1911 suggestions

EAA witness

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The Witness is not a 1911.

Thompson's 1911 may be close
http://www.auto-ordnance.com/Firearms/Thompson-1911TC.asp

Of your group, including the Thompson I mentioned, I'd buy the Ruger if I could find one.

I've heard good about the ruger and that's what I would choose from your options. If you spend 200-300 more and get a colt or kimber I think you'd be really happy. I just bought my first 1911 yesterday, kimber custom crimson carry for under $1100 and love it. I've only put 50 rounds through so far but its butter. I'd also stay away from the Taurus personally. I know two people who have owned Taurus semi autos and they weren't happy at all.

Of those choices, the only two I'd consider would be the Ruger and the RIA. Of those two, I'd choose the Ruger, mainly because I'm a fanboy and they are usa made with good reviews. In fact, I made that choice and bought an SR1911 as my first 1911. Low round count so far but I am not dissappointed. I'm sure the RIA would also be a great first 1911, I hear nothing but good things about them.

I'd recommend looking at the Springfield 1911 Loaded. If you look, you should be able to find one in your price range.

I just picked up a Remington R1 1911 (stainless) from Buds for $618 shipped. It has a great traditional look but with upgraded 3 dot sights. I know Daividson's had them yesterday also.

IIRC the stainless model I have, has not been around but a few months, but the Blued versions seem to have positive reviews.

I will post some pics and range report as soon as I can

I really like the ria and its inexpensive. Could I change teh trigger and hammer to a skeletonized one and if so how much?

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Unless you are a gunsmith or even a highly skilled hobbyist, I personally would leave this to a professional. Unlike some of the polymer pistols you cannot just drop parts into a 1911 and have them work properly. The gun MIGHT work correctly purely by chance, but it is much more likely that you will end up with an unsafe pistol.

You are probably better off getting the pistol with the features you want. It may end up costing you less in the long run versus trying to do it yourself.

Ruger SR1911
Range Report and Ransom Rest report
http://www.dayattherange.com/?p=1612
Firearms Reviewed and Reported On: An unbiased opinion with real world use.

panteramatt said:

I really like the ria and its inexpensive. Could I change teh trigger and hammer to a skeletonized one and if so how much?

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Sounds like the RIA 'Tactical' in matte nickel has all the features you're looking for, including skeletonized hammer and trigger. I own one, and consider it money well spent.

Para Ordnance GI Expert in stainless fits your criteria for MSRP of $699, typically sell for around $600. Or you can step up to the Para Premium SSP, Bud's has it for $778. If you want a double stack .45 that meets the criteria, Bud's has the Para P14-45 in stainless for $737. All made in the USA with a lifetime service policy.

My first 1911 was the Ruger SR1911. I had to get it on Gunbroker since Ruger isn't taking orders, and local shops had never even seen one here in SW Michigan.

Mine was test-fired by Ruger on April 13 this year (so says the envelope and spent casing incl. with purchase), and I owned it on April 26th, and in-hand May 8 or so.

I put 130 rounds through it on the first range visit which included 200gr LSWC, hp's, fmj's, a few steel and aluminum cased rounds, etc, and didn't have a single issue. I've shot about 200 total through it now, and still going strong. Seems to be very accurate and nice. Trigger pull is great - better than the Springfield Loaded and the Taurus PT1911's that I tried, but not "quite" as good as the Kimber Custom II I held at a local shop, but for $250 less, the Ruger is a much better deal. It's simple to field strip, and runs like a top.

The factory wooden grips on mine are so dark brown they're almost black, so I was kind of miffed about that - all pictures I've seen online have reddish-brown grips that look awesome against the stainless with black accents of the SR1911.

Finding them is the problem, since if you can't find one local, online is likely your only option.

Any of the entry level (stainless) SA 1911's will be fantastic. Pretty much as close to original as you can get these days. I haven't had a lot of trigger time behind them, but my friends tell me they're reliable and good platforms for customization.

Myself, I have Colts only (but pricey).

I like to buy used springfields for like 4-500 and then put on my own beaver tails, triggers, etc, if you have 800 to spend total you could build a gun yourself that would sell for 1500 on the market......

Reference, "built 1911 from scratch" threads elsewhere in this forum

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=659321
I bout two guns for this guy and love them. I don;t know why somebody hasn't got the sig yet. Just letting you know

bluethunder1962 said:

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=659321
I bout two guns for this guy and love them. I don;t know why somebody hasn't got the sig yet. Just letting you know

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I second that. His Sig is a good looking gun.

Ruger SR1911. I've owned one for about a month now and have put about 250 rounds through it thus far and could not be more pleased.

For about $915 you could get a Colt XSE SS 5" Check out my new post entitled Mods to my new Colt XSE. I just bought this gun from a shop in NC for $913. Shipping was $30 and FFL for me was $35. All in I was $978 and now have a genuine Colt 1911 made in USA with forged slide and frame and only four MIM parts. Can't say that about any other 1911 under $1,000 that I know of.