1911 for carry. Which one is the best out of the box?

[Carter]

I'm looking to replace my SR9c this fall/winter with a 1911. The two I've been looking at are the STI Spartan in .45acp and the Springfield G.I.

Which one is the best out of the box as far as reliablility, accuracy, and durability?

If you guys have a different suggestion within the same price range feel free to comment.

Thanks.

 

[Rinspeed]

I think the Spartan is one of the best you will find for around $600.

 

[wow6599]

I would go with the Springer. Bud's has The G.I. in SS for $599 delivered, and since you are going to be carrying it the SS will hold-up better. Plus I think Springfield makes a fine 1911 for the money......maybe the best 1911 for the $.
YMMV

 

[Carter]

I know that the SS would hold up better than the parkarized finish of the STI, but I was under the impression that the STI has better parts. However, I don't know that for sure.

 

[CZ223]

Not to confuse things but

you might want to expand your search a little. In addition to the guns you are looking at I would suggest the following.

1) Springfield Mil-spec can be had in stainless as well. It has the lowered ejection port and slightly better sights.
2) Rock Island Tactical or GI if you like. I like the better sights and the beavertail on the Tactical for for just under $500.
3) Taurus Duotone or stainless. The duotone is a beautiful gun with a lot of bells and whistles for under $600. I know some will tell you stay away from Taurus. They are just jealous.
4) Remington R1- I don't own one of these yet but they seem like a real nice basic 1911 for the money. Aside from their basic look they have pretty darn good sights on them as well. The finish appears to be better than RI, Citadel etc.

Aside from the R1 I own all of the above gun including two duotones and two RIA's.

 

[pikid89]

fyi the Remington R1 is a series 80 style 1911

 

[Shipwreck]

What's your price range, too? Off hand, I'd say get an Ed Brown - but that's a $2k gun

I'd say, give a Springfield a chance, although you may have to have some work done on the trigger to get it a little sweeter...

I have been told by several people to look at the new Remington and Desert Eagle 1911s - as far as quality for the price.

 

[HappyHunting]

I can't wait for the winter so I can better conceal a commander. The bare-bones 1911's (GI, Mil-spec, Spartan, R1, GI Expert) will not likely disappoint, plus you can add whatever doo-dads you want from Brownell's and still come out cheaper than a kimber or nice series 70 Colt.

Don't look past RIA either. They are good for the money.

 

[Jim Watson]

Carrying a 1911 for longer than the duration of a typical IDPA match is uncomfortable to me.
Are you ready to be humping around about a pound more gun than your present plastic job?
If not, look at a real Colt Commander or whatever other alloy gun you can get a good reference on.
I definitely prefer 26 oz to 39 for all day wear.

 

[HisSoldier]

Morris Custom, around $7500.

Recently a guy was talking about expensive guns, said that at the skeet club he plays at the most expensive shotguns (6 figures!!!!!!) hardly ever make it through a match without breaking down. Kinda funny. Said the higher the initial cost the less likely to get through a match.

I'm a huge fan of Dan Wessons, no MIM, now they have forged frames, kinda spendy, around $14-1600. No plastic shortcuts like Colts, just one of the last really honest production 1911's made in America. Wilson Combat, I think STI makes most models with no MIM.

 

[Jed Carter]

I own both a Springfield and an STI, if I could only own one it would be the STI. The STI has a ramped barrel, SA a ramped frame, I believe the ramped barrels would feed hollow point ammunition better. The STI trigger is great the SA is about average for a GI model. The STI has target sights, not so good for carry, but you could order it with Novak style night sights and wait 3-5 months maybe. You would be pleased with either one, I prefer the STI all around. For carry I would and have gone to a commander size 1911 I use a SIG 1911 RSC, commander length slide, officer frame, plus tritium night sights.

 

[Carter]

My price range is $700 and under. Can't go over at all. Spent most of my fun money on an XCR several months back.

I don't particularly care for Tarus, nor Remmington. I have though about the RIA. A friend of mine carries on every day. He replaced the guide rod and a few other things I believe and its a pretty decent shooter. The finish leaves a little to be desired though.

My current carry gun has adjustable sights so I'm not too worried about the STI's sights, but blade sights would be nice.

I just don't want to shell out a chunk of cash for a picky 1911 that will only eat certain ammo and has tolerances so tight that it jams up after extended firing.

 

[G27RR]

I don't have the Spartan, but two STI Ranger IIs and a Shadow have been flawless out of the box. The Shadow has around 1,000 rounds through it and is my daily carry. I would get the STI.

 

[JTQ]

Both pistols are pretty good and you would no doubt get good service with either pistol, and support from either company. The STI Spartan and Springfield GI are priced pretty similarly, but they do have different features. Look at the features and decide what you want.

