If one gets the opportunity to shoot a Wilson, Guncrafter, Ed Brown, or whatever semi- or full custom 1911, then the mid-segment production guns loose their appeal quickly.
If you have seen these guns at the OP's price point I am all ears..
If one gets the opportunity to shoot a Wilson, Guncrafter, Ed Brown, or whatever semi- or full custom 1911, then the mid-segment production guns loose their appeal quickly.
For $1,000, look for a used $1,500-$2,000 gun. Beats a new $899.99 gun everytime...
You’ll find that in that market there are often guns in LNIB conditions popping up at very good prices. Some guys have a dozen or more 1911s at a few grand each: first they know something about guns and treat them well, second they don’t put thousands of rounds through each one of them...
Actually spending part of the $1,000 for a cheaper, solid gun and the rest of the money for upgrades could be a really smart approach. My Ruger SR1911 9mm Commander cost me about $700 all in and I’m pretty sure I could have done even better if I had known about www.gun.deals at the time. I love it, but $300+ worth of improvements would make it a dream gun. Actually, truth be told, I have already spent that extra on an ambi safety and red dot sight and mount. And I am sure I am not done yet. Starting with a solid, yet less expensive choice, allows you to spend some more to make the gun “your own”.No reason not to buy new. Both Colt and Springfield Armory have 1911s in the $750 - $1000 price range that should prove accurate, reliable and fun to shoot. Can always put out some cash later to get a few custom touches.
Isn't buying a used 1911 like buying a used Dodge at a Toyota dealer? You're likely buying someone else's headache...
It's all relative.someone mentioned his Citadel has a good trigger pull. Is that common for Citadels? Or is one of these less expensive 1911s known for a nicer trigger than the others. The Springfield RO I tried had a heavy trigger.
sn't buying a used 1911 like buying a used Dodge at a Toyota dealer? You're likely buying someone else's headache...
I quite agree with tarosean. I've bought several used 1911s over the years; amazingly, none have had any issues.People sell guns for all sorts of reasons.
If you have seen these guns at the OP's price point I am all ears..
Most of the inexpensive 1911s have triggers that can be improved with a little polishing and spring adjusting. But you do need to know what you are doing!
Many 1911s used to be "combat accurate" with enough looseness to be "combat reliable". But over the decades, with quest for accuracy and tighter and tighter tolerance of high end 1911s people drooled over, 1911s got tighter and tighter and now many are no longer combat reliable.Looking for combat accurate gun.
Reliable enough for a defense role.
Looking for a rugged dependable 1911.
Something easy to work on if needed.
Must be reliable out of the box. I am mechanically challenged. LOL. If it is as reliable as a glock..that would be great. This would be my first 1911.
Not a fan of Nutnfancy but the gunsmith doing the work sounds like the bullseye match shooting mentor who taught me to reload and do all the work on my match 1911.There was some good information available in printed books written by folks who knew what they were doing and had good reputations of building accurate, reliable M1911s ... Be cautious looking at what information might be available on the internet these days.
People sell guns for all sorts of reasons.
View attachment 820417 I would buy a Dan Wesson vigil....retails for 1,298 budsgunshop has them for $1118 or scan for a used one...nice gun with good reviews and features same as more expensive valkrie model...
I think DW is the pivot point, the peak of value for the money. Almost as good as the custom marques, but at a ready-made price.Yep. I got a LNIB DW Valkyrie CCO for a Sig 229 plus some cash on top. Considering what I had in the sig, total "cost" to me was less than $800. The DW had less than 100 rounds on it and a few spare mags, perfect shape.
Why did the seller get rid of it? He was having tendonitis issues with his thumb and couldn't work the thumb safety reliably, wanted to get back to DA/SA.
View attachment 835580
I finally got to look at these models, and they are very very nice for the money. Certainly would be my suggestion if you can find one around $1000.
Anything from Dan Wesson seems to be excellent value for the dollar, IMO.
During my short lifetime of shooting, I have seen guns fail from simply not going into full battery due to fouling build up to parts breakage, at times spectacularly resulting in damage to guns and body parts; of course, all of which would keep guns from protecting the shooters from threats.Reliable enough for a defense role.
So, I would not make my decision whether a gun is reliable enough to be used as defensive weapon based on brand name/model, rather based on individual experience and demonstration of reliability.My son has a RIA 10mm TacII ... But not a gun I would pull out of the box, holstered it up, and bet my life on it though.
ABSOLUTELY the best handgun I have EVER owned is my Giles .38 Special M1911.Isn't buying a used 1911 like buying a used Dodge at a Toyota dealer? You're likely buying someone else's headache...
TheProf: said:If (the 1911) is as reliable as a glock..that would be great.