Best 1911 for first one

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American Classic II is built in The Philippines by Metro Arms Corporation, and imported by RSA in New Jersey. IIRC
 
i also regret selling my sti spartan, if you want g.i. though, go Springfield g.i. or mil-spec
 
Just bought my first, came down to Kimber vs Springfield Armory. Ended up with a parkerized Springfield Loaded
 
I started with a Taurus and, although I've added others to the mix, still shoot it. The company is Brazilian, but they do have an American presence in South Florida.
 
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I too like XD's, here's a pic of my .40 - 4 inch.

The 1911 is a MetroArms American Classic II .45., true USGI Mil Spec. Grips ought to be replaced, mine are Kimber Rosewood, EGA. I also replaced my mags with CheckMate mags with hybrid lip and dimpled follower. They also make Colt mags with the "C" stamped on base. These worked the best and smoothest on my gun. The ACT mag that came with it is alright but not smooth and somewhat noisy. Check the extractor tension beforehand too and expect some wear in.

I paid $415 total with FFL thru "galleryofguns .com" via my local dealer.
 
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1911's are kind of hit or miss

My first two were Colts and they did not function worth a darn. It took me nearly 15 years to buy another. I bought a Taurus Duo-tone a year ago and have been incredibly happy with it. I have nearly 3000 rounds through with no malfunctions due to the pistol. I have only had three bobbles total and that was due to my reloads. I bought a Kimber and had I bought it new for over $1100 I would have been ticked off. Fortunately I had only paid $700 for it slightly used and I know a good gunsmith. I ahve since bought a Second Taurus Duo-tone and, most recently a stainless Springfield GI. I have to say that the Sprinfield appears to be a very nice gun. If I had bought new I think I would have bought the Sprinfield Mil-spec. It has the lowered ejection port and somewhat better sights. I also like Rock Island Tactical.
 
after owning several 1911's, some suggestions:

buy a 5", nothing shorter
RIA or a Springfield milspec $500-600 if the budget is a bit soft right now. a lot less and you may get what you pay for. para's GI expert has good ratings also
if cost is no object, Nighthawk Custom or Ed Brown, maybe wilson combat
somewhere in the middle ($800-1000) live many of the Kimbers, Springfields. STI, etc
SIG makes a great 1911, but a bit less classic in the looks and shape
 
I recently bought a Springfield GI45 as my first 1911 (and my first handgun period) and so far it has met and exceeded my expectations. I've got < 1000 rounds through it though. Quality seems to be very good, there is some play in the frame/slide fit but I understand that is typical of a GI model 1911.

I also bought a Kimber .22LR conversion kit to go with it, and that has been superb as well. I've put 10x as many rounds through that as I have with .45, but then again that's the whole point right? Super cheap way to practice while maintaining the same controls and feel as the .45.

My father-in-law has a Kimber Stainless II which he got used. The frame/slid fit on that is definitely much tighter. He loves it. Kimber is also 100% made in the US, in Yonkers, NY.

I paid under $600 for my Springfield brand new, and about $300 for the 22 conversion. I was on the fence of whether to spend $1000 on a slightly higher end 1911 or buy a basic GI model and the 22 kit. I was looking at a Springfield Loaded Stainless and a Kimber Custom TLE also stainless as my other options.

For right now I'm pleased to have gotten the .45 and .22 on the same gun for the same as just a nicer .45.

I'm sure that I will be adding to my library with at least one more 1911 in the future.
 
S&W 1911 for 9 years; thousands of reloads later, not one malfunction. Haven't felt the need for an additional 1911.
 
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