1911 brand?

[browncoatdawn]

Budgets may differ

My first 1911 was a cheap one, just under $500. I got an Auto Ordnance WW2 copy, with those tiny sights and arched mainspring housing. It runs right along, shoots anything I put in it, and with the given near non existant sights, it is pretty decent once you adjust.
I personally want a Colt in both 45acp and 38 super. Til then I have my AO and my SA RO.

 

[Skylerbone]

$800-$900 is fast approaching the minimum for a Colt these days in fact last month I spotted a 1991 stainless for $1050 (price gouging)! It would be a great first 1911 if you don't mind foregoing the beavertail grip safety and the limitations of the stock sights, which I find very usable. With a little patience and smart shopping you may find one under $850. I'd suggest double checking the plunger tube and ordering a good replacement when you find it loose.

The SA Range Officer falls squarely into your budget and offers numerous upgraded features compared to a basic Colt that may suit your needs better.

You mentioned not liking the RIA you tried so I'm hesitant to mention this last one. STI's Spartan is considerably under your proposed budget, is well appointed with good internal parts and would be a knockout for around $650 depending on what it was that you didn't like about the RIA. Same frame, very different pistol. If you want more info and pricing check Brazos Customs. STI's higher end 1911s are manufactured in the US and represent an excellent value as well but they are slightly beyond your target budget.

My picks in random order: SA RO, Colt XSE, STI Spartan/Trojan, Ruger SR1911.

 

[GLI45]

I'm surprised that no one has mentioned STI. I own several and couldn't be happier. Great company out of Georgetown, TX. Very fine 1911s and 2011s (double stack). Superb fit and finish, very tight tolerances, all hand fitted, and very accurate. They have models from officer size up to 6" long slides. I don't know what your budget is, but STI 1911/2011 pistols start at about $1000 and go up to about $2800. With the exception of the Spartan, all of their 1911s are made right there in Texas. Excellent customer service and terrific bunch of guys to deal with.

 

[bannockburn]

1) Colt
2) Springfield Armory

My two favorite brands in a M1911.

 

[fpgt72]

I wanted to stay in the same price range as you and shopped and shot different guns for over a year before buying the Remington.

I got the R1 for a few reasons....first it had the look I was after....looks like it fell out of 1942. I am also a pretty small guy, very thin and have no problems with hammer bite. I am about 5'8" and 155 and it gives me no problems, now my buddy who is over 6' and over 200+lbs...it did bite him. I know it is easy to fix.

I ran about 200 rounds in the thing just last weekend and never a hickup, used the bulk PMC, winchester and (i think) remington ammo....gun was VERY dirty but it just keep going. This is my first large hand gun, the only other thing I own of any size is a 92fs and I can hit stuff with my eyes closed, this not so much....Had someone watching me and he said I was pushing my shots...gotta work on that.

Got the gun out the door for $603 including tax.

So far I am very happy.

 

[Loosedhorse]

Surprised not to see S&W listed. I have two, both great.

No internal key lock. For purists, since it has a tough-to-break external extractor and a firing-pin block safety (connected to the grip safety like Kimber, not to the trigger) it's not a "true" 1911.

It's better.

 

[kim breed]

Rock Island Tactical is the most bang for your buck. Change grips and sights and it will out shoot 95% of rest.
1 Warthawg
1 P-14
1 long slide AMT hardballer
2 RockIslands
1 springfield Trophy match
1 custom 1911 in 9mm
5 series 70 colts in different grades

 

[Skylerbone]

I wouldn't suggest the S&W based on personal experience and the OP's budget. In my opinion it has some issues as delivered that, with enough use, will force a return trip to Smith or one to a smith. I exercise option #2 and had mine corrected but that will blow the budget. The other issue would be sight replacement, another expense.

The Remington has a more significant issue that I consider negligent which, as of now seems unresolved. The factory cut of the VIS (vertical impact surface) forces the lower barrel lugs to strike low (at a weaker point) and will shorten barrel life needlessly. I'm not in the habit of posting pics belonging to others but every example has shown this same cut.

