Agree, this guy covers many 1911s and splits them up by pricing. Worth a look at.
Mid-range 1911
- Thread starter guyfromohio
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corruptone
Member
My vote would be Ruger SR1911 in either the 5" or the Commander. I currently own the 5" model and it is worth more than the asking price. I own 1911's ranged from $3K to $400 and at the $700 price point, Ruger beats my Springfield.
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guyfromohio
Member
Delford...just looking at the 1911. I have other platforms and enjoy them very much. Just don't have a 1911. As for low or midrange, I stand corrected. Kind of like ordering a small coke and they say "we only have medium, large, and XL". Entry isn't low, I guess. Lots of good comments here. Thank you. My FFL just sent me an email that he has a stainless 1991 in my price range. In the meantime, I just put up a few guns on Armslist to see if I can raise funds for an Ed Brown. If they don't sell in a week, I'll go for the Colt. If they do, I'll get the Alpha Carry.
MIL-DOT
member
I would recommend checking your local used market, via sites like Armslist. I see very clean Rugers,Colts, Springfields,Remingtons,etc. all the time.
Here's the list of all the .45ACP's in Ohio that are currently listed on Armslist, there appear to be some pretty nice options, including a stainless Springfield for $650 up in Cincinnati, and a Remington R1 for $550 in Dayton:
http://www.armslist.com/classifieds/search?location=ohio&category=all&tag=45acp
Here's the list of all the .45ACP's in Ohio that are currently listed on Armslist, there appear to be some pretty nice options, including a stainless Springfield for $650 up in Cincinnati, and a Remington R1 for $550 in Dayton:
http://www.armslist.com/classifieds/search?location=ohio&category=all&tag=45acp
LOLBELL
Member
Colt might own it right now, but, it looks like a band of Indians are high bidder on Colt. You got to ask yourself " Who's gonna own Colt next week?"
Lord Teapot
Member
nah, low end 1911s are crap in the 3-500 range. mid range is 600-900, plenty of good brands that are in no way low end, in the price range OP has listed. you can spend 2000 on a gun, doesnt mean you're getting 2000 worth of gun, means you're getting a gun for 2000.
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guyfromohio
Member
I ordered a stainless 1991 Government this AM. $769. Thought that was decent. Thanks for the advice! Will post impressions after I've spent some time with it. Comes with Hogue wrap-around grips. Not thrilled with that, but will change to standard wood panels ASAP.
Wrong. You are getting a $2000 gun when you spend it in the 1911 world. There's a reason they cost what they do. It's parts quality, fitting, build quality, etc. Do you think those smiths work cheap? If you think a low end gun under $1000 are anywhere near a $3000 1911 from Wilson, Brown, and the like, I strongly suggest you learn a bit more about the platform.
Anything below a grand is low end in the 1911 range. Under $500 are entry level/budget models. That's just the truth of the matter.
I know people want to feel better about their purchase and that's understandable. You can find very solid guns in the lower end of the price range. However, there's a reason the best cost what they do.
bannockburn
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guyfromohio
Good choice at a decent price. Will await your review and range report. As for wood grips I like Colt's Double Diamond grips and Kim Ahrends Skip Checkered grips.
Good choice at a decent price. Will await your review and range report. As for wood grips I like Colt's Double Diamond grips and Kim Ahrends Skip Checkered grips.
mgmorden
Member
In that price range I'd go for the Ruger IMHO. I'd recommend Colt since they are the original and they may soon be unavailable, but honestly I just don't like Series 80 fire controls (though I supposed you can remove them if you'd like). A Springfield RO isn't a bad choice either.
With some of the really low end guns you MIGHT have a problem or two but usually not serious. Generally on any of them I'd replace the extractor with a better unit from Wilson, Cylinder and Slide, etc. Extractors (both the part and the installation) seem to be the root of a great sum of the problems you'll encounter with 1911 reliability.
As to cost, honestly more expensive guns usually are better but the law of diminishing returns kicks in very quickly. An $800 gun costs twice what a $400 gun does but may only be 30% better. A $1600 gun costs twice what the $800 gun does but might only be 15% better. A $3200 gun versus the $1600 gun might only be 5% better. You can see where it's going. A $700-800 gun IMHO is about the "sweet spot" where you're getting the best value in a 1911.