The STI Spartan is the odd ball in the STI line-up, it comes off the RIA assembly line in the PI, but does use STI small parts. It is a good pistol, but don't get the impression it is made in Texas with the rest of the STI 1911's. If that makes a difference to you.

Don't let the folks confuse you here.

My current carry gun has adjustable sights so I'm not too worried about the STI's sights, but blade sights would be nice.

The small trim sights on your SR9 are nothing like the sights on the STI Spartan. They are tall and wide.

I own both a Springfield and an STI, if I could only own one it would be the STI. The STI has a ramped barrel, SA a ramped frame, I believe the ramped barrels would feed hollow point ammunition better. The STI trigger is great the SA is about average for a GI model. The STI has target sights, not so good for carry, but you could order it with Novak style night sights and wait 3-5 months maybe.

If I'm not mistaken, Jed Carter has a Trojan, not a Spartan. They are completely different pistols. The Spartan does not have a ramped barrel. There are no options on the Spartan. The sight cuts are such that you will be very limited in after market fixed sights (Harrison Custom is one of just a few available) if you want to change them.

The bare-bones 1911's (GI, Mil-spec, Spartan, R1, GI Expert) will not likely disappoint, plus you can add whatever doo-dads you want from Brownell's and still come out cheaper than a kimber or nice series 70 Colt.

The entering argument is that there are no drop-in parts for the 1911. It is not a Glock or AR-15. Parts don't just drop in a 1911. Unless you are a gunsmith or willing to chance butchering your new toy with a file or grinder, it will usually be less expensive and less frustrating buying what you want up front.

 

[surjimmy]

A custom 1911 builder told me a Springfield TRP is the best factory 1911 off the shelf, he said Springfield Loaded is good second. You can usually find like new ones for about $700.

 

[Jed Carter]

JTQ is right I do have a Trojan and not the Spartan, I was assuming that all STI's had Wilson-Nowlin ramped barrels. Remember when you assume you make an Ass out of U and ME, I was assuming. Sorry everyone, I stuck my foot in it again. I would still go with the STI Spartan over most 1911s with GI sights. If you do go basic then save even more and get a Rock Island and spare magazines, some ammo and a nice dinner for two.

 

[Carter]

Well I found a RIA nickel finished 1911 (few extras) at a gun shop right down the street for around $525. They also had a Springfield Loaded for $850, but I just can't swing that right now.

Will I be sorry if I buy the RIA?
Accuracy wise and reliability wise?

 

[dusty14u]

I don't think I you will be disappointed with RIA. I have never heard of any issues with them. The 1911's made in the Phillipines seem to be done right. I just bought an ATI 1911 GI and it was under $400 and it has been faultless.

 

[bannockburn]

Carter

I worked on a RIA M1911 that a friend of mine had. I added a highly polished SS beavertail safety (the gun was nickel plated), and I was impressed with the overall fit and finish of the gun. They did an especially nice job with the nickel plating; very evenly applied throughout the frame and slide. I also did a basic trigger job as it was already fairly decent as it came from the factory. Overall I would say it was a great buy for the money.

 

[MICHAEL T]

Get a RIA tactical or the American Classic in commander size . you will need a good belt and holster not cheap walmart belt and 5 buck holster from gun show . With proper gear you can carry the 1911 with a degree of comfort . cheap gear and their a pain

 

[BushyGuy]

RIA GI FS is pretty decent out of the box, u can make upgrades and it still will be under 500 bucks.

Citadel is another great 1911 out of the box too-if money isnt a factor get a Nighthawk custom they are the best out of the box.

Caspian builds are good if you can find em

 

[againstthagrane]

I you really want a carry gun and $700 is you absolute ceiling, I would get another kind of .45 other than a 1911.

 

[CZ223]

Check out....

M1911.org and 1911forum.com they both have a section dedicated to Rock Island guns. I think that the tactical is an excellent gun for the money. I have not seen one of nickled ones up close but there have been a lot of good reviews on them by guys on these sites. There have been some issues with the nickle finish in the past but I think that was a bad batch and it has been resolved. Nickled guns do not like copper solvents, so you have to be careful how you clean them. I own a RIA Compact Tactical that I bought slightly used, I liked it so much that I just ordered a 9mm Tactical just the other day. I can't wait for it to come in. By the way, that seems like a pretty good price for the nicled version.

 

[Carter]

This may get me burned at the stake but...

If a nickel finish starts to get messed up can't you just duracoat it?

 

[tapauly]

There have been a couple SW 1911PD's (or older SC's) on sale in the forum recently for under 700. You say out of the box, which may mean you want a brand new gun, but if you entertain used, a lightweight commander size is a great size and weight for carry. I will admit I do not carry, but my PD has been 100% reliable and a blast to shoot.