? 1911 to buy

Remington R1. I'll actually be buying one this coming weekend, provided the buyer doesn't back out on the sale of my truck. I have a Kimber Stainless Target II 10mm and a Colt Mk IV stainless, but there's something about the classic WWI 1911. What Remington did was retain the form and aesthetics, and did it with a few subtle but important upgrades. Beveled mag well, lowered & flared port, useful sights, some internal upgrades.

grubbylabs said:

Thanks for the responses every one,


I have gotten a lot of what you would by but very little as to why, what features does your recommendation have that you think puts it above the rest?

Thanks.

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Well, regardless of what brand you go with (there are a lot of decent 1911 makers) I think a Commander sized 1911 (4" or 4.25" barrel) is a great choice for an all around 1911. I prefer a steel frame because the weight doesn't bother me, but there are plenty of alloy framed Commanders to save a little weight.

It's a little lighter and a little smaller than a full sized 1911 making it easier to carry/conceal but it's still a gun you can shoot all day at the range, and it doesn't sacrifice on reliability like a shorty 3 inch 1911 might. Personally, I think Commanders balance a little better too.

All 1911s are awesome, but if I could only have one it'd be a Commander.

Umarex/Regent R100 or R200

I purchased the R100 about 6mo back after favorable reviews from Gunblast and my LGS. here's some stuff from The Firearm Blog. It digests everything you throw at it including hollow points and can be found from $380-$420. It's a pretty handsome baseline 1911 pattern piece, though watch the factory mags. Mine absolute sucked. Nothing a quality mag won't cure.

But I sold mine. Not because it wasn't a good gun, but because I'm a slut for stainless and will be picking up its cousin, the r200. Here's some video on that. That will run you about $540 but damn that's a sexy pistol IMO.

Ruger SR1911 = $650 (on the outside)
Quality Holster = $150 (on the outside)
500 Rounds of Ammo = $200 (on the outside)

Grand total? $1000 of fun! (on the outside)

grubbylabs said:

Thanks for the responses every one,


I have gotten a lot of what you would by but very little as to why, what features does your recommendation have that you think puts it above the rest?

Thanks.

Click to expand...

My recommendation is the Springfield Mil-Spec. It isn't fancy - about the only things it has that a standard 1911-A1 doesn't is an ILS (which I don't like), three-dot sights (which I do like), and a lowered ejection port (easier on brass if you reload.) But I like that it isn't fancy. I don't need, want, or even particularly like all the custom features found on so many 1911s today. The Mil-Spec is a quality weapon at a reasonable price, equally at home in my holster on my hip or in my hands on the range.

Sergei Mosin said:

My recommendation is the Springfield Mil-Spec. It isn't fancy - about the only things it has that a standard 1911-A1 doesn't is an ILS (which I don't like), three-dot sights (which I do like), and a lowered ejection port (easier on brass if you reload.) But I like that it isn't fancy. I don't need, want, or even particularly like all the custom features found on so many 1911s today. The Mil-Spec is a quality weapon at a reasonable price, equally at home in my holster on my hip or in my hands on the range.

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I second this opinion. Mine has been a faithful friend. Durable finish, reliable operation, no frills built to work hard and get put away wet LOL. Great price too especially if you are a cheap bast-rd at heart like me

"One Fish" Bainter

Springfield Armory full rail TRP Operator. I'll sell you mine.

grubbylabs said:

Thanks for the responses every one,


I have gotten a lot of what you would by but very little as to why, what features does your recommendation have that you think puts it above the rest?

Thanks.

Click to expand...

If you are only going to own ONE 1911, why not make it a Colt? All the rest are copies - some are very good copies, but they aren't Colts. You can own a piece of history, or a reproduction.

If you ride a Harley, you know exactly what I mean.

Sergei Mosin said:

My recommendation is the Springfield Mil-Spec. It isn't fancy - about the only things it has that a standard 1911-A1 doesn't is an ILS (which I don't like), three-dot sights (which I do like), and a lowered ejection port (easier on brass if you reload.) But I like that it isn't fancy. I don't need, want, or even particularly like all the custom features found on so many 1911s today. The Mil-Spec is a quality weapon at a reasonable price, equally at home in my holster on my hip or in my hands on the range.

