1911 for around $800

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bullzeye8

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I am looking at getting my first 1911. I've been doing some research but I want to just see what you guys think. I am looking for a full size 1911 5" barrel mainly for range/target use. I would like to stay around $800 but could go a bit more if I need to.

What are your opinions on who makes the best 1911 in that price range. Ruger, Remington, Springfield, Para, magnum research, or is there another I don't know of that is better? From what I am seeing it sounds like the springfield range officer might be the best choice.
 
Depends entirely on what you are looking for, I suppose. There are a lot of good 1911s out there. Some have some features, some have others. The only thing I personally try to steer away from is Magnum Research. I have heard a lot of complaints about them. Then again, I'm sure there are a lot of satisfied customers out there too.
 
From Bud's Gun Shop:

Springfield Armory Loaded $767

Springfield Armory Range Officer $723

Springfield Armory Mil-Spec $622

Ruger SR1911 $634

S&W SW1911E $808

Would love to have any one of these for my first 1911.
 
This would be my choice given the budget although if you have to have target sights than the Range Officer might be what you're looking for. Still though, Novaks are better than the standard sights on a 1991 as they're easier to swap out or adjust. The Loaded model is a nice package, and I think Springfield is offering 3 extra mags with purchase of any of their pistols right now...not a bad deal.


http://grabagun.com/sprgfld-45acp-std-sts-ldd.html
 
MIL-DOT

I would definitely recommend the Colt at that price from CDNN as well. I picked one up in 2011 for a range gun and because it had "100 Years of Service" rollmarked on the slide. A very well built gun in every respect.
guns2038_zps417946b5.gif
 
I spend a lot of time and effort trying to talk people out of the Springfield Range Officer. I don't believe adjustable sights belong on a 1911, and most people new to 1911's don't notice the sight cuts are different for adjustable sight guns. You will be severely limited with fixed, or even other adjustable sight options.

However, since you say...

I am looking for a full size 1911 5" barrel mainly for range/target use.
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For that use, the Springfield Range Officer is probably your best option in your stated price range.
 
If you can swing the Colt, do it. My only knock against Colt was they charged too much for the rollmark. That's been changing and they've always made a good pistol.

Springfield is my number two choice. Good frames and slides, milled and drilled square.

I've never owned a Ruger, but they have been getting extremely good reviews.

I've heard mixed reviews about the Remingtons. I'd ask someone who is more familiar with them to give you more information.

Avoid Para Ordnance like the plague. Because they are a plague to a real 1911. They make quite a few pistols that vaguely resemble a 1911 that function just fine. But if you want single stack, single action, .45 caliber and following the design of JMB, they've dropped the ball. Which is a shame, because they used to make some decent stuff.
 
For that use, the Springfield Range Officer is probably your best option in your stated price range.
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My recommendation as well for the price range. You're just not going to find a 1911 target gun better made below $800, and frankly you'd have to spend a LOT more to find one that is appreciably better.
 
I am looking for a full size 1911 5" barrel mainly for range/target use. I would like to stay around $800 but could go a bit more if I need to
Click to expand...

For about another 100, you may acquire a Springfield Armory 1911 A1 "Loaded"... loaded with all the accurizing tricks that smithys used to do to competition pistols back in the day: sights you can see, a clean, crisp trigger you can manage, match-grade barrel, good barrel-to-bushing fit, polished feed ramp, throated chamber, lowered and flared ejection port, skeletonized hammer, adjustable trigger... the Loaded has to be about the best pistol in your price range.

I have one. I shoot well with it. I don't see the need for another full-sized 1911 for quite some time! (as I am also fortunate to have a 3" Kimber Ultra CDP and a neat, new Browning 1911-22)
 
The COLT for $769 is a great deal... Have that Gov't model and the Commander and they're both great, dead-accurate pistolas!!...
Also, any of the Springfield 1911s are quality shoots... Had the Mil-Spec and it was a very well made 1911 for the money...
Colt or Springfield at those prices, and you'll have a great first 1911... Also, both companies have exceptional Customer Service (if needed)!!

olts005_zps0ec83e9e.jpg
 
Choices.....

For around $800.00 USD, you have a few picks to choose from.
Id look at these common brands. Note: some gun makers have special offers or rebates so keep that in mind. S-A is offering 3 free mags & a polymer magazine holder. Kahr Arms/Auto Ord has a free pistol mag. Para USA has a $100.00 rebate offer.
See the company websites for details. ;)

I'd check the Ruger SR1911, the Colt 1911a1s, the S&W 1911s, the SIG Sauers, the Para-USAs, the Kahr/Auto Ord.
Some like the Kimber 1911s www.kimberamerica.com but many recent shooters & armed professionals have railed against the brand due to poor quality and major flaws. :uhoh:
The Remington R1911 line isn't bad but I don't know much about it.
Some gunners & pistol shooters say the older series 70 format is superior to the modern 80 style 1911a1. I can see the points on both sides but for general carry or defense uses, Id buy a series 80.
The American Pistolsmiths Guild, www.americanpistol.com lists many top pistol smiths for the single action 1911s. They can do trigger jobs, throat the barrels, polish the feed ramps, install night sights if required, add grips, etc.

