Hey guys I'm lookin to join the band wagon and buy a 1911. I want a decent base platform so I can build it into what I want it to be. I'm open to any and all suggestions. My ONLY requirement is that it has to be a .45 acp platform and of the full-size variety. What do you guys suggest as a starting point?
1911 noob
- Thread starter pvthouse
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bang_bang
Member
Give Rock Island Armory a look.
They usually start around the $400 mark.
They usually start around the $400 mark.
non2os13
Member
rock island or springfield gi. i have a rock island tactical that i have been 100% happy with.
ScratchnDent
Member
Yeah, depending on your budget, the Rock Island, Springfield GI, Springfield Mil-Spec, or Colt Series 70.
MolleMan
Member
Rock Island is a beautiful gun for the price. i've currently gettin a Regent customized but knowing what i know now I would go back and paid for a Rock Island tactical.
I will say this I paid around $500 for my regent plus $20 for soft rubber finger groove grips, $100 for hi-vis sights, beaver tail, compensator, stainless slide release. that left me around $620
I sent it back for a stainless/drilled trigger, skeletonized stainless hammer, and a trigger job. i'm tradin in some parts that i didn't like but when its done I think i'll be around $720 or so.
moral of the story is you might want to shop for a pistol with everything you want on it cause it can add up quick and maybe save you money in the long run.
I will say this I paid around $500 for my regent plus $20 for soft rubber finger groove grips, $100 for hi-vis sights, beaver tail, compensator, stainless slide release. that left me around $620
I sent it back for a stainless/drilled trigger, skeletonized stainless hammer, and a trigger job. i'm tradin in some parts that i didn't like but when its done I think i'll be around $720 or so.
moral of the story is you might want to shop for a pistol with everything you want on it cause it can add up quick and maybe save you money in the long run.
bdb benzino
Member
Check out the Amercan Classic line of 1911's made by Metro Arms. They have a great track record for reliability and mine is tighter and better fit than my old Springfeild Loaded model! Good luck!
The Lone Haranguer
Member
If it is to be a platform for extensive customization, I don't think I would buy a cast frame/extruded (unless they've changed the design recently) slide RIA. This strikes me as one to be used and enjoyed "as is." Most gunsmiths would rather work with, say, a Colt or Springfield Armory due to more predictable steel quality. Whatever you choose, shoot it "as is" first to establish reliability, as no amount of custom work can make a fundamentally flawed gun shoot well.
Zerodefect
member
Dan Wesson, Ed Brown, Les baer.
Skylerbone
Member
Amen! Buy what you want. If it isn't what you want out of the box then look in to a custom pistol starting with a Caspian or Les Baer frame. Find a competent smith and agree on the work to be done and the price to be charged.
Building from scratch saves throwing all the parts out, ask anyone who ever sporterized a $150 Ruger 10/22. The smith will also be able to suggest what to avoid, saving future problems. Changing parts on a 1911 is asking for problems and a never ending relationship with the gunsmith.
Building from scratch saves throwing all the parts out, ask anyone who ever sporterized a $150 Ruger 10/22. The smith will also be able to suggest what to avoid, saving future problems. Changing parts on a 1911 is asking for problems and a never ending relationship with the gunsmith.
bdb benzino
Member
I dont agree with this at all, and I dont think alot of others will agree either.
non2os13
Member
if it's your first 1911, you might not want to go too overboard with it. you would be amazed that most 1911's can out shoot an average shooter.
every 1911 that i have had has been very accurate and felt well made with a good trigger feel.
every 1911 that i have had has been very accurate and felt well made with a good trigger feel.
Springfield armory and colt are the most popular base guns for full custom builds. Personally, I would call springfield's custom shop and have them spec a custom carry just the way I wanted. I've got a custom carry and prefer it over my baer and brown for sure. I may even like it more than my nighthawks, have not decided yet.
MICHAEL T
Member
I agree the American Classic Deluxe It's more accurate, than most owners and comes with all you really need on a 1911 . Rock Island tactical same way. No need to go way over board on a 1911 .
Skylerbone
Member
bdb, I said what I said for two reasons:
First, a 1911 is not always a 1911. External extractors, commander and compact sizes, not to spec. parts, ramped barrels, the list goes on. These days every penny whistle must be "fitted".
Second, the title of the thread is "1911 NOOB" which, roughly translated, means "I ought not stick my hands in where they don't belong because everyone who does manages to screw something up, is that a tuning fork?"
The 1911 is not a pistol for unfamiliar hands to tinker with. I've seen some truly nasty parts swaps, goofed hammer and trigger "upgrades", watched recoil springs zip across rooms and slides released on empty chambers full force (repeatedly). I've heard stories of people ruining feed ramps and frames with dremels, even know a guy who took his in for a ramp and polish who plans to "finish the job" himself. That job was done by a guy who custom builds 1911s and placed in the top 35 at Camp Perry (and could teach a few of the big name custom guys round here a thing or two about the 1911).
You can't make chicken salad out of chicken s**t. Nothing wrong with an inexpensive 1911 if it's reliable. Most are reasonably so out of the box. If you're looking for a Red, White and Blue, America's Gun I say do it right the first time. Life is too short to drive Yugos.
First, a 1911 is not always a 1911. External extractors, commander and compact sizes, not to spec. parts, ramped barrels, the list goes on. These days every penny whistle must be "fitted".
