1911 .45 cal

Way too vague.

Budget? (They can range from $450 and under to $5,000 or more)
Style? [GI or decked out, Single or Double stack, caliber, Size (Government, commander, officer's, etc)]
Purpose? (concealled carry or range gun?)
weight? (are you recoil sensitive?)

And a million more questions.

How much do you want to (or are willing to) spend?

What do you want to use it for?

About the only helpful advice I can give is that if you want a budget 1911 (i.e. under $500), buy a Rock Island Armory. Don't even bother with anybody else in that range. Quality guns, purportedly great customer service. Mine rocks.

Oh. Well. $1200. That's a whole new ballgame. Nevermind. Maybe a springfield.

STI Spartan $698 or Trojan $1100 (and whether you want made in USA or not)

As mesinge2 said, about a million other questions. For useful responses, you've got to tell us more about what your intended usage is at least.

Your budget does allow you a lot of choices, but keeps you out of the custom/semi custom range.

If you just have $1200 burning a hole in your pocket for a 1911, I'd be happy to sell you a Springer GI model for $1199.99, and I'll pay the shipping .

With a budget I would recomend a Colt first (personal favorite is the combat elite):

Click Image to Enlarge

I keep track of the rounds down the tube in excel so that I know when to changes springs, and this one has 7,250 rounds down the tube and is on its third set of springs (changed at around 3,000, and 6,000). I only had two jams with this gun ever and both with-in the frist hundred rounds with the original colt magazines. I prefer Chip McCormick Powermags for all my 1911s.

But a Springfield loaded or Kimber are great guns as well. If I were to but a Springer 1911 it would have to be a loaded operator. It I was going to buy a Kimber is would most definelty be a Kimber government SIS or Raptor.

A basic Springfield then build it up as you like. Can't go wrong with a 1911.

BIGGBAY90 said:

Up to $1200

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That's an unfortuneate price range. The best buys are in the $700-900 and $1600-2000 ranges. There is a significant void between the two right now.

...maybe a Colt 1991, Colt XSE, or a Kimber TLE would fit you?

What is the best buy for 700-900???

What is the best buy for 700-900???

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Dang, I guess not STI Spartan because it is priced less than $700.

Colt Gold Cup Trophy

That's an unfortuneate price range. The best buys are in the $700-900 and $1600-2000 ranges. There is a significant void between the two right now.

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If your budget is "up to $1,200," then I would suggest getting one of the $700-$900 guns, and spend the rest on quality magazines (about $100 for 5 Chip McCormick's), ammo, and holster and training (depending on your experience level and intended use).

Based on my browsing gun shops in my area, $700 - $900 would get you a 1911 by any reputable manufacturer: Colt, Kimber, Para Ordnance, Sig, Springfield, Smith & Wesson, etc.

Actual "street price" will vary depending on your geographic location, and specific dealer. But I find that BudsGunShop.com and eBang.com are good web sites to get a general idea of price. Keep in mind that eBang also lists on-going auctions, so some of the prices listed will be current bids, not the actual sale price.

The differences between the above-listed manufacturers are probably so minor that 1911 aficionados and internet commandos will spend countless hours passionately debating why their choice is better. In the end, it may simply come down to availability, style, and some intangibles.

The only modification I would do to any of those guns in that price range is have a brass bead front sight installed, about $40 parts and labor at my local gun smith.

UPDATE: I see that you are in New York City, which may change things considerably, given the regulation-imposed costs of gun ownership in that area.

Birdmang said:

What is the best buy for 700-900???

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STI Spartan, Kimber Custom, Kimber TLE, and Colt IMO.

This, for some ideas, see anything nice?:
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/141/products_id/60672

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/141/products_id/36291

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/141/products_id/69660

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/40/products_id/411534035

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/40/products_id/411534329

Thanks, im looking for a new one and thats my range also.

That's an unfortuneate price range. The best buys are in the $700-900 and $1600-2000 ranges. There is a significant void between the two right now.

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While there is some truth to this statement, Dan Wesson makes some very high quality 1911's in the $900-$1600 range. Dan Wesson's quality rivals some Semi-custom 1911 manufacturers.

Take a look at my guide here, starting in post 13.

http://glocktalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1269683

ttheel said:

While there is some truth to this statement, Dan Wesson makes some very high quality 1911's in the $900-$1600 range. Dan Wesson's quality rivals some Semi-custom 1911 manufacturers.

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Dw's going to have the best bang for the buck. They aren't cheap. But you are getting what you pay for. prices went up this year as they made some very custom modifications to thier lineup.

Tons of DW's by me and they are awesome. All are CBOBs, VBoBs, and Valors. $1600-1800. They had a well priced Classic sitting on the shelf for years, doubt they'll stock DW's llower models again.

1500+ rounds now. No failures:

Yes. I've got an old Kimber I'm customizing right now. Deosn't take much work to really make a Kimber rock.

If I wanted to spend $1200 on a 1911 I think I would buy two in different flavors/sizes/calibers, of either RIA or Metro Arms American Classic ll. With the $300 I would have left get a good carry rig and ammo. Just a thought.