See www.slickguns.com www.gunsamerica.com www.gunsinternational.com www.jgsales.com www.brownells.com www.natchezss.com www.sigsauer.com .
 
My buddy picked up a Springfield Loaded model for around $800. I've shot it a few times with him and I'm strongly considering getting one now. Great gun for the price
 
Ok thanks that colt looks pretty nice and is a great deal so I'll look into that more. Is it series 70 or 80? Also what are your opinions on the difference between the guns were talking about and some a bit more expensive. Would I be better off waiting a bit till I can afford like $1100? Are they that much better? I would be willing to wait an extra month or two to save up if quality/accuracy/triggers are that much better or should I just get the more basic ones and can always upgrade later or just have extra ammo money?
 
Would I be better off waiting a bit till I can afford like $1100?
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No.

An $860 - $900 Springfield "Loaded" is equal in value to almost any other 1911 costing $1400. Nearly. lol. And you won't need to "upgrade" anything about it. STOP modifying your firearms! Buy good ones instead! Hee.

Now, then; gitcherself over to yer lgs and order up a Loaded, then spend the extra dough on 100 rds of good +P JHP (for the bad guy) and the rest for practice ball. As the late Dave McCracken was fond of saying, "Buy ammo. Use up. Repeat." BAUUR.

Now GIT R DONE.

:)
 
Springfield RO. I very much like mine. Both John Harrison and Heinie make fixed rear sights for the RO if you don't like the adjustable.
Mine is a 9mm with a Heinie rear sight and Harrison sear hammer and disconnect.
 
Carry-duty vs target/match 1911s.....

For general CCW or duty uses, Id get a pistol with fixed sights. 3 dot night sights are ideal, ;) . I like the Trijicon HDs(orange-green). The Wayne Novak style is great too for CCW. www.novaksights.com
Note: Wayne Novak co-designed the Ruger SR1911 series & advised on the features.

Adj sights can be good for target or match use but they could knock loose or break :uhoh: for duty/concealed carry.

Rusty
 
Springfield

I'm with the Springfield loaded group. It was my first 1911 platform and now I don't buy anything that's not metal and 1911 platform from 3" to 5", 9mm, 38Super and .45acp.
 
For your FIRST 1911 (at your $800 max price) I'd go with either the Colt-1991 or Springfield Range Officer. Both are great quality 1911s at those 'sale' prices.
My problem, I'm not a fan of adjustable sights which are on the SRO... if you're OK with those sights, it's your choice.
But if you're gonna change sights (I prefer 3-dot Novaks or Heine's) by the time you get done with shipping, cost of sights and installation, you're adding another $150+ to the original price!
For a FIRST 1911, I'd go with either Colt or SA at those prices, you won't go wrong... and you can always 'trade-up' (as we all do) in the future!!
Good Luck.
.
 
For general CCW or duty uses, Id get a pistol with fixed sights. 3 dot night sights are ideal, . I like the Trijicon HDs(orange-green). The Wayne Novak style is great too for CCW. www.novaksights.com
Note: Wayne Novak co-designed the Ruger SR1911 series & advised on the features.

Adj sights can be good for target or match use but they could knock loose or break for duty/concealed carry.
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Absolutely true. But the OP said this pistol will be for range/target use.
If I were to have a dedicated rage/Target 1911, you can bet I'd have adjustable sights on it.

OP- as to your question about saving up to buy an $1100 1911 instead, I honestly don't think it would be worth it. With "combat" or "tactical" style 1911s it would open up a few more doors, but for a dedicated range gun, you'd have to spend more than $1,100 to do better than the Springfield RO (In my opinion, of course). Especially if you are relatively new to the platform, you'll find that the RO is a gun you could learn with, grow with, and by the time you have shot enough ammo through it that you can shoot more accurately than the gun, you'll have spent many many more times the value of the gun on your ammo. It'll take you tens of thousands of rounds to surpass the mechanical accuracy of just about any quality 1911.
 
What do you guys think about the Dan Wesson Heritage? I found a good deal for a used, less than a 100 rounds fired, one that comes with the 2 stock mags and a wilson combat fot $900. Everything I have seen puts this way above the Springfield RO or Loaded.
 
I would highly recommend a Remington 1911 R1. They are plain jane, no frills, and they just work right. Only thing I would recommend is some Wilson Combat magazines for it as the stock ones are a bit cheap.

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This is my personal CCW. 1500+ rounds and its still ticking just fine.
 

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