With some of the really low end guns you MIGHT have a problem or two but usually not serious. Generally on any of them I'd replace the extractor with a better unit from Wilson, Cylinder and Slide, etc. Extractors (both the part and the installation) seem to be the root of a great sum of the problems you'll encounter with 1911 reliability.
As to cost, honestly more expensive guns usually are better but the law of diminishing returns kicks in very quickly. An $800 gun costs twice what a $400 gun does but may only be 30% better. A $1600 gun costs twice what the $800 gun does but might only be 15% better. A $3200 gun versus the $1600 gun might only be 5% better. You can see where it's going. A $700-800 gun IMHO is about the "sweet spot" where you're getting the best value in a 1911.
MIL-DOT
member
I think I speak for everyone when I say that we're going to need to see a pic, and I'm not talking about the $3K one.
Uglyducky
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Agreed!!! LOL. $400k 1911!?!?I think I speak for everyone when I say that we're going to need to see a pic, and I'm not talking about the $3K one.
Your experiences with the quality of a Colt from "ages ago" bear no relationship to a current Colt. They're building the best guns now they ever had.
Sounds like you've never owned a Nighthawk, Wilson, Baer et al.
Colt quality, fit, and finish today are excellent. I bought a new Commander last December when PSA had them on sale for $599 and was very impressed with it. Looking forward to hearing how you like yours.
I took this pic when I first took it out of the box, just wiped off some of the oil.
corruptone
Member
Hahahaha....Ooopps. Got crazy with the 'k' I guess. Issue corrected.
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guyfromohio
Member
My last 1991' back in the day needed a beaver tail to feel good. I'll have that and a company hammer installed soon after I bring it home. What else should I replace? Extractor?
nettlle
Contributing Member
See how it runs out of the box. I picked up a new Colt government this week and out of the box it ran 350 rounds with no problems.
loadedround
Member
Look around for new or an excellent used Colt Gold Cup 45 ACP, a Series 70 if you can find one. Go with the best.
smalls
Member
Why not just buy a 1911 that has all of the features you want? There's no sense in buying a GI style gun and then spending more money on adding features to it. And don't just go replacing things before A) you shoot it B) if there are issues, you know for certain what's causing them. A lot of problems with 1911's are mag related. But a lot of people just start replacing everything in it, and now you've got more issues, and have no idea where to start looking.
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guyfromohio
Member
Smalls....don't disagree. I do know from experience that my hand gets bitten, so I'll do the hammer and beaver tail. Will wait on others.
Wilson mags eliminate most of those problems.
bannockburn
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smalls
Over the years I have never had a problem with Colt factory mags. I did replace the grip safety on my Combat Commander with a beavertail one and it changed the handling dynamics of the gun so much that I took it off and put the original one back on. The only other part that I change out (if it doesn't come that way already), is with a straight mainspring housing.
Over the years I have never had a problem with Colt factory mags. I did replace the grip safety on my Combat Commander with a beavertail one and it changed the handling dynamics of the gun so much that I took it off and put the original one back on. The only other part that I change out (if it doesn't come that way already), is with a straight mainspring housing.
I own two 1911's. A Colt Commander and and ATI M1911? The Colt cost around $800 or so and the ATI was $500-$600 or so. The ATI came with a 22 conversion and two mags for each.
The Colt looks better. Both are fine for plinking at the range and running 50 rounds through. If I had to guess I think the Colt would last longer if I ever ran thousands of rounds through them. I have never had any problems out of the Colt, maybe 1k rounds, and the ATI is flawless with FMJ but had some early trouble with HP ammo. I never really tried to work out the kinks as I don't intend to use it for anything but a range toy.
Looks, fit, finish go to the Colt. Shooting 50 rounds at the range...it's a tie.
The Colt looks better. Both are fine for plinking at the range and running 50 rounds through. If I had to guess I think the Colt would last longer if I ever ran thousands of rounds through them. I have never had any problems out of the Colt, maybe 1k rounds, and the ATI is flawless with FMJ but had some early trouble with HP ammo. I never really tried to work out the kinks as I don't intend to use it for anything but a range toy.
Looks, fit, finish go to the Colt. Shooting 50 rounds at the range...it's a tie.
smalls
Member
Mine do too. But what I'm saying is why not buy a gun that already has a beaver tail GS, rather than buying a new gun and spending even more money adding one?
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