I am thinking of buying a new 1911...I am not wanting to spend an arm and leg for it...it will be basically just a fun gun...I want something that is dependable...here are my choices in no certain order...Taurus PT1911...Rock Island...or Springfield Armory GI...
1911 Choice
- Thread starter Karate
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countryrebel
Member
The Springfield GI or the Taurus are both great 1911's.Never handled a Rock Island so not sure about it.
10-Ring
Member
Colt 
I'd go Colt
Of your choices, I'd go w/ the Springer
I'd go Colt Of your choices, I'd go w/ the Springer
orionengnr
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yeah, but he said he wanted something dependable...
Of your choices:
I've owned a Charles Daly 1911 (made by Armscor, just like Rock Island). Not at all impressed.
Taurus...everyone has strong opinions about them. I owned one (not a semiauto, BTW)...note the use of the past tense.
I vote Springfield.
And yes, I've owned two Colt 1911s. Also past tense.
Of your choices:
I've owned a Charles Daly 1911 (made by Armscor, just like Rock Island). Not at all impressed.
Taurus...everyone has strong opinions about them. I owned one (not a semiauto, BTW)...note the use of the past tense.
I vote Springfield.
And yes, I've owned two Colt 1911s. Also past tense.
Black Majik
Member
Go for the Springer!!
Ala Dan
Member in memoriam
Springfield Armory 5" MIL SPEC
glockman19
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I voted Springfield. I will only buy 1911's from a few manufacturers or smith's Rock Island & Taurus are not one of them. I'm one of "those guys" that won't buy taurus at all.
For 1911's I'll buy in order:
Kimber
Colt
Springfield
Ed Brown
Les Baer
The Ed Brown & Les Baer are listed below the others because of Cost. They're great firearms but cost to performance ratio lowers them on my list. Just bought a Kimber Custom II for $700 NIB to go along with my safe Queen Raptor II. Next will be a Colt model 80 Stainless. for $800 NIB
For 1911's I'll buy in order:
Kimber
Colt
Springfield
Ed Brown
Les Baer
The Ed Brown & Les Baer are listed below the others because of Cost. They're great firearms but cost to performance ratio lowers them on my list. Just bought a Kimber Custom II for $700 NIB to go along with my safe Queen Raptor II. Next will be a Colt model 80 Stainless. for $800 NIB
alucard0822
Member
Ive fired both the taurus and the SA milspec, the SA definitely feels tighter, shoots better and doesn't have the huge two tone "TAURUS PT1911" banner on the slide, but I ultimately saved my pennies, got a kimber custom target and never looked back.
Zach S
Member
I'd go for the milspec (not the GI), RIA second. I havent handled a Taurus.
RIAs seem to be a lot of gun for the money. Just hide the rollmarks from the snobs.
RIAs seem to be a lot of gun for the money. Just hide the rollmarks from the snobs.
Black Majik
Member
^^^ Noticed that everyone that has responded on page 1 recommended Springfield Armory, but everyone that voted Taurus or RIA kept quiet?
FireArmFan
Member
springfield
daysleeprx
Member
I think the Springer Mil-Spec is a great base gun to start out with (and the one I would choose). But if you don't want to spend the cash to upgrade it later and want all the bells and whistles now, get the Taurus.
The Taurus made me come back to 1911's. It is a great buy for the price. Mine is tight and accurate. I am not a big fan of the huge billboard on the slide, but I can definately live with it. I have owned a ton of Springfields but always got rid of them, too much money for the quality- just my opinion. I have handled the RIA and for the money, they seem nice. For the options you get right out of the gate, the Taurus seems to be the best money.
I own mill spec springer and voted for taurus, because you used the term fun mill spec grop safetys are not fun IMHO.I would also recomend looking at charles daly i have one of them also exelent trigger great shooter, only problem it won't feed SWC bullets. feeds any round or truncated cone fine
Was leaning heavily towards the SA in the beginning. Then handles the PT1911.