 

[fpgt72]

It was very close for me between the RI and the Remington. I was able to hold both side by side and the Remington did feel better....was it $200 better I don't know, but in the end I went with the R1, because of the better feel....and (I know it sounds stupid) it did not have that ugly bill board on the side of the slide.

 

[SatCong]

Take a look at Les Bear, I have three of them. Two PII's and one Concept VI.

 

[Rinspeed]

$900 is close to a STI Trojan.

 

[CharlieDeltaJuliet]

I own a Springfield, Colt 80 Officers, and a Sig C3 CT. The Sig is my favorite, just due to the tolerances and feel of the gun. The Springfield would be my second choice.

 

[Armed012002]

Colt

 

[Whirling Dirvish]

Springfield 1911-----------

I have been shooting IPSC since 1987 and IDPA since 1997with a Springfiled 1911 .45 acp pistol......I have over a 100,000 rounds through this pistol. Mostly using 200 gr. LEAD H&G 68 semi-wadcutters loaded to a power factor of 165,000. The pistol has the orginal Barrel, bushing, Slide and Frame. All other components have been replaced several times, (springs, sear, hammer, sights, safetys, etc.)........the gun works flawless and I clean it ever 300 rounds or so, have gone 500 rounds before cleaning with no mal functions. Accuracy, still have no problem shooting head shots at 25yds with this pistol.The pistol was matte finished hard chrome some 15 yrs ago, which makes the slide to frame fit tight and smooth as silk..... Currently shooting ESP Pistol Class in IDPA with a Springfield 1911 9mm configured the same as my Springfield 1911 45. They look and shoot the same, flawless........I own lots of Colt 1911's, and other mfgs.......but for competition shooting...Springfields work for me, (and I do my own 1911 trigger smithing).............
Thanks-- my opinion, whats yours?:banghead:

W.D.

 

[Teachu2]

If you shop around, deals can be had. Last summer I ran into a guy who was selling off several guns preparing to move out of California. One was a Series 80 Govt Stainless .45, with a Delta Elite 10mm complete slide as well as 3 Colt mags in each caliber. It also included a rail attachment, a TLR-1 light, and 714 rounds of 10mm ammo, all factory from Federal to Buffalo Bore. His price was $900 + PPT fee for all. I bought it, and sold the 10mm stuff to a local gunsmith for $400 (he nearly broke his arm whipping out his wallet) so I ended up with a very little used .45 with three mags, a rail, and a light for $500. That was a win-win-win deal - the seller, the gunsmith, and I all walked away happy.

My other 1911 is a Series 70 blued, with adjustable sights, that the previous owner ported - ruining it's value. It tended to gather crap around the bushing, and NOBODY wanted to buy it. It spent 16 months in a LGS consignment case, until it got down to $269. I bought it, and it shot well until it got dirty. Solved that with a Ed Brown Match barrel/bushing combo and a little guidance from 1911Tuner here. It's now a sweet shooter with non-functional slide ports, and I enjoyed the process of fitting the barrel.

My father-in-law recently purchased a nearly-new Commander for $500, with three mags, a holster, and a hard case. In this economy, deals are out there if you have cash.

If I were buying new, and was only going to have one 1911, it would be a Colt. Nothing wrong with the others, but no other 1911 has the history Colt does.

 

[Bushpilot]

I've had my colt 1991A1 for 20 years, shot it quite a bit with with a wide variety ammo including hollow points and cast handloads. I took care of it but never babied it and have had zero issues or complaints with it. In fact, now that I think of it, I can't even remember the last time I had any sort of stoppage or malfunction whatsoever, I'm sure it must have happened at some point(s) but it must have been years ago and so infrequent that I can't even remember it ever happening. I think that says alot. More then I can say for some of my friends "clone" 1911's.

 

[fpgt72]

My problem was that I wanted a NEW gun....there are so many hacks out there....if you want something NIB then the options are limited.

 

[hivel37]

My first 1911 was a Charles Daly, which ran as good as any AFTER the first 200 rounds. Since then I've had a Clark Custom Colt, 3 Springfields and a Para.

Now it's the Para GI Expert and a Springer SS Loaded in 9mm. All have been a tribute to JMB, God's gift to the gun world.