Deadeyejedi
Member
my son and i are looking for a 45 cal model 1911 ,he has his heart set on a colt .any suggestions on a good quality 1911 under $ 1000.00 .he just turned 21 and has begun his pistol permit process.
1911 .45
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Ibmikey
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There are a ton of 1911's that fit the bill, Colt is an excellent pistol as are Remington R1, Ruger, Sig etc. I wanted a stock GI to take the load off of my original Colts and found the Auto Ordnance to be just about an exact copy right down to the plastic grips. I have mine in a GI shoulder holster which actually hangs against your chest for unobstructed movement.
The Colt Gov Model I received as a gift from my buddy last Christmas is a beauty, so much so i am extra careful when shooting it, the AO however, seems to look more used and loved as it is fired or carried.
As you see there are Rock Island 1911 a1 to very expensive custom makes...your choice.
The Colt Gov Model I received as a gift from my buddy last Christmas is a beauty, so much so i am extra careful when shooting it, the AO however, seems to look more used and loved as it is fired or carried.
As you see there are Rock Island 1911 a1 to very expensive custom makes...your choice.
Lafitte
Member
If you want a Colt, get a Colt! The basic government model 1911 (series 70 or 1991) in stainless or blue can be purchased within your price range. You can't go wrong with a Colt. Get one in .45ACP, I know, some want a 9mm and such but who wants a Corvette with a 4 cylinder engine.
Lafitte
Lafitte
LUCKYDAWG13
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I'm vary happy with my Ruger 1911
ColtPythonElite
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I agree on getting a Colt. 30 years from now the few extra dollars spent today will seem insignificant to your son.
Armored farmer
Member
Another vote for the Ruger. My commander is a keeper.
JTQ
Member
All good recommendations so far.
The two things I like to point out to the new to 1911's shopper is deciding what sights you like and do you need a beavertail grip safety. Choosing wrong at the beginning could require some grinding/welding on your guns and more cost than you planned.
The 1911 is not like a Glock/SIG/Beretta/etc., not all sight cuts are the same, so picking something that comes with the sights you like or will accommodate the sights you like, makes your life a whole lot easier.
If you've got to have a beavertail grip safety for looks/comfort/function (some don't, so decide before you buy), or for whatever reason, get a gun with one from the beginning as it will make your life much easier.
The two things I like to point out to the new to 1911's shopper is deciding what sights you like and do you need a beavertail grip safety. Choosing wrong at the beginning could require some grinding/welding on your guns and more cost than you planned.
The 1911 is not like a Glock/SIG/Beretta/etc., not all sight cuts are the same, so picking something that comes with the sights you like or will accommodate the sights you like, makes your life a whole lot easier.
If you've got to have a beavertail grip safety for looks/comfort/function (some don't, so decide before you buy), or for whatever reason, get a gun with one from the beginning as it will make your life much easier.
Olympus
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You can pick up a Kimber Classic Two-Tone in full size, commander, or officer for well under $1k and they are great guns. I've had several. They are a beautiful pistol for a great price. Under $800 usually.
You can get a Colt Combat Elite for right at $1k. The bluing wont be as deep as the Kimber, the stainless wont be as polished, and the one's I've owned had sloppy grip safeties and tended to rattle when shaken.
You can get a Ruger in all black or stainless for well under $1k and they are good guns. You get a safety warning engraved on the bottom of the dust cover of the frame if that bothers you. But for the price, you get a good gun.
Sig makes a good 1911 and there are several models in your budget. I don't have any photos of any Sigs handy. I've owned a few over the years though.
I'm not a Rock Island fan, but that's just my personal opinion. Plenty of people love them though. I'm not a Springfield Armory fan for the simple fact that I don't like any gun that has an internal locking mechanism. Springfield uses a keyed lock in their mainspring housing. I've never owned a S&W. Para went out of business and was absorbed by Remington. Remington makes some pretty good 1911s. My brother has an R1 Enhanced, but the thing has gotten sloppy loose everywhere. Still shoots and is still reliable, but it rattles like a spray paint can.