Second, the title of the thread is "1911 NOOB" which, roughly translated, means "I ought not stick my hands in where they don't belong because everyone who does manages to screw something up, is that a tuning fork?"
The 1911 is not a pistol for unfamiliar hands to tinker with. I've seen some truly nasty parts swaps, goofed hammer and trigger "upgrades", watched recoil springs zip across rooms and slides released on empty chambers full force (repeatedly). I've heard stories of people ruining feed ramps and frames with dremels, even know a guy who took his in for a ramp and polish who plans to "finish the job" himself. That job was done by a guy who custom builds 1911s and placed in the top 35 at Camp Perry (and could teach a few of the big name custom guys round here a thing or two about the 1911).
You can't make chicken salad out of chicken s**t. Nothing wrong with an inexpensive 1911 if it's reliable. Most are reasonably so out of the box. If you're looking for a Red, White and Blue, America's Gun I say do it right the first time. Life is too short to drive Yugos.
pvthouse, The RIA's and SA's are good suggestions. I'd would also recommend you look at the Para GI Expert. I'm on my second, both have been very solid and accurate shooters. The GI Expert is a great basic 1911 priced at ~$515+/-. For the price it comes with more features than most base 1911s...like good 3dot sights, a very nice trigger, skeletonized hammer and two 8round mags. They shoot well out of the box, for me its enough that all I added was a set of Hogue grip panels and rounds 
I'm happy to shoot it "just the way it is". But if you want to build on the platform the sky is the limit.
I'm happy to shoot it "just the way it is". But if you want to build on the platform the sky is the limit.
ol' scratch
Member
+1 on the Rock Island if it is your first and you want something to customize. Then again, why not a Kimber Custom II if you want all the goodies? I picked mine up for $725 a few years ago. It has been a great pistol. You are going to have to spend money to get a 1911 customized and the Kimber already has many match parts.
Full Metal Jacket
member
springfield armory.
Old krow
Member
I second the Kimber Custom II. I bought one after reading through this thread and took it to the range today. I got a good deal and I am very happy with it. I don't know much about customizing a 1911, but I really don't see the need to in this case either.
When I learn more about them maybe I'll buy another one, but for now all I really want to do is buy more ammo and go back to the range.
When I learn more about them maybe I'll buy another one, but for now all I really want to do is buy more ammo and go back to the range.
Jed Carter
Member
Best trigger for the money, STI Spartan, may be the best 1911 for under 7 bills. There are better, but you may have to pay much more to get the full features this pistol offers.
Zerodefect
member
What's your price range?
Skylerbone
Member
If what you're looking for in a build is somewhat typical ie. beavertail, skeletonized hammer and trigger, different grips and sights, take your time in selecting your starter. It would help if we knew what your cost expectations are, both beginning and final.
For a great out of the box shooter that eats varied ammo and spits it out positively I would recommend this: http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/manufacturers_id/31/products_id/26335.
For a no frills, built as it ought to be, starter pistol to change things around on (preferrably by a gun smith), this is your pistol: http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/manufacturers_id/197/products_id/32590.
For a classic original that you won't want to change parts on: http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/manufacturers_id/1/products_id/55899.
Again, it is my feeling that a 1911 should be left stock (with the possible exception of grips and sights) unless you are doing a custom build. I would not recommend the following makes if that is your intent:
Para GI Expert, non-standard parts won't allow for many upgrades, though seems to have quite a few favorable reviews save the finish which often fails.
RIA/Citadel/Charles Daley/Phillipine anything, you'll want to start with a forged frame and these ain't it, nothing wrong with them as shooters, especially the RIA but again, you'll eventually scrap everything if you start here.
Sig/Kimber/S&W, these all have external extractors (with a few model exceptions)- a big no-no to some purists but all designed to be bought as ready to shoot sans modification.
For a great out of the box shooter that eats varied ammo and spits it out positively I would recommend this: http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/manufacturers_id/31/products_id/26335.
For a no frills, built as it ought to be, starter pistol to change things around on (preferrably by a gun smith), this is your pistol: http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/manufacturers_id/197/products_id/32590.
For a classic original that you won't want to change parts on: http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/manufacturers_id/1/products_id/55899.
Again, it is my feeling that a 1911 should be left stock (with the possible exception of grips and sights) unless you are doing a custom build. I would not recommend the following makes if that is your intent:
Para GI Expert, non-standard parts won't allow for many upgrades, though seems to have quite a few favorable reviews save the finish which often fails.
RIA/Citadel/Charles Daley/Phillipine anything, you'll want to start with a forged frame and these ain't it, nothing wrong with them as shooters, especially the RIA but again, you'll eventually scrap everything if you start here.
Sig/Kimber/S&W, these all have external extractors (with a few model exceptions)- a big no-no to some purists but all designed to be bought as ready to shoot sans modification.
ol' scratch
Member
Sig/Kimber/S&W, these all have external extractors (with a few model exceptions)- a big no-no to some purists but all designed to be bought as ready to shoot sans modification.[/QUOTE]
I know this is an older thread, but I just wanted to clearify something. Kimber has gone back to the internal extractor-or at least they have in the Custom II.
I know this is an older thread, but I just wanted to clearify something. Kimber has gone back to the internal extractor-or at least they have in the Custom II.
Gold
Member
Rock Island Armory or Springfield
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