, I have a commander length that is just a great range and carry pistol.
zerobarrier
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I have a Kimber and love it. Plus they have like 20+ different models with 3", 4", or 5" barrels.
bannockburn
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I love all of my Colts along with my SA M1911A1. At the lower end of the price spectrum I think RIA offers a good value for your money.
critter
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Do not overlook the Ruger SR1911. Really good gun for the money.
frankiestoys
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STI Trojan , Sig and Springfield
maxxhavoc
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Personally, I would handle a few and see what you like/don't like about them feature-wise and let that narrow the options.
For instance, I don't like commander hammers or beavertails. The older full-size hammer looks better, and if I want to use it to cock/decock it just works better. If I carry it, the beavertail pokes into my side.
I also prefer not to have a full-length guide rod on a fullsize. Extra weight, extra effort to clean, never noticed any incredible accuracy benefits.
Adjustable sights are great for a range gun, but if you take it camping/hiking fixed sights are more reliable and less likely to snag.
Sight picture is a huge difference as well. GI sights are virtually snag-free coming out of a holster but the sight picture is pretty bad.
Flat/Arched mainspring housing - you have to hold and shoot one to know which you prefer.
Firing pin safety - some have it, some don't. May make it safer, may make it less reliable. I prefer the non-safety variety.
I have Kimber, RIA, and Springfield 1911's. All are equally reliable, Springfield is the most accurate, and RIA and Springfield have lifetime warranties. I would not hesitate to buy another Springfield or RIA again.
For instance, I don't like commander hammers or beavertails. The older full-size hammer looks better, and if I want to use it to cock/decock it just works better. If I carry it, the beavertail pokes into my side.
I also prefer not to have a full-length guide rod on a fullsize. Extra weight, extra effort to clean, never noticed any incredible accuracy benefits.
Adjustable sights are great for a range gun, but if you take it camping/hiking fixed sights are more reliable and less likely to snag.
Sight picture is a huge difference as well. GI sights are virtually snag-free coming out of a holster but the sight picture is pretty bad.
Flat/Arched mainspring housing - you have to hold and shoot one to know which you prefer.
Firing pin safety - some have it, some don't. May make it safer, may make it less reliable. I prefer the non-safety variety.
I have Kimber, RIA, and Springfield 1911's. All are equally reliable, Springfield is the most accurate, and RIA and Springfield have lifetime warranties. I would not hesitate to buy another Springfield or RIA again.
Captain33036
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I have had a few 1911's and I wish I had kept every one of them. RIA, Kimber, SA, SIG, Colt, STI.
Do not think you will find a Colt for under 1000 that would be the best range gun.
STI's are great guns, great shooters, but each of mine were difficult to do any work on. Nothing was drop in. And...keep in mind that STI's have ramped barrels....field stripping is a PITA, compared with other 1911's. The Trojan would probably be your best bet. Not sure if they are under 1000.
Had two SIG's and they were very accurate. However, one had the slide slightly angled to one side and SIG's have the same series 80 safety system that Colt has.
Kimber's get a bad rap, I do not know why. I have had one in each of their 3 sizes. All were great shooters and probably the best value. They also all had the best triggers out of the box.
The Springfield Armory Range Officer is tough to beat. I have one in 9mm and had one in .45 acp. Cannot beat the accuracy, out of the box. Each was so 1911 standard, that every part I ever got was completely drop in.
[Side note: Unlike the RO series, lower model SA's did not all have great triggers and I am unsure of their slide to frame fit. The RO line is supposedly put together differently]
Currently, my pride of ownership 1911 is a Colt. My range gun is a SA RO 9mm. Now, highly modified.
You should be able to get a SA RO for $800. Then spend the $200 on a tritium or FO front sight, Les Baer match hammer/sear and VZ grips. Later, Cerakote the slide and frame and it will look like a higher end SA.
Hope this helps
Best
J
Do not think you will find a Colt for under 1000 that would be the best range gun.
STI's are great guns, great shooters, but each of mine were difficult to do any work on. Nothing was drop in. And...keep in mind that STI's have ramped barrels....field stripping is a PITA, compared with other 1911's. The Trojan would probably be your best bet. Not sure if they are under 1000.
Had two SIG's and they were very accurate. However, one had the slide slightly angled to one side and SIG's have the same series 80 safety system that Colt has.
Kimber's get a bad rap, I do not know why. I have had one in each of their 3 sizes. All were great shooters and probably the best value. They also all had the best triggers out of the box.
The Springfield Armory Range Officer is tough to beat. I have one in 9mm and had one in .45 acp. Cannot beat the accuracy, out of the box. Each was so 1911 standard, that every part I ever got was completely drop in.
[Side note: Unlike the RO series, lower model SA's did not all have great triggers and I am unsure of their slide to frame fit. The RO line is supposedly put together differently]
Currently, my pride of ownership 1911 is a Colt. My range gun is a SA RO 9mm. Now, highly modified.
You should be able to get a SA RO for $800. Then spend the $200 on a tritium or FO front sight, Les Baer match hammer/sear and VZ grips. Later, Cerakote the slide and frame and it will look like a higher end SA.
Hope this helps
Best
J
Mainsail
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I vote Sig Sauer. I own two of them now and they have all the features you want and need, and none of the ones you don't. No plastic MSH, no ambi safety, no FLGR. Great fit & finish, perfect function, fantastic trigger.
Great for the range and carry.
Great for the range and carry.
I received a brand new Colt Series 80 blued Government model for Fathers Day this year, and I was very impressed with the overall fit and accuracy of the weapon.
Fixed 3 dot sights line up well and are easy to see and no malfunction in the 800 rounds or so of mixed LSWCs and various HPs.
There was just a touch of creep in the trigger press and I carefully stoned that away.
I did add a flat bottomed firing pin stop as a personal preference but it didn't need it for reliability. It did help the ejection pattern-originally it scattered the empties over a wide area but now puts them in a small circle.
Fixed 3 dot sights line up well and are easy to see and no malfunction in the 800 rounds or so of mixed LSWCs and various HPs.
There was just a touch of creep in the trigger press and I carefully stoned that away.
I did add a flat bottomed firing pin stop as a personal preference but it didn't need it for reliability. It did help the ejection pattern-originally it scattered the empties over a wide area but now puts them in a small circle.
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