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I Third that, Like bainter1212 up above already said. Its what I have, In my opinion no need for a fancy dancy 1911. I wouldnt want to carry a really fancy SS, pearl grips with inlays etc to anything but a BBQ. If you get a fancy gun thats all it will be, a fancy conversation piece. Most likey you wont wanna wear it daily cause of holster wear for one. Two, if it gets a ding here, and a ding there your probably not going to be to happy. So, IMO, Go with a no frills, utilitarian approach. And you will be well under your budget. So what if she gets a little wear and tear, it will AD character, NOT take character away... thats my spent .02 cents... Get the GI Springfield... But do have fun looking, thats the best part, cause once you have it, the journey is over, then the wear and tear process begins on a carry gun that is....

If you're going to own ONE and ONLY ONE, I'd have a tough time getting anything but the original. By that, I don't mean it needs to be a colt (though if you can find a Colt for under $1000, I'd take it!), but I'm refering to the design. No Ambi-safety, no internal safeties, no front-slide serrations, etc. - just the way JMB (John Moses Browning, for anyone who lives under a rock) designed it 101 years ago. It's the crocodile of handguns - hasn't changed, and hasn't needed to change in a million years. God I love History!

I have a Colt 1911 and two Rock Islands. For the money you have earmarked to spend, you can get two RIA's. Both of mine have been 100% reliable and if for some reason you do have a problem, the company stands behind them with a lifetime no BS warranty.

They have several different models besides the base GI gun, including commander sized and compact versions as well as a tactical model. Go to the 1911 forum and look them up, you will find that there is very little bad to said for them, especially at the price point they sell for. I bought both my GI and Compact for $430 each.

That being said I really like my Colt too.

No picture of the RIA compact yet but here is the GI:


And with the Colt:

At around 1k, the STI Trojan is the best bang for the buck.

+1 STI Trojan, I have a gently used one on the way! Can't wait top get it!
Great warranty!

If you ride a Harley, you know exactly what I mean.

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If you ride an old Harley, and if you don't wear any of the modern apparel. You know, all that expensive American pride, flag-waving stuff with the "made in china" labels............

Exactly how much of a modern Harley is imported parts depends on the specific model, but it's a bit over half. Not to mention all the aftermarket chrome that is almost exclusively Taiwan or China......

I like the way a Harley looks and sounds, but I'm not diluded about what they are these days. Of course, my dream bike is still a hard tail, suicide shift, wide tire '47 or '48 Knucklehead kicker bike. But if I planned to cruise thousands of miles of interstate? Give me a Wing. They're made here, anyway.

Give me a Wing. They're made here, anyway.

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Well, if you can find an OLD ONE.... http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/30/goodbye-goldwing-honda-officially-ends-u-s-motorcycle-producti/

Like they say - if I have to explain, you wouldn't understand.

When I think of a 1911, I think of Colt. Nothing wrong with clones, copies, variants, knock-offs, refinements, tributes, or whatever you wish to call any and all the other 1911s - but they are not Colt 1911s, any more than a BMW Mini Cooper is an original Mini Cooper, or a '67 Camero SS clone is an original, or a Victory is a Harley.

This, of course, doesn't matter to everyone. To each his/her own. I own two 1911s, both Colts. I'd rather have them than two Springfields, Kimbers, or five RIAs - that's why I have them. I recognize their heritage, and their limitations, and carry a Glock 30....

GW Staar said:

Kimber Super Carry Pro.....Perfection without the custom $$$$$

Love that thing!


$1200 is a little higher than you specked but its not $3000. Under $1000....Sigs and Rugers are good buys. Colt Commanders are always a temptation as well.

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Why? you ask?
1. Small enough to conceal (4" barrel)...large enough to shoot well. (full size mag)
2. great snag-free conceal-carry tritium sights.
3. Bob-tail magazine that makes it the easiest 1911 to conceal. No pointed magazine giveaway.
4. Light weight for it's size. (Blackened Stainless slide, Aluminum Frame)
5. No-snag "melted" edges.
6. Has all the stuff you'd ask a gunsmith to mod for you on a regular 1911 without the high cost of a custom.
7. Fish scale is the most effective checkering there is....and beautiful to boot.

By a Norinco if you can find one. I bought a LNIB for $450.00. Excellent mil spec 1911. Better quality steel than any of the ones previously mentioned.