No comparison. Quality? Do you think your getting SAs best with thier entry level 1911 (don't think so). Plus overall fit and finish on the Taurus was better IMO. As with others I am not a big fan of the logo on the slide but hey I am looking at it from behind the business end so it does not really bother me.
Ambi safety, heinie sights, two mags, lowered flared ej port, slide serations, lifetime warranty, and some other minor upgrades on the Taurus
vs
A basic as basic can be 1911.
Choice was not hard
No comparison. Quality? Do you think your getting SAs best with thier entry level 1911 (don't think so). Plus overall fit and finish on the Taurus was better IMO. As with others I am not a big fan of the logo on the slide but hey I am looking at it from behind the business end so it does not really bother me.
Ambi safety, heinie sights, two mags, lowered flared ej port, slide serations, lifetime warranty, and some other minor upgrades on the Taurus
vs
A basic as basic can be 1911.
Choice was not hard
Rob96
Member
I was just in this same situation, and I chose the Springfield Mil-Spec. It comes with a lowered and flared ejection port, very good fit and finish, and lifetime warranty should you need it. Also has the backing of one hell of a custom shop should you want to make it "yours". Rock Island, same manufacture as Charles Daly can come with soft slides and frames. Taurus did not impress me at all. The gun isn't blued, some kind of paint, that is NOT durable. Have read of problems where the lock that is built into the hameer rendering the gun inoperable. Also the front strap had a "weird" feel.
DomMega
Member
If those are my choices I'll take Springfield. However like a few others I've never shot a Rock Island so I can't comment on that unfortunately.
possum
Member
i say go for the taurus for about the same price as the springer, you get alot more features. the triggers are reported to be nice by pt1911 owners, and the heini straight 8 sights are a great additionn for some and they really like them. either the springfield or the taurus is a great choice though, let us know what you decide!
I have PT1911, a Colt Sistema that is pure mil-spec and another Sistema that I'm currently building. I would say without a doubt, go for the Taurus.
A mil-spec can always be had later for 350.00 in the form of a Rock Island but you can't turn a 350.00 mil-spec into what the PT1911 is for short of 700 to 800 dollars. The PT1911 has it all, for a very nice price. And no, it's not "painted." I've read some people who have experienced some holster wear on the pistol but it's not been an issue on mine. I have at least 800 rounds through mine and it has been flawless.
A mil-spec can always be had later for 350.00 in the form of a Rock Island but you can't turn a 350.00 mil-spec into what the PT1911 is for short of 700 to 800 dollars. The PT1911 has it all, for a very nice price. And no, it's not "painted." I've read some people who have experienced some holster wear on the pistol but it's not been an issue on mine. I have at least 800 rounds through mine and it has been flawless.
rollback88
Member
In this segment of the 1911 market, the Rock Island is absolutely the way to go. The others give you nothing more than you can get on the Rock for less $$. The guys that import them have an incredible reputation for service if it is needed.
Now, with their Tactical line, you can get the typical upgrades (beavertail, adj trigger, nicer-than-GI sights, etc.) for less (or about the same) $ than a Springer Mil-Spec.
--jcd
Now, with their Tactical line, you can get the typical upgrades (beavertail, adj trigger, nicer-than-GI sights, etc.) for less (or about the same) $ than a Springer Mil-Spec.
--jcd
wally
Member
RIA is the best gun for the money and you'll have money left over to buy ammo afterwards, netting by far the most fun for your $$$.
Hold out and look for one of the new RIA "Tactical" models -- Novak's sights, beavertal grip safety, ambi thumb safety, and better trigger. All the SA "loaded" features for GI prices. Paid $380+tax for mine.
--wally.
Hold out and look for one of the new RIA "Tactical" models -- Novak's sights, beavertal grip safety, ambi thumb safety, and better trigger. All the SA "loaded" features for GI prices. Paid $380+tax for mine.
--wally.
gandog56
Member
I bought a stainless GI and it shot good. Then I dropped in a Wilson Combat match grade barrel, and now it shoots GREAT!
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