Mid-range 1911

Colt's website says the cheapest 1991 with those features MSRP's for $850.

Figure street price is probably $7-750, that's within your budget.

Ask if he can order one. Or ask what his transfer fee is, and check out online shops, your options will open wide up.

Most LGS will either order what you want or accept a transfer for a reasonable fee if you do regular business with them. I live in a border town between AL and GA so there are several shops that do this routinely for $25 as I frequent them all. My last pistol was purchased in AL and transferred to GA.

I can tell you my experience....a few years ago I wanted a 1911 because like you I did not have one. Looked at everything and ended up with the Remington.

I have been pretty darn happy with it....and I am pretty far from nice to it. It has eaten even the most rot gut ammo I have put in it and worked perfect every time. I bought some super cheapo chinese 1911 magazines and each and everyone of them works....every time. I would bet the thing has around 1000 rounds run in it so far....I bet I have cleaned it about every 10th time I shoot the thing....and it has never not done what it was suppose to do.

I use it to knock down plates and kill opossum and skunks that go after my chickens....so it just sits out, gets pretty darn dusty....I think it is what a 1911 should be....it is not a race car that has to be pampered and fed just the right this or that with just the right magazine....I am sure if I dropped this thing in a mud hole it would come out and work. That is what a 1911 was first built to do and that is what mine does.

I think it is going to really come down to what you want....a race car or some so basic and simple it will just work for you with no drama.

I sit back and wait for all the replies from those that will say their > $1000 guns will do the same....they might, but will you cry if you bang it on a tree while going after that skunk that ate your livestock....yea I bet you would. Its a tool not some womans bracelet....it was designed as a tool and turned into a womans bracelet.

I haven't read all the comments so perhaps I am repeating things. Just a little about me, I shoot 1911s competitively and and a B class in USPSA and an Expert in IDPA. I also shoot 3-gun and was 13th of 60 something at my last major match shooting a 1911 when everyone else was using hi-cap 9s. I own two 1911s, a Dan Wesson in 45acp that has 35k+ rounds through it and a Taurus 9mm with about 2-3k through it.

For under $700, I would consider a the SA Range Officer, Taurus PT1911 or the Ruger SR1911. The Taurus will be the cheapest, have good features but will generally be a little rough around the edges. If it is like mine, it will also need a quick trigger job, not because it is a series 80 (ignore Series 70 vs Series 80 when it comes to budget 1911s), but because it will just have too heavy of a trigger. Get the Ruger if you want stainless with carry sights or the Range Officer if you want target sights. The ROs I've handled at competitions have had very good triggers. I've never been a big fan of Colts. There are lots of Colts out there with problems (and below-average triggers). I've yet to see a Colt really distinguish itself from a 1911 costing $100 less at a competition. They do have good resale value, but if you are looking for a long-term shooter, that shouldn't be a consideration.

1911s by their nature do very will with high round counts, but so do basically all semi-auto pistols. Shooting 20k rounds through a pistol with only minor maintenance is to be expected. With my high-round count 1911, the Dan Wesson, I've worn out a magazine release, broken off the front sight, damaged the ejector and ejector pin (but managed to salvage the ejector) and broken the hammer. Dan Wesson replaced the hammer, but all in all the total cost of shooting a mountain of ammo out of the gun has been around $100. Occasionally things break on a high wear-and-tear gun.

Just don't loose sight of the fact that there is a difference between budget and beginner. It has been my experience that I can out-shoot most with either my Taurus or my Dan Wesson.

Just reread the whole thread. Enjoy your new gun, let us know how it performs.

Metro Arms or a Colt

Many great options I just bought a springfield range officer (in 9mm though) for my girlfriend and am very happy with it.

Here's a guide to help you:

https://www.1911addicts.com/threads/...1-addicts.511/

Click to expand...

That is an amazing link. Choc full with great images and reviews. I don't know if I am a member of that forum, but if that member of 1911 addicts who posted it is one of our members here on THR, I sure would love to see it reposted here.

I have a Remington R1S stainless ( not the enhanced version ) and it was inexpensive and I got a $75.00 rebate at the time of purchase. It shoots reliably with my handloads and any other ammo I put in it without a hitch and is quite accurate. Good enough for me any day.

He is a member of this forum and is the one that posted the link. Congrats on the new gun, it beat not getting one at all. Don't worry, you will get more.

Do yourself a big favor and take a look at the Ruger SR1911 models before making your decision. You'll be pleasantly surprised at the quality and price.

He already purchased a Colt.......pic included so it happened.

Ok. I'm looking for the same. After much research and a little hair pulling out I will be picking up a springfield Range Officer this weekend. It's in the 800 dollar range but I believe it to be the best option in its class save maybe the Ruger and S&W

Nice looking pistol guyfromOhio I hope you enjoy it.

guyfromohio

Nice work with the mods you did.The VZ grips look great with your stainless steel Government.