You can get a Colt Combat Elite for right at $1k. The bluing wont be as deep as the Kimber, the stainless wont be as polished, and the one's I've owned had sloppy grip safeties and tended to rattle when shaken.
You can get a Ruger in all black or stainless for well under $1k and they are good guns. You get a safety warning engraved on the bottom of the dust cover of the frame if that bothers you. But for the price, you get a good gun.
Sig makes a good 1911 and there are several models in your budget. I don't have any photos of any Sigs handy. I've owned a few over the years though.
I'm not a Rock Island fan, but that's just my personal opinion. Plenty of people love them though. I'm not a Springfield Armory fan for the simple fact that I don't like any gun that has an internal locking mechanism. Springfield uses a keyed lock in their mainspring housing. I've never owned a S&W. Para went out of business and was absorbed by Remington. Remington makes some pretty good 1911s. My brother has an R1 Enhanced, but the thing has gotten sloppy loose everywhere. Still shoots and is still reliable, but it rattles like a spray paint can.
JTQ
Member
The word on the street is Springfield is dropping the ILS.
Blacksmoke
Member
I would go with Colt. While companies like Springfield, Kimber, Ruger, Remington, Sig Sauer make some great 1911s, might as well get him started with the basic original model or as close as you can. Failing that, I would go with the mil spec Springfield Armory model.
When I bought my stepson his first handgun, it was a Smith & Wesson Model 14. I think he got off to a good start. He took it from there and now has a nice collection. One cannot go far wrong with the classics.
When I bought my stepson his first handgun, it was a Smith & Wesson Model 14. I think he got off to a good start. He took it from there and now has a nice collection. One cannot go far wrong with the classics.
Olympus
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I'll have to disagree with picking a GI or mil-spec model for a first 1911. There's a reason the design has evolved from that configuration. It won't take long before you'll wish you had better sights and a beavertail grip.
Nothing wrong with the GI version, but it won't be long until you'll be asking about doing modifications to it or you'll be buying another 1911. Especially if you've got a 21 year old. Odds are they won't appreciate the nostalgia of the GI as much as a more modern version.
Nothing wrong with the GI version, but it won't be long until you'll be asking about doing modifications to it or you'll be buying another 1911. Especially if you've got a 21 year old. Odds are they won't appreciate the nostalgia of the GI as much as a more modern version.
He needs to ask himself one question now just to know: if not Colt, then Made in the USA? For some it later becomes an issue, not so much about the firearm itself, but simply appreciating it's provenance.
There are plenty of 1911's on the market with American roll marks - be advised they can apply those in the factory in Turkey, the Philippines, etc if they are shipping them as parts ...
There are plenty of 1911's on the market with American roll marks - be advised they can apply those in the factory in Turkey, the Philippines, etc if they are shipping them as parts ...
OP
OP
Deadeyejedi
Member
thanks for all the information and replies were headed out shopping.ill post the progress as we go
Winkman822
Member
There is an absolute abundance of options in that price category. My top picks, in no particular order, are as follows:
Colt Series 70 Blue - It's a great 1911 to get started with and is one that will grow with you as you become more familiar with it in terms of customizing. Also no firing pin block. Can be had for right around $900.
Springfield Armory Mil-Spec - As above with the Colt Series 70, but a lot less expensive, typically in the $650-$700 range.
Springfield Armory Loaded Parkerized - Takes a basic 1911 and adds a few of the more modern bells and whistles like dovetailed night sights, beaver tail grip safety, looped hammer, front cocking serrations (not a favorite feature of mine), long trigger pad, and a full length guide rod (again not a favorite feature of mine). These are typically in the $800 range and also lack a firing pin block.
Smith and Wesson 1911 - Similar to the Springfield Loaded, however, it has an external extractor and a firing pin block. Not sure whether a Series 80 Colt type of a Swartz type that's actuated by the grip safety rather than the trigger. These are a solid gun, however, and come in right around $900.
