1911 help!

SA Range Officer for around $750.

There are better options than Para IMO. The $1000 STI Trojan is probably the best 1911 in the $1000 or less range.

You'll get LOTS of opinons on this 'un.

My opinion ... get yerself a Taurus a stainless PT-1911 at just over $600.00 and spend the rest on a thousand rounds of ammo.

By the time your'e done with all that ammo, you'll be hittin' quarters at 15 yards consistently with NEVER a malfunction of any kind.

S&w 1911.

English please........

English please........

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This.

Get a Colt You will sooner or later. So might as well start with one.

I can't complain about my Springfield Loaded. It runs any ammo and shoot tight groups. It was $740 bucks.

I was in your shoes about half a year ago. I ended up getting a Springfield Loaded for about $800. I like the loaded and it eats everything. I have seen the Range Officer for $740 at one of my local gun stores which I feel is a really good deal. I still wonder if I should have gotten the used Colt Gold Cup for $700 and had it refinished. I have to agree w/ michael t get a Colt you will eventually...I know I will.

Someone else came up with this line, but I like it: "Friends don't let friends buy Para!"

Davidfl said:

guy whats a good 1911 i wanna get a 1911 my range is $800 $1000
whats a good 1911 is Para-ordnance a good 1911

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In that price range "I" would look at either a Springfield Loaded or a Kimber Custom. The Springfield won't have the firing pin safety as will a new Kimber but both are considered great value for the money and has most of the modifications (beavertail, combat sights, throated barrel, etc...) that anyone would want at half or more the cost of a Wilson, Clark, Baer, etc...

Another plus is if in the future you decide to sell it for a upgrade, you may lose a little but you won't take a beating due to demand of these makes/models if you sell it yourself.

I am pretty happy with my Para GI Expert. It has proven accurate and reliable.

i wanna get a 1911 my range is $800 $1000

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There are lots of options in your price range and there have been a lot of good suggestions. If it were me, I'd get a Colt Combat Commander. They're just about perfect in terms of handling, performance, and reliability.

Before you jump on the Springfield Range Officer or the STI Spartan, which I'm sure are both fine pistols, make sure you want a pistol with adjustable sights. If you don't, your replacement options will be seriously limited.

Colt is generally a good recommendation. I you decide you don't like it, Colt's hold their resale value better. Think Harley-Davidson in motorcycles.

Colt, S&W or Springfield should all be in your price range.

amd6547 said:

I am pretty happy with my Para GI Expert. It has proven accurate and reliable.

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+1, but I've only had time to put 150 rounds through her yet. Only cost me 1/2 the OP's price range though.

Personally, I don't like the double stack Paras however. Huge mag ruins the awesomeness of the 1911 grip.

Used Colt (must inspect in person), SA Range Officer, STI Trojan or Spartan. Just my opinion but I would avoid Kimber and Para like the plague.

Well I like my Colt Lightweight Government, especially nice if you want something a little lighter to carry in a M1911. It's also well within your price range.

Prepare yourself for this purchase by reading these articles:

http://10-8performance.blogspot.com/2011/01/choosing-your-first-1911-some-thoughts.html

http://www.10-8performance.com/Articles.html

http://10-8performance.blogspot.com/2010/05/1911-reliability-what-does-it-really.html

I disagree that the Springfield Mil-Spec is a great way to go. It requires work and my local gun store won't carry them due to many problems. The builds just have not been all that great. It lacks a beavertail grip safety (which enhances comfort while shooting). Perhaps he means it's a good start for a custom buildk. I prefer a gun that can be carried immediately and built up later. The Springfield Armory Loaded M9109 is probably the best deal given that it comes with night sights, ambidextrous safety, etc for around $750-800. It has everything you need out of the box and great support from the company.

I found the Colt XSE to be a great value and good performer, although it lacked night sights.

Others are pushing the SIG XO. My concerns with SIG are the slide geometry differences and the internal safeties. Dig around on forums.1911forum.com.

I have also found the short slide guns (less than 4" in length) to be problem guns. Many gunsmiths will tell you to stick with 5" barrels with bushings.

Used Springfield Armory EMP in either 9x19mm or 40 S&W...great carry gun!



The EMP is not a true 1911. It has been designed around the 9x19mm cartridge. Dimensions were reduced. It does use some standard 1911 parts. My gun had some issues, but Springfield Customer Service fixed the problems and the gun runs great (even with low quality Brown Bear ammo and high quality self-defense ammo).