This link explains the steel used in Norinco.
http://forum.m1911.org/showthread.php?t=15245

This is my 3rd 1911. I had a Springfield Champion I bought used 10 years ago that was made in Brazil. Commander size. Nothing but problems. I replaced it with this Sig. It was a long decision between the Kimber cdp II and the Sig. Its amazingly accurate. My Father had a Colt national match Gold cup?? in the late 80s that I had a hard time shooting but I was a teen. Hes let it go for a Kimber.
I can easily carry my Sig with a clipdraw in shorts and a good color tee.
It adjusts easy with quick key check in my pocket for cant.
Front checkering.
Night sites.
Simple take down.
Light weight.
Awesome trigger.
Price was $769 + tax from PSA. They dont list it but its in the shop.
My other 1911 is an original 1911 from 1919! Its not going anywhere!!

For a carry pistol +1 on the SIG RCS, heck +1 on all SIG 1911s. If they start with S, like S&W, SIG, STI and Springfield Armory, you should end up with a 1911 to be proud of. My personal favorite, Colt Mk IV Series 70, the originals not the remakes, curved mainspring housing, spur hammer, short trigger, and the deepest blue you can find on a 1911. I daily carry a SIG RCS 1911, a CCO sized pistol. Compete in USPSA Single Stack with an STI Trojan 9mm, the best shooting 1911 I have right from the box. My Barbecue, open carry, range toy, lookie what I have, is the Colt. Only thing the old Colt needed as far as I was concerned, trigger job. Stoned the sear and hammer, replaced the sear spring, and a 17lb mainspring, wow, from 8lb pull to just over 3lb. If you like blued finishes the the older Colts are hard to beat, not many actualy bright blued pistols these days, not under $1K.

When I think of a 1911, I think of Colt.

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I think of John Browning.

Don't get me wrong, I like Colts. Never selling my Mk IV stainless, and I'd still have my 70 series combat commander if I hadn't blown the engine in my daily driver and needed a cheap, efficient temporary replacement pronto, as I was commuting over 80 miles a day (I had 6 other cars at the time, but only 4 running, and they all get single digit fuel economy).

Anyway, my point is that, while the Colt was the first to produce them and has always made a fine pistol, it's not their design and they're not the only company making good ones.

Why am I going with an R1 this time around? Because I think Remington did an excellent job producing an aesthetically pleasing tribute to the originals with all the right upgrades. I also have always been very happy with products from our (the USA's) oldest gunmaker. Remington's history is just as rich as Colt's (And, had the Remington-produced, John Pedersen-designed M53 come along just a little sooner, the M1911 may have never become the icon it is......)

My experience with 1911's include Colts, Kimbers and Springfield Arms only so of course I'm biased to what I own and carry having one or two of each brand. However whenever I leave the house I am carrying a Colt Defender. I know size and concealability is a big reason for this but this gun is also one that I consistently place exactly on target without thinking of it. It just fits my hand and stance that well.
I'd also be remiss if I didn't add that there seems to be good and bad Defenders. From what I've read in the past they either seem to work great right out of the box or they're a gigantic lemon. I just happen to have one that has been reliable and fits me perfectly so I'm sticking with it.

Forum Thread

You might find this forum thread helpful in comparing and contrasting different models. I thought it was a good read, although a little long for one sitting.

http://www.1911addicts.com/showthread.php?511-Buyer-s-guide-for-all-you-1911-addicts...

http://www.gunauction.com/buy/11302731/pistols-for-sale/sig-sauer-sig-sauer-1911-tacpac-45acp

There it is. If you don't want the rail you can find them without. Got one myself, runs great, tight chamber so must use sized bullets when reloading, but its no joke about the "match grade" barrel.

or if you are a purist

http://www.gunsamerica.com/97072526...c-Pistols/Colt_1991A1_series_80_45_pistol.htm

Got one myself. Very reliable, looser chamber than the sig, doesn't make the 1 hole groups but will feed my 45 reloads as cast without resizing.

Ruger's 1911 is supposed to be very nice as well.
My experience.....Avoid the RIA's unless you just want a range gun, or to "discover" the 1911, unless you get one cheeeeap. (had one) For every person that loves them you'll find another person that loves their customer service. Somehow RIA has got such good customer service that the seemingly large number of people who purchase their guns and have to send them in for repair don't mind. Great if you love waiting for your pistol to come back in the mail, and paying shipping fees to get what you should have gotten in the first place.
For $300-$350 they are fun...but too many people have been buying them because they are "cheap".....so now they are going up in price. For $450 they are way to close in price to MUCH better guns. Like the sig, who's street price has come down to $650....