Ruger 1911 - Again similar to the Springfield Loaded and S&W 1911. Not sure whether there's a firing pin block on these as I don't have ANY first hand experience with them. These come in around $750.
Colt Combat Elite - Colt's version of the Springfield Loaded/S&W 1911/Ruger SR 1911. Works on the Series 80 firing pin block system. Nice guns, but a little pricey. These come in around $1000.
Personally, I'd steer clear of Kimber, but that's only based on my experiences with them. I've been unfortunate enough to have a few bad ones, but given the volume of guns that Kimber produces, it's not unsurprising that some bad ones will slip through. Remington seems to make a solid 1911, but as I understand it, they have more relieved vertical impact surfaces in the frame and that may or may not lead to problems down the road. Whether it is in fact a problem is something that I've yet to see personally. Everyone I know with a Remington R1 seems to be pleased with them for the most part.
Colt Series 70 Blue - It's a great 1911 to get started with and is one that will grow with you as you become more familiar with it in terms of customizing. Also no firing pin block. Can be had for right around $900.
Springfield Armory Mil-Spec - As above with the Colt Series 70, but a lot less expensive, typically in the $650-$700 range.
Springfield Armory Loaded Parkerized - Takes a basic 1911 and adds a few of the more modern bells and whistles like dovetailed night sights, beaver tail grip safety, looped hammer, front cocking serrations (not a favorite feature of mine), long trigger pad, and a full length guide rod (again not a favorite feature of mine). These are typically in the $800 range and also lack a firing pin block.
Smith and Wesson 1911 - Similar to the Springfield Loaded, however, it has an external extractor and a firing pin block. Not sure whether a Series 80 Colt type of a Swartz type that's actuated by the grip safety rather than the trigger. These are a solid gun, however, and come in right around $900.
Ruger 1911 - Again similar to the Springfield Loaded and S&W 1911. Not sure whether there's a firing pin block on these as I don't have ANY first hand experience with them. These come in around $750.
Colt Combat Elite - Colt's version of the Springfield Loaded/S&W 1911/Ruger SR 1911. Works on the Series 80 firing pin block system. Nice guns, but a little pricey. These come in around $1000.
Personally, I'd steer clear of Kimber, but that's only based on my experiences with them. I've been unfortunate enough to have a few bad ones, but given the volume of guns that Kimber produces, it's not unsurprising that some bad ones will slip through. Remington seems to make a solid 1911, but as I understand it, they have more relieved vertical impact surfaces in the frame and that may or may not lead to problems down the road. Whether it is in fact a problem is something that I've yet to see personally. Everyone I know with a Remington R1 seems to be pleased with them for the most part.
+1
I've only had one and it isn't really bad, but they're a PIA to deal with.
Olympus
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I think a lot of that has to do with who you talk to in their CS dept. I was doing a detail strip of one of mine in the past and when I took the thumb safety out, the plunger spring and detents shot out into oblivion, totally my fault. I called Kimber just to see what they'd say. Gun was well out of warranty, but the guy was super nice and understood my dilemma and said he'd ship me a new spring and detents for free. When it came in the mail, it was the whole plunger tube assembly with the spring and all. I was impressed since it was my goof up to begin with.
Blacksmoke
Member
Good points.
Growing up in the shadow WWII, all that old mil-spec stuff figures large in my life. The newer generations do not share that nostalgia, nor should they. So, a modern improved version might be better.
gotboostvr
Member
You can pick up a Kimber Classic Two-Tone in full size, commander, or officer for well under $1k and they are great guns. I've had several. They are a beautiful pistol for a great price. Under $800 usually.
Nice Custom II, here's mine...
You have good taste!
Stubert
Member
Hi, New member here, I carry a Colt Defender in .45 If your son wants to use his 1911 for carry, It is a 3" and can be had for less than $850.00. I wear mine in an Alien gear IWB. holster.
jlpskydive
Member
Springfield Range Officer, I have one and minus a couple of bells and whistles it's every bit as good as my TRP.
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